Have a question about CadSoft EAGLE?  Ask our Expert, Richard! (Archive)

Hi kemmi,

as the EAGLE acronym says it's an Easily Applicable Graphical Layout Editor. It's a very lean program that offers absolutely reliable tools for PCB design. The user interface is the same in all editor windows. It does not matter if you are working in library for creating components, or in the schematilc editor or in the layout. Once learned, you will be able to master every situation.

One of the greatest benefits is our very active community. Simply take a look into our newsgroups or into the Download area of CadSoft's web server. There are lots of user-contributed library files or User Language Programs for almost every purpose. By the way: The EAGLE User Language makes EAGLE very flexible. The User Language gives you access to every object of your schematic/board /library. So, for example, complex actions can be automatized. There is certainly more to be said about EAGLE, maybe there is one or the other EAGLE user that wants to share his opinion?

-Richard

Hi Richard

I would like to know when the link will be implement with cadsoft like altium ans orcad cis?

It will be free if the customer have a  soft 5XXX ?

Thanck

I suppose you are referring to the implementation of Design Link, aren't you? As far as I am informed, it is planned for EAGLE 5.9.0. This will be a free update for all EAGLE 5.x.x users.

Regards,

Richard

Hi,Richard

Thanks your feedback.another question: about software compatibility,CadSoft can open other competitor file( eg Schematilc file or PCB file or autoroute file and for Board Manufacture data ) ?

Hi,

there are some programs that allow, for example, to import Orcad netlists into EAGLE. As far as I am informed there is no tool that allows to convert a whole schematic. On our web server (http://www.cadsoft.de/download.htm ) are directories that contain various customer-made programs for EAGLE. Please take a look at them. Perhaps you will find a usefull converting tool.

But with EAGLE's User Language it would be possible to make a converter for  importing/exporting any data format. Supposed to have a good documentation of it and some skills in C-like programming and of course some knowledge of the syntax of the User Language. The UL is fully documented in the help function of EAGLE.

There are several ULPs for generating data from EAGLE and importing data into EAGLE which come with the EAGLE installation. You can also

find a lot of ULPs in the user Download area of our web server.

Examples for import

DDF format of  Ultiboard PCB, Version 4.80 u. 5.50  -- import-ultiboard-DDF.ulp

Orcad Schematics   importbom_and_netlist.zip

Import if ACCEL-ASCCI format  -- not yet officially released, contact CadSoft Tech Support

Several netlist formats

  Netlist in Protel  format --  netlist_protel.ulp
  Protel netlist in EAGLE-Script for layouts -- protel2eagle.zip
  Orcad netlist   -- orcad_netlist.ulp
  Tango netlist -- import-tango.ulp

There are lots more ULPs available for data export, for example:

  export-protelpcb.ulp --  Export Eagle board to Protel ASCII format
  eagle2kicad_sch.ulp  -- Schematic to KiCAD
  eagle2kicad-0.8.ulp  -- Packages and symbole into  KiCAD format

  eagle2ad_sch.ulp  --  Generate schematics in Protel / Altium format

Please check  www.cadsoft.de/download.htm  for more.

Regards,
Richard

Hi Richard

I would like to know if it's possible to test Eagle?

It is possible to simulate the shematic with eagle or an other product(before to do the PCB)

thanck

Hi,

there is the EAGLE Freeware you are allowed to use for testing and non-profit use as well. The Freeware has a limitation in the maximum board size of half an Euro card, which is 100 mm x 80 mm, and it is limited to two signal layers (Top and Bottom, no inner layers).

Download is for free from www.cadsoft.de/download.htm or take the link from here at element-14:

http://www.element-14.com/community/docs/DOC-13200

Regards,

Richard

Hi Richard

ttanck for yours advices.I m lookinf for a customer a product like this.

Can you propose me à product CADSOFT (even if near the same)

thanck

Fabricant:

NUMBER ONE SYSTEMS

Code commande:

4894121           FARNELL

Référence fabricant:

EASY-SPICE

Conformité RoHS :

Description

• SOFTWARE, EASY-SPICE, A/D SIMULATOR
• Conditions:Windows 95 to XP, Easy-PC for Windows
• Taille mémoire:64MB

Hi again,

I just realized that i did not answer your question about simulating......  sorry.

EAGLE has no tools to simulate a schematic or parts of it itself. But there is an interface, realized with the help of the User Language, that allows converting data from EAGLE into a simulating software named B2Spice. It's a product of BeigeBag Software in Canada. They realized the ULP for data exchange some years ago. Take a look at their tool at http://www.beigebag.com/eagle.htm

Best regards,

Richard