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

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

Richard,

I have been using Eagle freeware for about two years and now need to design a four layer pcb. As this for hobby/amateur radio use; what are my options if $750 is too steep for the allowed budget?

If I purchase layout with autorouter ($500) will Eagle be able to read and and service all of the schematics I did with Eagle freeware?

I have an unactivated Freemium key that a I'm not using because I travel frequently and do not understand the "locked network requirement". (I use hotel wifi etc)

Thanks

Bruce Vicknair

Hi Bruce,

How big is the board you need to work on?  Standard edition of EAGLE is $249.00 for each module with a board size limitation of 160X100mm.  EAGLE Professional has a very large board size limitation and runs for $498.00 for each module. If you don't purchase the Schematic Module with your license, you will not be able to load your schematic files. Programs can not be combined, so its either all Light, all Standard or all Professional.

We do offer a NON PROFIT license of the standard edition for $125.00 dollars. This includes the Schematic, Board Layout and Autorouter. For details please visit:

http://www.cadsoftusa.com/nonprofit.htm

Best Regards

Ed Robledo

Hi Richard

A customer has the 5.6  software and he wants to upgrade eagle with 5.10 to get the embeded link.

If it"s free of charge how can he do it?

thanck

Hi Amasutum,

Updates within a version are free since your customer already has 5.6 he/she doesn't have to pay to obtain 5.10.

All they need to do is download the free version from either Newark or the Downloads section of Cadsoftusa.com. Once they start installing version 5.10  they will reach a point where they will be asked to enter their installation code and license key file.

Their installation code is a 10 lowercase letter code, it has no numbers (people often think that the installation code is the serial number this is not the case). They must also find their original key file it will be named either license.key or (serialnumber).key. If they received a CD and yellow certificate with their order(we used to send out CDs, now we can do everything through the internet which greatly reduces the turnaround time) then the installation code will be on the yellow certificate to the left of the serial number, and their license file will be on the CD.

If they didn't receive those items then they should know where they saved the orginal key file on their machines and have notated somewhere the installation code.

If you find that neither of the above scenarios is true simply contact us and we will reforward the licensing information.

Hope this answers your question.

Best Regards,

Jorge Garcia

Cadsoft Computer

Hi,

Normally, in the pcb editor, you see the components placed on the top side of the board. If you want to send a component to the bottom side then you can do it by mirroring the component of interest. But even you mirror a component it is still seen on the top site ( in fact it is on the bottom side ). So this causes confusing sometimes.To prevent this, you may disable the bottom side view from the menu, it is Ok. My question is,

Is there a feature to mirror the board completely and view the bottom side as if it was top side ? It is something like reverse view. If it is not applicable currently then, do you think adding this feature is worth to be done ?

Firat

Thats a great feautre request I'd like to be able to do that too - it makes visualising much easier.

Although it's a bit of a work around, one thing you can do is 'print' just the bottom layer(s) with the 'mirror' option checked. This will at least give you an image of the bottom side of the board as viewed from below.

-Kenny