DipTrace PCB review

Diptrace is a PCB design software developed for educational and professional use . Diptrace PCB design software not a free software , but is available in many versions including student versions . A full features package of diptrace is available at around 600 Euros .

This software has many features and is very easy to use .
This software has four main programs :
1. PCB Layout - PCB design with easy to use manual routing tools and autorouter.
2. Schematic - creates schematic and exports netlist to PCB.
3. ComEdit - pattern editor.
4. SchemEdit - component editor. Draw parts and attach patterns to them.

Drawing and routing the schematic and pcb is very easy .Also if you don’t have time or you don’t want to place or route manually all components from the pcb layout this software can do all work in few moments , grateful to a powerful autorouter option .
When you draw a circuit you can choose standard component and some other components categorized by manufacturer .

In Schematic editor of diptrace you’ll find features like :
-Back annotate that updates schematic document by changing RefDes, Value and Type of components regarding to specified PCB file.
- Optimize RefDes that renumerates RefDes of the components in the current design to optimize numbers (if some components were previously deleted or renamed).
-Electrical Rules Check that allows you to ERC check electrical rules for the design.
Also in schematic editor of Diptrace you can draw circuits in hierarchical mode .
An export features allows you to export nets list to other pcb software like :Accel, Alegro, Mentor, Orcad, Pads ,PCad, Protel and tango .
This PCB design software layout editor allows you to design printed circuits board very easy ( if your circuit is not so complicated you can use autorouter features) .
Like other PCB design software Diptrace offers you features like : DRC ( design rules check ) , import features to the other PCB software (Accel, Alegro, Mentor, Orcad, Pads ,PCad, Protel and tango ),autoplacement for components , table insertion ( using few clicks ) .
Another useful feature of this PCB design software editor is Design Information that provide a static about all components and traces from the pcb ( number of pins , vias , components, traces , etc.)
What is missing at Diptrace ? we think a little time because was a little hard to find something what is missing , but we’ve found that you don’t have an 3D view of the printed circuit board designed .
However this option it’s not so important an you can design anything you want without this option .
This software can be downloaded for free from the Diptrace website (free evaluation 30 days version) . If you need a free license student version you must contact the developer .
To see how this software works we’ve prepared a small video tutorial , but if you want more information , help, at this software you have an help manual that is delivered in package and some other useful help files and tutorials on the developer website .