PC Based CAD for the Electronics Designer

This paper is more than just a guide to the points to look for when contemplating the purchase of a CAD system for electronics to run on personal computers. It offers many helpful hints and points out the main pitfalls to avoid falling into. The limitations of the simplest systems are explained, as are the advantages offered by the more complex ones. It is pointed out that some modern PC‐based softwares on the latest machines running on 80386 processors can out‐perform mini‐computer systems costing several times more. In particular, this paper explains many of the difficulties that may be encountered when using such softwares for SMT designs, including those using both conventional and SM devices. It is based on many years' experience in designing and selling such software, so that the potential user can judge better the philosophies behind the software concepts. It is therefore the opposite viewpoint to the more common article on the experience of a user having purchased a particular type of software.