The first step to save money with PCB layout software tools is to choose the right one for your needs. There are many options available, from free and open-source to premium and proprietary.

If you are a PCB designer, you might have heard of 3D PCB layout software. This is a type of software that allows you to create and view your PCB design in three dimensions, rather than the ...

The guide is aimed at Eagle CAD. To use more than two layers you’ll have to purchase a license. But we think the concepts can easily be translated to other PCB layout software like Kicad.

[Phil] tipped us off about a new software package that will let you import PCB layout files into Google Sketchup. This way you can start working on the enclosure in CAD before you’ve populated ...