PCB (software)
 | |
| Developer(s) | Thomas Nau |
|---|---|
| Initial release | 1990 [1] |
| Stable release | 4.3.0[2] 
/ 1 March 2021 |
| Repository | |
| Operating system | Unix-like (BSDs, Linux, Solaris, OS X (experimental) and Microsoft Windows |
| Type | Electronic design automation (EDA) |
| License | GPLv2 |
| Website | pcb |
PCB is a free and open-source software suite for electronic design automation (EDA) - for printed circuit boards (PCB) layout. It uses GTK+ for its GUI widgets.
History[edit]
PCB was first written by Thomas Nau for an Atari ST in 1990 and ported to UNIX and X11 in 1994. Initially PCB was not intended to be a professional layout system but as a tool for individuals to do small-scale development of hardware.[1][3] The second release 1.2 introduced user menus. This made PCB easier to use and increased its popularity.[1] Harry Eaton took over PCB development beginning with Release 1.5, although he contributed some code from Release 1.4.3.
PCB includes a topological autorouter named Toporouter, developed by Anthony Blake in a Google-funded open source project mentored by DJ Delorie in 2008.[4] It is mostly based on an implementation of the algorithms described in Tal Dayan's 1997 PhD thesis, "Rubberband based topological router".[4][5] This router has meanwhile been adapted for use with the open-source KiCad project as well.
In 2013, pcb-rnd was forked from PCB.
Features[edit]
- Scalable fonts
- Layer groups to keep signals together
- Add on device drivers
- Gerber RS-274X and NC Drill output support
- Centroid (X-Y) data output
- PostScript and Encapsulated PostScript output
- Rats-nest generation from simple net lists
- Automatic clearance around pins that pierce a polygon
- Flags for pins and vias
- Groups of action commands can be undone by a single undo
- Simple design rule checker (DRC) - checks for minimum spacing and overlap rules
- Drawing directly on the silk layer
- Viewable solder-mask layers and editing
- Netlist window
- Netlist entry by drawing rats
- Auto router
- Snap to pins and pads
- Element files and libraries that can contain whole sub-layouts, metric grids
- Up to 16 copper layer designs by default
- Trace optimizer
- Rats nest
- Connectivity verification
- Can interoperate with free schematic capture tools such as gEDA and XCircuit
- GNU autoconf/automake based build system
- PCB is Free Software
File formats[edit]
Import[edit]
- PCB accepts textual file in the form of a network lists and associated pins. Such file may be produced from a GEDA or XCircuit program or some other
Export[edit]
- bom: Bill of materials.
- gcode: G-code.
- gerber: Gerber.
- .ps: PostScript.
- .eps: Eps.
- .png: Image.
- .nelma: Nelma.
- .gsvit
- .ipc-d-356
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c "PCB document manual". 100826 pcb.gpleda.org
- ^ "pcb-4.3.0 released". Retrieved 10 October 2021.
- ^ "Linux Fund partners to boost usability of gEDA open source electronic engineering software package". 100826 linuxfund.org
- ^ a b Blake, Anthony (2009-07-07) [2008]. "Topological Autorouter - Introduction". Archived from the original on 2011-02-27.
- ^ Dayan, Tal (June 1997). "Rubberband based topological router" (PDF) (PhD thesis). Santa Cruz, CA. USA: University of California. S2CID 107646249. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-07-18. Retrieved 2017-09-25.
External links[edit]
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