The performance of the PCBs depends on their design. Imagine a PCB design with errors in its functioning. Now what happens? It will lead to complications, and your clients might get angry with you as well. PCB designs are the building blocks which means the structure of PCBs is important to consider. You cannot expect great performance from PCBs with faulty design. It becomes more important in miniaturization.
Small PCBs are complex, and their designs need perfection at the same time. To handle this easily, today, PCB producers use EDA, which means electronic design automation. These platforms are just like tools to make PCB designing a lot easier. We are going to discuss two common EDA tools right here in this post! Let’s learn about these!
Kicad EDA
We have KiCAD here, which is a fine EDA tool that will make PCB designing a smooth sail for you. It is a free EDA platform and enhances the quality of designs of PCBs. It is open-source software. Now, this means you can easily use it for help. Debugging your designs and PCB design optimization is also simple with KiCAD. You can use it on iOS, LINUX, and Microsoft with utmost ease. The list of KiCAD’s features is long; we will learn about these in a bit. However, we are going to take a look at the sub-modules that KiCAD offers:
- GerbView for analyzing and viewing Gerber files.
- Eeschema for schematic capturing and editing
- Bitmap2Component for converting images to PCB footprints
- PCBNew for layouts and 3D capabilities
Key Features Of Kicad
- PCBNew for Layout & Routing: You can rely on KiCAD for layouts and routing of PCBs. It happens because one of its submodules is called PCBNew. It speeds up the routing and saves you time. Further features for routing include obstacle avoidance and more.
- Eeschema Schematic Capture: It is possible due to KiCAD’s called Eeschma. It offers schematic capturing in an efficient way. It uses UI to make your design spree productive. The file exportation is also simpler with this module. It supports different file formats as well.
- Hierarchical Features: It comes in handy when you are considering complex designs. For example, multi-layer schematics. It will change your schematics into a fine hierarchy so that you can work on your PCB designs effortlessly.
- Design & Electrical Rule: You cannot approve your designs without checking them. Rule checking of PCB designs comes in handy. It is because it will rule out chances of faults, electrical failures like short circuits, and current leaks. You can do this with KiCAD’s DRC tool. It will discover the errors so you can fix them in time.
- 3D Rendering: KiCad’s 3D viewer will help you with the 3D visualization of your designs. So that you can take a better look at your PCB’s structure, you can enhance your designs with 3D sketches from different angles.
- Intuitive UI: The UI of KiCAD is dependable for productivity. It is important for the users so that they won’t get stuck with the navigation of the tool’s interface. It saves their time and improves their PCB designs.
- Free Cross Platform: KiCad is a free, open-source PCB designing tool that comes packed with so many features. It runs on all types of operating systems as well. You will hardly experience any glitches and problems with KiCAD due to its recent upgrades.
- Online Library: The users need to export and import files when designing PCBs. Therefore, you can rely on its fast importing/exporting system for this purpose. It has an online library with pre-existing templates to give an edge to your PCB designs.
What is special about KiCad?
If you are new to KiCAD, you might be wondering, what makes KiCAD so special? Why give it a try? Well, this is natural to think. Since KiCAD’s hype in the PCB world is incredible. So here we are going to see why you should actually start using KiCAD for your future projects:
- First off, it’s free, unlike other PCB designing tools.
- It comes packed with different sub-modules to outshine your designs.
- The tool has no hidden costs.
- No additional spammy downloads
- Fast PCB designing to save your time
Who’s it for?
KiCAD is beneficial for mid-range brands. It is also a beginner-friendly tool that helps in better understanding the PCB designs as well. However, this tool might be lacking in features that do not make it a great choice for everyone.
Is KiCad EDA worth it?
KiCAD is a multipurpose tool when you want to handle different aspects of PCB designing. It is a one-stop solution when you want to improve your designs and fix problems in them. It gives you an edge by being a multifunctional tool so that your PCB designs won’t suffer from any complications.
Disadvantages of KiCAD:
We have listed some of the major cons of KiCAD, have a look:
- The project saving option is absent.
- Library and footprint management is tough.
- Developing BOM from schematics is difficult.
- No option for setting the same net clearance for projects
- The print function is not impressive.
- Schematic copying is troublesome.
Autodesk EAGLE
Autodesk EAGLE is another EDA tool, perfect for your PCB designs. It has been making PCB designs seamless for the user since 2016. Autodesk has made many upgrades in the system so that it will efficiently improve the PCB designs. So what does it mean? It means an easily applicable graphical layout editor. The name says it all! It’s all about providing ease when you are dealing with complex designs. It has multiple features, and each of them describes its versatile nature. You can use a single Autodesk EAGLE for managing your designs with the least hustle.
Key Features of EAGLE
- Advanced ERC & DRC: EAGLE is supportive of ERC and DRC. The users have cherished its rule-checking features to detect the faults in the designs and fix them in time. It ensures the protection and safety of the users and devices once the designs have been completed.
- New Routing Engine: The routing engine of EAGLE has developed as well. It offers fine obstacle avoidance when you need it the most. It helps in route optimization and PCB navigation much easier. It comes in handy when you are developing a complex PCB design.
- Design of High-Speed Features: High-speed design is important when you are running out of time and need industrial-grade PCBs. It has a bunch of unique tools that will help you outdo your designs whenever you use them.
- 3D Viewing Capabilities: EAGLE is amazing with 3D viewing and rendering. You can precisely check out your designs from different angles through EAGLE. So that there will be no chance of any failure at all.
- Supply Chain Management: EAGLE also helps you with supply chain management. You can speed up your designs with its library and design templates. It also greatly reduces the production cost when you are handling bulk designs.
- BGA Fanout Router: It also works suitably when you are looking for BGA PCBs. It supports the HDI so that miniaturization can take place without any complications. It has a dedicated tool for this purpose as well.
- Reusable Design Blocks: You can also reuse your designs in the form of modular units of EAGLE, which are actually the shapes and blocks of your old designs. Just drag and drop these modular units, and then you will have your new design developed in just a few minutes.
- SPICE Simulation: EAGLE never goes wrong with its precise analysis and simulation for your designs. It deeply inspects the PCB’s performance and matches the design requirements as well.
What is special about Eagle?
So why choose EAGLE when you can find tons of other PCB designing tools available? That’s a valid question. Let’s check out the answers:
- EAGLE is good for designing complex PCB designs
- It speeds up the designing process due to its libraries.
- EAGLE is an effective tool for improving your PCB design quality
Who’s it for?
You can rely on EAGLE if you are an experienced PCB designer since it has some critical features that only need a veteran to understand. However, if you are a beginner and want to use EAGLE, then don’t fret. You can still use it for beginner-level designs quite easily.
Is Autodesk Eagle worth it?
That’s another good question. Is using EAGLE really worth your time and energy? Autodesk has made sure of it due to the latest upgrades in EAGLE. You can use it for FREE on the basis of its trial and see if its suits you or not. If it does, you can invest in EAGLE and see the incredible transformation of your PCB designs from boring to irresistible in no time!
Disadvantages of EAGLE:
You need to be aware of the downsides of this software so that you will have a clear picture while choosing between the two:
- EAGLE is not good in fast speed digital transport
- Wireless routing and lodging might not be up to the mark.
- The free version is limited in providing features.
- The user interface might be difficult in terms of ease.
- It can be difficult to use for novices in some cases.
Main Differences Between Eagle vs. Kicad
- You can use EAGLE for annotation and editing. Besides, it also offers sync that KiCAD does not, which helps with the designs and schematic.
- KiCAD is a beginner-friendly tool, and it also assists beginners with their projects with a much more basic interface, unlike EAGLE.
- KiCAD is more affordable than EAGLE because it is a free tool, while EAGLE is a paid one and only offers a FREE trial.
- EAGLE is supported by MCAD viewing, which is an in-built feature; therefore, it is more reliable for 3D rendering than KiCAD.
- EAGLE cannot transform your design’s schematics into a hierarchy, but KiCAD does.
- EAGLE is recommendable when you need to go in-depth with analysis and simulations, unlike KiCAD.
- Complex PCB designs are also easier and faster to develop with EAGLE.
- You can trust EAGLE for BGA routing for HDI PCBs, where you need to play carefully with the high-density interconnects. This feature is absent in KiCAD.
Which Software Is Best For You?
It is a never-ending debate. Both tools have their strong points. It will definitely get harder for you to choose one from them for your projects. However, you need to be wise when choosing the best software. How’s that possible? You need to select the software as per your design’s nature. Experts recommend EAGLE for 3D rendering/viewing, effective analysis, and simulation purposes. While KiCAD is famous for its simple navigation and interface. It also can be your biggest asset when you are just getting started with PCB designing.
Eagle vs. Kicad: Who’s the Winner?
It mainly depends on your skills and the nature of your designs. Some designs don’t need EAGLE, which is an advanced tool. Whereas using KiCAD for some projects won’t render positive results. To draw a fine line between the two, if you are a beginner, go for KiCAD, while EAGLE is for the veterans. If you are someone who loves to customize their tool, then EAGLE is not much flexible with that.
So, Which One Should You Pick?
The answer just depends on your needs. What you are looking for in EAGLE and KiCAD determines your projects. Both software has some similarities, but their features ad functions are different at the same time. Therefore, which one you should pick depends on the type of your project. You even might have to switch between both since both have limitations as well. If you often work with complex PCB designs, then EAGLE will always be a great choice.
Conclusion
You are never going to end KiCAD vs. EAGLE debate. Both are important for PCB designers. As per their needs, both programs serve our PCB designers to the fullest. Due to this 5ereason, today, we are able to witness the marvels of PCBs due to their remarkable designs. All this is possible due to the features of such software. We hope that now you can easily choose between KiCAD and EAGLE for your upcoming PCB designs!
