Top PCB Design Software Tools for Electronics Engineers

       No matter which project it is that they are working on, electronics engineers must know exactly how the electrical circuits should be laid out and how they will work. Without printed circuit boards (PCBs), an electronics engineer’s job would be impossible. But, it can be quite a task for an electronics engineer to find the right PCB design software tools because they are so busy and there are so many to sift through. That’s why we have pulled together 7 of the top PCB design software tools for electronics engineers – to save you time while you are designing your projects. We also realize that one software tool may be appropriate for one PCB project while another will work better for other types of projects. As a result, we have included simple tools, free tools, and proprietary tools on our list. Our criteria was simple: the PCB design software tools for electronics engineers must be intuitive, include useful features, be established enough to limit risks, and feature a robust library so they can be applied to multiple projects. We share our top 7 PCB design software tools for electronics engineers here, in no particular order.

1)PCB Artist

Advanced Circuits is the leading PCB manufacturer with the industry’s largest active customer database and best on-time shipping record. Their PCB Artist is a reliable software tool for electronics engineers looking for an intuitive, easy to use solution. Electronics engineers also choose PCB Artist because it helps save time and money.

2. Utiliboard

National Instruments accelerates engineering success with their open, software-centric platform that leverages modular hardware and an expansive ecosystem. Electronics engineers specifically choose National Instruments’ Utiliboard because it provides a rapid PCB prototyping environment for several applications.

3. Altium Designer 17 

A software company providing PC-based electronics design software for engineers, Altium presents Designer 17. This PCB design software for electronics engineers is considered the gold standard by many in the industry. Altium Designer 17 is efficient, easy to use, and meets the modern needs of professional electronics engineers.

4.SOLIDWORKS PCB

For electronic design, SOLIDWORKS offers powerful design technology with on-demand bidirectional integration with SOLIDWORKS CAD. And, their PCB solution brings together CAD and PCB design for flawless collaboration.

5.DipTrace

DipTrace is a PCB design software tool for electronics engineers that features an intuitive interface and wide capabilities. For PCB layout, DipTrace provides board design with smart manual routing and shape-based autorouter. Electronics engineers prefer DipTrace for its single environment with direct circuit-to-board converting, updating from schematic, and back annotation.

6.KiCad EDA

A cross platform and open source electronics design automation suite, KiCad EDA includes schematic capture, PCB layout, and a 3D viewer for electronics engineers. Create designs without limit, make professional PCB layouts, and inspect designs in an interactive canvas with KiCad EDA.

7.Eagle PCB

Offering 3D design, engineering, and entertainment software and services, Autodesk makes electronic engineers’ jobs easier with Eagle PCB. This powerful, easy-to-use PCB design software tool makes is possible for engineers to make anything they can dream.