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OrCAD PCB Designer VS Autodesk EAGLE

Compare OrCAD PCB Designer VS Autodesk EAGLE and see what are their differences

OrCAD PCB Designer logo OrCAD PCB Designer

OrCAD PCB Design Software – Printed Circuit Board design, PCB layout, and routing software for professional PCB designers.

Autodesk EAGLE logo Autodesk EAGLE

Autodesk EAGLE is an electronic design automation (EDA) software.
  • OrCAD PCB Designer Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-23
  • Autodesk EAGLE Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-22

OrCAD PCB Designer features and specs

  • Comprehensive Toolset
    OrCAD PCB Designer offers a wide range of tools for schematic design, circuit simulation, and PCB layout, making it a versatile choice for PCB design projects.
  • Advanced Simulation
    The software includes robust simulation capabilities, allowing for thorough testing and validation of designs before physical prototyping.
  • High-Quality Design Outputs
    OrCAD produces high-quality outputs for manufacturing, which helps in minimizing errors and ensuring that the final PCB meets required specifications.
  • Community and Support
    There is a strong user community and professional support available, providing resources for troubleshooting and enhancing design workflows.
  • Integration with Other Tools
    OrCAD PCB Designer integrates well with other industry-standard software and tools, enabling smoother data exchange and workflow continuity.

Possible disadvantages of OrCAD PCB Designer

  • Cost
    OrCAD PCB Designer can be expensive, especially for small teams or individual users, which might be a barrier for extensive professional use.
  • Complexity for Beginners
    The software has a steep learning curve, which can be challenging for beginners or those new to PCB design software.
  • Resource Intensive
    OrCAD requires a powerful computer to run efficiently, which might not be feasible for all users, particularly those with limited hardware resources.
  • Occasional Stability Issues
    Users have reported occasional crashes or stability issues, which can interrupt the design process and result in lost work.
  • Limited Mac Support
    OrCAD primarily supports Windows operating systems, limiting its usability for designers who prefer or require Mac OS environments.

Autodesk EAGLE features and specs

  • Integrated Schematic Capture and PCB Layout
    Provides a seamless connection between schematic diagrams and PCB design, making it easier to manage design changes and component placements.
  • Extensive Component Library
    Offers a vast library of components, including symbols and footprints, which saves time in designing and simplifies the procurement process.
  • User Community and Support
    A large user base and active community forums are available to help troubleshoot issues, share designs, and collaborate on projects.
  • Affordable Pricing Tiers
    Flexible pricing options suitable for both hobbyists and professional engineers, with a free version available for personal use.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux, enabling users to work on their preferred operating systems without compatibility issues.
  • Autodesk Integration
    Seamlessly integrates with other Autodesk products, such as Fusion 360, providing a more cohesive design-to-manufacturing workflow.

Possible disadvantages of Autodesk EAGLE

  • Steep Learning Curve
    The software can be complex and may require significant time to learn, particularly for beginners or those transitioning from other tools.
  • Subscription-Based Licensing
    Recurring subscription fees can be costly over time, which can be a drawback for users who prefer a one-time purchase model.
  • Occasional Performance Issues
    Some users have reported software slowdowns and crashes, especially when working on larger, more complex designs.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    While suitable for most standard PCB designs, EAGLE may lack some advanced features required for more specialized applications or highly complex boards.
  • Dependency on Autodesk Ecosystem
    Integration with other Autodesk products is a pro, but it may also create dependency, making it difficult for users to transition to other ecosystems.

Analysis of Autodesk EAGLE

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Autodesk EAGLE is considered a good choice for both beginners and professional electronics designers. Its extensive features, community support, and integration capabilities make it a strong option in the PCB design software market. However, some users may find the subscription-based pricing model and the learning curve for advanced features as potential drawbacks. Nevertheless, its robust capabilities offset these concerns for many users.

Why this product is good

  • Autodesk EAGLE is widely regarded as a reliable and powerful tool for PCB design. It offers a comprehensive suite of features, including schematic capture, PCB layout, and a library of components, which facilitate efficient circuit design. Its user interface is intuitive, and it provides support for various design rules and constraints that are essential for professional-grade PCB development. Additionally, the integration with other Autodesk products enhances its functionality, allowing for a more seamless design process.

Recommended for

    Autodesk EAGLE is recommended for hobbyists, engineers, and small to medium-sized teams involved in electronics design. It is particularly suitable for those who require powerful design tools with a balance between usability and advanced capabilities. While beginners can appreciate its intuitive interface, experienced designers will benefit from its sophisticated features and integration with other Autodesk software.

OrCAD PCB Designer videos

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Autodesk EAGLE videos

Getting Started Autodesk EAGLE MAY 2019

More videos:

  • Review - eevBLAB #24 - PCB Wars! Altium Circuit Studio vs Autodesk Eagle
  • Review - Creating a PCB Outline in Autodesk EAGLE

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to OrCAD PCB Designer and Autodesk EAGLE)
Electronics
21 21%
79% 79
Simulation
15 15%
85% 85
Design Tools
25 25%
75% 75
IDE
32 32%
68% 68

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare OrCAD PCB Designer and Autodesk EAGLE

OrCAD PCB Designer Reviews

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Autodesk EAGLE Reviews

Comparing the Top 5 CAD Software for Electronics Design Development
EAGLE CAD software is cost-efficient, mature, and easy in usage. The name of this CAD program means Easy, Applicable, Graphical, Layout, Editor. EAGLE CAD is strong in the schematic diagram function and has a user-friendly interface.
Source: hackernoon.com
Our Top 10 printed circuit design software programmes
EAGLE has the advantage of being one of the PCB design software heavyweights. At a reasonable cost of $500/year, it has a significant community that puts tutorials online. It also has an extensive component library and runs in a Mac OS X or Linux environment.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing OrCAD PCB Designer and Autodesk EAGLE, you can also consider the following products

DipTrace - DipTrace - Professional Schematic Capture and PCB Design Software

KiCad - A Cross Platform and Open Source Electronics Design Automation Suite

KiCad EDA - A Cross Platform and Open Source Electronics Design Automation Suite

Altium Designer - PCB Design Software

EasyEDA - EasyEDA - Web-based EDA suite; runs in browser.

ExpressPCB Plus - ExpressPCB