What is CAD Software Used For?
Knowing how to use CAD software is an essential skill whether you are new to PCB design or you are a long time hobbyist. Computer Aided Design, or CAD, is software that allows users to design and draft industrial design, engineering, and architectural applications.
When major electronics companies design new PCBs, they use CAD software and you should too. Whether you plan to build your printed circuits yourself or have them built by a manufacturer, CAD software will simplify the entire process, especially for multilayer circuit boards.
While not easy to master, CAD software has brought the skill of mechanical drafting to all who can use a computer, much more so than spending years hunched over a drafting table.
Designing PCBs with CAD
If you want to construct your own PCB from scratch, you should still be using CAD software for the design. Most CAD software is rich with features that greatly simplify printed circuit board design, including working to a grid, track width definition, setting design rules, and working within industry standard specifications.
Once the basic PCB design is down on paper, you can then transfer the design to the schematic capture stage of the design. In this step the CAD software will be used to transfer the entire PCB design to an electronic form. All components and connections are added electronically and become the basis for your final circuit board design and layout.
Once the schematic has been captured, you must perfect that design until you have a fully functioning prototype PCB.
CAD for Multilayer Circuit Boards
When designing multilayer circuit boards, using CAD software really becomes essential. Keeping track of multiple layers and the vias that connect the various components and their routing quickly becomes a task best left to your design software. You are going to have to outsource to a PCB manufacturer because they are the only ones who can manage the intricacies of constructing a multilayer board.
Your CAD software program should easily be able to handle designing multilayer circuit boards. If not, there are many packages available that will. Just do a search on Google for “PCB design software” and you will be able to find a handful of reputable options.
Though everyone has different design needs, most designs will require an auto-save feature, and English or metric designation, multilayer capabilities, Gerber file export options, and a design rule checker.
