CAD of Choice

Problem

• eagle has only simplified constraints management (important for proper ERC, DRC)

• no user moderated part properties (Accuracy, max Power, max Gate Voltage …)

• no proper BOM management (in Altium one component equals one real / orderable part)

• constraint from kai: linux-support very much preferred

Eagle

• pro: holds current design, probably good enough

• con: not free for everyone, has no proper constraints and parameter handling (part properties, order number, bom generation)

kiCAD

• pro: open source, can import eagle, several extensions

• con: still no proper constraints in V5, less intuitive GUI

• detour: skidl_

Skidl

• pro: offers a schematic design language in python ⇾ jump right to kiCAD PCB Layout, seems to support user moderated properties, has constraints

• con: v0.2 - but it seems to be usable, documentation is loose

• https://xesscorp.github.io/skidl/docs/_site/index.html

Altium

• pro: tool of choice, free license with university-email, proper constraints and parameter manager, simulation

• con: most functionality is overkill, windows-os only

Circuit Maker

• pro: free, directly for open source projects, similar to big Altium brother

• con: deliberately crippled to be unproductive for large designs