DesignSpark PCB
DesignSpark PCB is a free electronic design
automation software package for printed circuit boards. DesignSpark PCB
Although there is no charge for the software, the user
must register with DesignSpark.com (http://DesignSpar
k.com) to unlock the program and it displays
advertisements which must be acknowledged before the
user can begin working.
Background
DesignSpark PCB resulted from a collaboration
between electronics distributor RS Components and
EDA software developer 'Number One Systems', being
a fork of their long- established EDA Easy-PC.[1]
Electronic design automation (EDA) software is a sub-
class of computer-aided design (CAD) software. Developer(s) RS Components
Initial release July 5, 2010
Projects Stable release 11.0.2 / December 12,
2023
Projects are used in DesignSpark PCB to organise
Operating system Windows, Linux under
design files. A project can have an unlimited number of
Wine
schematic sheets and one PCB layout file.
Available in English
Schematic capture Type Electronic design
automation
DesignSpark PCB has a Schematic editor. Schematics License Proprietary software
are used to draw up circuit diagrams and connections.
Website www.rs-online.com
A given project can have multiple schematic sheets that
/designspark/pcb-software
together combine to form the complete design.
(https://www.rs-online.co
There are some useful third party libraries that can be m/designspark/pcb-softwa
added. re)
PCB layout
Schematics are translated to a PCB layout file with a PCB Wizard. A PCB layout editor is then used to
refine the physical layout of the printed circuit board. A design may have several iterations before a finalised
printed circuit board is passed for production.
Autorouter
DesignSpark PCB includes an auto-router which automatically places tracks between components on a
PCB layout. Components can also be auto-placed.
DesignSpark PCB produces Gerber and Excellon drill files. These standard files are accepted by PCB
fabrication companies and are used to build a printed circuit board.
DesignSpark PCB Pro
DesignSpark PCB Pro was a paid upgrade from the DesignSpark PCB Pro
free DesignSpark PCB software. It was aimed at
professional electronic design engineers of SMEs with
an expanded feature set compared to the free
DesignSpark PCB software.[3] It was discontinued in
September 2022 [4] and its features were merged into
DesignSpark PCB as part of paid subscription plans.[5]
Background
DesignSpark PCB Pro also resulted from a
collaboration between electronics distributor RS
Components and EDA software developer 'WestDev
Ltd'. DesignSpark PCB Pro 9.0 displaying a sample
schematic and PCB design.
Developer(s) RS Components
Features
Initial release October 2, 2019
DesignSpark PCB Pro includes specialised tools to aid Stable release 10.0.1 [2] / December 6,
professionals with customising and managing large 2021
projects involving multi-layer PCBs. Noteworthy
Operating system Windows, Linux under
features referred to on the developer's website
Wine
include:[6]
Platform Desktop, Laptop
Blind and Buried Vias - to connect between Available in English
different layers of a complex printed circuit
board Type Electronic design
Fully configurable design rules editor and automation
checker - to verify a circuit design and pass License Proprietary software
quality checks for production
Website www.rs-online.com
Hierarchical Schematic Design - split multi-
sheet schematics into building blocks to make /designspark/pcb-pro-
them readable and manageable software (https://www.rs-o
Panel design editor - visualise and manage nline.com/designspark/pcb
assembly of finished PCB designs prior to -pro-software)
manufacturing
Variant Manager - to specify different design variants to meet global market requirements
Automatic shape-based and gridless router
Advanced routing modes – trunk routing for differential pairs and buses, pull tight, auto mitre,
and auto neck tracks
Dual screen support
Cross-hatch copper pours, teardrops, bullet, and asymmetric pad shapes are supported.
See also
Electronics portal
Comparison of EDA Software
DesignSpark Mechanical
References
1. "All our latest news" (https://www.wilkie-electronics.co.uk/news-page.html/). .wilkie-
electronics.co.uk.
2. "DesignSpark PCB Pro Version 10.0 released" (https://www.newelectronics.co.uk/electronic
s-news/rs-extends-features-of-designspark-pcb-pro/237181/). newelectronics.
3. "RS Components' DesignSpark PCB Pro aimed at SME engineers" (https://www.electronics
weekly.com/news/rs-components-designspark-pcb-pro-2019-10/). ElectronicsWeekly.com.
4. "DesignSpark PCB Pro discontinued" (https://www.rs-online.com/designspark/designspark-p
cb-pro-discontinued-on-rs). DesignSpark.com.
5. "DesignSpark Subscription plans" (https://www.rs-online.com/designspark/subscriptions-pric
ing-page). DesignSpark.com.
6. "Top 5 features - DesignSpark PCB Pro" (https://designspark.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/
360011377557). designspark.zendesk.com.
Further reading
"Профессиональная работ ав САПР DesignSpark PCB" (http://www.yeint.ru/upload/2015/
C_T_7_2015.pdf) (English title: Professional work CAD DesignSpark PCB.) (in Russian)
"RS Components Launches Professional Upgrade to Free Online PCB Design Tool in North
America" (https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2019/10/28/1936497/0/en/RS-Com
ponents-Launches-Professional-Upgrade-to-Free-Online-PCB-Design-Tool-in-North-Americ
a.html). GlobeNewswire.com
"RS Components upgrades DesignSpark PCB with high-end productivity tools" (https://www.
eejournal.com/industry_news/rs-components-upgrades-designspark-pcb-with-high-end-prod
uctivity-tools/). EEJournal.com.
External links
Official DesignSpark PCB website (https://www.rs-online.com/designspark/pcb-software)
Official DesignSpark PCB Forum (https://designspark.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/community/topi
cs/200624545-DesignSpark-PCB-Discussion) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/201702
05100132/https://designspark.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/community/topics/200624545-DesignS
park-PCB-Discussion) 2017-02-05 at the Wayback Machine
Official DesignSpark PCB Pro Website (https://www.rs-online.com/designspark/pcb-pro-soft
ware)
Official DesignSpark PCB Pro Forum (https://designspark.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/community/
topics/360001351413) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20200925073516/https://desig
nspark.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/community/topics/360001351413) 2020-09-25 at the Wayback
Machine
Official DesignSpark PCB Pro User Guide (https://designspark.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/article
s/360002561337-Users-Guide-DSPCB-Pro)
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