Overview of eagle pcb

Eagle (Easily Applicable Graphical Layout Editor) PCB is developed by Autodesk and has been available since 1988. It enables designers to easily transition their electronic schematics into physical pcb layouts ready for production.

Some key features of Eagle include:

• Schematic capture and PCB layout editor
• Support for boards up to 160 x 100 inches
• 1 micrometer manufacturing resolution
• Auto-router and design rule checking
• Extensive component libraries with over 7,000 parts
• Import/export support for leading CAD formats
• Multi-platform support across Windows, Mac, and Linux

Eagle PCB Free vs Paid

Eagle offers both a free version and paid versions – Eagle Premium, Eagle Professional, and Eagle Educational. The capabilities differ across these options:

Feature	Eagle Free	Eagle Premium	Eagle Pro	Eagle Educational
Board size	100×80 mm	160×100 mm	Any size	160×100 mm
Layers	2	4	16	4
Autorouter	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Technical support	Forums	Standard	Priority	Standard
Price	$0	$575/year	$1,695/year	$115/year

Some key considerations when evaluating the versions:

• Eagle Free is ideal for hobbyists, with limited board size but no cost
• Eagle Premium offers small companies affordable PCB capabilities
• Eagle Professional has highest capabilities for advanced users
• Eagle Educational aids students learning pcb design

The free Eagle offering provides enough functionality for basic hobbyist and prototype projects. The paid upgrades primarily benefit larger organizations needing multi-layer boards, greater complexity, and improved support response.

Getting Started with Eagle Free

Downloading and installing Eagle Free is quick and easy across operating systems:

Downloading

• Navigate to www.autodesk.com/products/eagle/free-download in any web browser
• Click the “FREE DOWNLOAD” button
• Enter your email address and click “Send Download Link”

You will then receive an email from Autodesk with a direct link to download the latest Eagle Free installer file.

Installation

Double click on the downloaded Eagle installer and follow the on-screen steps, including:

1. Accepting the License Agreement
2. Selecting a language
3. Choosing an install location
4. Checking the “Launch Eagle After Installation” box to open the software automatically
5. Clicking “Install” to complete the process

The default install options are appropriate for most users. Within a few minutes Eagle Free will be installed and ready to start designing PCBs for free!

Creating Your First Board

The Eagle user interface consists of:

• The schematic editor for creating circuit diagrams
• The board layout editor for defining physical PCBs
• The libraries for managing components

Let’s walk through an example flow to create your first custom PCB board design with Eagle Free:

1. Schematic Capture – Use parts from the existing libraries to wire up a circuit in the schematic editor. Common components like resistors, LEDs, microcontrollers, etc. are available.

2. Board Layout – Transition the schematic into the board editor to define traces, pads, dimensions, etc. A 2-layer red/blue board will meet most hobbyist needs.

3. Design Rule Check – Validate clearances, sizes, etc based on manufacturability requirements. Eagle helps avoid common rookie layout issues.

4. CAM Processing – Generate Gerber and drill files with the CAM processor ready for sending to your preferred PCB fabrication vendor.

5. Manufacturing – Upload the CAM outputs to your manufacturer of choice and order your finished boards!

While the core PCB design flow is straightforward, Eagle does include learning curves around the multitude of features and customization possible. Taking advantage of online tutorials and help resources will aid getting up to speed faster across the toolset.

Capabilities of Free vs. Premium

While the free version delivers tremendous value, Eagle Premium does provide a few advanced capabilities that may benefit some users:

More Space

The free edition only allows a maximum PCB size of 100mm x 80mm with two routing layers. This compact canvas suits hobbyist projects using common prototyping boards like single-sided FR-1.

However, more complex designs demand larger boards sizes and layer counts – achievable through an upgrade. Premium supports boards up to 160x100mm with four copper layers, while 10×16 inches (or larger) is possible with Professional.

Added Features

Certain features are also restricted within the base Eagle package, including:

• Auto-routing algorithms to simplify trace wiring
• Accelerated version control integrations
• Extended file format support options beyond standard exports

Again, Premium lifts some of these constraints to improve design efficiency. Most notably, access to the auto-router – a handy tool for quick trace routing that eliminates tedious manual work.

For advanced capabilities though, Eagle Professional really opens up more custom interfaces, extensive scripting APIs, high-speed validation, and other specialized functionality targeting demanding engineering contexts.

Better Support

By nature of the small-scale focus, Autodesk provides community discussion forums and online help content for navigating Eagle Free. This DIY ethos empowers hobbyists to independently troubleshoot issues.

However, growing companies may desire more formal support channels, whether for expedited answers or tailored onboarding. Autodesk’s premium paid plans include various standard, extended, and priority customer service response options to suit larger organizations.

Example Projects with Eagle Free

While Eagle Free is intentionally limited in scope, it still can facilitate an enormous range of hobbyist projects spanning wearables, drones, robots, internet-of-things devices, and electronic experiments.

Here are some examples of fun beginner applications possible with the free Eagle software:

Custom Badges

For conferences events and clubs, PCB badges with integrated lights, buttons, and sensors can create unique interactive credentials. Solder components onto artistically shaped boards made possible in Eagle.

IoT Prototypes

Connecting simple microcontrollers like Arduinos over WiFi to the cloud only takes a small pcb footprint designable for free. Enable rapid experiments with networked objects sending data.

Wearables

Rings, bracelets, pendants, earrings or watches with LEDs can all leverage custom Eagle PCBs shaped into stylish accessories. Embed sensors to light up based on touch, orientation or other input.

These examples demonstrate the breadth of hands-on applications possible with Eagle Free before any paid upgrades become necessary. Let your imagination guide what types of gadgets, tools or experiments you prototype along the way to learning PCB design.

Eagle Free Alternatives

While Eagle Free delivers adequate hobbyist functionality, some limitations still exist. Common restrictions users may outgrow over time include:

• Small maximum PCB area
• Only two routing layers
• No auto-router access
• Limited component libraries

In response, developer communities have created free and open source PCB tool alternatives without such arbitrary constraints. Popular options include:

KiCad

Fully open source across Windows, Mac, and Linux. Enables large board sizes, multi-layer support, python scripting, 3D visualization, and large component libraries. Actively developed thanks to enthusiast volunteers.

KiCad Official Page

EasyEDA

Web-based editor requiring no software install. Interface has similarities to Eagle for easier transition to the cloud-powered editor. Offers team collaboration tools in conjunction with LCSC’s low-cost PCB manufacturing pipeline.

EasyEDA Official Page

DesignSpark PCB

Provided by RS Components electronics distributor to drive usage of their industrial catalog. Generous free offering for hobbyists includes multi-layer boards and an auto-router.

DesignSpark Official Page

Thankfully hobbyists have no shortage of capable free PCB tools for small scale projects! Each platform brings unique capabilities, integrations, and ecosystems worth evaluating. Eagle certainly still plays a major role given its approachability and brand recognition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Eagle completely free to use?

Yes, Autodesk offers Eagle PCB as a free download without any trial restrictions. You can take full advantage of the schematic capture and layout capabilities without paying. Just be aware of the limitations around board size, layers, features etc.

Can I sell boards designed in Eagle Free?

Technically yes, you are allowed to produce and commercialize simple PCBs designed with the free version. This facilitates small businesses leveraging DIY tools. Just stay within the bounds of the non-commercial license granted with Eagle Free unless you purchase a paid subscription.

Is a Mac/Windows/Linux version available?

Yes, Eagle has been multi-platform from nearly the beginning across common operating systems. It can run natively on Windows, on Mac with a Wine wrapper, and through Wine or Virtualization on Linux. The user interface looks identical across each OS.

Can I get my prototypes manufactured?

Absolutely, generating industry standard Gerber & drill files is possible to then upload for fabrication. There are dozens of reputable online pcb manufacturers to choose from that offer hobbyist friendly prices for low volume orders. Expect 2-4 week typical lead times.

Is there a big learning curve to Eagle?

Eagle does include nuanced complexities given the vast feature set around PCB design. Getting comfortable with the interface conventions, libraries, design rules, CAM processing etc involves ramp up time. Thankfully there are abundant tutorial resources available online along with helpful forums to learn the workflows. Leverage existing guides to flatten the initial steep progression.