Kicad vs. Commercial. The only issues that would be different is the bells and whistles. Commercial software has more features for ease of use. As far as learning for your son I would say go with Kicad he will learn a lot more by having to do things manualy than he will with all the automatic crap that commercial tools have. Just remember at the end of the day there are only 2 real questions. Can you manufacture a circuit that works? Can it be done in a timely fashion so I make money? Kicad does the first without fail. The second, not so good. On large complex designs, Mixed signal, or high speed designs where you need to group signal classes or have special routing requirements manual routing will simply take to long. This makes Kicad, I hate to say, not ready for primetime. This is not a bad thing it just is what it is. But it is free and most commercial packages are in the 5K to 25K range. I don't mean to be negative about Kicad in fact just the opposite, I would like to give a big thank you to the developers. If it wasn't for them I would not be able to do any of my smaller designs since I am not able to buy a 25K package with the annual upgrade fee's and all the assundry crap that goes with. Anyway I am sorry for rambling and I will repeat that your son should learn on Kicad so he gets the understanding of how to do a design not just which button to push.
AndyE On Nov 12, 2007 7:01 AM, rtnmi <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > > Can someone tell me how Kicad compares to commercial software for the > same purpose of Electronic Design. > > My son is working toward his degree and I wanted him to use Kicad if it > will help him with software that is industry standard. > > I am using it for my hobby of Ham Radio. > > tnx Bob > >
