Michael Wrote: P-CAD is about $10K for the full package, $6K for a 6 layer package, $1.5K for schematic only, with free viewers with cross probing and print capabilities
Michael, I don't know how Altium is pricing PCAD these days. but the last I checked. A fully functional PCAD station was in the 20 K range. ( I read their website and it still reads $9995, or whatever ) At 10K - 20K it is in the range of packages like PADS, CADENCE, and MENTOR. When these packages are in the same price range and I will opt for the package that has the best reputation, regardless of it being the best (layout) package. Only because I don't have to convince a customer that my package is "as good as.....(MENTOR) ". I deal with allot of managers that are biased against low end packages and no matter how you try to convince them . Their perception is low end software = low end product, even if I am the best designer in the universe. As of claiming a full package is 6 layers, I don't know what you could possibly design with 6 layers. If I had to rely on business being limited to 6 layers, I would not have survived past the first 6 months. 6 layers does is not a full package for me so add some $$ to the base price. PCAD is now sold with PROTEL's infamous non functional auto router. To make PCAD work you still need another 35 K to by a real router like SPECTRA. Don't get me wrong, To make PROTEL work you also need to spend 35 K to purchase are real router like SPECTRA. So a real PROTEL seat is around 45 K. and a real PCAD Seat is 45- 55 K. I know some of you will blast me for saying a PROTEL seat is 45K, but until you use SPECTRA, see how fast it is, how efficient it is, how it works, don't even talk to me. Your poor lives have been in misery without a real autorouter. I have made some noises in for past 2 yeas that if Altium adopted PCAD menus, interface, and functionality into Protel , I would seriously start looking at other programs. I have also voiced for the past several years that PROTEL now Altiom's survival in this industry my hinge on the release of an auto router that trounces the competition. I cant hold my breath any longer. I have seen the next generation routers with MENTOR EXPEDITION software. The bar has been raised and ALTIUM is trying to play catch up to last years technology. They currently have two software packages with no router. That is unacceptable for today's designs. MENTOR just swallowed up PADS, Cadence swallowed Orcad, I think Altiom will be the next target. I have a 50/50 chance of picking the right company that will swallow Altiom Mentor or Cadence. This is my Saturday Morning Commentary Mike Reagan ************************************************************************ * Tracking #: 1CADDD8C06DDDB48A0461956AD1AAE7147ABE310 * ************************************************************************ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
