Which is the best EDA software Protel DXP or PSD 15 ?

PSD 15 Vs Protel DXP

Wich is the best EDA software Protel dxp or psd 15 :?:

I´m a user of protel dxp, but i found some limitation or problems, for example with the prioriti of the rules, autoruting single side boards, etc...
But I think that is a very good software, and friendly to use....
I used Orcad 4 (1995), not to much.

psd15 is better than dxp ,but not the best.

Re: PSD 15 Vs Protel DXP

hi,

i never worked with pr0tel. till now i used p/s/d 14.2. there some bugs in it that cost me many time to search for. i think during the transfer between layout and spe/cc/tra happened some strange things (vias and routed wires dissappeared). but maybe i have not enough experience to use the tool correctly.
i try p/s/d 15 and hope it is easier to handle.

hqqh

Re: PSD 15 Vs Protel DXP

Protel is a simpler and less powerfull package.
Protel is far easier to learn.
If you want more power (better autoroute,better handling of complex designs and more precise footprints etc etc)and still have reasonable easy learning try powerpcb.

Pleas add....

Wich is the best ?

Re: PSD 15 Vs Protel DXP

i have not much experience with PCB layout. i only talk about schematic and simulation.

PSD 15.0 is far superior. it can also do "Advanced Analysis" which is so so cool.

Mr.Cool

Re: PSD 15 Vs Protel DXP

One advantage of Protel in general is that you are dealing with one program all the time. Using PSD you have a seperate program for schematics, simulation and PCB layout. This feature is what Atlium uses as part of their marketing for Protel DXP and it really is useful.

The upside of Protel DXP

The benefit of Protel is that the concept of `netlist' does not interest you the user because it is completely handled by the program. You can very easily add changes to the schematic and update the PCB and vice versa.

The downside of Protel DXP

However, Protel DXP when it came out was followed by a SP1, then a couple months later SP2, and now SP3 has been in developmentfor the past 9 months and is expected to be released soon.

...have a look at P-CAD

You could always look into P-CAD, which was aquired by Altium (same company as Protel DXP). This program seems like it is better competition to PSD, PADS, etc than Protel DXP is.

- Jayson

P*otel DXP is not top level pcb design tools.
I think c@dence should be compared with Ment0r WG , Ment0r CS, or Z*ken CR5K.

Re: PSD 15 Vs Protel DXP

I have used both Protel and PSD in the past. In addition, I have used Pads and Orcad. Here is how I would rank the progams (best to worse):

1) PSD
2) Pads Power PCB
3) Protel
4) Orcad

On a side note, Pads does give you the biggest bang for the buck. If you are not designing 2000+ nets of high-speed digital, go with Pads.

Re: PSD 15 Vs Protel DXP

PSD === ORCAD

Re: PSD 15 Vs Protel DXP

Actually
It includes both

- Jayson

Re: PSD 15 Vs Protel DXP

I don't use PSD 15 long time (it's new soft) but I don't believe that Ca*ence remove all bugs of PSD14 and include new features.
Please consider:
1. You MUST define all about technology before you start design PCB. It's for corporate use, not for real users.
2. It's not possible to move, rotate all board!!!!!!!!!!!!! (you can't select all objects in the same time!!!!!!!!!!!)
3. You can't look from bottom side for better editing (mirror/flip of board not existing)
4. You can't manage layer order!!!!! If you decide that from point of EMC you should exchange layers you must start new design!!!
5. Many, many problems with ONE UNDO!!!!! in Layout!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
6. Bad rules definition for DRC in Layout.
7. Not implemented configuration management in such big tool!!!! (it's not for big projects, todays PCB-tools must have CVS)
......
Because of only ONE reason you should use Ca*ence: CIS.
But because of no version control it is also problematic how to use it in big company. Please consider how to protect libraries and CIS-database from change made by users without CVS?
......
I don't use Protel DXP all time, but I think it's more friendly and flexible than other tools.

If somebody have different opinion please write. Maybe I'm wrong.
Anna.