Free alternative to Altium

[matusel]

Dear sirs, I would like to collect from you some opinions regarding pcb layout programs. In my work I used for years Altium Designer SE08 and previously I used Orcad Layout and a limited version of Eagle as a hobbyist.

I would like to learn to use a free pcb layout cad (I'm in love with Altium but I can't afford it) that permits to generate bom/gerber/3d file step starting from schematics & libraries.
What do you think about KICAD ?

Which are the limitations /difficulties of Kicad respect to Altium (new part generation, tracking ecc ecc..) ?

Kind regards
Ivano

 

[marce]

Please read ALL the other pointless threads regarding PCB design software as well as this thread:

https://www.edaboard.com/threads/18145/

Go try the software and form your own opinion, it is you that is going to use it. All these threads give is peoples own opinions that are just that... You are going to use the software, you have to try it and you have to decide which is best for you...
Have fun.

 

[EKV_web]

visit coming FOSDEM'2015 and its session "Electronic design automation devroom"
https://fosdem.org/2015/schedule/track/electronic_design_automation/
all FOSS CAD alternative tools will be presented

 

[ArticCynda]

It might be interesting to know that Altium will be launching a free version of Altium Designer under the name "CircuitMaker": https://www.circuitmaker.com
If you're used to the look & feel of Altium Designer, perhaps you might find this a convenient place to start?

 

[FlapJack]

matusel, there is very little in free pcb programs out there. If the program is any good and it is free then it will be free from a pcb house, but it will not have a generic output and you have to go to that pcb house to make your board.

Probably the best fully functional free pcb/sch program is KiCad. Personally i do not like it compared to any good commercial program. But it has a large following and some of the guys at CERN are fixing it up. Look on youtube for a auto router demo for Kicad CERN.