Is Allegro an efficient tool for simple boards?

[bimbla]

allegro display_top

Is it advisable to use Allegro even for simple boards....single sided and double sided?

Other than getting used to a industry prefered tool, work wise will it be any better?

thanks in advance.

bimbla.

 

[roslyn]

silkscreen_top

I guess for single and double sided boards one can use
widely available tools like ExpressPCB etc.

Roslyn

 

[Drew3rdOF3]

Re: Allegro

Though I found it fairly straight forward, Allegro has a comparitively steep learning curve for most people. If you will use Allegro in the future and do not need the project completed yesterday, I would suggest starting now with a board that is not complex. I believe that once a basic understanding of Allegro's skill and scripting capabilities is accomplished, designs come together much quicker than with other apps.

 

[chinara]

Re: Allegro

I have been using Allegro for several years. I feel Allegro is quit powerful to deal with complex board. I also believe it is not very difficult for a fresh to learn. If you become a Allegro designer, you could use other EDA tools easily. They are all in same way.

 

[shakalaka]

Re: Allegro

chinara...
can you please some of scripts related to Allegro?

Added after 1 minutes:

chinara,
can you please share some allegro scripts...
i'm working on server boards...

 

[Drew3rdOF3]

Re: Allegro

ok,.. all that you have to do is record what you do the most while using Allegro.
I'll give you one of my favorites. Do with it what you will.
>>

setwindow pcb

color
setwindow form.cvf_main
FORM cvf_main global_vis All Invisible
fillin yes
FORM cvf_main ok
setwindow pcb
color
setwindow form.cvf_main
FORM cvf_main class_list Geometry
FORM cvf_main board_geometry/outline/visible YES
FORM cvf_main board_geometry/silkscreen_top/visible YES
FORM cvf_main board_geometry/shape_top/visible YES
#FORM cvf_main package_geometry/place_bound_top/visible YES
FORM cvf_main package_geometry/silkscreen_top/visible YES
FORM cvf_main package_geometry/display_top/visible YES
#FORM cvf_main package_geometry/assembly_top/visible YES
FORM cvf_main class_list Manufacturing
FORM cvf_main class_list Stack-Up
FORM cvf_main pin/top/visible YES
FORM cvf_main pin/filmmasktop/visible YES
FORM cvf_main etch/top/visible YES
FORM cvf_main via_class/top/visible YES
FORM cvf_main all_visible3 YES
FORM cvf_main class_list Components
FORM cvf_main ref_des/silkscreen_top/visible YES
#FORM cvf_main ref_des/display_top/visible YES
FORM cvf_main class_list Areas
FORM cvf_main route_keepout/top/visible YES
#FORM cvf_main route_keepout/all/visible YES
#FORM cvf_main package_keepout/top/visible YES
#FORM cvf_main package_keepout/all/visible YES
#FORM cvf_main all_visible4 YES
FORM cvf_main apply
FORM cvf_main ok
setwindow pcb

>>

I forgot to mention the # prevents Allegro from paying any attention to the command. The # is like a REM statement for those who remember DOS...

 

[supra924]

Allegro

Hi ,
irrecpective of sidethat you want to implement the major factor is cost issue.
If you are going for multilayer cost will increase exponentially.
And the stack up consideration for high speed design is to be taken care.
Always there will be some issue in placing nets on single layer
So it is always better to sue moderate levels
Siva

 

[newbie101]

Re: Allegro

im using Allegro.... its certainly easier to use than Mentor Expedition. As for Learning curve... about the same for both. Also if you know how to use a EDA tool for PCB .. it is simpler to pick up another. recently ive seen a demo of PADs by Mentor... it looks good.. maybe you might want to try it.

 

[amjad]

Re: Allegro

You may use allegro for designing if that design needs similation and involves signal integrity constraints if not it is better to use powerpcb .Since in powerpcb it if very easy to do designs