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[Reply #15 on:]

I have been using Sprint Layout for pcbs for a while now, it was only about $40 I recall, I didn't like auto-route on most packages I tried, so routed manually anyway, so this has been OK.
Its very basic in that when you move a component the trace doesnt move with it, but I have since downloaded http://www.designspark.com/pcb which looks interesting, and has some nice reviews .
 I havn't had a chance to even try it yet with so many projects on the go, but I like the price - its FREE.

If anyone has tried it I would like to hear how it works, as I hate wasting time learning a new program that will not work for me.

I hope to finish the remote this morning, and will put some pics up.

I hope to also finish a 4 digit version of this today, it uses the same scanning idea, but doesn't use the 4017s, just 4 pins of the micro to select the bcd switches in turn..

[Reply #16 on:]

Kicad also looks interesting, if anyones tried it?

[Reply #17 on:]

Lot of folks were praising kicad, haven't tried it myself.

[Reply #18 on:]

I just tried designspark under Ubuntu 10.04.2 Wine 1.2.  It crashed after about 5 min when I was attempting to move a window splitter bar.  I have a dual screen display so perhaps my setup is not well tested...

[Reply #19 on:]

Thats nice to know Andrew,  I have downloaded the Kincad, and will check that when I catch up

[Reply #20 on:]

I wrote last week

"Apart from during initial testing after soldering, where some have failed, in the last 10,000 LEDs used I have not had one failure reported ( I might be sorry I said that :-) ) "

Stupid, stupid, stupid  ]

I had to fix a problem on Saturday on a LED sign on the roof of a hotel, and guess what, there was one string of LEDs unlit !
One LED was open circuit, and of course I didn't have a spare, so I just shorted it out, so the other 4 in the chain are going to be pushing the limit ( like the old Christmas tree lights once they start popping    )

Nobody has noticed yet, each segment has 20 LEDs so its not too obvious.

[Reply #21 on:]

Ooh, that sucks!
One of my scoring machines is like that. Has 20 LEDs in strings. 1 LED in 1 string does not work, one LED dropping  a little too much voltage I guess. Just left alone as they're not close to 20mA anyway (was way too bright!).