Which autorouter?

[dbanner]

Over next few days I plan to try out several different PCB design software.

I was wondering if anyone has good experience or preference for a particular autorouter.

I was particularly interested in topoR, but can't find a download link.

Kicad is supported by a standalone router, which seems quite good, I'll be trying it out.
So too eagle Autodesk.

Circuit maker and diptrace I'm not sure if these have good autorouting.
Design spark also.

There are quite a few others as well. Please let me know if you have a good one.

I need something for small schematics, where the parts count is small and the software is simple to use.

[waltr]

Maybe not what you want to hear but:
I have never found a lower cost Autorouter that was any good.
Most are almost ok IF you have placed the components well.
That is so the circuit flows logically and connects are short.

I do want to hear of any autorouter that does work.

[6666]

Try the auto placer and auto router in design spark pcb, there are some tricks with the pcb layout that you can use to make an "acceptable" pcb, I am too old to waste many months learning to use the program 100% , but my simple pcb's work ok, you can rearrange the layout of the pcb and rerun the auto router and "nets" till you are happy, sometimes you will see error messages pop up but after you rerun the nets etc it works, to properly view in 3d you have to setup the whole library.

[Qiaozhi]

Autorouters can be a major help with large digital designs. In fact, they can almost be said to be a necessity, especially where you have complex routing requirements such as tuned differential pairs, ball grid fanouts, and multiple layers. However, for small designs (and especially analog) you may as well forget about the autorouter.

Having said that, I have found autorouters useful for determining whether it's possible to squeeze a particular layout into the required board size. It can also assist in determining if your component placement is any good, although that's often restricted by having to put connectors, switches and pots in certain fixed positions. For a quick and dirty prototype, the autorouter may be ok, but for the finished article I always rip up the layout and do it again by hand.

[dbanner]

Here is one which you should try out. It has an unusual curve trace look to it.
Just export the file from other software. It is compatible with many of the file types.

https://topor.soft32.com/free-downlo...wnload_manager

[dbanner]

Well today I set about get familiar with diptrace.
I installed the freeware version which is limited to two layers, good enough.

I followed the built in tutorial on how to draw schematic and then carry over to PCB layout.

I must say that this software is incredibly user friendly and what I especially liked is when a component is selected from the library, the footprint is automatically assigned, which you can change if required. This makes the whole process super easy.

You can also export the file in a number of compatible formats to use other PCB router software if you want.

So far, I like this one. It has all the features which makes the whole process super easy and enjoyable.

For moderately complex circuits, this one is a winner.

[dbanner]

Diptrace autorouting works quite good. Very useful if you know how to set it up properly, used together with some manual routing, it is absolutely fantastic tool. To get the best results, you have to define all the parameters well, dependent on the complexity of the circuit, and optimal placement of the parts.So far, I'm having fun. This is an excellent piece of software for hobby building of trivial circuits.

[waltr]

Nice hearing good reports on this CAD software.

[godigit1]

You can upgrade to dip trace lite 500 pins for free you just need to request it for non commercial use.

[ivconic]

Autorouters can be a major help with large digital designs. In fact, they can almost be said to be a necessity, especially where you have complex routing requirements such as tuned differential pairs, ball grid fanouts, and multiple layers. However, for small designs (and especially analog) you may as well forget about the autorouter.

Having said that, I have found autorouters useful for determining whether it's possible to squeeze a particular layout into the required board size. It can also assist in determining if your component placement is any good, although that's often restricted by having to put connectors, switches and pots in certain fixed positions. For a quick and dirty prototype, the autorouter may be ok, but for the finished article I always rip up the layout and do it again by hand.

You took my words literally.
I would add that autorouters are necessity in large complex designs with rough ttl paths where there is no S/N issue.
But usually the "sensitive" parts and stages on design are later re-done manually.
No such smart autorouter (at least from my times) that will predict and avoid various loops, ringings and interference.
Usually man will do what man have to do... manually.
But it is just me, speaking from the past with amateur experiences.
It would be good to see if there is any more progressive routing software that can be adjusted to perform smart routing.
Yet for simpler designs; manual routing is like a nice thinking game. I turned it to a separate hobby on its own.

[6666]

You took my words literally.
I would add that autorouters are necessity in large complex designs with rough ttl paths where there is no S/N issue.
But usually the "sensitive" parts and stages on design are later re-done manually.
No such smart autorouter (at least from my times) that will predict and avoid various loops, ringings and interference.
Usually man will do what man have to do... manually.
But it is just me, speaking from the past with amateur experiences.
It would be good to see if there is any more progressive routing software that can be adjusted to perform smart routing.
Yet for simpler designs; manual routing is like a nice thinking game. I turned it to a separate hobby on its own.

How can I ask this, when you set out your PCB's do you have a favourite order or structure ? that you use ? I dont know like power connectors then logic then whatever ?

[dbanner]

I have to tell you that diptrace and other software like kicad is excellent when it comes to Auto-routing. Even for moderately complex analog circuits.

The key to getting good results is in how you set up the Auto router tool. There are many parameters which define routing which you can lock into the autorouting, such as vias and power rails and ground plane etc. Then you can manually make the changes you deem most optimal for the circuit.

Some people use autorouting and they get bad results because they don't spend the time to define the parameters adequately. They come away with the perception that it sucks.

Kicad 5 uses "freerouter", which must be downloaded separately and the jar file placed in the kicad lib directory. It is then accessed from the drop down menu in pcbnew. Very good autorouting software, among the best.

I am having a blast using the software. It gets me 90% the way, the rest I manually tweak for the final design.

When routing, you should place the components with relevance to how they are connected, this makes the task of routing much better.

Next I try designspark.
I plan to post some pics of the results.

[waltr]

How can I ask this, when you set out your PCB's do you have a favourite order or structure ? that you use ? I dont know like power connectors then logic then whatever ?

I do extensive high part count PCB layout of sensitive analog pcbs at work. Some board have several thousand components other a few hundred. My procedure, with high count or simple hobby PCBs, is roughly place parts that follow the schematic.
Then define where connectors need to be (board edge for panel access) or if internal connection near signals.
Now, push part groups (say the Rs, Cs for an op-amp as a group) closer paying attention to 'critical signals' (high-Z inputs, low level signal, impedance controlled trace) to compact placement.
Now move groups around to minimize connections between groups and to obtain the size and shape PCB desired.
Last to actually routing traces.

[waltr]

The key to getting good results is in how you set up the Auto router tool. There are many parameters which define routing which you can lock into the autorouting, such as vias and power rails and ground plane etc. Then you can manually make the changes you deem most optimal for the circuit.

Some people use autorouting and they get bad results because they don't spend the time to define the parameters adequately. They come away with the perception that it sucks.

Exactly the main issue.
If you do manual placement well (like I outlined in my last post) and the design is not too complex and You KNOW what the routing design rules need to be,
Then these simpler auto routers will do a nice job.

At Work we use Altium Designer, a very expensive CAD package. Its build it auto-router has made a MESS of critical analog layouts on large count PCBs. For smaller part count boards it does ok but once parts are properly placed manual routing is quick so the auto-router isn't much help.
For our high density Digital board (large BGA processors, FPGA, memory, etc) we contract out the PCB layout to companies that have $10k's auto-routing tools.

[WM6]

For smaller part count boards it does ok but once parts are properly placed manual routing is quick so the auto-router isn't much help.

.

How then about using Auto-placer only (module that many of better PCB designer software have) and finishing manual?