Printed circuit board design software

A printed circuit board (PCB) mechanically supports electronic components and connects them with conductive copper tracks etched onto an insulating substrate. Designing one means translating a circuit diagram into a physical arrangement of pads and tracks that can be manufactured. PCB design software, part of the broader field of electronic computer-aided design, manages this process from the initial diagram through to the files a board house needs.

Work usually begins with schematic capture, in which the circuit is drawn as a diagram of symbols and connections. The software keeps a netlist, a record of which component pins must be joined, and carries it forward so the layout always matches the schematic. In the layout stage the designer places component footprints on the board outline and draws the copper tracks that connect them, observing clearance rules and, on multilayer boards, distributing connections across several copper layers linked by plated holes called vias.

To speed up routing, an autorouter can connect the remaining tracks automatically, though careful manual routing is still preferred for sensitive or high-speed signals. A design-rule checker verifies that spacing, track widths and connections meet the chosen constraints. When the layout is complete, the software exports manufacturing data, most commonly in the Gerber format together with a drill file, which a fabricator uses to produce the board. These tools let a designer move from idea to a ready-to-build board entirely on the computer.

Frequently asked questions

What is schematic capture?

It is the stage of drawing the circuit as a diagram of symbols and connections, from which the software derives a netlist that keeps the later board layout consistent with the design.

What are Gerber files?

They are the standard set of files describing each copper, mask and silkscreen layer of a board, which a fabricator uses, with a drill file, to manufacture the PCB.

Should routing be done by the autorouter or by hand?

An autorouter quickly connects routine tracks, but sensitive or high-speed signals are usually routed manually to control their path and spacing.