Free CADSTAR Schematic Design Software Offer

CADSTAR is offering a free license to its Schematic Design software.  This is a permanent node-locked to your MAC address.  You also receive CADSTAR Library Editor Software and a 68-page tutorial. This is a limited time offer and ends in March, 2016.  You can upgrade the free version to a dongle-based license if you pay for maintenance.  See this Zuken press release for more details on the offer and upgrades.  If you aren't familiar with CADSTAR by Zuken watch the video below.

 

If you are interested in maintenance or upgrades you will need to contact a CADSTAR reseller.  My local reseller is Algozen, they cover New York and Ontario Canada and they are great to work with - very knowledgeable and great support. 

CADSTAR Express 15

Express is a set of free PCB design tools limited to 300pins and 50 components.  It has the same functionality of CADSTAR, a PCB design suite from Zuken optimized for small and mid-size design teams.

An interesting new feature of CADSTAR is the CADSTAR Touch App for Android and iOS devices.  It links to the CADSTAR IDE to turn your tablet or smartphone into an input device.  For example, you can pan, view all, and run Macros you have defined in CADSTAR.  The Android version also supports voice commands.  See the video below for a demo.

I have been a user of CADSTAR Schematic since version 13, I find it is a professional quality, low-cost solution.  The yearly maintenance cost is very affordable and entitles you to download the newer versions which are released about once a year.  I receive great support from my distributor, Algozen, who helped organize a local CADSTAR User's Day I attended last week.

Free 3D Design Software

Autodesk 123D allows you to design and create 3D objects with apps that run on a PC, iPad, or online.  The 123D family of products are aimed at the personal fabrication market. You may be familiar with Autodesk from it's popular AutoCAD products or from Instructables.com.

Another free 3D program is SketchUp. With SketchUp, it's possible to build 3D models of printed circuit boards using CadSoft Eagle files, using the EagleUp script and ImageMagick.  Google recently sold SketchUp to Trimble who plan on continuing to offer it for free.