At ExpressPCB we are constantly trying to find solutions for our current customers and future customers. A commonly asked question is “Do you have a version of ExpressPCB for MAC?” The official answer is: We do not. ExpressPCB is designed to run on Windows only. OS X is a Unix based operating system very different from Windows.
Developing a version of ExpressPCB from the ground up for a different operating system environment is not currently a viable option. However, all is not lost. There is a project called Wine that enables MAC owners to run Windows programs on OS X for FREE. This project is supported by CodeWeavers. CodeWeavers also has a paid supported version of this software that is relatively inexpensive at about $60.
According to the official website WineHQ.com, “Wine (originally an acronym for “Wine Is Not an Emulator”) is a compatibility layer capable of running Windows applications on several POSIX-compliant operating systems, such as Linux, Mac OSX, & BSD. Instead of simulating internal Windows logic like a virtual machine or emulator, Wine translates Windows API calls into POSIX calls on-the-fly, eliminating the performance and memory penalties of other methods and allowing you to cleanly integrate Windows applications into your desktop.”
Other PCB Software For Different Platforms. Free Mac DWF Viewer software. The McCAD PCB-ST Lite can be used for. We recommend starting with free PCB software until you require more advanced software features and are more experienced, in order to get the best use out of paid software. KiCad This is an open source software suite containing programs for Schematic Capture, PCB Layout and Gerber file output.
The official Wine project can be found at https://www.winehq.com
For our purposes we will be using an off shoot of the Wine Project called WineBottler by Mike Kronenberg. This project is located athttps://winebottler.kronenberg.org/
According to the official website winebottler.kronenberg.org: “WineBottler packages Windows-based programs likebrowsers, media-players, games or business applications snugly into Mac app-bundles…. No need to install emulators, virtualizers or boot into other operating systems – WineBottler runs your Windows-based programs directly on your Mac. This is possible thanks to a Windows-compatible subsystem, which is provided by the great OpenSource toolWine. “
Why use WineBottler instead of the official Wine project? WineBottler requires less “fidgeting” to install quickly. As you will see in the video it is pretty straight forward. You can be up and running not only ExpressPCB but other Windows programs in less than 5 minutes! There are a few “Download Ads” on the WineBottler website to watch out for that can be misleading. Mr. Kronenberg informs you that the ads are there before loading the download page for WineBottler. If you follow the video below it will help navigate the web site.
View the video here:
ExpressPCB and MAC OS X In Less Than 5 Minutes
Please note the staff at ExpressPCB do not support MAC OS X. This video is provided as a courtesy only to assist with the installation of WineBottler. The fact that we were able to figure it out shows how simple it is. If you are an experienced MAC user and have hints or tips making this process easier or more efficient please share on the ExpressPCB Forums.
Once ExpressPCB is installed we can assist with any questions about the program itself. ExpressPCB is not affiliated with WineHQ, WineBottler or Mike Kronenberg.
Design Without Restrictions
If you design printed circuit boards, or you would like to, Osmond PCB for Macintosh puts great power and flexibility within your reach. Artificial limits and restrictions are banished. You can now design boards of any size and shape and with as many layers as you want. With a spatial resolution of 10 nanometers (0.00001 mm), Osmond gives you all the precision you need. You can place parts anywhere on the board with any orientation. You can also run traces of any width along any path and at any angle.
Pcb Software
Flexible Features
At times you may wish to work in Metric units. At other times, Imperial units may be prefered. Osmond supports both. You can even work with both Metric and Imperial units on the same design, seamlessly switching from one to the other to suit your needs.
If you bring a design from a schematic capture application, Osmond will import the part list and net list and maintain adherence to specified design rules thoughout the design process. However, you can also start with no part lists or no net lists at all and generate the design in a completely informal, ad-hoc manner. Osmond supports your design style, whatever it may be.
Of course, Osmond provides tools that let you move and re-orient parts, connect and route traces, modify existing traces, and edit pads and pad-stacks. But you can also make your traces curved and make PCB labels using characters from the Mac font library.
Osmond provides a flexible grid to help guide your work. But you can also import any PDF document to serve as a background image. This can be especially handy if you need to match your design to an existing mechanical drawing or if you need to partially retrace an existing design.
Integrated into Osmond is a Parts Editor that lets you easily define new part types or modify existing part types. Both thru-hole and surface mount part types are supported as well as round, oval, and rectangular pad shapes.
Osmond supports ground or signal planes using several methods, and also allows you to define arbitrary copper flood areas.
In addition to the signal layers, Osmond provides two silkscreen layers, two solder mask layers, and multiple auxiliary layers that you can use, for example, to show dimensions or special fabrication notes.
Pcb Design software, free download For Mac
To further enhance your design capability, Osmond provides scripting support, using the very powerful Lua programming language.
Finishes
Free Pcb Design Software For Mac
Osmond has tools that let you check that your design is free from error and that it meets all your specified design rules.
Free Pcb Software For Mac Computers
Once your design is complete, Osmond can produce standard Gerber (RS-274X) files and Excellon drill files that fabricators use to make your boards. If you desire more control over the fabrication process, Osmond will also let you define your own panels containing either multiple copies of your design or several different designs. Do-it-yourself fabricators may prefer Osmond's Postscript output, which can be directly printed on transparencies that can then be used to etch the PC board.