Skip to main content

Decided to not Save changes to schematic, and now the file is corrupt.


RobertAtTheBeach

The basic outline of Design Spark PCB looks very good, but now that I am trying to use it? I see some serious cracks.

1. If you don't save the schematic, the file corrupts, and you can't open it again. Yes, I found a backup copy in the file list, but no excuse.

2. Component Wizard doesn't recognize anything in my PCB file.

3. Component New Item is asking for two items that make no sense, first, "Package", where you choose from a package list with hardly any packages in it, and without the one you want. And second, "Default Reference", which comes from the DS list, which no one even uses. It is useful for picking something like a resistor and then modifing it and putting it into you own files.

When the poor soul in the video goes to select a "Package", the cursor roams around a bit, with the poor soul saying, hmmm, how about this one? Knowing full well the selection meant nothing.

Does anyone actually use this (free) program? Has anyone actually made a serious PCB? Not to worry though, KiCad is just as bad. The real problem is getting to the end after six weeks, and finding out that all you PCB fab files are corrupt. I just read one post where the Excellon drill file was bad. Where do I go from here?

DesignSpark Electrical Logolinkedin