Subscription Support FAQs

Management of the current subscription level is through the My Subscription tab in My Account. This allows you to select a different paid subscription level or drop down to the Free Explorer level

Currently we accept card payments, however, other acceptable payment methods are accepted but will vary depending on your location and the currency of the order:

Payment Method	Currencies	Location
Amazon	USD	All
Cards	All	All
PayPal	USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, NZD, CHF, SEK, CZK, DKK, PLN, SGD, JPY, HKD, BRL, MXN	All

This is via the Manage my subscription area within your Account Details page

You can change your subscription level through the My Subscription tab in My Account..

If you wish to discuss your order or require help amending then please raise a support ticket.

This is via the Manage my subscription area within your Account Details page

Currently we do not have annual billing, this is something we intend reviewing regularly

Yes, this is really easy via the Manage my subscription area within your Account Details page, just go to Cancel subscription and you will be given the option to Pause your subscription for a billing period. The consequence of this is that you will only have access to the Explorer level subscription until your Creator or Engineer billing resumes

If you are on the free Explorer subscrion then you can request to have your account deleted by filling in the support form

If you are on either the Creator or Engineer and wish to move to a the Free Explorer tier then you can downgrade your subscription in the Manage my subscription area within your Account Details page

DesignSpark Explorer is an essentials package with 3D modelling and PCB design software, complimented by basic engineering design services. It is designed to be a no-frills design platform to build out product concepts and get enriched data on the parts you design in. Using DesignSpark Explorer is free-of-charge to all verified DesignSpark members.

So, get your brilliant ideas from concept to prototype now with our easy-to-use tools!

DesignSpark PCB - unlimited schematic size and PCB layer count, multiple file formats, Create BOMs and get RS pricing, View PCBs in 3D, Generate Manufacturing plots and IDFs for mechanical enclosure design, Design Rule Check and Examine PCB before production.

DesignSpark Mechanical - 2D Sketch and 3D Geometry toolset, Import RSDOCS and IDFs (for PCB), Export 3D models in CAD neutral formats (STL, OBJ, 3D PDF), Measure and Quality tools, Enhanced Shading, and lighting, Create and export BOMs.

Access to online component libraries (2D symbols, 2D footprints, 3D models)

Parts intelligence – Manufacturer part number (MPN) search, RS Stock number search, Datasheets, EU RoHS, China RoHS and REACH compliance status, Product status (active, obsolete, etc.), Part Category and description.

Learning and Support - self-learning content (FAQs, tutorials, guides), support centre (troubleshooting articles) and community forum.

And, coming soon:

• Cloud-based electronic circuit simulation and schematic design tool.
• Cloud-based reference designs - supplier products and commonly used electrical circuits.
• Sustainable Design Solutions.

Note: To existing DesignSpark users (download our software before November 2022), the Explorer software will have the same functionality as your current version but with a few fixes and enhancements. To keep our Mechanical software free-of-charge, we have had to restrict to fewer file formats for import/export and these are detailed in our support FAQs.

DesignSpark Creator is a mid-tier paid package with 3D modelling and PCB design software, complimented by engineering design services. It is a powerful design platform that can help take your prototypes to market and get enriched data on the parts you design in.

DesignSpark PCB - unlimited schematic size and PCB layer count, multiple file formats, Create BOMs and get RS pricing, View PCBs in 3D, Generate Manufacturing plots and IDFs for mechanical enclosure design, Design Rule Check and Examine PCB before production.

DesignSpark Mechanical - 2D Sketch and 3D Geometry toolset, Import RSDOCS and IDFs (for PCB), 3D Mirror tool, Detailing tools to annotate parts and create manufacturing drawings, Exchange designs with SOLIDWORKS®, CATIA™ and AutoCAD® users in STEP, IGES, DXF and DWG formats, Measure and Quality tools, Enhanced Shading, and lighting, Create and export BOMs.

Access to online component libraries (2D symbols, 2D footprints, 3D models)

Parts intelligence – Risk assessment (Lifecycle, Supply Chain, Environmental), Conflict minerals, DRC status, MPN search, RS Stock number search, Datasheets, CAS numbers, EU RoHS, China RoHS and REACH compliance status, Environment Friendly Use Period (EFUP), Product status (active, obsolete, etc.), Part Category and description.

Learning and Support - self-learning content (FAQs, tutorials, guides, advanced tips), support centre (troubleshooting articles) and community forum.

And, coming soon:

• Cloud-based electronic circuit simulation and schematic design tool.
• Cloud-based reference designs - supplier products and commonly used electrical circuits.
• Sustainable Design Solutions.

DesignSpark Engineer is a top-tier paid package with 3D modelling and PCB design software, complimented by engineering design services. It is a powerful design platform that can help take your prototypes to market and get enriched data on the parts you design in.

DesignSpark PCB - unlimited schematic size and PCB layer count, multiple file formats, Create BOMs and get RS pricing, View PCBs in 3D, Generate Manufacturing plots and IDFs for mechanical enclosure design, Blind and Buried Vias for high density PCB design, custom pad shapes, differential pair routing for high-speed signals, panel editor, hierarchical schematic blocks, powerful autorouter, Design Rule Check and Examine PCB before production.

DesignSpark Mechanical - 2D Sketch and 3D Geometry toolset, Import RSDOCS and IDFs (for PCB), 3D Mirror tool, Detailing tools to annotate parts and create manufacturing drawings, Exchange designs with SOLIDWORKS®, CATIA™ and AutoCAD® users in STEP, IGES, DXF and DWG formats, Measure and Quality tools, Enhanced Shading, and lighting, Create and export BOMs.

Access to online component libraries (2D symbols, 2D footprints, 3D models)

Parts intelligence – Average Price and lead times, RS Pricing and Stock data, Alternative parts, Risk assessment (Lifecycle, Supply Chain, Environmental), Conflict minerals, DRC status, MPN search, RS Stock number search, Datasheets, HTS, EECN, Schedule B, CAS numbers, EU RoHS, China RoHS and REACH compliance status, Environment Friendly Use Period (EFUP), Product status (active, obsolete, etc.), Part Category and description.

Learning and Support - self-learning content (FAQs, tutorials, guides, advanced tips), support centre (troubleshooting articles) and community forum.

And, coming soon:

Cloud-based electronic circuit simulation and schematic design tool.

Cloud-based reference designs - supplier products and commonly used electrical circuits.

Sustainable Design Solutions.

Yes.

No, a paid subscription is required.

No, a paid subscription is required.

Yes, commercial use is allowed on the DesignSpark Explorer plan. You will have full ownership (including Intellectual Property - IP) of any project you create with our software. Design files from our primary CAD software (DesignSpark Mechanical and PCB) are saved locally on the device you have installed the software to. Therefore, only you can access your own design files.