Free Unlimited Version of AutoTRAX PCB Design Software

[nctnico]

In agree. Libraries which come with CAD packages are usually crap. The CAD package I'm using has quite an extensive library but I have used only a few footprints as they came with the package as they where. There rest got modified or created. Actually I have to create new footprints for every project I do. IMHO it is much more important that creating new footprints and symbols is easy (and being able to re-use them for other components). Note the differentiation between symbol, footprint and component here; they are three different things!

[John Coloccia]

In agree. Libraries which come with CAD packages are usually crap. The CAD package I'm using has quite an extensive library but I have used only a few footprints as they came with the package as they where. There rest got modified or created. Actually I have to create new footprints for every project I do. IMHO it is much more important that creating new footprints and symbols is easy (and being able to re-use them for other components). Note the differentiation between symbol, footprint and component here; they are three different things!

I agree with this 100%.  I don't even bother looking in the library anymore unless it's some massively complicated part...because I have to sit there, and double check everything anyway.  It's just easier for me to make the component myself, and fortunately, making components in my package is dead simple.  If there was NO library, but component creation where very refined and simple, that would be perfectly OK with me.

[DerekG]

Libraries which come with CAD packages are usually crap.

Not so with Altium. You pay heaps for it, but the libraries are very extensive & I have not found an error in a component during the past 10 years.

[Iliya]

I have changed the AutoTRAX website to http://PCB.Software

No .com extension needed.

P.S. Don't forget the $35 39 EEVblog only special end this Easter Sunday. 
http://pcb.software/Purchase/EEVBlog

[PA0PBZ]

P.S. Don't forget the $35 EEVblog only special end this Easter Sunday.

It's $39, not $35.
After installing it told me "Oh no, Demo period has expired" right away.
So I had to buy it 

[DerekG]

After installing it told me "Oh no, Demo period has expired" right away.

Yes, Autotrax is aware that you had previously installed it on your computer.

[Iliya]

P.S. Don't forget the $35 EEVblog only special end this Easter Sunday.

It's $39, not $35.
After installing it told me "Oh no, Demo period has expired" right away.
So I had to buy it 

My mistake. Can't tell who you are from your EEVblog ID so if you email me I'll gladly give you back double the $4 difference: $8.

[VK3DRB]

I thought Autotrax was the old DOS based Protel ancestor from the early 1990's, so I ignored this post for a while until I saw the number of hits. I use Altium at work which is really expensive - to dear for home use. I am surprised to see this Autotrax is not the same Autotrax from Protel. It appears to be fairly feature rich, so I will try it.

[PA0PBZ]

My mistake. Can't tell who you are from your EEVblog ID so if you email me I'll gladly give you back double the $4 difference: $8.

Thanks Iliya but I will survive 

[Iliya]

My mistake. Can't tell who you are from your EEVblog ID so if you email me I'll gladly give you back double the $4 difference: $8.

Thanks Iliya but I will survive 

Thanks to you!

I have changed the latest version to reset the trial period. So it will start again. It lasts for 14 days. I'm not sure what a good period is. Any ideas?
You can download the latest from http://kov.com

[mswhin63]

30 Days seems to be a common time-frame for evaluation.

Malcolm

[DerekG]

It lasts for 14 days. I'm not sure what a good (trial) period is. Any ideas?

30 days is good. Last year I downloaded an earlier version, then got called upon to travel for work. By the time I actually sat down to spend some time with AutoTrax DEX, my trial period was up.

Another thought would be to allow the software to continue to operate (after 14 or 30 days), but without the ability to produce any manufacturing outputs.

People can then fiddle to their hearts content without any loss of revenue to you.

[Iliya]

I have restored the non-commercial license. So, if you have not purchased the software it will start up in non-commercial mode.
You can convert to the commercial use this Easter weekend for the $39.

Educational Version

I'm thinking of releasing a special version for education that doesn't even have the non-commercial notice on it. This will allow teachers to give all the students a full version of the software. I am wondering how to get back to work!

[VK3DRB]

On the website, there are photos of people. I could be wrong, but I suspect the photos are fake. I have never seen female PCB designers looking like those in the photos. Besides, they all look so well dressed. If they all work for Autotrax, you'd have socially awkward misfit engineers with buck teeth queuing up to work at Autotrax for free.

The girl on the left...
http://www.pcb.software/Support

Seriously though, the website is very well laid out and clear. Compared to Altium's website, Autotrax's is down-to-earth, concise and informative. Well done.

[ElektroQuark]

I think they are stock photos.
DEX is a one-man-band.

[nctnico]

I think they are stock photos.

Ofcourse they are! Those people are obviously photo models. For example: search for 'happy people' on http://www.shutterstock.com

[timb]

On the website, there are photos of people. I could be wrong, but I suspect the photos are fake. I have never seen female PCB designers looking like those in the photos. Besides, they all look so well dressed. If they all work for Autotrax, you'd have socially awkward misfit engineers with buck teeth queuing up to work at Autotrax for free.

Starting with the girl on the left and going counterclockwise, I see: Denise Richards, Jason Statham, Richard Hammond and that Hispanic chick from The Fast and the Furious movies (I forget her name, but she plays the same character in everything, the hard ass Latina girl who's going to show the world).


Sent from my Tablet

[nctnico]

I still don't think those pictures are from the people Timb mentioned. They may (IMHO vaguely) look like them... If they where Iliya is likely to have a portrait rights claim in the near future.

[timb]

I still don't think those pictures are from the people Timb mentioned. They may (IMHO vaguely) look like them... If they where Iliya is likely to have a portrait rights claim in the near future.

That's the joke, you see.


Sent from my Tablet

[nctnico]

Nobody is laughing 

[BytesGuy]

I am pleased to announce the Free version of AutoTRAX DEX. This is the non-commercial (not for profit) version. It is the identical version as the commercial version. There is only one binary program. The only restriction is that it must be used for non-commercial projects. There is no demo program; there’s no need!

• You do not need to register for the free software.
• It does not have a time limit.
• There is no limit to the number or size of sheets.
• There are no layer limits or PCB size limits.
• There are no adverts for PCB board manufacturers.
• The BOM does not ‘guide’ you to a major component distributor.

Unlike other EDA programs, DEX has just one simple to understand price for commercial use. Non-commercial use is totally free with no limits except it must be used for non-commercial use. Simply put, non-commercial use is totally free, commercial use is not. If you are making $$$ out of your design then it is only fair that you pay an equally fair single price.
Now that's a refreshing change!

Visit the web site for more...

Enjoy
Regards
Iliya Kovac, Developer of AutoTRAX DEX
Spreading the joy

Is this still available for non-profit use? I can't see where to get it on the site (only trial)

[ozwolf]

I am pleased to announce the Free version of AutoTRAX DEX. This is the non-commercial (not for profit) version. It is the identical version as the commercial version. There is only one binary program. The only restriction is that it must be used for non-commercial projects. There is no demo program; there’s no need!

• You do not need to register for the free software.
• It does not have a time limit.
• There is no limit to the number or size of sheets.
• There are no layer limits or PCB size limits.
• There are no adverts for PCB board manufacturers.
• The BOM does not ‘guide’ you to a major component distributor.

Unlike other EDA programs, DEX has just one simple to understand price for commercial use. Non-commercial use is totally free with no limits except it must be used for non-commercial use. Simply put, non-commercial use is totally free, commercial use is not. If you are making $$$ out of your design then it is only fair that you pay an equally fair single price.
Now that's a refreshing change!

Visit the web site for more...

Enjoy
Regards
Iliya Kovac, Developer of AutoTRAX DEX
Spreading the joy

Is this still available for non-profit use? I can't see where to get it on the site (only trial)

Try here http://www.pcb.software/.

Ozwolf

[tautech]

At the end of this thread a discounted price for EEVblog members is offered.
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/eda/dex-eval-by-free_electron/

[Lightages]

Interstingly, I can't find what the limitations are on the free version just by looking at the website. Am I missing something?

[0xdeadbeef]

Last time I cared V5 was "unlimited" for private use but with giant watermarks in the created gerbers. Not actually unlimited by my standards. V6 is just a time limited demo.
V5 asks you to update to V6, so you have to decline the update.
IMHO there never was an unlimited version and having a crappy watermark in your gerbers is actually a much worse limitation than the pin or size restrictions of other free offers.
Anyway, honestly, even without this crap about tricking people into an "unlimited version", I couldn't find much sympathy for the tool. It's slow, it cramped with (partly nonsense) features but the basics don't work as expected. It's slow, it's a drag to use, apparently there are issues with the created gerbers.
Don't get me wrong: the price is very low compared to other offers and I would have happily paid it if I felt I could get used to it and trusted in its reliability. Actually I paid quite a bit more for my non-commercial license of DipTrace.