PCBmodE is a circuit board design software written in Python. Its main advantage is allowing the design to create and use arbitrary shapes for any element of the board. Using stock Inkscape as the GUI provides all the features of a drawing tool. This, in contrast to traditional PCB design tools that restrict visual freedom and don't have the full feature set of a vector editing software.
PCBmodE folows a layout-driven design flow. There's no schematic functionality or DRC other than the designer's eyes. It's essentiallya script that runs from commandline generating files depending on the stage of the design.
- Text editor: edit input JSON files
- PCBmodE: convert JSON files to Inkscape SVG
- Inkscape: edit SVG (component movement, routing, etc.)
- PCBmodE: extract changes and apply them back to input JSON files
Iterate the above until the design is ready, and then
- PCBmodE: create Gerber files from SVG
- Send to fab
- Get lovely boards back and impress people on Twitter
PCBmodE is developed and tested under Linux, so it might or might not work under other OSs.
- Documentation (needs serious updating!)
- Boldport Club Discord #pcbmode (you need to be a Boldport Club member to have access)
PCBmodE was written and is maintained by Saar Drimer of Boldport. It has been used to design all of Boldport's products since 2013. It is, therefore, very functional but sadly not that well documented and development happens in bursts.
That said, the next version of PCBmodE, 'cinco', we'll focus on the following:
- Ease of installation and getting started
- Complete migration to Python3
- Update and refresh documentation
- Resolve known usability and functional bugs
- Enhance performance
For contributing code, see the CONTRIBUTE.md included in this repository.
If you'd like to contribute towards development in the form of hard cold electronic money, see the end of this page.
The 'mod' in PCBmodE has a double meaning. The first is short for 'modern' (in contrast to tired old EDA tools). The second is a play on the familiar 'modifications' or 'mods' done to imperfect PCBs. Call it 'PCB mode' or 'PCB mod E', whichever you prefer.
PCBmodE is licensed under the MIT License.