-
-
News
News Highlights
- Books
Featured Books
- design007 Magazine
Latest Issues
Current IssueAll About That Route
Most designers favor manual routing, but today's interactive autorouters may be changing designers' minds by allowing users more direct control. In this issue, our expert contributors discuss a variety of manual and autorouting strategies.
Creating the Ideal Data Package
Why is it so difficult to create the ideal data package? Many of these simple errors can be alleviated by paying attention to detail—and knowing what issues to look out for. So, this month, our experts weigh in on the best practices for creating the ideal design data package for your design.
Designing Through the Noise
Our experts discuss the constantly evolving world of RF design, including the many tradeoffs, material considerations, and design tips and techniques that designers and design engineers need to know to succeed in this high-frequency realm.
- Articles
- Columns
- Links
- Media kit
||| MENU - design007 Magazine
Advanced Circuits Offers Free PCB Design Software
November 17, 2020 | Advanced CircuitsEstimated reading time: 1 minute

Advanced Circuits, the third largest PCB manufacturer in the United States, created PCB Artist to provide a free design solution that makes the process faster and helps customers find potential mistakes before moving onto prototyping or production.
Designing a brand new PCB for your next project is exciting, but can be challenging if you do not have the right tools, which is why Advanced Circuits wants to make it easy with their high tech free PCB design layout software, PCB Artist. PCB Artist is very well rated and will not cost users a thing.
How Quality Design Software Helps the PCB Production Process
Using quality, professional-grade software like PCB Artist helps designers turn their new idea into a tangible product. The FREE PCB Design Software has helped facilitate a faster and simpler process for all design engineers creating their PCB Designs. PCB Artist includes a Multi-Page Schematics, a configurable Auto Router, and other great features found in other expensive PCB Design software options on the market.
The free library for PCB Artist has more than half a million parts and allows users to create PCB Designs up to 28 layers. It also includes a powerful Part Creation Wizard, as well as design rule checks and reports. This helps spot errors, ensuring customers will not waste their time and money with designs that ultimately will not work.
Users Enjoy an Intuitive Design Interface
A stand out feature of PCB Artist from Advanced Circuits is how intuitive and easy-to-use it is for customers. It can be used by those with experience in designing printed circuit boards, as well as someone who is still learning. The interface is easy to understand and it includes a user’s guide that is available for download with a variety of tips, tools, and video tutorials.
Suggested Items
DownStream Acquisition Fits Siemens’ ‘Left-Shift’ Model
06/26/2025 | Andy Shaughnessy, I-Connect007I recently spoke to DownStream Technologies founder Joe Clark about the company’s acquisition by Siemens. We were later joined by A.J. Incorvaia, Siemens’ senior VP of electronic board systems. Joe discussed how he, Rick Almeida, and Ken Tepper launched the company in the months after 9/11 and how the acquisition came about. A.J. provides some background on the acquisition and explains why the companies’ tools are complementary.
Elementary Mr. Watson: Retro Routers vs. Modern Boards—The Silent Struggle on Your Screen
06/26/2025 | John Watson -- Column: Elementary, Mr. WatsonThere's a story about a young woman preparing a holiday ham. Before putting it in the pan, she cuts off the ends. When asked why, she shrugs and says, "That's how my mom always did it." She asks her mother, who gives the same answer. Eventually, the question reaches Grandma, who laughs and says, "Oh, I only cut the ends off because my pan was too small." This story is a powerful analogy for how many PCB designers approach routing today.
Siemens Turbocharges Semiconductor and PCB Design Portfolio with Generative and Agentic AI
06/24/2025 | SiemensAt the 2025 Design Automation Conference, Siemens Digital Industries Software today unveiled its AI-enhanced toolset for the EDA design flow.
Cadence AI Autorouter May Transform the Landscape
06/19/2025 | Andy Shaughnessy, Design007 MagazinePatrick Davis, product management director with Cadence Design Systems, discusses advancements in autorouting technology, including AI. He emphasizes a holistic approach that enhances placement and power distribution before routing. He points out that younger engineers seem more likely to embrace autorouting, while the veteran designers are still wary of giving up too much control. Will AI help autorouters finally gain industry-wide acceptance?
Beyond Design: The Metamorphosis of the PCB Router
06/18/2025 | Barry Olney -- Column: Beyond DesignThe traditional PCB design process is often time-consuming and labor-intensive. Routing a complex PCB layout can consume up to 30% of a designer’s time, and addressing this issue is not straightforward. We have all encountered this scenario: You spend hours setting the constraints and finally hit the Go button, only to be surprised by the lack of visual appeal and the obvious flaws in the result.