PCB layout software free with board order

Sunstone Circuits has launched the newest version of their PCB design tool, PCB123 v4. It has an intuitive CAD interface that lets you create new PCB designs quickly; offering freedom and flexibility in your schematic and layout editing.  Some of the key features in the release of PCB123 v4 include: 

• 500,000 new parts. Improved search functionality with complete access to parts libraries (Powered by Accelerated Design^TM).
• Research in ‘real-time,’ parts availability from Digi-Key.
• Automated BOM (bill of materials).
• Import DXF files from mechanical CAD tools,
• DRC/DFM (design rule check/design for manufacturing) is integrated into the software.

 PCB CAD tools have traditionally concentrated on the hard engineering issues, like impedance calculations and trace routing tools. What PCB CAD developers have consistently overlooked is the ability to provide design engineers with information regarding the economic or supply-chain constraints that affect design times. With PCB123® v4, Sunstone brings the first fully-realized set of tools that allow its users to design with full knowledge of the budgetary and scheduling impacts of their design decisions, as well as the hard engineering information.  Sunstone realizes that their users are held accountable for financial and budgetary constraints and that the tool they use should provide them that information.

Design engineers will find improved availability and research information, as well as up-to-date pricing for each component-part registered in the Digi-Key® database. Many of the parts research elements that design engineers use in the Digi-Key website are also available to them inside the PCB123 tool. For example, while reviewing a part definition for use in their design, users can click through to the datasheets, and the Digi-Key website product page for the part that they’re researching. Plus, the LiveBOM functionality inside PCB123® v4 means that anyone can start placing an order for the exact components specified, direct from Digi-Key, with just one click of the mouse.

PCB123 is a free download. You can use it to design boards you order from Sunstone. If you want Gerber format output there is a nominal charge for each job, typically $50.