Designers using ExpressPCB Plus can now catch spacing problems across their entire board before it goes to fabrication. ExpressPCB, an ASC Sunstone Circuits company, has released ExpressPCB Plus 3.4, a free update to its schematic capture and PCB layout software. The release introduces a rebuilt design rule check (DRC) that reviews spacing between every object on the layout, restores part downloads from SnapMagic (formerly SnapEDA), and lets ExpressPCB Classic users run their existing designs through the new checks. Engineers, students and makers can download it now and order boards directly from within the software.
“With version 3.4, we wanted ExpressPCB Plus to look at the whole board, much more the way our fab does,” said Sal Hernandez, Software Engineering Manager at ASC Sunstone Circuits. “The design rule check now reviews every object on the layout, and the new report takes you right to anything that needs attention. Designers can press the order button with confidence that their board is ready, and that means fewer surprises and faster turns.”
Full-Board Design Rule Checking
Earlier versions of ExpressPCB Plus checked spacing only between objects and polygon fills. Version 3.4 checks spacing between all objects on the board, so designers can tighten up their layouts on screen and send cleaner designs to fabrication.
The new DRC is stricter, but it isn’t a roadblock. The redesigned report makes it quick to work through what it finds:
- Step through each flagged item one at a time, with a clear summary of each
- The software centers and zooms on each item’s location automatically
- Export the full DRC report as a text file to share or archive
- Items outside the board outline no longer block ordering
- When only spacing violations remain, designers can review them and choose to override and proceed with their order
SnapMagic Part Downloads Restored
Designers who rely on SnapMagic (formerly SnapEDA) get their library access back. ExpressPCB Plus 3.4 restores part downloads into both layout and schematic, and adds:
- Support for multi-section schematic symbols
- Restricted (keep-out) layers for SnapMagic and Eagle parts, with the DRC flagging any traces or vias placed inside a keep-out area
- Access to parts that include slots, cutouts and non-plated holes, placed on the layout milling layer
Slots, cutouts and non-plated holes aren’t available through the ExpressPCB service, but designs that use them can still be built. Those designs are ordered through ASC Sunstone Circuits at sunstone.com, which offers the full range of fabrication options.
For ExpressPCB Classic Users
Existing ExpressPCB Classic designs can be imported into ExpressPCB Plus and run through the new DRC. Once imported, they also gain everything else Plus offers, including the SnapMagic part library, restricted layers and the expanded DRC report.
Stability and Library Updates
ExpressPCB Plus now runs on .NET 8, and large schematic files open reliably. Version 3.4 also updates footprints and symbols for a number of library parts; the full list is in the release notes at expresspcb.com.
Availability
ExpressPCB Plus 3.4 is available now as a free download at expresspcb.com. Existing users can install the update over their current version. Boards can be ordered directly from within the software.
