> On Nov 30, 2021, at 7:17 PM, Jay Jaeger via cctalk <cctalk@classiccmp.org>
> wrote:
>
> ...
> The issue is (I think) that the ExpressPCB software can only be used to
> create files to order boards from them - or can it now export ordinary
> gerbers? (Otherwise, to go with another fab. I presumably would re-enter the
> schematic, and re-route it - granted not all *that* hard, but still a day's
> work.
You're right, they say so in the FAQ. And it is the reason I don't use them.
At one point I used PCB Pool (Beta layout) because they could take Eagle files
directly. But sending boards across the ocean isn't so economical. And Eagle
became less and less attractive over time.
My current answer is KiCAD which is open source and somewhat more powerful than
Eagle (without the hassles). Both do Gerbers, but there are also fabs that
take the CAD files directly. OSHPark is the one I've used for my most recent 3
projects, they do nice work. The color is odd, but what the heck, it still
works.
paul
