Sprint Layout 6 English Full !link!

Sprint-Layout 6.0 is a highly intuitive software for designing single-sided, double-sided, and multi-layer printed circuit boards (PCBs). It is developed by the German company ABACOM and is favored by hobbyists for its "logical and understandable structure" that makes it easy to learn without the complexity of professional CAD suites. Key Features of Sprint-Layout 6.0

Massive Library: Includes approximately 4,600 macros (pre-defined component footprints) to speed up design.

Gerber & Excellon Support: Allows users to export designs into industry-standard Gerber and Excellon formats for professional board manufacturing.

Component Management: Features a component list manager that displays identifiers and values, making it easier to track parts on the board.

Isolation Milling: Supports exporting files for CNC milling, which is a common method for creating prototype boards without chemicals. Sprint Layout 6 English Full

Design Rule Check (DRC): Includes a tool to verify that your layout meets specific manufacturing constraints, such as minimum track width or clearance.

Rubber-Band Function: Tracks remain connected to pads while you move components, allowing for easier manual routing adjustments.

Anti-Alias Technology: Noticeably improves the visual quality of the graphics on screen while designing.

Specialized Tools: Provides tools for circular arrangements, rectangle drawing, and thermal-pad vias for each layer. Technical Details Sprint-Layout 6

Compatibility: Fully backward compatible with files from previous versions (e.g., .lay files); native files use the .lay6 extension. Language: Available officially in English and German.

Resolution: Offers increased resolution and accuracy compared to older versions for more precise component placement. Useful Resources Sprint-Layout - Cxem.net

Workflow: From Idea to Board

Using Sprint-Layout 6 follows a logical, linear process:

1. Setup: Define your board dimensions. You can create standard rectangular boards or custom shapes by defining a board outline.
2. Placement: Drag and drop your components from the library onto the board. You can rotate and mirror them easily using hotkeys (R for rotate, M for mirror).
3. Routing: Select the trace width (standard is 16, 24, or 35 mil) and draw the connections between pads. The "Auto-Router" function exists, but most users prefer manual routing for optimal board layout. The software automatically highlights air-wires (unconnected pads) to help you track progress.
4. Text and Graphics: Add silkscreen text, logos, or drilling holes for mounting.
5. Verification: Run the DRC to check for clearance issues.
6. Output:
   • Home Etching: Print the layout on glossy paper using a laser printer for the toner-transfer method. The software handles mirror printing automatically for the bottom side.
   • Professional Manufacturing: Export the Gerber files and upload them to a manufacturer.

5. Real-Time Design Rule Checking (DRC)

While not as advanced as Altium’s, Sprint Layout 6.0 includes a real-time DRC that flags: Workflow: From Idea to Board Using Sprint-Layout 6

• Copper-to-copper clearance violations
• Pad-to-track short circuits
• Drill-to-copper spacing errors
• Board outline violations

The DRC can be configured with user-defined clearances (e.g., 6 mil, 8 mil, 10 mil), ensuring your board meets a fab house’s minimum capabilities.

Limitations to Consider

No tool is perfect. Sprint Layout 6.0 has several limitations that potential users should understand:

• No schematic capture → No netlist-based error checking. You must manually verify that every pad connects correctly. This is the single biggest drawback.
• No design synchronization → If you change a component’s pinout, you must manually update all traces. No back-annotation.
• No push-and-shove router → Manual routing requires deleting and re-routing tracks to move them.
• Windows-only → No native Linux or macOS version (though it runs well under Wine).
• Basic component library → Many modern packages (BGA, QFN with thermal pads) require manual macro creation.
• No team collaboration features → No version control integration, no multi-user access.

2. True Layer Support

Sprint Layout 6.0 supports up to 8 copper layers, plus separate layers for:

• Silkscreen (Top/Bottom)
• Solder mask (Top/Bottom)
• Paste mask (Top/Bottom) for stencil generation
• Keep-out areas
• Mechanical/outline layers

You can freely define the layer stack-up, making it suitable for simple double-sided boards and complex multilayer designs.

Board Sections

A great feature for modular design. You can split your workspace into different "Board Sections." For example, you can design a Power Supply section and a Logic section separately on the same screen, and then combine them or export them individually.