AutoTRAX PCB Design Software

AutoTRAX Introduct

AutoTRAX is a free PCB design software developed by Protel in the early 1990s. It has a low cost and can efficiently design 6 to 8 layers of circuit boards,

 suitable for the production of more complex PCB. AutoTRAX's file format is simple, has attracted many engineers to develop open source tools to support this format. 

This software can effectively generate single-sided and double-sided PCB, and although the performance of the design of multilayer boards,

 but in the fine geometry of the operation is relatively limited.AutoTRAX's use of the low threshold, the user can be through the mouse, 

menus or keyboard commands for easy operation, is a practical and efficient tool in the field of PCB design.

• Software: AutoTRAX
• Cost: Paid
• Website: https://airborn.com.au/layout/autotrax.html
• Launched: 1990s
• Company: Protel

AutoTRAX Features

AutoTRAX's core functionality covers the basic needs of most PCB design projects. It can generate a reasonable PCB layout, support for the generation of complex alignments and non-plated holes. Users can use AutoTRAX to create multi-layer PCB and layout components, the software provides a convenient library component generation function. In the design process, users can easily use the mouse and keyboard operation. In addition, AutoTRAX is also compatible with a variety of PCB manufacturers, allowing easy conversion of file formats to suit different production needs. Despite some functional limitations, such as not supporting automatic routing and integrated circuit design, but AutoTRAX can still complete 95% of the common PCB design tasks, because of its simplicity and efficiency, in the PCB design tools have a place.

• Multi-layer PCB design.Supports the design of PCB layouts from 6 to 8 layers to meet the needs of complex circuits.
• Library management.Users can easily generate and manage library components for subsequent PCB design use.
• Compatibility.Supports importing a variety of PCB manufacturer's file formats, making it easy to work with different factories.
• EASY TO USE.The interface is user-friendly and can be easily operated by the user via mouse or keyboard.
• Community Support.Because of its simple file format, many developers have provided open source tools and support for AutoTRAX.

AutoTRAX Turorial

Learning PCB design software, always encounter some problems, through some videos or communities, we can solve the problem more quickly, the following are a few tutorial sites we have prepared for you to learn AutoTRAX.

• DEX Support: DEX Support offers detailed PCB design tutorials that are ideal for beginners and users who want to learn PCB design software in depth. The site is simple and easy to use, and the tutorials cover the basics to advanced PCB design knowledge, allowing users to get up to speed quickly.
• EEVBlog - AutoTRAX PCB Design: EEVBlog forum is a gathering place for electrical engineers, which not only provides tutorials on the use of AutoTRAX PCB design software, but also contains a large number of practical video tutorials to help users learn in a hands-on way. It is worth a try!
• Protel Autotrax Utilities: This site offers quite a few useful tools and tutorials on Protel Autotrax to help users be more efficient in PCB design. The tutorials are up-to-date and suitable for users who need help.
• Airborn - Protel Autotrax Resources: The Airborn website provides links to resources and tutorials for Protel Autotrax, suitable for advanced learning for those with some basic knowledge. The links are resourceful and cover a wide variety of topics, and are highly recommended.
• Airborn - PCB Layout Tutorial: This is a tutorial that focuses on PCB layout, using Autotrax software. The site is rich in content, suitable for users who want to learn PCB design through practice, and the tutorials are very systematic and easy to understand.

AutoTRAX Reviews

AutoTRAX is a controversial PCB design software, and its user reviews reflect both its strengths and weaknesses. Users generally pointed out that AutoTRAX license for non-commercial use without any restrictions, the function is still rich, but the software is limited to the Windows platform, which makes some Mac users difficult to use. In addition, many users believe that the software has more bugs and stability problems, resulting in poor use experience. Some users said that despite the elegant design concept, the quality of the implementation was low and there was a lack of support when they needed to ask for help. In contrast, other software such as DipTrace and KiCad were more popular in terms of user interaction and usability. Overall, AutoTRAX is competitively priced but needs to improve the user experience.

• The software is limited to Windows.MS Windows is limited to the beginning. This prevents me from starting...
• Lack of open source principles.In my opinion, not being open source puts a few more nails in the coffin for DAX.
• Insufficient user support.Based on the information available, I would forget about DEX. it may be technically ok, but there is no reason for it to actually be there. There is nothing you can do when you need help.
• Design software with unlimited functionality.I recently changed the software license for AutoTRAX DEX. By default it is free with no restrictions as long as it is used for non-commercial purposes. There are no time, board size, pin count or layer limitations.
• Experience Sharing.I am currently using AutoTRAX DEX as my PCB capture software. Despite some questionable choices made by the developer, I actually enjoy the software. However, the bugs and bug fixes in the software are irritating, so I am looking for a new program.
• Recommended Software KiCad.For new users, I think KiCad is a good choice. It's features have improved dramatically over the past few years and the community is very active, so it's worth checking out.
• DipTrace compliments of.I've found DipTrace to have a short learning curve and may also be considered. Some of the features are placed behind multiple menus, but overall, it's pretty easy to use.
• Advantages of KiCad.The interactive router in push-pull mode is an extremely handy feature in KiCad, allowing me to design denser PCBs than I've ever tried before.
• Willingness to learn determines.Choosing a CAD tool is one thing, but you need to consider the cost and management of the library. If your designs are becoming more complex, choosing Orcad or Altium is better, but for simple designs, KiCad is the best choice.
• The software still sucks :)I just installed the demo version of AutoTRAX. Sure enough it's still a bunch of bugs. try changing the linewidth of the autoroute from 0.010 to 0.020, then rip out the wiring on a large project and run the autoroute again. If you're like me, you'll notice that the linewidth hasn't changed, it's still 0.010. it's like French whorehouse programming, it looks good, but up close you realize it's just make-up on something ugly.
• Elegant design but poorly realized: theI like the design concept behind AutoTRAX, especially a composite design document with nets directly connected to the schematic and PCB, but as far as the quality of the implementation is concerned, it gives me a rating of 1 out of 10. And all the functionality is under .NET, so it performs poorly on my MAC because I need to use a virtual Windows machine.
• Lower overall rating.Overall, AutoTRAX is passable, but after serious use, I still have a strong desire to find alternatives. Some professionals prefer Altium design software, but it's just too expensive for me at over $3,000, and I'd like to evaluate it one day.
• Compare Diptrace.I still use Diptrace, and while not perfect, Diptrace is actually usable compared to AutoTRAX, and I can use it to create schematics and boards with some degree of confidence. Its usability is still far from perfect, strange indeed, but in general Diptrace is much better in terms of operation.
• Terrible mapping experience:I tried the .NET version and its look and feel, but the experience of using it was something else entirely. It felt confusing and difficult, and some features simply didn't work as expected. I decided not to consider DEX anymore because it is written in .NET and I use MAC more often.

Articel Comments

In rating the AutoTRAX software, I give ★★★★☆ (4 stars). Although it is easy to use and feature-rich, it still falls short on some key design features, especially in auto-wiring and user support looking to improve. Overall, it is a cost-effective choice, but still needs user break-in and feedback.

• User Friendly.The software's user-friendly interface and intuitive operating procedures make it ideal for beginners and lightweight PCB design needs.
• Functional limitations.Despite being able to handle common PCB design tasks, AutoTRAX is still slightly lacking in multilayer design and complex circuit processing capabilities.
• Lack of community support.User feedback indicated that the lack of program stability and weak community support limited the avenues for problem solving.
• Cost-effective.Compared with some expensive design software, AutoTRAX is free and without commercial restrictions, suitable for personal and small projects.

Overall, while AutoTRAX performs well in some areas, its limitations and lack of user support put it at a disadvantage in the competitive PCB design market. 

Users should carefully consider their needs when choosing a tool to ensure that the software meets their design criteria. It is hoped that AutoTRAX will be able to improve the user experience in the future and enhance the stability and usability of the software