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CircuitMaker
CircuitMaker
from Wikipedia
Altium CircuitMaker
DeveloperAltium
Initial releaseJanuary 2015; 11 years ago (2015-01)
Stable release
2.3.0 / July 1, 2024; 19 months ago (2024-07-01)
Written inDelphi, C++, C#
Operating systemMicrosoft Windows
PlatformIA-32, x86-64
Sizeca. 900 MB
Available inEnglish
TypeElectronic design automation
LicenseProprietary
Websitewww.circuitmaker.com

CircuitMaker is electronic design automation software for printed circuit board designs, for the hobby, hacker, and maker community.[1][2] CircuitMaker is available as freeware, and the hardware designed with it may be used for commercial and non-commercial purposes without limitations.[3] It is currently available publicly as version 2.0 by Altium Limited, with the first non-beta release on January 17, 2016.[4]

History

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MicroCode CircuitMaker

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CircuitMaker, TraxMaker and SimCode were originally developed by the Orem-based MicroCode Engineering, Inc. since 1988. CircuitMaker 5 for Windows 3.1, 9x and NT became available in 1997,[5] CircuitMaker 6, CircuitMaker PRO, TraxMaker 3 and TraxMaker PRO in 1998.[6][7][8]

Protel CircuitMaker

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Electronic design automation software (https) developer Protel marketed CircuitMaker 2000 as a schematic capture tool, together with TraxMaker as its PCB layout counterpart, as a powerful yet affordable solution for circuit board needs.[9] Its ease of use and comparatively low cost quickly gained it popularity among students, and the software suite was commonly used to teach circuit board design to engineering students in universities.[10] The wide availability of plug-ins and component libraries have accelerated adoption, and quickly amassed a worldwide community. When Protel was renamed Altium Limited in the early 2000s, engineering efforts were redirected towards the development of DXP 2004,[11] and CircuitMaker 2000 was eventually discontinued. Due to its new status as abandonware, CircuitMaker 2000 remained popular among hobby users and students.[12] This popularity has been observed by Altium, and the most successful features of CircuitMaker 2000 have since been integrated in DXP 2004 and later were incorporated into Altium Designer.

Altium CircuitMaker

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Open source hardware and easy-to-use development boards such as the Arduino and the Raspberry Pi have increased community interest in electronics, particularly in fab labs, hackerspaces and makerspaces.[citation needed] The leading EDA software vendors traditionally lack free versions, and professional licenses are unaffordable for amateurs. This resulted in high piracy rates for professional software packages, or users sticking to outdated software, including CircuitMaker 2000. Several initiatives such as EAGLE have attempted to fill this void, releasing restricted versions of semi-professional EDA tools. The rise of KiCad further fragmented the market. This pressure eventually provided the incentive for Altium to release a simplified and more user friendly version of their professional EDA software package and flagship product, Altium Designer, targeted at less complex circuit board projects. This culminated into the rebirth of CircuitMaker as schematic capture and PCB design software.[13]

Despite the resemblance in naming, the current CircuitMaker differs entirely from CircuitMaker 2000 regarding features and graphical user interface: the SPICE simulation module has been removed; the library system has been overhauled; and the controls changed from classic menus to a more modern and visually appealing ribbon interface.

Merge with Upverter

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On 14 May 2018, Altium announced plans to merge CircuitMaker and Upverter into a single, free to use design platform.[14] However, in a blog post on May 11, 2019, Altium COO Ted Pawela stated that the plans had evolved, and the products would remain separate, with interoperability features for the design files.[15]

Features

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CircuitMaker implements schematic capture and PCB design using the same engine as Altium Designer, providing an almost identical user experience. The schematic editor includes basic component placement and circuit design as well as advanced multi-channel design and hierarchical schematics. All schematics are uploaded to the Altium server and can be viewed by anyone with a CircuitMaker account, stimulating design re-use.[16] CircuitMaker supports integration with the Octopart search engine[17] and allows drag and drop placement of components from the Octopart search results if schematic models are attached to them. Users can build missing schematic symbols and commit them to the server, called the Community Vault, making them available for other users.[18] The continuously growing part database eliminates the need for a custom schematic symbol or footprint design for common parts, increasing user-friendliness for beginners. It is not possible to import component models from Altium Designer directly into CircuitMaker,[19] but there are community-supported workarounds to this limitation.[20]

Concurrency editing was added in version 1.3,[21] allowing multiple users to collaborate on a schematic or PCB document simultaneously and exchange thoughts through an integrated comment and annotation system.

Transfer of schematics to a PCB is a straightforward process in CircuitMaker since PCB footprints are automatically attached to any component on the schematic that was picked from the Octopart library. PCB footprints may have simple 3D models or complex STEP models attached to them, enabling real time 3D rendering of the PCB during development.[22] CircuitMaker supports design rule configuration and real time design rule checking. Some advanced features, including differential pair routing, interactive length tuning,[23] and polygon pour management, are also available.[24] Production files can be exported directly, although an external Gerber viewer must be used to check the exports. The entire PCB can also be exported as a 3D STEP model for further use in mechanical 3D CAD software.

CircuitMaker is only available for the Windows operating system. This requires users to have access to a Windows license to use CircuitMaker.[25][26] As of 2020, CircuitMaker can be run in Wine on Ubuntu, with limitations,[27][28] but some users reported it does not work on their Linux distribution.[29] Unofficial support for Linux and BSD users is provided by Altium staff and volunteers on the CircuitMaker forum.[30]

While users can import resources from competing EDA software packages,[31] CircuitMaker does not support exporting design resources itself. A workaround for this issue is provided by Altium Designer 15 and 16 which do support the import of CircuitMaker files.[32]

Open source hardware

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CircuitMaker requires a free account to represent its users in the community.[33] An active internet connection is required to start and use the software.[34] Users are allowed to have 5 private projects, the so-called sandbox mode for practicing. By default, all schematics and PCBs are uploaded to the server and can be viewed by other users as soon as they are committed through the internal svn engine. While this renders CircuitMaker undesirable for closed source projects, it encourages collaboration in the community. Users are allowed to fork existing projects, or request permission to collaborate in existing projects. Importing schematic documents and PCBs from other EDA packages (OrCAD, PADS, P-CAD, EAGLE) is supported.[35] Users are allowed to own unlimited projects, and there is no hard limit on board complexity.[36] However, Altium warns that users may experience a performance drop for large projects.[37]

All documents are under version control by default, allowing users to revert changes made in their projects, and build new versions of existing schematic symbols or footprints in the Community Vault. Users can comment on each other's projects and parts, rate them, and propose improvements.

CircuitMaker supports direct generation of production files in industry standard formats such as Gerber and NC Drill, as well as printing of stencils for DIY circuit board etching.[38]

See also

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
CircuitMaker is a free (EDA) software application developed by Limited for (PCB) design, targeting hobbyists, makers, students, designers, and professional engineers. Built on the core technology of , it provides a streamlined interface for , PCB layout, and interactive 3D visualization without commercial restrictions, allowing users to monetize their designs. The software supports unlimited board sizes, up to 16 signal layers and 16 plane layers, and integrates a vast community library of components sourced from Nexar. Originally developed in the by Engineering as an early PCB design tool, the CircuitMaker brand was acquired by Protel, which later became , and revived in 2015 as a community-driven, cloud-enabled platform to provide access to professional-grade EDA tools. Key features include push-and-shove routing, a topological auto-router, multi-sheet editing, and design rule checking (DRC) with design for manufacturability (DFM) validation, all enhanced by collaboration capabilities through 365 for sharing, forking, and team-based projects. This evolution positions CircuitMaker as a bridge between entry-level tools and enterprise solutions, drawing on 's expertise in PCB design software since 1985.

History

MicroCode and Protel Eras

CircuitMaker was originally developed by Engineering, Inc., a company based in , beginning in 1988 as an affordable (EDA) tool aimed at hobbyists and educators. The software emphasized and mixed-signal circuit simulation capabilities, enabling users to test and validate designs virtually to minimize physical breadboarding and prototyping efforts. Early versions focused on accessibility, providing intuitive interfaces for analog and digital circuit analysis without requiring advanced hardware simulation expertise. Key milestones in MicroCode's development included the release of CircuitMaker 5 in 1997, which introduced enhanced mixed analog/digital features for Windows 3.1, 95, 98, and NT platforms, priced at approximately $549 to make it viable for individual and educational use. This version gained traction for its speed and accuracy in simulating complex circuits, appealing to students and hobbyists seeking cost-effective alternatives to professional-grade tools. In 1998, MicroCode followed with CircuitMaker 6 and the professional-oriented CircuitMaker PRO, alongside TraxMaker 3 for PCB layout, further integrating with basic functions at prices around $299–$395, reinforcing its reputation as an entry-level solution for reducing iteration time. On September 16, 1998, Protel International Pty Ltd. acquired MicroCode Engineering, integrating its simulation expertise to bolster Protel's portfolio in circuit analysis tools. Under Protel's ownership, the software was rebranded and evolved into CircuitMaker 2000, released around 2000 as a bundled suite with TraxMaker for , , and PCB , marketed as a "virtual lab" for educational and low-cost applications. The suite's affordability—standard editions under $400—drove its popularity among students and hobbyists, who valued its ease of use for teaching principles and prototyping without high expenses. Following Protel's rebranding to Limited in 2001, development resources shifted toward the more advanced Protel DXP 2004 platform, leading to the gradual discontinuation of CircuitMaker 2000 around 2003. This transition rendered the software unsupported and effectively , though it retained a niche following among users for its simplicity in legacy educational contexts. Altium later revived the CircuitMaker name in 2015 as a free community tool, distinct from the original Protel-era product.

Altium Revival and Early Development

In 2015, Limited revived the brand as a free tool aimed at hobbyists, makers, students, and the community, marking a shift from its earlier , commercial roots to a community-driven model with no licensing costs. The company initially conducted a closed beta in late 2014 and early 2015 before launching the open public beta on May 15, 2015, inviting global participation to shape the software through feedback and collaboration. This reintroduction emphasized accessibility, requiring only a free account and constant internet connectivity for cloud-based features like project sharing and component libraries. The first stable release, version 1.0, arrived on January 17, 2016, leveraging the core engine of for professional-grade and PCB layout capabilities while maintaining the free, online . Early versions supported unlimited board designs without size restrictions, enabling users to experiment freely and integrate community-sourced libraries from partners like Octopart. This foundation drew inspiration from the original CircuitMaker's legacy in simplifying PCB design for non-professionals. Key milestones in the initial development phase included version 1.3 in October 2016, which introduced real-time concurrency editing to allow multiple users to collaborate simultaneously on schematics and PCBs, enhancing the tool's social and ethos. Throughout this period up to 2018, prioritized user input from forums and beta testers to refine , such as improving layer support up to 16 signal and 16 plane layers, while enforcing the always-online model to foster a connected maker .

Upverter Merger and Community Evolution

On May 14, 2018, announced plans to merge CircuitMaker with Upverter, its recently acquired cloud-based (EDA) tool, into a unified free platform aimed at combining the strengths of both for enhanced collaborative design. The initiative sought to leverage Upverter's browser-based, collaborative workflow alongside CircuitMaker's desktop capabilities to create a more accessible tool for makers and engineers. By May 11, 2019, updated its strategy in a blog post by COO Ted Pawela, shifting from a full merger to maintaining the tools as separate products with improved to facilitate seamless data exchange between them. This evolution allowed users to transfer designs and components more easily while preserving the unique user experiences of each platform, addressing feedback on the need for flexibility. The merger plans significantly influenced CircuitMaker's evolution, fostering greater emphasis on features such as project forking, , and public sharing to support open hardware initiatives. Integration with 365, Altium's cloud platform, enabled real-time team collaboration and , expanding the user base by making it easier for hobbyists, students, and professionals to contribute to shared designs. Upverter's cloud-centric approach further shaped CircuitMaker into a hybrid desktop-cloud model, promoting broader adoption in open hardware ecosystems through accessible, browser-compatible workflows.

Technical Features

Schematic Capture and PCB Design Tools

CircuitMaker's schematic capture functionality is built on the same intuitive editor as , enabling users to create multi-sheet designs with support for hierarchical structures and multi-channel configurations. This allows designers to organize complex circuits into reusable blocks, where a single sheet can be instantiated multiple times for repeated elements, such as in arrays or networks, facilitating efficient management of large-scale projects. Component placement draws from an extensive integrated with Octopart, providing access to hundreds of thousands of verified parts with parametric data for quick selection and placement. In the PCB design environment, CircuitMaker offers interactive tools including push-and-shove functionality, which automatically adjusts traces and obstacles during manual , along with support for differential pairs and hug-n-push modes to optimize . The Situs topological auto-router further streamlines layout by performing BGA and SMT fanout with via optimization, reducing manual effort for dense boards. (DRC) is integrated to validate layouts against user-defined rules for up to 16 signal layers and 16 plane layers, ensuring compliance with manufacturing constraints without artificial limits on board size or pin count in the free version. The workflow supports seamless transitions from to PCB through real-time synchronization via Engineering Change Orders (), where updates in one domain propagate to the other after project validation, maintaining consistency across the design. Native import capabilities allow bringing in schematics and layouts from other EDA tools, including EAGLE, , , Protel 99SE, P-CAD, and , enabling hybrid workflows without data loss. This hierarchical approach, combined with unlimited design scale, makes CircuitMaker suitable for both simple prototypes and intricate open-hardware projects, with the community vault offering shared components for further extension.

Simulation, Analysis, and 3D Visualization

For design analysis, CircuitMaker includes robust (DRC) capabilities that scan the PCB layout for violations in real time or via batch processes. These checks encompass electrical rules (e.g., net widths, differential pair lengths) and physical constraints (e.g., clearances, via sizes), providing interactive visual feedback with highlighted violations during to enable immediate corrections. The DRC generates detailed reports listing errors by severity, helping ensure manufacturability and reliability without halting the design workflow. In terms of 3D visualization, CircuitMaker features native 3D PCB rendering accessible via a simple (pressing the '3' key) in the PCB editor. This mode supports import and export of STEP model files for components, enabling accurate representation of board geometry, including heights and shapes for mechanical integration. Users can perform 3D clearance checks to detect overlaps or insufficient spacing between components and enclosures, with real-time rendering that aids in verifying fit within housings or generating visual aids for . The tool also allows layer stepping and preset views to inspect assembly aspects, such as connector accessibility, enhancing overall design validation.

Export, Manufacturing, and Integration Options

CircuitMaker supports a range of standard export formats essential for PCB fabrication and assembly, including Gerber files for layer imagery and apertures, for comprehensive job data including stackup and drill information, and NC drill files for tooling holes. These outputs are generated through the Generate Outputs dialog, which allows batch configuration of fabrication and assembly files directly from the PCB editor. Bill of Materials (BOM) generation is handled via customizable Excel templates, enabling users to export component lists with details such as references, quantities, footprints, and supplier data sourced from the integrated Octopart database. Pick-and-Place files are produced under assembly outputs, providing XY coordinates, rotations, and layer specifications for automated placement during . Additionally, assembly drawings are available through SmartPDF outputs, which embed fabrication notes, dimensions, and silkscreen views in a navigable, printable format. For manufacturing preparation, CircuitMaker includes support for panelization in basic forms through manual arrangement in the PCB editor, though advanced automated panelization features are limited compared to professional tools. Post-2020 integration with 365 enables one-click manufacturing workflows, where users can release validated outputs to partner services like JLCPCB or PCBWay for direct quoting and ordering of bare boards or full assembly, streamlining the handoff without manual file transfers. This feature leverages design rule checks (DRC) and (DFM) validation to ensure compliance before submission. Compatibility with external systems is facilitated by native file formats shared with , allowing seamless import and export of schematics and PCBs for advanced editing in the paid suite. CircuitMaker supports direct import from Eagle via XML files, preserving components, nets, and layouts during conversion. While no native import/export exists for , standard outputs like Gerber and BOM enable interoperability with workflows through third-party converters or direct fabrication handoff. Custom integrations are possible via the Altium 365 REST API, which allows programmatic access to project data and releases, though CircuitMaker-specific endpoints focus on cloud-based rather than local scripting. Notably, CircuitMaker lacks built-in tools for development or programming, requiring users to export PCB outputs to separate embedded IDEs like IDE or Keil for microcontroller integration.

Community and Open Source Aspects

Project Collaboration and Sharing Mechanisms

CircuitMaker facilitates project collaboration through its seamless integration with the 365 cloud platform, allowing users to store, manage, and share designs in a centralized environment. This enables both real-time and asynchronous interactions, where multiple designers can access and contribute to the same project without local file management. Concurrency editing is supported for shared projects, permitting multiple users to modify PCB documents simultaneously while visualizing active collaborators to prevent conflicts. A notification dialog alerts users when collaborative editing is active, ensuring coordinated changes and reducing overlap issues. For asynchronous , users can clone public community projects to create independent variants, as traditional forking has been discontinued in favor of this mechanism. Versioning and change tracking are handled via 365's built-in system, which operates on a Git-like repository model to maintain revision , commits, and releases for all project documents. This allows users to revert changes, compare revisions, and track modifications over time, with project providing a timeline of events such as creations and updates. Commenting is integrated through dedicated panels in CircuitMaker and 365, enabling users to add notes, tasks, and annotations directly on schematics or PCBs to facilitate feedback and discussions. Projects default to private visibility in the user's 365 Personal Space for up to five projects, but users can publish them publicly on the CircuitMaker server for discoverability, limiting access to the owner or explicitly shared collaborators otherwise. Private sharing options allow designation of specific viewers or editors, while public projects support broader input. Design reviews are conducted via shared snapshots or live projects, incorporating , comments, and change history tracking, features enhanced through integration with 365 for cloud-based management. Forum-like feedback occurs through the projects interface, where users discuss and iterate on shared designs, often leading to open hardware licensing outcomes.

Support for Open Hardware Licensing and Ecosystems

CircuitMaker facilitates open hardware development by enabling users to publish projects to the CircuitMaker community via 365, where they are made publicly accessible to all registered users by default. This sharing mechanism grants and other CircuitMaker licensees a non-exclusive to access, display, distribute, and use the uploaded designs within the platform, promoting remixing, , and attribution among the community without additional fees or restrictions imposed by on public content. Users retain ownership of their designs but must ensure they hold necessary rights to share them, aligning with principles of that encourage innovation in hardware projects. The platform's structure supports integration with broader open hardware ecosystems through its emphasis on public accessibility and compatibility with standard design practices. Public projects can be cloned, commented on, and iterated upon by the community, facilitating compatibility with open hardware certification standards like those from the Open Source Hardware Association (OSHWA), though CircuitMaker itself does not provide formal certification. Additionally, designs can be exported in formats such as Gerber and STEP for sharing on external platforms like or Hackster.io, extending the ecosystem beyond the native platform. This approach eliminates IP barriers on shared content, allowing hobbyists and makers to freely build upon others' work in domains like IoT devices and Arduino-compatible systems. A key community resource is the extensive crowd-sourced library of components and designs, which contains thousands of verified parts and example projects available for immediate use and modification by all users. These resources, contributed by the global maker community, include parametric models and tested schematics tailored for open hardware applications, reducing for educational and prototyping efforts. CircuitMaker's focus on makers and hobbyists is evident in its free access model and tools optimized for rapid iteration, with no lock-in on public designs to spur collective advancement in open ecosystems.

Current Status and Limitations

Recent Updates and Version History

CircuitMaker's development from onward has emphasized incremental improvements to its core functionality, cloud integration, and tools, building on the foundation established in earlier iterations. Following the initial public release in 2015 and subsequent updates through version 1.x, the software entered a stabilization phase leading into , which was fully rolled out in July 2021 as a major upgrade aligned with technology. This version introduced a modernized and deep integration with 365, enabling cloud-based collaboration for schematics, PCBs, BOMs, Gerbers, and 3D visualizations accessible via . In 2022, version 2.1.0 (released February 11) added the CoDesigner panel for seamless PCB data exchange with , facilitating mechanical and electrical co-design workflows through push-pull synchronization via 365. Subsequent releases, 2.2.0 (April 6) and 2.2.1 (June 15), focused on stability with fixes for rendering issues, shortcuts, and output generation, alongside support for importing designs from and P-CAD to broaden accessibility for users migrating from other tools. These updates stabilized the 2.x series without major architectural overhauls, prioritizing compatibility and user-requested enhancements. Version 2.3.0, released on July 1, 2024, marked the most recent significant update, replacing the Octopart API with the for component search to enhance security via and improve search reliability. As of November 2025, the latest version remains 2.3.0, with no further updates released since July 2024. Looking ahead, Altium's broader announcements suggest potential roadmap inclusions for deeper AI-assisted routing in future CircuitMaker enhancements, though specific timelines for the free edition remain unconfirmed beyond ongoing cloud and collaboration refinements.

Known Limitations and User Workarounds

CircuitMaker provides native support exclusively for 64-bit versions of and 11, limiting accessibility for users on or macOS operating systems. While attempts to run the software on via Wine are possible, they often result in performance issues and incomplete functionality due to compatibility challenges. Additionally, the platform mandates a constant connection for licensing validation and access to the 365 vault, where all projects are stored, although limited offline caching is available for basic operations. Key feature gaps include the absence of advanced mixed-signal simulation capabilities, as the software does not incorporate built-in or similar analysis tools found in professional suites. Users are restricted to a maximum of five private projects in their personal 365 space, encouraging public sharing for additional designs and potentially exposing sensitive work to the community. Furthermore, there is no support for mobile editing, confining all modifications to desktop environments. In the free tier, Gerber export is supported, but full ODB++ output lacks comprehensive feature parity with paid tools, such as advanced stackup data integration. The , while functional, appears outdated relative to contemporary open-source alternatives like , with less intuitive workflows for rapid prototyping. To address platform restrictions, users on non-Windows systems commonly employ virtual machines running Windows, ensuring stable performance at the cost of additional setup overhead. For accessing features beyond CircuitMaker's scope, projects can be exported and imported into , leveraging its extended simulation and analysis tools. Regarding privacy limits, community-driven scripts and custom vaults have been adapted by users to extend private project handling, though these require manual configuration and may violate . Recent updates have partially mitigated some bugs, but core limitations persist as of 2025.

References

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