KiCad
KiCad® is an open source PCB software from CERN, developed according to Wikipedia by two scientists and volunteers. The differences to TARGET 3001! can be outlined as follows:
A key feature of TARGET is that there are no programme modules that have to be put together. In TARGET everything is in one system, the complete operation runs in a single Windows application. The software can be installed in 2 minutes and all functions are immediately available.
TARGET keeps all data (schematic, PCB, simulation, 3D, datasheet links, part numbers etc.) in a single project file. Forward-back annotation is not required. A TARGET project is always consistent between schematic and board (realtime data integration). There are no version differences between schematic and PCB.
The conversion of a netlist with the assignment of footprint patterns as in KiCad is not necessary in TARGET. Components are not located in libraries but in a component database that provides all the advantages of a relational database (SQLite and MySQL). This is always completely available for all editions of TARGET (commercial and non-commercial).
The component database can be made available at a central location for several users. This ensures that all colleagues have access to an identical parts database. Individual components can be shared online with other users. In TARGET, there is an exchange platform for this purpose: COMPONIVERSE®
For example, a Mini Shield can be kept as a component and imported into a project for further processing from the component database. An import of KiCad components from GitHub is possible. TARGET is also connected to the component portals Ultra Librarian, Samacsys and SnapEDA.
A component in TARGET is an individual and consists of schematic symbol, footprint pattern (housing), 3D model and many other individual parameters. If desired, a different enclosure can be assigned to a symbol. Each component can be modified individually in the project, regardless of its appearance in the component database.
TARGET offers free telephone service starting with the freeware version "discover". You speak directly with the development team.
You manage RoHS info or any other information as a component property down to the bill of materials.
If you have any experience with KiCad and TARGET, please feel free to share it with us: target@ibfriedrich.com