EAGLE flies across the Channel (and beyond)

Premier Farnell today acquired CadSoft, developer of EAGLE CAD software

Premier Farnell plc announces the acquisition of CadSoft Computer GmbH, a well established market leader for over 20 years, and its EAGLE™ brand of electronic design engineer CAD software. The total purchase consideration has been satisfied in cash and consists of €7 million paid on completion and potential further payments not exceeding €5 million based on criteria specified in the sale and purchase agreement.

This enhancement to Premier Farnell’s core strategy focuses on further meeting engineers needs for technology, information, tools and software, while internationalising the company’s proposition and services for the rapidly developing Asian markets. This acquisition offers CadSoft’s customers – over 40,000 electronic design engineers throughout the USA and Europe – easy access to Premier Farnell’s growing range of product and technology. In addition, the group’s companies in the Asian region (Premier Electronics, Farnell Newark and Farnell) will be able to deliver this product to this fast growing, but relatively untapped region. The product’s distribution and licensing options via the element14 website will allow engineers within these regions the needed access to the product. Premier Farnell plans to further extend the CAD software’s capabilities by linking it to their databases in a similar methodology to the DesignLink platform.

EAGLE can be downloaded directly from the tools section of element14 (see below); or indeed directly from the appropriate regional Premier Farnell company website, where an appropriate license can be purchased. The Eagle Light edition is free of charge and is an ideal evaluation tool. It is limited to a useable board size of 100x80mm, allows only two signal layers and the schematic editor can create only one sheet, other than that however, it offers all the functionality of the full versions. There are currently 11 license options to address a wide range of customer needs, with prices ranging from $49 to $1500. The purchased license simply unlocks the functionality from the freely downloaded software.

The high-end version handles board sizes to 1.6m x 1.6m, resolution of 0.1 micron, 16 signal layers, 999 schematic sheets, and an Autorouter with a ‘follow-me’ routing capability that follows your mouse for semi-automatic routing.  EAGLE supports many output file formats as Gerber, Excellon, Sieb&Meyer, Postscript, and its output can be customized to support any PCB house requirements.