How To Install pcb-rnd on Ubuntu 18.04

In this tutorial we learn how to install pcb-rnd on Ubuntu 18.04. pcb-rnd is Modular Printed Circuit Board layout tool

Introduction

In this tutorial we learn how to install pcb-rnd on Ubuntu 18.04.

What is pcb-rnd

pcb-rnd is:

pcb-rnd is a highly modular PCB (Printed Circuit Board) layout tool with a rich set of plugins for communicating with various external design tools and other EDA/CAD packages.

Feature highlights:

  • subcircuits, pad stacks
  • flexible footprint model; unrestricted pad shapes
  • arbitrary copper, silk, paste and soldermask objects
  • sophisticated, flexible layer model
  • flexible/universal polygon model
  • any object, even polygons, can have a clearance within a polygon
  • advanced mil and mm grid, with support for mixed unit design
  • strong CLI support
  • static footprints and parametric (generated) footprints
  • query language for advanced search & select
  • layout optimizers such as teardrops and a trace puller
  • footprint library from local file systems, HTTP and board files
  • netlist management: imported and as-built; back annotation
  • design rule checker

File formats and compatibility:

  • text based, tree structured native file format
  • gerber (export)
  • KiCad, s-expr format boards (read, write)
  • KiCad, s-expr format elements (write)
  • KiCad, legacy text format boards (write)
  • KiCad, eeschema netlist+footprint info (import)
  • tEDAx footprints (read, write)
  • tEDAx netlist (read)
  • Autotrax (protel) pcb boards (read, write)
  • Eagle XML format boards and libraries (read)
  • Eagle binary format boards and libraries (read)
  • Eagle DRU files (read)
  • Mentor Graphics Hyperlynx (read/write)
  • gEDA/PCB (read, write)
  • Specctra DSN (partial import/export, for freerouting.net)
  • flat EDIF netlist (import)
  • HPGL plot files (import)
  • openSCAD colored 3d model script (export)
  • ltspice netlist+footprint info (import)
  • Mentor Graphics Design Capture netlist+footprint info (import)
  • MUCS unixplot (partial import: lines, vias)
  • gEDA/gschem netlist+footprint info (import)
  • TinyCAD netlist+footprint info (import)
  • breadboard assembly drawing png (export)
  • BoM (Bill of Materials; export)
  • dxf, 2d drawings (export)
  • fidocadj board (export)
  • gcode (export)
  • nelma (export)
  • PNG, JPEG, GIF (export with photo-realistic render option)
  • postscript: ps, eps (export)
  • svg (export)
  • xy: template based, multi-format footprint/coord list (export)

There are three methods to install pcb-rnd on Ubuntu 18.04. We can use apt-get, apt and aptitude. In the following sections we will describe each method. You can choose one of them.

Install pcb-rnd Using apt-get

Update apt database with apt-get using the following command.

sudo apt-get update

After updating apt database, We can install pcb-rnd using apt-get by running the following command:

sudo apt-get -y install pcb-rnd

Install pcb-rnd Using apt

Update apt database with apt using the following command.

sudo apt update

After updating apt database, We can install pcb-rnd using apt by running the following command:

sudo apt -y install pcb-rnd

Install pcb-rnd Using aptitude

If you want to follow this method, you might need to install aptitude first since aptitude is usually not installed by default on Ubuntu. Update apt database with aptitude using the following command.

sudo aptitude update

After updating apt database, We can install pcb-rnd using aptitude by running the following command:

sudo aptitude -y install pcb-rnd

How To Uninstall pcb-rnd on Ubuntu 18.04

To uninstall only the pcb-rnd package we can use the following command:

sudo apt-get remove pcb-rnd

Uninstall pcb-rnd And Its Dependencies

To uninstall pcb-rnd and its dependencies that are no longer needed by Ubuntu 18.04, we can use the command below:

sudo apt-get -y autoremove pcb-rnd

Remove pcb-rnd Configurations and Data

To remove pcb-rnd configuration and data from Ubuntu 18.04 we can use the following command:

sudo apt-get -y purge pcb-rnd

Remove pcb-rnd configuration, data, and all of its dependencies

We can use the following command to remove pcb-rnd configurations, data and all of its dependencies, we can use the following command:

sudo apt-get -y autoremove --purge pcb-rnd

References

Summary

In this tutorial we learn how to install pcb-rnd package on Ubuntu 18.04 using different package management tools: apt, apt-get and aptitude.