LochMaster is a specialized developer and design software tool used by electronics enthusiasts and engineers to plan, document, and test circuit layouts on stripboards, veroboards, and matrix prototyping boards. Developed by the German software company Abacom, the tool acts as a visual prototyping aid rather than a traditional Computer-Aided Design (CAD) schematic capture program.
The software can be found and reviewed directly on the developer’s official Electronic Software Shop product page. Key Features
Realistic Virtual Breadboarding: Features highly detailed, realistic graphical representations of electronic and mechanical components, allowing users to visually position parts onto digital stripboards.
Predefined Prototyping Templates: Includes predefined grids and boards modeled after commercially available hardware from major electronic retailers.
“X-Ray” and Mirror Views: Features an integrated “X-ray” transparency tool that allows designers to see components shining through from the opposite side of the board. This eliminates the need to “think in reverse” when turning the board over to solder tracks.
Integrated Testing Utilities: Includes continuity and connection testing functions to trace circuits and ensure paths are wired properly before physical manufacturing.
Automated Documentation: Automatically generates structured components bills of materials (BOM), which can be printed or exported straight to spreadsheet software like Microsoft Excel via Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE).
Flexible Grids: Version 4.0 supports the parallel usage of millimeter, inch, and hole grids to easily align distinct component footprints. Limitations to Consider
No Schematic Synchronization: LochMaster does not include integrated schematic capturing. Because it lacks a human-readable schematic netlist, it cannot perform Design Rule Checking (DRC) to automatically map a circuit diagram to your board layout.
Not for Custom PCBs: The program is optimized exclusively for standardized through-hole matrix grids. It cannot generate industrial Gerber files to manufacture custom printed circuit boards (PCBs).
If you are planning to utilize LochMaster for an upcoming prototyping project, let me know: What specific circuit or project you are looking to design?
Whether you prefer to work with stripboard (Veroboard) or standard point-to-point matrix boards?
If you need a program capable of generating industry-standard Gerber manufacturing files?
LochMaster Download – Developer tool for strip board projects
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