[6][7][8] 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.

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.

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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

Some advanced features, including differential pair routing, interactive length tuning,[23] and polygon pour management, are also available.

[29] Unofficial support for Linux and BSD users is provided by Altium staff and volunteers on the CircuitMaker forum.

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.