freeware to draw schematics

[pierrer]

Hi,

I'm looking for a free software to draw schematics quickly. I've been playing around with Eagle, which is good, but has too many features because of the PCB design possibility.

Can anyone suggest something a bit more straightforward, simply to draw schematics?

Cheers,
Pierre.

 

[ruffrecords]

You could try TinyCAD if you run Windows:

http://sourceforge.net/projects/tinycad/

Alternatively for an on-line solution you could try EasyEDA:

http://easyeda.com/editor#

or SchemeIt from digikey:

http://www.digikey.com/schemeit/

Cheers

Ian

 

[pierrer]

i've tried TiniCAD as well, tru it is a lot more simple, but I dont like it much either because i find it difficult to draw clear shcematics with it too.
Is there a way to rescale symbols or make sure that wires run straight (no corners when not needed) ?

 

[Dylan W]

I have found Eagle very quick for drawing schematics, once you get the basics down. You might find it helpful to make a custom library with just one of each component, eg a basic capacitor footprint, resistor footprint, inductor footprint etc, so you don't get decision fatigue when you're just trying to add a part. You can put an "a" or underscore at the beginning of the library name so it shows up right at the top.

Then, when you have one cap, resistor, etc, in your schematic, use "copy" in the function bar. Click on the first cap, etc, and copy it until you have all the parts you need. Then, again the in the function bar, "value," RETURN, "100u," RETURN, then click on each 100u cap. "Net" in the function bar, and connect all the parts. This will be as quick as anything once you get the hang.

This also has the advantage that when you want to do a PCB, you've mostly over the hump of the learning curve.

 

[naive1073]

I just got round to trying ltspice and found the keyboard shortcut approach pretty rapid. Has some clearly tangible benefits over the layout competition including the fact that eagle (which I've abandoned over the restricted 'feeling' I get when I use it) can import. I can't wholeheartedly recommend as I'm surely a newb, but I can recommend trying it especially if the simulation aspect may be useful in the future. Please shoot me down if I'm leading people astray.

 

[abbey road d enfer]

I just got round to trying ltspice and found the keyboard shortcut approach pretty rapid. Has some clearly tangible benefits over the layout competition including the fact that eagle (which I've abandoned over the restricted 'feeling' I get when I use it) can import. I can't wholeheartedly recommend as I'm surely a newb, but I can recommend trying it especially if the simulation aspect may be useful in the future. Please shoot me down if I'm leading people astray.

The problem with LTspice is that it does not have native switches and connectors, which are unnecessary for most simulations, but so prominent in electronic design.
I think Eagle is the best option. I don't think there's anything in Eagle that makes it more complicated than need be for the simple purpose of drawing schemos.
I would be curious to know what are the "too many features because of the PCB design possibility. "

 

[tata]

how about DipTrace? its freeware, "All features and libraries, 300 pins and 2 signal layers, non-profit use only"
http://diptrace.com/download-diptrace/

 

[CJ]

another one here>

http://www.simetrix.co.uk/site/demo.php

 

[abbey road d enfer]

how about DipTrace? its freeware, "All features and libraries, 300 pins and 2 signal layers, non-profit use only"
http://diptrace.com/download-diptrace/

Not bad. I could draw an easy schemo in about 1 hour. Tried the PCB but had an ERC error so I had to get back to schemo.
Seems more powerful than Eagle, but not as easy. I noted the lack of XLR connectors, so one has to dig in the parts creation module.

 

[abbey road d enfer]

another one here>

http://www.simetrix.co.uk/site/demo.php

I've installed it. Couldn't find any usable connectors in the library. Their part library looks like it's been ripped of Spice (no connectors, no switches, no potentiometers).

 

[ruffrecords]

how about DipTrace? its freeware, "All features and libraries, 300 pins and 2 signal layers, non-profit use only"
http://diptrace.com/download-diptrace/

Not bad. I could draw an easy schemo in about 1 hour. Tried the PCB but had an ERC error so I had to get back to schemo.
Seems more powerful than Eagle, but not as easy. I noted the lack of XLR connectors, so one has to dig in the parts creation module.

Pretty good except it seems to have no proper support for tubes. Triodes exist in its library but you cannot make connections to them!!

Cheers

Ian

 

[Brian Roth]

Check out Kicad.  It's a freeware PCB design package, but uses a schematic editor as the starting point.  There are tons of libraries for it.

Bri

 

[abbey road d enfer]

Check out Kicad.  It's a freeware PCB design package, but uses a schematic editor as the starting point.  There are tons of libraries for it.

Bri

I may be dense, but I checked their webpage and couldn't find a "download" box.
After a few clicks, I found a page that proposed "using the NSIS installer", which seems ok, but The line after says: "If you want to build it yourself on windows you should read the documentation in the repository."
That makes me suspicious. The guy who initiated the software is a teacher...

 

[Brian Roth]

The Windoze installer appears to be here:

http://iut-tice.ujf-grenoble.fr/cao/

Bri

 

[tata]

Pretty good except it seems to have no proper support for tubes. Triodes exist in its library but you cannot make connections to them!!

Cheers

Ian

you can draw any components, patterns, etc. - if that helps

 

[pvision]

Is there a GDIY repository of libraries suitable for the various apps?

Nick Froome

 

[tata]

slightly off-topic, but for fast(er) redrawing old schematics, check out CustomDesktopLogo app - it lets you put a .png under all apps, and make it transparent.

http://customdesktoplogo.wikidot.com/

im sure many of you pro guys dont need this, but maybe helpful for noobs like me.

 

[ruairioflaherty]

Circuitmaker from the makers of Altium starts open Beta tomorrow.  It sounds promising but who knows?

http://www.circuitmaker.com

 

[abbey road d enfer]

Check out Kicad.  It's a freeware PCB design package, but uses a schematic editor as the starting point.  There are tons of libraries for it.

Bri

I've spent some time installing Kicad and trying to evaluate it.
I think these people have gone astray, trying to be different. Typical academic exercise.
It seems very powerful, but the learning curve is so steep one has to know how to do loopings with a helicopter.
I have no doubt it attracts a following of illuminati, but I'm too old for that.

 

[dirtyhanfri]

I've been using KiCAD for a few months now and once you get used to the library management it's quite usable, but yes, it's a weird way.

The solution for me was create a "Library" project, with my symbols and footprints loaded and  copy it's preferences in every project I start, took some time to build it and I have to upload it from time to time, but now I got an improved workflow.