simple circuit drawing software

[Bluspark]

Where can I get simple circuit drawing oftware ?

 

[Supercap2F]

We have a resource on EDA software here: https://www.electronicspoint.com/resources/list-of-eda-packages.39/

Personally, I prefer Diptrace (http://www.diptrace.com/) or KiCAD (http://www.kicad-pcb.org/) though.

Also, have a look at LTSpice (http://www.linear.com/designtools/software/) if your into circuit simulation.
Dan

 

[BobK]

ExpressPCB is another free program that I would recommend. I use it for my DIY PCBs. I find its schematic capture and PCB layout to be very easy to use and capable enough for most of my work. The best thing about it is the ease with which you can add new components.

Bob

 

[hevans1944]

Someone here recommends using plain ol' Microsoft Paint, but I can't find the thread. He even provided a set of ready-made symbols to use, and you can add your own. Of course any of the free software mentioned by @Supercap2F and @BobK will do much more than make pretty-print schematics: design rule checking, Bill of Materials (BOM) and dynamic linkage to printed circuit board layout too.

 

[davenn]

Someone here recommends using plain ol' Microsoft Paint,

That was me .... cant remember the thread either .... I gave the guy a whole page of cct symbols

if the OP isn't worried about circuit simulation or creating PCB's from the schematic, it's definitely the best way to go for really sharp looking circuits .....
here's a small sample of one of my drawings .....



cant get any better than that and it prints so sharp!!



I really hate with a passion the dreadful multi coloured circuits these other programs create


Dave

 

[Colin Mitchell]

"cant get any better than that and it prints so sharp!!"

It is one pixel wide and you can write absolutely any value or comment without it getting fuzzy.
I use Paint 6, only because I have been using it for 10 years and I sometimes have to add to old diagrams and I know how to drive it.
Everything has to be created by the user. Once you have created a number of symbols you simply copy and paste.
Get a program that is not intelligent because you need to do things your way.

 

[Colin Mitchell]

I would go "one up" in font size and use 8pt for components and rectangles so you can fit the value inside the rectangle.

 

[Kiwi]

I also use ExpressPCB for my diagrams. Been using it for over ten years, so have built up quite a collection of symbols.

I have recently installed DesignSpark PCB from RS Components, but haven't had a chance to play with it yet.

 

[Bengineer]

Good, I'm not the only one DipTrace user here Can recommend it as well.

 

[Arouse1973]

That was me .... cant remember the thread either .... I gave the guy a whole page of cct symbols

if the OP isn't worried about circuit simulation or creating PCB's from the schematic, it's definitely the best way to go for really sharp looking circuits .....
here's a small sample of one of my drawings .....

View attachment 20352

cant get any better than that and it prints so sharp!!



I really hate with a passion the dreadful multi coloured circuits these other programs create


Dave

How do you create a net list from paint? I must admit the circuit diagrams are nice and clean looking.
Adam

 

[hevans1944]

How do you create a net list from paint? I must admit the circuit diagrams are nice and clean looking.
Adam

What I have done in the past is to print out the schematic and go over it with a yellow highlighter, marking each connecting wire and writing down the node to which it connects to form a netlist. You could do this with a spreadsheet program too, for recording the net list, but the highlighter is essential to make sure no connections are left out. This came in very handy for making wire-wrap daisy-chained connection lists thirty-somethin' years ago. I had a very good tech doing the wire wraps too: no mistakes and the boards worked perfectly, much to my surprise and relief.

 

[KMoffett]

I've used ExpressPCB for years. If I just want to do a perf-board version I still use their PCB program to do the layout, but make sure all of the components are fit to a 0.1" grid. Then do point to point with stripped Kynar (wire wrap) wire. I some cases I have to make my own components (piece of cake). In doing this I get to use their net list to verify my layout.

.Ken

 

[Minder]

I switched from an older version of Orcad to the free Kicad, I find it a great equivalent.
M.