Schematic Drawing Software - Something simple with no steep learning curve
 

"Jim" wrote in message
...
Can anyone recommend a simple schematic drawing CAD program, not one
of the "do everything" programs that draws living rooms and
skyscrapers, looking for a schematic-only program that does not have
too steep a learning curve, and doesn't cost too much or is freeware
or shareware that won't cost an arm or a leg.

What programs do you use and what are your likes/dislikes/wish list?

I'm trying to settle on something that I will probably only use
occasionally to draw schematics of homebrew projects to file away or
possibly submit for publication. Any suggestions appreciated.

I'm running Windows XP Pro.

Jim, WA5DXP



Had a similar need for nice drawings to record the occasional personal
project that I'd somehow managed to complete. My PCBs are done by a PCB guy
so I just wanted a straightforward circuit drawing prog' and not some
bloated chimera of a full-blown PCB design package.
Prog' needed to understand what a wire/connection is and that connected up
components will get moved about on a drawing. Ended up with 'TinyCad'.

New libary components are easy to draw and a drawing is quick to connect up
and edit. Will save as a '.PNG' file so anyone can view it. Has one or two
oddities but costs nothing, is small sized and quick to learn.
http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/7...cemeteruv2.png
is an example drawing.
It's obvious I'm European as the transistors have those strange circles
round 'em and those resistors and capacitors look odd :) but you'll get the
drift as to the kind of graphic elements that can be easily added to a
drawing.
There's also a Tinycad group on Yahoo, where a number of extra symbol
libraries are available. (including one of mine :)

Schematic Drawing Software - Something simple with no steep learning curve
 

Jim wrote:
Can anyone recommend a simple schematic drawing CAD program, not one
of the "do everything" programs that draws living rooms and
skyscrapers, looking for a schematic-only program that does not have
too steep a learning curve, and doesn't cost too much or is freeware
or shareware that won't cost an arm or a leg.

What programs do you use and what are your likes/dislikes/wish list?

I'm trying to settle on something that I will probably only use
occasionally to draw schematics of homebrew projects to file away or
possibly submit for publication. Any suggestions appreciated.

I'm running Windows XP Pro.

Jim, WA5DXP

Hi Jim,

Along with the others mentioned, Eagle (http://www.cadsoftusa.com/) is a
schematic capture and PCB layout package that's free for personal use (with
some limitations). The learning curve might be a bit steep but the price is
right, and it'll produce photoplot files for your favorite PCB house.

For occaisional & simple drawing, you can also use Visio (comes with some
electronic symbols). For example, I drew this in Visio and "printed" it to
PDF:
http://www.geocities.com/bswadener/t...soft-start.pdf.

Bryan WA7PRC

Schematic Drawing Software - Something simple with no steep learning curve
 

I have it installed and will search out the Yahoo group for the
extra libraries. Looking for a terminal strip now... he he..

Jim





On Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:51:44 -0000, "john jardine"
wrote:


"Jim" wrote in message
.. .
Can anyone recommend a simple schematic drawing CAD program, not one
of the "do everything" programs that draws living rooms and
skyscrapers, looking for a schematic-only program that does not have
too steep a learning curve, and doesn't cost too much or is freeware
or shareware that won't cost an arm or a leg.

What programs do you use and what are your likes/dislikes/wish list?

I'm trying to settle on something that I will probably only use
occasionally to draw schematics of homebrew projects to file away or
possibly submit for publication. Any suggestions appreciated.

I'm running Windows XP Pro.

Jim, WA5DXP



Had a similar need for nice drawings to record the occasional personal
project that I'd somehow managed to complete. My PCBs are done by a PCB guy
so I just wanted a straightforward circuit drawing prog' and not some
bloated chimera of a full-blown PCB design package.
Prog' needed to understand what a wire/connection is and that connected up
components will get moved about on a drawing. Ended up with 'TinyCad'.

New libary components are easy to draw and a drawing is quick to connect up
and edit. Will save as a '.PNG' file so anyone can view it. Has one or two
oddities but costs nothing, is small sized and quick to learn.
http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/7...cemeteruv2.png
is an example drawing.
It's obvious I'm European as the transistors have those strange circles
round 'em and those resistors and capacitors look odd :) but you'll get the
drift as to the kind of graphic elements that can be easily added to a
drawing.
There's also a Tinycad group on Yahoo, where a number of extra symbol
libraries are available. (including one of mine :)

Schematic Drawing Software - Something simple with no steep learning curve
 

Bryan;

You are the second person to recommend Visio, one by a local ham
friend who is a network professional and ardent homebrewer. I went
to Visio site, and ended up looking at what I think is a plugin
called Electra 2005, which I think is some kind of enhancement
or such. It's a real bargain at $799.00.... he he...

I will install Visio tonight and give it a try too, can you point me
to additional symbol libraries for it or can you create your own?

Someone above (geek) sent me a .zip file with thousands of symbols
that
could possibly be imported. So far I have:

Smart Draw
Tiny Cad
Express SCH and Express PCB
Geek symbols for use with paint program

installed thanks to all your kind help.

Let the trials begin...

Jim







On Wed, 19 Mar 2008 19:38:44 -0800, "Bryan"
wrote:

Jim wrote:
Can anyone recommend a simple schematic drawing CAD program, not one
of the "do everything" programs that draws living rooms and
skyscrapers, looking for a schematic-only program that does not have
too steep a learning curve, and doesn't cost too much or is freeware
or shareware that won't cost an arm or a leg.

What programs do you use and what are your likes/dislikes/wish list?

I'm trying to settle on something that I will probably only use
occasionally to draw schematics of homebrew projects to file away or
possibly submit for publication. Any suggestions appreciated.

I'm running Windows XP Pro.

Jim, WA5DXP

Hi Jim,

Along with the others mentioned, Eagle (http://www.cadsoftusa.com/) is a
schematic capture and PCB layout package that's free for personal use (with
some limitations). The learning curve might be a bit steep but the price is
right, and it'll produce photoplot files for your favorite PCB house.

For occaisional & simple drawing, you can also use Visio (comes with some
electronic symbols). For example, I drew this in Visio and "printed" it to
PDF:
http://www.geocities.com/bswadener/t...soft-start.pdf.

Bryan WA7PRC

Schematic Drawing Software - Something simple with no steep learning curve
 

Referring to ExpressPCB

In article ,
Jim wrote:

Brian;

I came across that one last night and have it installed and testing
it. The only thing is I could not find a symbol for a terminal strip.
Also, can you tell me how to place a heavy DOT where two lines
intersect on the schematic where they are supposed to join?
Is there a place where you can find more symbols for it? I think in a
few hours time one could become proficient in it. I still need to
learn how to adjust sizes and get the text to align inside the symbols
correctly, it's not automatic centering. I'm probably doing something
wrong... maybe I should read the instructions as a last resort.. he
he..


I don't have a solution for the dot problem because I prefer the
convention that says that four-way crosses are noni-ntersecting and use
staggered T-junctions for places where 4 wires meet--less chance to
confuse my students.
For a terminal strip you can us pretty much any connector type, since
the connectors are basically just named points on the sheet, or just
build your own to make it look the way you want. It is really easy to
create new components and put them in the library.
And, yes, you probably should look at the instructions. They tend to be
concise and complete.
Brian.

Schematic Drawing Software - Something simple with no steep learningcurve
 

Jim wrote:
Can anyone recommend a simple schematic drawing CAD program, not one
of the "do everything" programs that draws living rooms and
skyscrapers, looking for a schematic-only program that does not have
too steep a learning curve, and doesn't cost too much or is freeware
or shareware that won't cost an arm or a leg.

What programs do you use and what are your likes/dislikes/wish list?

I'm trying to settle on something that I will probably only use
occasionally to draw schematics of homebrew projects to file away or
possibly submit for publication. Any suggestions appreciated.

I'm running Windows XP Pro.

Jim, WA5DXP




Try DIYLayout:
http://www.storm-software.co.yu/diy/index.php

It was originally designed for DIY guitar effects, but as it's maturing
you can do a lot more than that with it.
It's completely free and extremely easy to use.
I think it's only for Windowz, so you Mac guys are on your own. ;D

Cheers,
- JJG