Online Circuit Simulation Project - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: I.B.Hating
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 06:59:41 pm
content: Hey guys,A bunch of people at NI and I are working together to make abrowser-based circuit simulator. If you're at all familiar with Multisim we've taken the SPICE engine from Multisim and made it into a webapp that can be accessed on any computer or mobile device. We're calling it Multisim Live.The site is in Beta right now but I've opened it up to free registration to get as much feedback as possible. We're trying to make a super interactive and collaborative circuit design site, something that is missing from the standard SPICE simulators. If you're interested in having a go at it, visitBeta.Multisim.com. Make sure to upgrade to a premium account (it's free) so you can get all of the features.Here's an example of asimple buck converterthat someone built if you want to immediately jump in.Click on the Resources tab then Idea Exchange if you have feedback or just message me.Thanks!-BrianNI Product Manager

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 07:35:10 pm
content: As all such things it is slow and painful to use. The goal is not clear either. Why would any one what to do this online instead of installing LTSpice and using the real deal?

author: I.B.Hating
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 10:12:54 pm
content: Alex,Was loading the simulator slow, placing a component, or actually simulating slow? We recently identified a way to reduce the number of server pings during loading so hopefully that will go down soon but I am curious what specifically makes you think the app is slow?I have goals for Multisim Live but I'm hoping others can see even more advantages that I can't think of. For example: easy demonstration of a circuit to a peer, a tool for students to learn circuit theory at home, and a tool to see how a parameter change can propagate through the system while the simulation is running.Don't get me wrong, there will always be a place for LTSpice but for those looking for a change of pace and a simpler tool will turn to Multisim Live.

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 10:17:28 pm
content: Quote from: I.B.Hating on November 28, 2016, 10:12:54 pmJust an overall sluggishness that happens with all web-based applications like this. It is not horribly slow or anything like that, but you can feel like component drags behind the mouse when you move, for example. I may be to picky, but I like my things to be fast, especially if there is no added value otherwise.I'm also using Firefox, and I presume it is hip to use Chrome nowdays, so nobody tests things in Firefox anymore.Also, 5 components in a free version? This is going to be a failure, and you are wasting your time.

author: Someone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 10:52:28 pm
content: Quote from: I.B.Hating on November 28, 2016, 06:59:41 pmI didn't find the interface too slow or hard to use, certainly something I could get used to and work with. The loading was much slower than anticipated, but..Quote from: ataradov on November 28, 2016, 10:17:28 pmAgree, starting from the example and not being able to add some parasitics to get a feel for how to use it immediately ended my interest in it. We do not want more logins and passwords when there are free tools out there that already do what we need, and only (begrudgingly) sign up for something if there is no alternative.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 10:58:52 pm
content: Brian,You may find there exists negative attitude towards using online tools for serious work among many of us including myself, for a simple reason this puts us in a mercy of the service supplier for the tool availability and IP protection. Some tools like calculators are totally ok but i personnaly want control and online tools take it away from me. Also to me online tools are associated with entry level versions of a product.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 11:08:08 pm
content: Why does there need to be another online simulator?Just use falstad. It's fine for most things educational. For serious work, use LTSpice.http://www.falstad.com/circuit/

author: I.B.Hating
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 11:20:23 pm
content: Quote from: ataradovI've been thinking that it is too low lately. I want to give people enough to build small circuits. We'll probably change it in a few weeks. In the meantime you can upgrade to Premium for free and get the full experience.Quote from: SomeoneHow are you trying to add parasitics? Are you trying to add parasitics to individual components or are you trying to add your own r/l/c to simulate a parasitic element? Right now the basic components do not have non-ideal models but we do have some order-able components which include the specified parasitics. You can also add an impedance block which has a frequency dependent capacitance or inductance.Quote from: BudThank you for the honesty. I completely expect that to be the case which is one of the reasons I turn to you for feedback. Serious designers, while maybe not the ideal audience for Multisim Live, can still have valuable feedback that will apply to all potential users.