Looking for tool to draw signal path diagrams - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: Neganur
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 28, 2014, 12:37:49 pm
content: Does anyone know a tool that can easily draw RF signal path diagrams like this:Filters and mixers are very common symbols but when it comes to uniformity, i.e. squares of the same size, symbols sticking to DIN etc. or special symbols like directive couplers, it seems difficult to find anything useful.If at all possible, I'd like to avoid having to draw the symbols myself. Are there not any (paid) libraries available for things like the picture above? Do the authors of publications all use MS Visio and hand draw those symbols?Some online drawing tools like the digi-key one get close, but the symbols are differently sized. Matlab Simulink, NI Multisim don't have symbols for for example couplers or circulators. Any CAD software maybe?

author: Andy Watson
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2014, 12:48:10 pm
content: Can you not use one of the many free (or paid for) circuit/PCB design packages? Define you own symbols, draw-it-up and then import the result as a graphic into your word processor.If it were my problem, I'd use LaTeX and Tikz, but that's not really practical if you 're not already using LaTeX.

author: Kremmen
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2014, 01:10:16 pm
content: Visio would be hands down the easiest tool to produce a drawing like that. Even if you have to create all the symbols yourself. Is there a reason why that is not an option (like you don't actually have it ?)

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2014, 01:18:21 pm
content: These are useful inside actual schematics too, even just as placeholders. I say make a library of them in whatever you use for schematic capture.

author: Legit-Design
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2014, 03:59:23 pm
content: In the past I have used Powerpoint or libre/open office impress. Quick and dirty way to do it.

author: cellularmitosis
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 28, 2014, 04:10:40 pm
content: You might give yEd a shot. The UI is a bit klunky, but you can probably develop a set of your own symbols and then it would be quite efficient.Runs on win / mac / linux, and is free.http://www.yworks.com/en/products_yed_about.htmlHere's a tutorial on how to use yEd to make causal diagrams:

author: mrflibble
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2014, 04:57:25 pm
content: Quote from: Kremmen on January 28, 2014, 01:10:16 pmI'd have to agree on visio being a good tool for diagrams like this. Do you happen to have a library of RF (or EE related) symbols for visio? Some time ago I went looking for it but couldn't find any.

author: linux-works
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2014, 05:35:22 pm
content: linux has an app called 'dia' (it used to, at least) that was going to be a visio feature-like app.I like inkscape for vector drawing. same app on windows and linux, which is a big plus. and its free.

author: ve7xen
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 29, 2014, 02:19:50 am
content: I usedraw.iofor this sort of vector drawing these days. Mostly network diagrams in my case, but it does have a pretty good library of basic electrical symbols (File->More Shapes to add them), though perhaps not as comprehensive as you'd like.

author: Odysseus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2014, 06:28:05 am
content: Digikey has an awesome schematic and block diagram editor for electrically oriented applications. Large variety of included symbols, including RF oriented stuff:http://www.digikey.com/schemeitI also use Google Drive drawings.

author: Neganur
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 30, 2014, 07:17:27 am
content: Thanks for all the suggestions.Yeah, I don't have Visio available here. Maybe I'll just use the trial period to get away with it this time. What I used to do until now was to draw it with pen & paper, then scan and import.I'm not sure about using electronics CAD software for this, at least with PADS it feels kind of clunky.draw.io and yEd look interesting, LaTex has excellent looks but is too time intensive for me at the moment.Digikey's drawback is that you can't change the size of the symbols at all. One of their developers got back to me and explained that they deemed it too difficult to to implement.Good old Paint got me this far, so I think I just have to take the time to create the symbols I need:

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2014, 03:19:58 pm
content: Quote from: Neganur on January 30, 2014, 07:17:27 amBefore you go with paint, and if you are willing to do your own symbols,diais available for Windows, too. Dia has it's rough edges and is still miles away from Visio, but it certainly beats paint.

author: Mat
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2014, 04:23:48 pm
content: +1 for Inkscape.didn't know draw.io... looks pretty good, but not as flexible as Inkscape.I typically export to pdf to include in LateX documents.

author: calzap
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2014, 06:00:40 pm
content: Quote from: mrflibble on January 28, 2014, 04:57:25 pmI also agree that Visio is the way to go. I have the 2010 Pro version, and it's worth every cent. One of the neatest features is the ability to do layers. It does have have a library of EE templates and objects. I had used PowerPoint for a while but it's pretty limited. Be warned though that Visio was bought from another company by Microsoft and is not really compatible with other programs in the Office suite. You can't really copy PowerPoint objects into it. It may appear that you can do it, but they come in as bitmaps, not vector objects.Mike in California

author: Kremmen
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2014, 06:21:21 pm
content: Quote from: mrflibble on January 28, 2014, 04:57:25 pmIf that was a question to me then i have to reply that unfortunately i do not. Personally i use Visio only to draw BPMN diagrams and other business related stuff that has nothing to do with electronics. I would be interested in a good EE stencil though.