Free software for simple diagrams? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: cs.dk
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 24, 2016, 04:35:52 pm
content: What do you guys use?It's not for PCB-design or schematics in that way.. More like a couple of relays, switches, automotive stuff, etc. I've tried a lot that showed up on google, but thats free-trial for 30-days, etc.. There must be some simple freeware tool, i just don't use the correct search term.Any hints?

author: elgonzo
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 24, 2016, 04:49:54 pm
content: I wonder when someone is going to suggest Libre Office.(Not sure if there are clip-art collections available for your needs and whether that would be of importance to you...)

author: JPortici
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2016, 04:52:28 pm
content: my very first pcb, i drew it while in high school, a relay module for a PLCi used autocad.you can use whatever you want, even ms paint.however, i suggest it has the possibility to type the lenght/width of segments (so a CAD software of some kind).

author: PChi
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2016, 05:18:35 pm
content: I have usedhttp://www.3ds.com/products-services/draftsight-cad-software/free-download/to draw up a wiring diagram for a car. It isn't ideal becuase it doesn't have any concept of nets but it is flexible.It's possible to create crude symbols quickly in LTSpice. I have also used it and drawn relays, fuses and that type of component.

author: rx8pilot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2016, 05:28:18 pm
content: This is my go-to solution for block diagrams, flow charts, etc. Super easy and free if you don't need too much. I eventually went 'pro' which allows more complex diagrams.https://www.lucidchart.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=eta_lucidchart_unitedstates&gclid=Cj0KEQjw4rbABRD_gfPA2-uQqroBEiQA58MNdF0G1bRdIGExJG4Fl1dJKJsf5tr1-g9zM_UYpuS-KsQaAnBE8P8HAQ

author: Ammar
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2016, 10:47:56 pm
content: I use Xcircuit and Kicad which are both free and open source.

author: Cliff Matthews
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 25, 2016, 12:08:46 am
content: Wiki lists a few more under "Programs for drawing circuits"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiProject_Electronics/Programs

author: Legionary
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2016, 06:43:27 am
content: Perhaps Dia would meet your needs?http://wiki.gnome.org/Apps/Dia/Open source, free, fairly full-featured, and has binaries for just about every major platform.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2016, 07:02:59 am
content: Here's one I got told about only today:https://www.proficad.com/Quoteversion: 9.0.2size: 7.59 MBreleased:10/15/2016If you install it do report your findings.

author: hamster_nz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2016, 08:15:39 am
content: Dia (https://wiki.gnome.org/Apps/Dia/) is pretty good for "things with connected arrows" sort of diagrams. It runs on multiple platforms too.

author: stj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2016, 08:42:13 am
content: eaglecad has no limitations on schematic size in "free" mode.

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2016, 10:42:12 am
content: http://dia-installer.de/

author: Farley
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2016, 01:34:20 pm
content: I've heard good things about TinyCAD. However, I have not used it.https://sourceforge.net/projects/tinycad/DipTrace has a free version and includes a schematic editor (this is what I use).http://diptrace.com/

author: JohnG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2016, 01:53:38 pm
content: For quick and dirty diagrams, I use LTspice. It's fast, relatively easy to make new parts, and I'm familiar with it. Also, I often make diagrams from simulations, so it's a matter of cleaning something up for documentation, presentation, or publication.If I want really nice looking, simple diagrams for explaining concepts in presentations or publications, I have found Libreoffice to be a good tool. I have done this for many years. I have set up a template with a 1 cm grid, and have a library of parts for such diagrams. Some benefits of this approach include import and export of many formats, both vector and bitmap, inclusion of photos and other graphic elements, multi-page documents if you want several version of a diagram, or if you want multiple figures in one file. There have been some gotchas and glitches over the years, and it's not perfect, but it works for me. I can paste EMFs into Word (a god-awful, terrible, horrible, buggy POS) or Powerpoint (actually ok), or generate PDFs for use in LaTeX.I've tried Inkscape a few times. Very nice images, but I found that I have become dependent on multi-page documents, so until that happens, it's back to Libreoffice.Finally, for exact schematics of a PCB design, I suggest you use whatever tool you use for PCB design. I use Altium Summer 2009. I find the schematic entry for this to be way more difficult and slower than LTspice, but it could be possible that the latest Altium is better.

author: KMoffett
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2016, 03:57:52 pm
content: ExpressPCB is a good, free schematic program. Pretty intuitive, good parts library, and easy to make new (odd) part symbols.https://www.expresspcb.com/free-cad-software/Ken

author: Cliff Matthews
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 25, 2016, 04:21:30 pm
content: OP stated, "It's not for PCB-design or schematics".. Perhaps the Dia Shape Repository may help (if/when) the op revisits the post?http://dia-installer.de/shapes/index.html.enAlso, DiaShapes installs other lib packages:http://dia-installer.de/diashapes/index.html

author: cs.dk
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 25, 2016, 08:09:27 pm
content: Wow, what a massive reply. ThanksI'll try out the links/software, and return back

author: cs.dk
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 30, 2016, 06:50:35 am
content: Will have to evaluate the software for a longer time. But for now it looks like Dia + shapes, or ProfiCAD could be a winner.Thanks for all advices

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2016, 07:16:35 pm
content: Quote from: cs.dk on October 30, 2016, 06:50:35 amWow, thanks.I made that ProfiCAD recommendation based on high praise for it from a sparky mate, he uses ProfiCAD for drawing up "as built" diagrams.As it happens I need to draw up some reverse engineering in the next few days so I better grab it and give it a try.Thanks for the feedback.