Simple schematic SW - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: RogerC
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 09, 2022, 05:17:40 pm
content: Hello All =)I'm teaching the kids to build circuits and we've got our first cascading timer up and running off TTL's I had laying around. 555 pending =)Now I'd like to get this into a schematic so we can go from breadboard to soldering. But there are too many options for this middle aged man... How do you guys do the simple stuff these days? Everything has simulators and tons of "stuff". Here's a nice list I found:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_free_electronics_circuit_simulatorsbut none seemed very simple =)Any simple interfaces I can teach the kids (like we used to do in the 90's?)?I would rather not have them do pencil and paper =)Windows or Android, either way works for me, if you have a suggestion!Thanks in advance,Roger

author: rstofer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2022, 05:28:04 pm
content: If I create a schematic, it is usually part of creating a PCB. As such, I use the schematic editor from the ExpressPCB software. It doesn't have a bunch of features but I like it because the PCB and schematic are linked such that I can highlight a net and draw the connecting traces.There are far better ways to do this (just guessing) but this works for me. I am still using the Classic version.https://www.expresspcb.com/

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2022, 06:34:06 pm
content: Basic question: how old are the kids?

author: RogerC
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 09, 2022, 06:56:38 pm
content: 8 & 9, still learning how to use a keyboard, but tablet natives =)

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2022, 07:11:30 pm
content: In that case I'd work with a presentation case and flip-chart (or whiteboard). Like this:https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Mini-presentation-case-1300-pieces/dp/B071ZHFGW8Use the rectangular cards to draw the devices' logic symbol, glue them to the flip chart and make the connections between them. The glue type lets you move the symbols any time.We did that in the enginering group I worked in, made partitioning and schematic clarity a dream. Fast and flexible and everyone was on the same page all the time.After that you can copy it into a graphic editor. I use KiCAD myself, but can not recommend it for this, the learnng curve is really steep.

author: pcprogrammer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2022, 07:13:55 pm
content: https://easyeda.com/editoris relatively simple and runs in a browser.I also use it to draw simple PCB layout with it to assist in making a prototype board. Just for making it easier to work with boards like sold here:https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/32646979930.htmlFor instance a simple Arduino Nano module connected to some other modules. It is easy to verify the PCB based on the schematic and by printing the PCB layers with the correct mirroring it is easy to solder the needed wires on to the prototype board.Here is the end result of that board from the top side.

author: ledtester
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2022, 07:56:57 pm
content: For circuit simulation I'd look at Falstad:https://www.falstad.com/circuit/circuitjs.htmlHas a 555 timer and a bunch of logic functional units implemented.It's a "real-time" simulator and animates the current flowing through the wires which might help with youngsters.I'm kinda surprised it's not listed in the Wikipedia page -- maybe time to make an edit.

author: RogerC
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 10, 2022, 06:16:58 am
content: All fantastic suggestions, many thanks for the info.Keep 'em coming if you got 'em.And thanks for the link to a PCB house =)Getting back into things after 20 years means I have no idea where to go for stuff =)At least Farnell and Digikey are still around!!Best,Roger

author: JohanH
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 10, 2022, 06:27:08 am
content: Falstad, absolutely. Must be the easiest one to start with. EasyEDA maybe next if you also want to create PCBs (I create my designs with KiCad and order PCBs at JLCPCB).In Europe, I prefer Mouser or tme.eu for components (or my local shops). Next Digikey and RS in an emergency, but unfortunately Farnell don't sell to private customers.