Schematic Software - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: jobog
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2015, 08:22:05 pm
content: What are some suggestions for cheap, like free, software for drawing schematics? I find TinyCad to be very easy to use but can't save the files as anything other than .dns. I have looked at stuff like PCBWeb Designer, LTspice IV, SchemeIt, and others but have not found anything that jumps out in front of the others. I wouldn't mind paying a modest amount, say up to about $50.00, as I don't need a full blown CAD program. What's everyone using and what are the pros and cons of each? I might add that I am running Windows Vista so it has to be compatible.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2015, 08:34:21 pm
content: DEXSearch the forum for it,free_electron started a reveiw of it, it's quite an impressive effort for a 1 man team.There seems to be excellent support for bugs or improvements needed and if I was starting again with PCB work I'd jump at it.It's free for personal non-commercial use and cheap if you want a licensed version.

author: hugo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2015, 12:29:09 am
content: Have you seen Splan ?It's 50 euro :http://www.abacom-online.de/uk/html/splan.html

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 18, 2015, 12:58:05 am
content: So many options and too many opinions. Pick one after you have tried it and go with it. The top runners? KiCad, Diptrace, Eagle, DEX. If you want just a simple free one, then TinyCAD as you have been using. There is also ProfiCAD which is free for personal use.If you want integrated schematic, PCB layout, and simulation then things get messier. Ask the question, you will get as many different opinions as responders.IMHO, and with little experience, DEX, Diptrace and KiCAD are probably the closest to complete and affordable systems you can get.

author: radix
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2015, 01:01:46 am
content: You should try KiCad's Eeschema. It doesn't cost anything so you can still change to something else later.You might have to download some libraries or make your own components, but that isn't such a big deal (at least to me).Anyway, why would you need software just to draw schematics? You can also do that by hand or in Inkscape. Based on your question I wouldn't really buy anything.

author: Marco
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2015, 02:18:53 am
content: The output from Simmetrix is quite nice IMO. Free version is limited to 140 nodes though.

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2015, 02:43:53 am
content: DipTrace

author: thjnikke
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 18, 2015, 07:28:20 pm
content: A good program is proteus from labcenter, however it's somewhat more expensive than what you said.Some fine free programs are Eagle and KiCad.

author: johnboxall
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 18, 2015, 11:37:09 pm
content: If you want free try KiCAD.Chris Gammell has published a free video tutorial course - check it out:https://contextualelectronics.com/course/kicad-tutorial/

author: 0xdeadbeef
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2015, 12:33:53 am
content: I second Diptrace. Free for < 500 pins, very affordable even for the commercial versions. Really a joy to work with compared to KiCAD, Eagle and DEX.

author: Christopher
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2015, 05:52:23 am
content: Tiny cad. Problem solved

author: 0xdeadbeef
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2015, 11:13:54 am
content: Quote from: Christopher on March 19, 2015, 05:52:23 amActually reading the original post is often helpfulQuote