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schematic software — Parallax Forums

schematic software

russ christensenruss christensen Posts: 84
edited 2009-03-01 21:23 in Propeller 1
Hi guys, some of you have some pretty neat looking schematics for your projects, i'm wondering what kind of software your using (if any), and how easy it is to use. I'm not an electrical engineer by any means, i just want to be able to post something that other people would understand when i'm finished with the project i'm working on.

Russ

Comments

  • CannibalRoboticsCannibalRobotics Posts: 535
    edited 2009-02-27 19:40
    I like ExpressPCB's schematic tool. It links to the PCB art generator and it's free. (not that there are not other free packages, it's just my preference.)
    http://www.expresspcb.com/

    Jim-

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  • russ christensenruss christensen Posts: 84
    edited 2009-02-27 19:55
    Jim: by any chance do you have propeller objects for it? or possibly any other sensors and stuff like the ping/hb25's etc? I'm not an artist so i'm looking for something as easy as possible. Thanks. [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    Russ
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2009-02-27 20:30
    I like eagle lots of tutorials on internet and the packages for prop are on there site and I often upload files to this forum in that format.

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    Need to make your prop design easier or secure? Get a PropMod $50CAN has crystal, eeprom, and programing header in a 40 pin dip 0.7" pitch module.
  • DynamoBenDynamoBen Posts: 366
    edited 2009-02-27 20:52
    After trying numerous packages I ended up purchasing diptrace, easy to use and learn its worth a look.
  • virtuPICvirtuPIC Posts: 193
    edited 2009-02-28 11:52
    If you design your schematics in your head or with pencil and paper you can use AACircuit, an ASCII schematic drawing program. I like it! Together with Emacs it's great. Attention: you have to use a fixed pitch font.

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  • scottascotta Posts: 168
    edited 2009-02-28 13:52
    KiCad !

    Its a great program and now you can use the freerouting.net java
    router. It's slower than Eagle, but the routing algorithm does not
    quit until it's done.

    Scott
  • mynet43mynet43 Posts: 644
    edited 2009-02-28 16:28
    I'll second DipTrace.

    Easy to use, complete, good tutorial and free for up to 250 pins.

    It also generates standard Gerber files, useable by any fab house.

    I like it so much I've upgraded to the 2000 pin version.
  • mctriviamctrivia Posts: 3,772
    edited 2009-02-28 16:34
    250 pins. that is not much.

    The free version of eagle only has these restrictions:

    * The useable board area is limited to 100 x 80 mm (4 x 3.2 inches).
    * Only two signal layers can be used (Top and Bottom).
    * The schematic editor can only create one sheet.

    I have upgraded to the full version but the free will do most hobies if you keep things close.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    Need to make your prop design easier or secure? Get a PropMod $50CAN has crystal, eeprom, and programing header in a 40 pin dip 0.7" pitch module.
  • smbakersmbaker Posts: 164
    edited 2009-02-28 17:47
    Is the 250 pin count the only limitation of the freeware version of diptrace? So far, I'm an Eagle user, but I have some display boards using 2.25" 7-seg LED Displays I need to design that are going to have a very low pin count, yet lead to a fairly large board. Probably an 8x12 board with only 60 pins...·I've been thinking about getting a chunk of perfboard (or going down to the hardware store and buying some masonite!) and using point-to-point wiring instead. If only I still had some wire-wrapping sockets and tools...

    The user interface of Eagle feels a bit cumbersome to me. I think Eagle has been in development since the 90's, and while that testifies to the staying power of·the application, it can also lead to some weird feature and user·interface evolution.

    Edit: As a comparison between pin count and board size, my most recent 100mm x 80mm Eagle project has 424 "drills" (same as diptrace "pins"?). The board is a fairly tightly packed through-hole design.·Thus if I transitioned to diptrace, I'd probably go with the 1000 pin non-profit license. Eagle also offers a non-profit license, at 160x100mm board size. Both are priced at $125.

    Post Edited (smbaker) : 2/28/2009 5:57:02 PM GMT
  • SeariderSearider Posts: 290
    edited 2009-02-28 19:44
    I have played with Eagle but moved to Diptrace to design and build two boards. I am very happy with the schematic and board-layout applications. While not perfect, they are very good and much more versital than Eagle. Woth the extra work to learn and cost if the free version will not work for you.

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    Searider
  • russ christensenruss christensen Posts: 84
    edited 2009-02-28 19:51
    I appreciate all the info. I'm trying a few out, i'll let you know what i decide. [noparse]:)[/noparse] Will probably be a few days though, working hard at serial bluetooth communications. [noparse]:)[/noparse]
  • max72max72 Posts: 1,155
    edited 2009-03-01 18:25
    I use Tinycad combined with freepcb.

    Massimo
  • Bill SturmBill Sturm Posts: 11
    edited 2009-03-01 21:21
    I second TinyCAD and FreePCB. They are both very nice programs, I especially like FreePCB.
  • russ christensenruss christensen Posts: 84
    edited 2009-03-01 21:23
    Cool i'll be sure to check those two out. I'm not planning on having my own pcb's made anytime soon. I'll have to master my protoboard first, but i'll be sure to take a look.

    Russ
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