What does Paralla used

KaosKidd

to draw the schematics? Like the ones found in the PropellerDemoBD pdf?

http://www.parallax.com/Portals/0/Downloads/docs/prod/prop/PropellerDemoBd-RevG-Schem.pdf

I'd love to draw things like this!

KK

(Sorry for the misspelling in Parallax in the subject!)

LoopyByteloose

Parallax has circuit symbols included in the font for Spin, the Propeller chip. In fact, the font is actually inside the Propeller chip as well. Is that what you want? Just a font.

If you really want to draw whole schematics, Eagle CAD is free for small projects and you can take a screen shot or create an image file in it. It has quite a bit more detail that just a font, but it take a bit of study to learn.

I suspect that the PDF you attached used something that costs money.

KaosKidd

Thanks Loopy..
I just want to be able to draw the clear drawings so others can see and understand them without trying to translate my "chicken scratch" drawings and notes.

I'll give that a shot right now...

KK

Jay Kickliter

For neat schematics like that I use a program called OmniGraffle. The equivalent in the windows world is MS Visio. They are for diagramming, and do a good job at schematics.

KaosKidd

Thanks Jay...
I'll try that too...

LoopyByteloose

Linux has several free schematic CAD softare apps. The same may be available in Windows. Eagle is in both.

I prefer Eagle, but it may at times seem a bit complex if you don't intend to build a board. Why so? It has a huge part library and it takes time to learn where things you want are.

In Ubuntu, I have used Oregano and gEDA schematic editior. In those, the library tends to be too limited at times. So there is another frustration.

Various other Spice programs also offer a schematic editor. But again, it all may depend on having a library that provides the actual symbols you want to use.

Parallax has created an Eagle library of its components. And the small user license is merely $50 USD (or was when I bought it). That allows you to create double sided boards of about twice the size of the FREE demo version.

KaosKidd

Thanks Loopy...
I DL'ed Eagle and am trying to get "comfortable" with that...
Like you said, there's some frustration in finding the parts that I need.

Another thing to learn...

KK

max72

under Windows I suggest:

tinycad + freepcb : free, easy to add components

Kicad : free, have little experience with it, works also under Linux

Diptrace : free for non for profit up to 250, and if you ask 500 pins. adding parts is rather easy, and on the gadgetgangster.com web site you'll find diptrace versions of the projects, including the components, and many tutorials. It works well under Linux with wine

Massimo

Leon

Design Spark (based on Number One Systems Easy-PC) is free:

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/generalDisplay.html?id=pcb&cm_sp=Homepage-uk-_-DesignSpark-_-Right-Column-Banner

and doesn't have any restrictions. RS seems to have started supplying it as a response to Farnell buying Eagle. It imports Eagle designs and libraries,

I used Easy-PC for many years.

KaosKidd

Massimo and Leon;
Thanks. WOW, I've downloaded nearly everything suggested. I'm going to try them all and see how it comes out.

Thanks everyone!

max72

I have to try Design spark yet, because the licensing looks unclear. As far as I understand it the license is given on line, and you cannot be sure it will be licensed in the future. I had a similar experience with a free 3D modeler from PTC, and I feel a bit uneasy.

Anyway a couple of suggestions:

talking about tinycad and freepcb get the latest version, even if it is considered a beta the latest freepcb version is the one to go.

Leon offered a couple of parallax related libraries for Designspark.
see: http://forums.parallax.com/showthread.php?t=123744&highlight=DesignSpark

Massimo