Hi all,
Don't know where to post this, but since I'm interested in Mr. Bedini's systems, I'll try here; does anyone know of any free software for drawing schematics? Sometimes, I'd like to ask a question and it sure would be easier if a could post a nice schematic, "one picture worth a thousand words"
Thanks,
Ray
try www.expresspcb.com
@raykos
What I usually do is to get an already made schematic with the symbols I want and convert it from .jpg or .gif to .bmp
And with the windows aplication called paint I rearrange the symbols as I want them and then save the new schematic. Then again with the irfanview program I used to convert it to .bmp, I convert it to .jpg 956 X 765 and post on the forum.
So it is, irfanview and paint plus a schematic photo or graphic with the symbols you want and some manipulation.
Search for irfanview on the web. It is free.
Jesus
@raykos,
For small and simple circuit drawings use Windows Paint. Cut and paste symbols from a
symbol sheet. Then draw lines between components. Then use Infranview to convert
the big BMP file to GIF format for easy uploading to forums. Also install the Infranview plugins.
Infranview with plugins is found here: http://www.irfanview.com/
You will find a nice component selection here: http://www.overunity.com/index.php?topic=6123.200
(Filname: CircuitElements01.jpg )
If you want to make bigger circuit drawings then I recommend using Cadsoft Eagle. This design program
also let you make good quality pcb drawings.
Eagle CAD is found here: http://www.cadsoft.de/freeware.htm
Regards,
Groundloop.
Dia, from gnome and gtk seem to do the trick. You can go to their website: http://www.gnome.org/projects/dia/ (http://www.gnome.org/projects/dia/) and take a look for yourself. Also, if you get this working, you may want to download additional symbol libraries which contain better electrical components.
This seems more stable and more user friendly than other freeware programs - although you can't test your circuits, those results are up to you to determine.
Hi all,
Thanks, do appreciate the input & links!
Ray
Quote from: nvisser on January 30, 2009, 03:19:40 PM
try www.expresspcb.com
Yes 'expresspcb" is a fairly user friendly program I have used it for several years its free and it gets revised periodically.
The drawback is that the PC board design which is part of the Schematic produces a none Standard File (Gerber File), meaning that it is propitiatory and you must send your PCB layout to express pcb,as they are the only ones that can process it to produce a PCB from their file.
They give you a free Program but their charges for the End Product are very high.
I paid 120 dollars for a 3x4 inch double sided Proto Board. Also their library is very limited.
If you just want to draw a Schematic and make some Symbols yourself I guess it will suffice.
professor
Hi
The previous versions was not print friendly. On the latest version I could print the pc board without problems and produced it from transparancies printed on a laser printer. Two prints on top of each other.