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Open Source Software => Open Source application software for your PC => Topic started by: Lakes on March 18, 2009, 11:48:43 AM

Title: Need simple diagram/schematic drawing freeware...
Post by: Lakes on March 18, 2009, 11:48:43 AM
Looking for a simple electrical/electronic diagram/schematic freeware program.

Not looking for any circuit simulation, just a drawing package with all the symbols.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Need simple diagram/schematic drawing freeware...
Post by: wile_coyote7 on March 18, 2009, 12:40:40 PM
 ;D Try TinyCAD....it has all the symbols and such....and it's free + open source!

http://tinycad.sourceforge.net/index.php


Enjoy,

Mike
Title: Re: Need simple diagram/schematic drawing freeware...
Post by: jadaro2600 on March 18, 2009, 09:28:30 PM
http://projects.gnome.org/dia/ (http://projects.gnome.org/dia/)

If you browse the website, be sure to pickup a few extra template sheets from the repository - there are a few called electrical.
Title: Re: Need simple diagram/schematic drawing freeware...
Post by: triffid on March 18, 2009, 09:45:19 PM
test
Title: Re: Need simple diagram/schematic drawing freeware...
Post by: hoptoad on March 18, 2009, 11:48:43 PM
Quote from: Lakes on March 18, 2009, 11:48:43 AM
Looking for a simple electrical/electronic diagram/schematic freeware program.

Not looking for any circuit simulation, just a drawing package with all the symbols.

Thanks.

Try this link and download the zipped Student Circuit Maker program.

http://my.ece.ucsb.edu/bobsclass/2C/Simulation/circuit_maker.htm

Simple to use, and most symbols needed are provided with the program.

Cheers
Title: Re: Need simple diagram/schematic drawing freeware...
Post by: west12 on March 19, 2009, 01:31:47 AM
http://www.expresspcb.com/ExpressPCBHtm/Free_cad_software.htm (http://www.expresspcb.com/ExpressPCBHtm/Free_cad_software.htm)

Easy to use and you can make your own symbols if any does not exist.
W.
Title: Re: Need simple diagram/schematic drawing freeware...
Post by: AbbaRue on March 19, 2009, 01:55:24 AM
I know you only wanted a program to draw circuits but this simulator makes it very easy to
draw a circuit as well.

http://www.falstad.com/circuit/

I just use "faststone capture"  to capture the layout once it's working right. (Faststone capture is a free download)

The reason I recommend it so highly is because you just right click on the screen and pick the component you want from a menu.
I can have a circuit up and running in less then a minute with it. Give it a try and you will see what  I mean.
You can even add text to the drawing to label everything.

All other programs I have seen require you to go up to top menu bar and filter through pages of objects to get to what you want.
I often wonder what the people are thinking that design those programs.
It can take hours just to design a simple circuit with them because you have to filter through so much stuff to get to what you want.

Why couldn't all circuit designers just have you right click on the screen and select a generic component.
Once you have selected the component you want then you edit it later to change it's attributes. 
eg. pick a generic NPN transistor then later left click on the transistor and edit it's attributes, like use a 2N2222.
Now that would be awesome, maybe some software designer will read this and think about it.
Title: Re: Need simple diagram/schematic drawing freeware...
Post by: jadaro2600 on March 19, 2009, 06:48:51 AM
 ::)  There is a software designer reading this thread.   ;D

...too bad I don't know much about Java ( The language or the place. ).

In good time though, I was thinking about the same features.  I need something that looks good when printed - something with text book qualities AND something that can test the circuits.

Maybe I'll work on something in May.
Title: Re: Need simple diagram/schematic drawing freeware...
Post by: jadaro2600 on November 25, 2009, 10:22:41 PM
Dia has recently upgraded their export functionality, though the icons are still a bit lack-luster, the png export function works with anti aliasing and looks sharp.
Title: Re: Need simple diagram/schematic drawing freeware...
Post by: stprue on November 26, 2009, 08:46:36 AM
Anything for a MAC?
Title: Re: Need simple diagram/schematic drawing freeware...
Post by: turbo on November 26, 2009, 09:09:39 AM
USE EAGLE

Also for mac  :)

http://www.cadsoftusa.com/download.htm (http://www.cadsoftusa.com/download.htm)

Use Eagle3D and POV ray for 3D renderings.

http://www.matwei.de/doku.php?id=en:eagle3d:eagle3d (http://www.matwei.de/doku.php?id=en:eagle3d:eagle3d)

Use Press 'n Peel for your board.

http://www.techniks.com/ (http://www.techniks.com/)

And use Virtins for your PC and PPC Scope/ Spectrum Analizer /Signal Generator etc.

Http://www.virtins.com (Http://www.virtins.com)

:)
Title: Re: Need simple diagram/schematic drawing freeware...
Post by: jadaro2600 on November 28, 2009, 10:47:42 PM
Quote from: -[marco]- on November 26, 2009, 09:09:39 AM
USE EAGLE

Also for mac  :)

http://www.cadsoftusa.com/download.htm (http://www.cadsoftusa.com/download.htm)

Wow this works on Linux!? ..and the libraries are huge ( as in ridiculously abundant )!

Use Eagle3D and POV ray for 3D renderings.

http://www.matwei.de/doku.php?id=en:eagle3d:eagle3d (http://www.matwei.de/doku.php?id=en:eagle3d:eagle3d)

Use Press 'n Peel for your board.

http://www.techniks.com/ (http://www.techniks.com/)

And use Virtins for your PC and PPC Scope/ Spectrum Analizer /Signal Generator etc.

Http://www.virtins.com (Http://www.virtins.com)

:)
Title: Re: Need simple diagram/schematic drawing freeware...
Post by: kooler on November 29, 2009, 02:05:37 AM
hello..
i been using tinycad...
it free and ...  "easy"
two things i loved about it

if i can use it any body can
lol...ha
Title: Re: Need simple diagram/schematic drawing freeware...
Post by: onthecuttingedge2005 on November 29, 2009, 02:30:59 AM
today's circuitry will eventually be replaced by a simple pane of special glass embedded with a variety of arranged Quantum dots, these quantum dots on the nano scale will scale out a computer, smaller and more powerful than any of today's current conventional systems, a piece of glass that is your TV, Radio, Internet access and business machine that could fit into a purse, it would run on very small nano quantum dot circuits that would use very little electrical energy to run them.

in these type systems, only high tech machines could repair or generate them, your general TV or computer repair man will become a dying species, maybe in the next hundred years.