|
Homebrew Equipment A place to show, design and discuss the weird and wonderful electronic creations from the hands of individual members. |
|
Thread Tools |
27th Apr 2020, 1:46 pm | #1 |
Pentode
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Canterbury, Kent, UK.
Posts: 189
|
Circuit diagram drawing packages
I wonder what you all recommend for drawing circuits? I'm thinking of applications like publishing on the web or embedding in documentation. I use LTspice for circuit simulation and KiCAD for PCB layout but each is focused on things other than drawing pretty circuit diagrams.
I like the PDF "plot" output option in KiCAD rather than bitmap but in other ways it's a bit clunky. Any better suggestions? Oh, and at the retired Yorkshireman's price, please. Ta, Alan G3XAQ |
27th Apr 2020, 3:07 pm | #2 |
Hexode
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Northampton, Northants, UK.
Posts: 380
|
Re: Circuit diagram drawing packages
I would also be interested in any recommendations for this.
|
27th Apr 2020, 4:17 pm | #3 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK.
Posts: 8,195
|
Re: Circuit diagram drawing packages
Hi Gents, there are several free programmes from the likes of RS, Farnell and the PCB production houses. There used to be some programmes for schematic use only, but all seem tailored to PCB or Sim use now. I use Easy PC as for schematics it is very flexible and quite easy to learn.
Most if these programmes have suitable output (possibly .dxf or .pdf format ) that is easily used for publishing. Have a look at some of the magazine's "guide for authors and that should let you know preferred formats etc. Ed |
28th Apr 2020, 1:12 am | #4 |
Nonode
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Tintinara, South Australia, Australia
Posts: 2,342
|
Re: Circuit diagram drawing packages
I use SPlan 7. Not free but not expensive either.
https://www.electronic-software-shop...ml?language=en |
28th Apr 2020, 2:19 am | #5 | |
Nonode
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: West Midlands, UK.
Posts: 2,181
|
Re: Circuit diagram drawing packages
Quote:
Symbols- easy to use to make your own or modify existing and store as custom ones |
|
28th Apr 2020, 7:28 pm | #6 |
Pentode
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Canterbury, Kent, UK.
Posts: 189
|
Re: Circuit diagram drawing packages
Does EasyPC (=EAGLE, =RS free DesignSpark, etc) output schematics as PDFs? Most of the PCB and circuit simulation stuff prints bitmaps, which looks nasty at high resolution.
Alan G3XAQ |
28th Apr 2020, 7:33 pm | #7 |
Dekatron
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK.
Posts: 8,195
|
Re: Circuit diagram drawing packages
Hi Alan, yes Easy PC will output in .pdf as well as .dxf. Mine is version 18, probably up to about 24 now so may have additional options.
If used to design pcb's it will also output a 3D view of the board Ed |
28th Apr 2020, 8:15 pm | #8 |
Heptode
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: LEEDS.......North of the River Aire.
Posts: 872
|
Re: Circuit diagram drawing packages
|
29th Apr 2020, 11:44 am | #9 |
Diode
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
Posts: 1
|
Re: Circuit diagram drawing packages
NI MULTISIM if you can get a free version.
|
29th Apr 2020, 9:21 pm | #10 |
Diode
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: Iasi, Romania
Posts: 7
|
Re: Circuit diagram drawing packages
Maybe will be helpful to use a PDF printer like CutePDF Writer to output schematics as PDFs.
|