Circuit diagram drawing packages - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

Alan_G3XAQ · 27th Apr 2020, 1:46 pm

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

IanBland · 27th Apr 2020, 3:07 pm

I would also be interested in any recommendations for this.

Ed_Dinning · 27th Apr 2020, 4:17 pm

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

Terry_VK5TM · 28th Apr 2020, 1:12 am

I use SPlan 7. Not free but not expensive either.

https://www.electronic-software-shop...ml?language=en

Oldcodger · 28th Apr 2020, 2:19 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan_G3XAQ

Any better suggestions? Oh, and at the retired Yorkshireman's price, please.

Ta, Alan G3XAQ

RetireD Scot, with a Smoggie wife( now that's a carful couple with cash) favourite price = free, I use Express PCB.
Symbols- easy to use to make your own or modify existing and store as custom ones

Alan_G3XAQ · 28th Apr 2020, 7:28 pm

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

Ed_Dinning · 28th Apr 2020, 7:33 pm

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

brunel · 28th Apr 2020, 8:15 pm

TinyCAD: https://www.tinycad.net/

Free.

raymond · 29th Apr 2020, 11:44 am

NI MULTISIM if you can get a free version.

ciprians · 29th Apr 2020, 9:21 pm

Maybe will be helpful to use a PDF printer like CutePDF Writer to output schematics as PDFs.

27th Apr 2020, 1:46 pm	#1
Alan_G3XAQ 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
IanBland 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
Ed_Dinning Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 8,194	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
Terry_VK5TM Nonode Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Tintinara, South Australia, Australia Posts: 2,339	Re: Circuit diagram drawing packages I use SPlan 7. Not free but not expensive either. https://www.electronic-software-shop...ml?language=en __________________ Terry VK5TM https://www.vk5tm.com/

28th Apr 2020, 7:28 pm	#6
Alan_G3XAQ 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
Ed_Dinning Dekatron Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear, UK. Posts: 8,194	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
brunel Heptode Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: LEEDS.......North of the River Aire. Posts: 872	Re: Circuit diagram drawing packages TinyCAD: https://www.tinycad.net/ Free.

29th Apr 2020, 11:44 am	#9
raymond 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
ciprians 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.