Schematic Capture Software

[RCAircraft]

Is there a easy to learn schematic capture software for very simple circuits. Would like be able to port the schematic to an on-line PCB supplier or to a Gerber file. Capability to link with Digi-Key and pull in components with cost and part numbers would be a big plus. A simulator is not important. Thank you.

 

[Noway2]

A good place to begin answering this question would be to use the forum search for "schematic capture software". The question regarding which is the best PCB design software comes up from time to time and the previous discussion will provide you with a good overview and comparison of the different packages.

 

[RCAircraft]

Thank you Noway2. I did start with your recommendation however programs such TinyCAD and others are either very limited or "crash" while I am using the software. Running on Windows XP with Dell Precision M6300 and 3.5 GB of available RAM and about 65 GB available space on my hard drive.

I started with open source software just to get a feel and also tried several PCB supplier's "free" schematic capture programs. All have their own limitations.

Any other recommendations would be welcomed including commercial software. My work is usually at the concept level where the design easily fits on an A3 or A4 sheet size.

Thank you.
Bob

 

[MacGyverS2000]

Eagle is often the best for the price (I'm assuming a VERY tight budget here, a few hundred dollars). Beyond that, you're looking at $5k+ packages.

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[RCAircraft]

Thank you Dan. I will checkout Eagle.

Best regards,
Bob

 

[ScottyUK]

Seetrax Ranger wasn't bad when I used it years ago, not in the league of (say) CadStar nor in its price range, but plenty capable of doing decent small and medium sized designs. It's a long time since I used it but might be worth a look at an evaluation version to see how you get on with the user interface. I don't know what the limitations are on the demo - maybe it would suffice for your needs as a freebie?

http://www.seetrax.com/prices.htm

Thinking aloud, have you considered some of the simulation tools? I think Maxim had a GUI-based SPICE simulator which was a free download and might be useable as a schematic tool, although whether it can export to a PCB netlist I honestly don't know.


----------------------------------

If we learn from our mistakes I'm getting a great education!

 

[RCAircraft]

Scotty,
I have used the LT Spice sim. It is good for small circuit simulation and could suffice for the small one time and one board projects I am working with.

Up to now I have been using the EE package with Microsoft Visio and sending the schematic to a supplier. With time becoming scarce I began to look for solutions.

I started working with Eagle's LT software today.

Like most software I will need to be patient and give Eagle a fair shake. If all is okay then I would purchase the Eagle Standard version.

Thanks to all for sharing your insights.

Best regards,
Bob

 

[sconstantin]

PCB123 is the easiest that I have used. You can send your board files automatically to their fab house.
EAGLE is a little more professional, but still easy to use. It is free for limited board space and layers.

Stephane Constantin
Freelance Embedded Designer

http://pages.intnet.mu/constantin/

 

[Morcego]

Hi,

Check out diptrace also (

http://www.diptrace.com).

They have a new version with a good autorouter.
Also cheap like eagle. Very easy to learn.

Joaquim

 

[itsmoked]

I wish I'd known about DipTrace while I was assessing layout packages recently. Dang..

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[mcgyvr]

I second Diptrace. I use it all the time. I find it to be easier to use than Eagle also. Pretty decent parts libary and super easy to create you own parts too.

 

[itsmoked]

Dang dang dang...

Some things in Eagle are so incredibly stupid, it's mind boggling.

Example: If you want to copy and paste a symbol from one symbol to another symbol you're making your have to:

Close the symbol you are editing.
Open the symbol you want to copy.
Group select the pieces you want from the existing symbol.
Click [red]cut[/red] - not copy! And this doesn't actually cut anything!!
Then you must [blue]right click somewhere in current symbol editor[/blue].
Close this symbol.
Open the original symbol you were working on.
Paste.

That defies any trace of logic!

That's just one tiny example. It's all like that. You can do anything, but figuring out how, transcends pain.

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[RCAircraft]

Keith - thank you for sharing your insights. If you know of a small firm that could accept a MS Visio or PDF electrical schematic file, from the Visio drawing and produce a PCB from that schematic I would be interested in exploring that route. My PCB requirements are very low level - never greater than two layers and most PCB's are in the 3-in. X 4-in. range or smaller. The boards are tossed after a couple of uses. Only used to show concepts internally of our company. Quantities are usually in the 1 or 2 at the most. Most are powered from 4.5 VDC battery source and do not require any connectors. Solder pads are adequate. Annual quantities could be approximately 50 boards.

Depending upon costs I could also have a need for the small firm to provide a simple programmed uP - perhaps a Microchip or whatever on the PCB along with LED or other low level drivers.

Best regards,
Bob

 

[MacGyverS2000]

Plenty of demo boards out there for <$50 (some <$20)... LEDs, switches, experimentation areas, etc. Sounds like you should pick up some of those instead and add whatever external wiring you need on the proto section. If you're careful, you can use the same boards over and over again for new projects.

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[Morcego]

Eagle as lots of libraries. Thats the best is this package. But you can import them to diptrace easy. (if you dont care about copyrights

Also don't trust Eagle's DRC at 100%. I had to trash some boards a while ago. DRC works, but if you change the board a lot and mix manual and automatic routing, double check your work.

Besides that and some peculiar things like Keith pointed out, is a nice program.

 

[zappedagain]

Bob,

ExpressPCB might be a good fit for you. The software is free and okay for simple layouts like you describe. While you'll need to get the boards manufactured at ExpressPCB, they do make good boards. For a low cost you can get the Gerber files from them after the first production run if you want more boards made elsewhere.

PCB123 as someone mentioned earlier can get boards fabricated through Sunstone Circuits, with the option to get the parts installed on the board too at a neighboring facility. I use them often for prototypes even though i don't use PCB123.

John D