Schematic drawing programs
Schematic drawing programs
(OP)
I would like to know what the best and most widely used schematic and circuit drawing programs are. Can anyone help?
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Schematic drawing programs
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RE: Schematic drawing programs
From a functional perspective, the bare AutoCAD that's ordinarily used is a horrible choice. Real schematic capture programs allow you to drag devices around and stretch and reroute the lines automatically, automatically generate a net list, understand the difference between inputs, outputs and just plain lines, and can do some simple error checking.
There exists an extra-cost 'AutoCAD Electrical' package from Autodesk. I get the impression that it's okay for generating ladder diagrams. I don't know if it can do schematics.
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Schematic drawing programs
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Schematic drawing programs
RE: Schematic drawing programs
I believe Eagle is a pretty popular schematic capture program. I use gschem which is an open source program (i.e. free). But you asked for "popular" ones
From wikipedia:
"EAGLE is very popular with hobbyists because the free demo is able to create usable PCBs. (Free ECADs from some companies are crippled so that they won't save or won't print.) The only limitations of boards made with the EAGLE demo are: 2 copper layers; a maximum size of 80mm x 100mm (~3in x ~4in). The demo version of the schematic editor module can only create single-sheet schematics."
I have used Mentor Graphics schematic capture also. That was at a client's place, but I believe that the cost per seat is rather high.
Hope these little tidbits help.
Cheers,
Rich S.
RE: Schematic drawing programs
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Sometimes I only open my mouth to swap feet...
RE: Schematic drawing programs
RE: Schematic drawing programs
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Schematic drawing programs
For example Australia is Altium (Protel) based.
RE: Schematic drawing programs
Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: Schematic drawing programs
Also Orcad.
And Cadstar.
RE: Schematic drawing programs
Orcad, Cadstar, Alitum (Protel), Eagle, PADS, etc. are schematic capture programs primarily designed for electronics and linking to a PCB layout tool or in some cases a FPGA/VHDL or other digital programming logic tool. The schematic capture portion of these can be used for wiring and circuit diagrams, but you are paying for a lot of features you would not be using.