best schematic software
best schematic software
(OP)
I'm looking for electrical schematic/wiring diagram software, and would like your recommendations.
Is there a ubiquitous file format?
What is the most widely used software?
Software requirements are pretty nebulous right now, but I doubt anything unusual is needed. Most drawings will be system level or relatively simple analog circuits. The ability to add custom components is required, but I assume that is included in every package.
Thanks!
Is there a ubiquitous file format?
What is the most widely used software?
Software requirements are pretty nebulous right now, but I doubt anything unusual is needed. Most drawings will be system level or relatively simple analog circuits. The ability to add custom components is required, but I assume that is included in every package.
Thanks!





RE: best schematic software
* LTSpice - free, simple schematic capture with powerful simulation engine (SPICE) underneath.
* PSIM - commercial, complex schematic capture with many more library elements, plus will simulate digital and computational models.
* Altium - commercial schematic capture and PCB design. Not used for simulation but used heavily for PCB layout.
RE: best schematic software
Dan - Owner
http://hi-tecdesigns.com/images/pictures/Footwell%..." border="0" alt="" />
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: best schematic software
Adding custom components to a parts library is easy enough in most. And you usually have enough fields so that you can also specify Mfr, part #, pricing etc so that you can automatically populate BOMs. You may also want to generate 3D models, and I think Altium does this better than the others, but I haven't used the latest version of Orcad to compare it against.
There is a common file format for the output files, gerber. Most all software will put this out, and that is what most board houses will accept to create PCBs and PCAs.
Altium, OrCad, Eagle, are the main ones I have used in the past few years. Altium being my preferred one. Altium is $$, Eagle is cheap, but limited, so that may also play into your decisions. I have used Eagle at work, and it will work for small simple PCBs well enough.
RE: best schematic software
The tools listed here may have a lot more features than you need.
RE: best schematic software
RE: best schematic software
So if there is no ubiquitous format, what might be a good choice as far as future compatibility goes (I know, impossible question)? We may want to access the files 10-20 years from now. Of course we could just keep an old computer around with the same software loaded... not ideal.
I'm already familiar with ExpressPCB and LT Spice, but the latter is too graphically rudimentary for a nice looking schematic, and the former has burned me before with its proprietary output format. Both are great at what they do though. I've just started to dabble in ExpressSCH, which seems sufficient for my needs but again is probably proprietary format.
Visio is one I never would have guessed!
RE: best schematic software
RE: best schematic software
At a previous job, I used a DOS version of OrCad, on both the orignal DOS machine that I kept, as well as newer computers up to Win 98, without any issue. The OS itself may become an issue at some point if you try to plan too far out.
Gerbers aren't going away, so as long as you keep gerber files, you should be able to make new boards with the existing design. Each gerber file is basically a print of a single layer of the PCB(top copper, bottom copper, top silkscreen, top soldermask, top solderpaste, etc). I keep PDFs of all related items, BOM, master PCB schematic, assembled PCB schematic, etc stored in a zip file. For me, those formats should stay around long after the designs are obsoleted and completely out of use.
As for the wiring schematics, the other suggestions here are very good. Visio, Autocad, etc. I use Solidworks. I import models of each connector, so that I can clearly define in the drawings where Pin 1 or A is. But you don't have to have Solidworks to do that, that is just the cad software we use for the mechanical stuff, so I use it for electrical too.
RE: best schematic software
Dan - Owner
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: best schematic software
AutoDesk puts out new updates to the file formats for AutoCAD every so many releases. Microsoft Office has updated their formats for all of their suite as well.
Sometimes you're lucky enough that the new software can handle the older formats, in some cases, not so much.
RE: best schematic software
Freely specified formats on the other hand, are future-proofed by default. The includes commercially developed, but freely specified formats like Gerber, as well as non-commercial, open formats like SVG. Because the format specifications are freely available, anyone is free to write an interpreter today or in 20 years, so you can have some confidence that you'll at least be able to view your files in the future.
So my suggestion for future-proofing is to pick whatever package you like based on other factors, then make sure you export your designs at milestones to an open format. If you're using a vector graphics program or schematic capture tool, SVG is probably a good choice. If you're using a PCB layout tool, Gerber is a fine choice.
RE: best schematic software
I just joint this forum after reading this thread. That's terrific, all you guys all very helpful to each other, a big thumps up for all of you.
what should I use to create wiring diagram either schematic type or layout type?
As after reading this thread I found a SolidWorks Electrical packages in 2D, 3D and Professional versions... need your suggestions.
RE: best schematic software
RE: best schematic software
I used this several years ago and was truly impressed. Draw out your wiring, add switches, motors, relays, etc, print them out, coloring, numbering. It was very simple to learn and use. My favorite part - you can flip a switch and test the circuit right on your computer. If it works on your computer, as long as it is wired according to plan, it'll work in the field. I never had a problem with it.