Free circuit diagram program

[.RC.]

Anyone know of a good free circuit diagram drawing program for simple circuits?

[Elninio]

You could ask these questions on freenode IRC (webchat.freenode.net , channel '#electronics'). There's about 400 people there at any given time. I got these answer immediately:
"kicad, LTspice, eagle, gEDA"

There's a few people that know about machining there too, or at least big electronics, such as VFD's for large motors ...

Edit: MotorradMike, my dad uses ExpressPCB. I think it's a good piece of software, since he did a lot of PCB design when he first started playing around with CNC ...

[MotorradMike]

Hi .RC.:

I've used this free software for PCB layout but at that time I had access to OrCAD and did schematics in that and exported them to the layout software.

Before you commit too much time, do a really simple one, with say 2 parts, and make sure you can print it or save it or whatever you need to do.
I say that only because the layout software is only useful if you get expresspcb to do the boards, they don't provide standard output formats.

Makes good business sense for free stuff.

Hope that helps.

[Paul Alciatore]

Some of the PCB manufacturers provide free software to design the boards. The one I have used, Express PCB, has two programs that you can download and use for free: ExpressSCH and ExpressPCB. As the names imply, the ExpressSCH allows you to draw the schematics and the ExpressPCB is for laying out the boards. Both are easy to use and you can create additional components if what you need is not in their library.

http://www.expresspcb.com/index.htm

You do not need to order anything from them to use these CAD programs. If you do decide to order boards from them, it is best to do the schematic first and then use that file as a reference while laying the board out. It will automatically check for errors.

I have a good amount of experience with them so if you need any help with using them, just ask.

Another company that has similar free software is Advanced Circuits. I have less experience with them as their prices are somewhat higher for small boards and small quantities.

http://www.4pcb.com/

[.RC.]

Thanks, but I don't need to do PCB boards... Just diagrams like this

http://www.google.com.au/images?q=ci...=1496&bih=1046

[Elninio]

Thanks, but I don't need to do PCB boards... Just diagrams like this

http://www.google.com.au/images?q=ci...=1496&bih=1046

I like visio and autosketch for doing things like that - you drag and drop your elements onto a grid. autosketch is about 40$ for a liscence, by company 'autodesk', which makes autocad. I've never found a better sketching program, ever. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AutoSketch

[MrSleepy]

As well as Eagle..which has many devotees
theres
Kicad..a full open source package.
http://www.lis.inpg.fr/realise_au_lis/kicad/

and Designspark..which is a slight rewrite of Easy-PC for RS Components..again free and full when registered.

http://www.designspark.com/pcb

Rob

[Paul Alciatore]

As I said, they have TWO programs. The first one does the schematic, the whole schematic, and just the schematic. You can print it out. You don't have to use the board program.

It is very easy to use, unlike some CAD programs.

Paul A.

Thanks, but I don't need to do PCB boards... Just diagrams like this

http://www.google.com.au/images?q=ci...=1496&bih=1046

[mechanicalmagic]

I am another user of EAGLE, and recommend it. One thing a new user NEEDS is the libraries of the various parts. (IC's, caps, resistors, batteries, inductors, transistors etc..) EAGLE comes with a very large library of pre-made parts.
For now you don't need PCB layout, but in the future you might, it's included. Also not needed (yet) is the ability to automatically route the wires, it's in there.
The FREE version has limitations on the size of the schematic, one page. And a limit on the size of the board (but you aren't doing boards). There are board houses that will take EAGLE files for board production.
http://www.cadsoft.de/
DJ

[wb8mdy]

Try TinyCad it is free and simple to use.