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maca2790

Joined: 26 Jan 2011
Posts: 59
Location: Australia

Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2011 3:17 pm Post subject: Circuit Design Software

HI all,

Anyone suggest easy to use CAD software? One that has the appropriate symbols (Starter Relays etc).

 

Cheers

 

John MacCallum

Builder # 41016

VH-DUU

 

 

  [quote][b]

nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
Guest

Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2011 8:01 pm Post subject: Circuit Design Software

At 06:13 PM 7/10/2011, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  HI all,

Anyone suggest easy to use CAD software? One that has the 

appropriate symbols (Starter Relays etc).


	


   None are "easy" . . . every cad system has it's

   own 'language' and mouse/keyboard protocols to learn.

   The brand of software will have little to do with

   the outcome of your finished product.



   TurboCAD will open, edit, save and print the AudoCAD

   drawings on my website. You can snatch the symbols

   library right out of those drawings.



   Please be forewarned. If you are not already a

   reasonably adept cad-driver, you have many hours

   ahead of you for first learning to communicate

   with the software's own language and more hours

   acquiring the 'art' of producing 'pretty' drawings.



   In the final analysis, the drawings will convey

   no more meaning or have any higher value than those

   produce neatly the a pencil, pink pearl eraser,

   and straight-edge in a 3-ring binder for a whole

   lot less $time$. $time$ that you might wish

   to spend on your airplane instead.



   On the other hand, getting good with a cad program

   opens a lot of doors for doing designs of all types

   and getting the parts to fit together on paper before

   you start cutting wood, metal, tile, wires, etc. etc.

   I've been driving an ancient version of AutoCAD for over

   25 years. One of the best investments of $time$ I have

   ever made after learning to type.



   Bob . . .

harley(at)AgelessWings.co
Guest

Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2011 4:18 am Post subject: Circuit Design Software

Morning, John...

     

     As Bob said, there are many! And there are some open source free     ones out there as well.  And they are all different in their     commands and useability.

     

     I started with Generic Cadd at work back in the early '80s because     the pharmaceutical company I worked for didn't have any IT     department then and I had to buy my own computer and     software...Gcadd was cheap then ($99).

      

     After a few years, when they started supplying Autocad at work, I     stuck with GCadd so as not to have to learn something new. My work     (production equipment and control design) was not involved  with the     building engineering where the Autocad was used, so I was allowed to     do so.  

     

     I liked GCADD better than Autocad anyway, as I could work     faster...GCADD used two letter commands for the drawing options as     well as the standard icons or menu options that one had to hunt down     to select.  It was fast and easy with the left hand doing the     selecting on the keyboard and the right doing the drawing with the     trackball. 

     

     So, I've stuck with it through the years. Generic Cadd is now Visual     CADD and works the same way.  I would never change now. 

     

     So, find one that you can use and like (for example, Visual Cadd,     www.tritools.com ,  has full function demo for 30 days then you can     either just drop it or buy it...I believe many others do as well.)

     

     Or select one of the open source freebies ( for example,     http://sourceforge.net/projects/free-cad/ )

     

     Note that most of them will be able to use the symbols you need.      Although their are differences, the format is pretty standard and     can be found all over the internet for downloading (     www.caddprimer.com/CAD_Symbols_symbol_library/CAD_symbol_symbols_library.htm     ). Or, as Bob said, just open any of his drawings and extract the     symbols. Or, as I do, just make your own...any item you draw in Cad     can be saved as a symbol.

     

     They all have their own level of difficulty, but once you've learned     what you need to know about one of them, the rest are easier...so     start with one, learn what you can, then try a few others until you     find one that you like.

     

     Harley 

          [quote]                       <![endif]-->   <![endif]-->                

HI all,         

Anyone suggest easy to use CAD software?           One that has the appropriate symbols (Starter Relays etc).         

          

Cheers         

          

John MacCallum         

Builder # 41016         

VH-DUU         

                     

     [b]

Mauledriver(at)nc.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2011 6:57 am Post subject: Circuit Design Software

If you are just looking for something to document your electrical     system, you might consider ExpressSCH:

     http://www.expresspcb.com/expresspcbhtm/download.htm

     

     It appears to be free software that can be used to design custom     boards.  I used just the SCHematic part to document my entire     electrical system.  It doesn't have most of the components (symbols)     we use in our aircraft but I found it pretty easy to create my own.      

     

     It has just enough 'smarts' to act like a electrical schematic tool     should, rather than a drawing tool.  A long way from a CAD program     but a step closer to what you might want than a universal drawing     tool or Powerpoint.

     

     (I'd show you a sample but I'm not at home)

     

     Bill "dripping sweat all over the project" Watson

     

     

     On 7/10/2011 7:13 PM, John MacCallum wrote:     [quote]                       <![endif]-->   <![endif]-->                

HI all,         

Anyone suggest easy to use CAD software?           One that has the appropriate symbols (Starter Relays etc).         

          

Cheers         

          

John MacCallum         

Builder # 41016         

VH-DUU         

          

        

       

     [b]

Bubblehead

Joined: 26 Oct 2007
Posts: 48
Location: N. Richland Hills, TX

Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 9:00 am Post subject: Re: Circuit Design Software

 	  harley(at)AgelessWings.co wrote: 	
		  Morning, John...

     

     I started with Generic Cadd at work back in the early '80s because     the pharmaceutical company I worked for didn't have any IT     department then and I had to buy my own computer and     software...Gcadd was cheap then ($99).

      

     After a few years, when they started supplying Autocad at work, I     stuck with GCadd so as not to have to learn something new. My work     (production equipment and control design) was not involved  with the     building engineering where the Autocad was used, so I was allowed to     do so.  

     

     I liked GCADD better than Autocad anyway, as I could work     faster...GCADD used two letter commands for the drawing options as     well as the standard icons or menu options that one had to hunt down     to select.  It was fast and easy with the left hand doing the     selecting on the keyboard and the right doing the drawing with the     trackball. 

     

     So, I've stuck with it through the years. Generic Cadd is now Visual     CADD and works the same way.  I would never change now.        

                     

     [b] 	




I did the same thing.  I needed a CAD package and my employer did not want to ante up for a full package but he did pay for a seat of Generic Cadd.  20 years later I've used AutoCad, TurboCAD, and my favorite SolidWorks but GenericCadd has a fond place in my heart.  I loved the two letter abbreviations.  I entered them left handed and worked the mouse right handed and could really fly!

_________________
John
Keller, TX
RV-8 N247TD

nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
Guest

Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 2:02 pm Post subject: Circuit Design Software

 	  Quote: 	
		  

I did the same thing.  I needed a CAD package and my employer did 

not want to ante up for a full package but he did pay for a seat of 

Generic Cadd.  20 years later I've used AutoCad, TurboCAD, and my 

favorite SolidWorks but GenericCadd has a fond place in my heart.  I 

loved the two letter abbreviations.  I entered them left handed and 

worked the mouse right handed and could really fly!


	


   AutoCAD has a script file one can edit



   For example, here's my one and two letter

   overlay script for 99% of all the AutoCAD

   commands I need to do my work. I learned to

   mouse with either hand and type with the ohter

   to minimize tendencies for repetitive motion

   damage.



   I also found this list useful for teaching

   AutoCAD . . . If one learns this list of

   commands first, you can be VERY productive

   while learning the other 1000 commands as needed!

AR,        *ARRAY

B,         *BLOCK

BR,        *BREAK

C,         *CIRCLE

CH,        *CHAMFER

C,         *COPY

E,         *ERASE

ED,        *DDEDIT

EL,        *ELLIPSE

EX,        *EXTEND

H,         *HATCH

I,         *INSERT

L,         *LINE

LA,        *LAYER

LT,        *LINETYPE

M,         *MOVE

MI,        *MIRROR

P,         *PAN

PE,        *PEDIT

PL,        *PLINE

P,         *PURGE

R,         *REDRAW

RE,        *REGEN

RCT,       *RECTANGLE

RO,        *ROTATE

S,         *STRETCH

SC,        *SCALE

SCR,       *SCRIPT

T,         *TRIM

V,         *VIEW

W,         *WBLOCK

X,         *EXPLODE

Z,         *ZOOM



   I knew some folks who had to routinely use two

   different cad systems. The customized command overlay

   file made AutoCAD mimic the other program to a large

   degree . . .



   Bob . . .

ainut(at)knology.net
Guest

Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 5:24 pm Post subject: Circuit Design Software

I'd like to have a drawing system that is not a CAD system.  I want to 

place a part with standardized icon, draw a line from there to the next 

part, and have the computer automagically arrange everything so that 

nothing overlaps and one can label the wires, etc.  Don't know that it 

exists.  Guess I'll have to write it someday.



David M.



Robert L. Nuckolls, III wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   

 <nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelectric.com>

>

> I did the same thing.  I needed a CAD package and my employer did not 

> want to ante up for a full package but he did pay for a seat of 

> Generic Cadd.  20 years later I've used AutoCad, TurboCAD, and my 

> favorite SolidWorks but GenericCadd has a fond place in my heart.  I 

> loved the two letter abbreviations.  I entered them left handed and 

> worked the mouse right handed and could really fly!



   AutoCAD has a script file one can edit



   For example, here's my one and two letter

   overlay script for 99% of all the AutoCAD

   commands I need to do my work. I learned to

   mouse with either hand and type with the ohter

   to minimize tendencies for repetitive motion

   damage.



   I also found this list useful for teaching

   AutoCAD . . . If one learns this list of

   commands first, you can be VERY productive

   while learning the other 1000 commands as needed!

 AR,        *ARRAY

 B,         *BLOCK

 BR,        *BREAK

 C,         *CIRCLE

 CH,        *CHAMFER

 C,         *COPY

 E,         *ERASE

 ED,        *DDEDIT

 EL,        *ELLIPSE

 EX,        *EXTEND

 H,         *HATCH

 I,         *INSERT

 L,         *LINE

 LA,        *LAYER

 LT,        *LINETYPE

 M,         *MOVE

 MI,        *MIRROR

 P,         *PAN

 PE,        *PEDIT

 PL,        *PLINE

 P,         *PURGE

 R,         *REDRAW

 RE,        *REGEN

 RCT,       *RECTANGLE

 RO,        *ROTATE

 S,         *STRETCH

 SC,        *SCALE

 SCR,       *SCRIPT

 T,         *TRIM

 V,         *VIEW

 W,         *WBLOCK

 X,         *EXPLODE

 Z,         *ZOOM



   I knew some folks who had to routinely use two

   different cad systems. The customized command overlay

   file made AutoCAD mimic the other program to a large

   degree . . .



   Bob . . .




	


-- 

If you're an American, just say NO to the Obamanation, to socialism, and get rid of Soros.



..democracy and a republic can function only in a firm partnership with morality and religion. -- John Adams.  Indeed.  Same should be said for ANY type of gubmnt

nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
Guest

Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 6:09 pm Post subject: Circuit Design Software

At 08:11 PM 7/14/2011, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  



I'd like to have a drawing system that is not a CAD system.  I want 

to place a part with standardized icon, draw a line from there to 

the next part, and have the computer automagically arrange 

everything so that nothing overlaps and one can label the wires, 

etc.  Don't know that it exists.  Guess I'll have to write it someday.


	


    But who is your market?  For most product development

    efforts the schematic is but an intermediate step

    between conception and production. Schematic generation

    programs with any degree of sophistication generate

    'net lists' which are operated on to convert the schematic

    to an etched circuit board. Interestingly enough, these

    same schematics are often used to publish various

    service/training manuals. The net list generator couldn't

    care less whether the schematic is on one or 100 pages.

    But the poor tech trying to trace a circuit has to jump

    across pages with cryptic 'bus labels' to guide them.



    Some free schematic generation systems like Express PCB

    would probably come close to what you want to do but for

    a guy who grew up looking at ARRL schematics in the

    Handbook and QST magazine, symbology for most schematic

    generation programs seems pretty crude . . . but then

    the drawing of crystal clear diagrams is becoming a lost

    art form.



    So before you launch into what has to be a monumental

    programming and graphics effort, it could be well to

    make sure there's a market for your work-product.

        Bob . . .

                    ////

                   (o o)

    ===========o00o=(_)=o00o=========

    < Go ahead, make my day . . .   >

    < show me where I'm wrong.      >

    =================================

tim2542(at)sbcglobal.net
Guest

Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 6:15 pm Post subject: Circuit Design Software

Micro soft Visio.... Works great for this, made for it in fact.

Tim



Sent from my iPhone



On Jul 14, 2011, at 6:11 PM, David <ainut(at)knology.net> wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   

 

 I'd like to have a drawing system that is not a CAD system.  I want to place a part with standardized icon, draw a line from there to the next part, and have the computer automagically arrange everything so that nothing overlaps and one can label the wires, etc.  Don't know that it exists.  Guess I'll have to write it someday.

 

 David M.

 

 

 

 Robert L. Nuckolls, III wrote:

> 

> 

> 

>> 

>> I did the same thing.  I needed a CAD package and my employer did not want to ante up for a full package but he did pay for a seat of Generic Cadd.  20 years later I've used AutoCad, TurboCAD, and my favorite SolidWorks but GenericCadd has a fond place in my heart.  I loved the two letter abbreviations.  I entered them left handed and worked the mouse right handed and could really fly!

> 

>  AutoCAD has a script file one can edit

> 

>  For example, here's my one and two letter

>  overlay script for 99% of all the AutoCAD

>  commands I need to do my work. I learned to

>  mouse with either hand and type with the ohter

>  to minimize tendencies for repetitive motion

>  damage.

> 

>  I also found this list useful for teaching

>  AutoCAD . . . If one learns this list of

>  commands first, you can be VERY productive

>  while learning the other 1000 commands as needed!

> 

> 

> AR,        *ARRAY

> B,         *BLOCK

> BR,        *BREAK

> C,         *CIRCLE

> CH,        *CHAMFER

> C,         *COPY

> E,         *ERASE

> ED,        *DDEDIT

> EL,        *ELLIPSE

> EX,        *EXTEND

> H,         *HATCH

> I,         *INSERT

> L,         *LINE

> LA,        *LAYER

> LT,        *LINETYPE

> M,         *MOVE

> MI,        *MIRROR

> P,         *PAN

> PE,        *PEDIT

> PL,        *PLINE

> P,         *PURGE

> R,         *REDRAW

> RE,        *REGEN

> RCT,       *RECTANGLE

> RO,        *ROTATE

> S,         *STRETCH

> SC,        *SCALE

> SCR,       *SCRIPT

> T,         *TRIM

> V,         *VIEW

> W,         *WBLOCK

> X,         *EXPLODE

> Z,         *ZOOM

> 

>  I knew some folks who had to routinely use two

>  different cad systems. The customized command overlay

>  file made AutoCAD mimic the other program to a large

>  degree . . .

> 

>  Bob . . .

> 

> 

> 

> 

> 

 

 -- 

 If you're an American, just say NO to the Obamanation, to socialism, and get rid of Soros.

 

 ...democracy and a republic can function only in a firm partnership with morality and religion. -- John Adams.  Indeed.  Same should be said for ANY type of gubmnt

ainut(at)knology.net
Guest

Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 7:08 pm Post subject: Circuit Design Software

Don't need a market.  It would be just for me and whoever wants it.



david

of the Gnu generation

Robert L. Nuckolls, III wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   

 <nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelectric.com>



 At 08:11 PM 7/14/2011, you wrote:

> 

>

> I'd like to have a drawing system that is not a CAD system.  I want 

> to place a part with standardized icon, draw a line from there to the 

> next part, and have the computer automagically arrange everything so 

> that nothing overlaps and one can label the wires, etc.  Don't know 

> that it exists.  Guess I'll have to write it someday.



    But who is your market?  For most product development

    efforts the schematic is but an intermediate step

    between conception and production. Schematic generation

    programs with any degree of sophistication generate

    'net lists' which are operated on to convert the schematic

    to an etched circuit board. Interestingly enough, these

    same schematics are often used to publish various

    service/training manuals. The net list generator couldn't

    care less whether the schematic is on one or 100 pages.

    But the poor tech trying to trace a circuit has to jump

    across pages with cryptic 'bus labels' to guide them.



    Some free schematic generation systems like Express PCB

    would probably come close to what you want to do but for

    a guy who grew up looking at ARRL schematics in the

    Handbook and QST magazine, symbology for most schematic

    generation programs seems pretty crude . . . but then

    the drawing of crystal clear diagrams is becoming a lost

    art form.



    So before you launch into what has to be a monumental

    programming and graphics effort, it could be well to

    make sure there's a market for your work-product.

        Bob . . .

                    ////

                   (o o)

    ===========o00o=(_)=o00o=========

 < Go ahead, make my day . . . >

 < show me where I'm wrong. >

    =================================




	


-- 

If you're an American, just say NO to the Obamanation, to socialism, and get rid of Soros.



..democracy and a republic can function only in a firm partnership with morality and religion. -- John Adams.  Indeed.  Same should be said for ANY type of gubmnt

ainut(at)knology.net
Guest

Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 7:09 pm Post subject: Circuit Design Software

Outstanding!  I'll try it.  Thanks.



David



tim2542(at)sbcglobal.net wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   



 Micro soft Visio.... Works great for this, made for it in fact.

 Tim



 Sent from my iPhone



 On Jul 14, 2011, at 6:11 PM, David<ainut(at)knology.net>  wrote:



    

> 

>

> I'd like to have a drawing system that is not a CAD system.  I want to place a part with standardized icon, draw a line from there to the next part, and have the computer automagically arrange everything so that nothing overlaps and one can label the wires, etc.  Don't know that it exists.  Guess I'll have to write it someday.

>

> David M.

>

> Robert L. Nuckolls, III wrote:

>      

>> 

>>

>>

>>        

>>> I did the same thing.  I needed a CAD package and my employer did not want to ante up for a full package but he did pay for a seat of Generic Cadd.  20 years later I've used AutoCad, TurboCAD, and my favorite SolidWorks but GenericCadd has a fond place in my heart.  I loved the two letter abbreviations.  I entered them left handed and worked the mouse right handed and could really fly!

>>>          

>>   AutoCAD has a script file one can edit

>>

>>   For example, here's my one and two letter

>>   overlay script for 99% of all the AutoCAD

>>   commands I need to do my work. I learned to

>>   mouse with either hand and type with the ohter

>>   to minimize tendencies for repetitive motion

>>   damage.

>>

>>   I also found this list useful for teaching

>>   AutoCAD . . . If one learns this list of

>>   commands first, you can be VERY productive

>>   while learning the other 1000 commands as needed!

>>

>>

>> AR,        *ARRAY

>> B,         *BLOCK

>> BR,        *BREAK

>> C,         *CIRCLE

>> CH,        *CHAMFER

>> C,         *COPY

>> E,         *ERASE

>> ED,        *DDEDIT

>> EL,        *ELLIPSE

>> EX,        *EXTEND

>> H,         *HATCH

>> I,         *INSERT

>> L,         *LINE

>> LA,        *LAYER

>> LT,        *LINETYPE

>> M,         *MOVE

>> MI,        *MIRROR

>> P,         *PAN

>> PE,        *PEDIT

>> PL,        *PLINE

>> P,         *PURGE

>> R,         *REDRAW

>> RE,        *REGEN

>> RCT,       *RECTANGLE

>> RO,        *ROTATE

>> S,         *STRETCH

>> SC,        *SCALE

>> SCR,       *SCRIPT

>> T,         *TRIM

>> V,         *VIEW

>> W,         *WBLOCK

>> X,         *EXPLODE

>> Z,         *ZOOM

>>

>>   I knew some folks who had to routinely use two

>>   different cad systems. The customized command overlay

>>   file made AutoCAD mimic the other program to a large

>>   degree . . .

>>

>>   Bob . . .

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>        

> -- 

> If you're an American, just say NO to the Obamanation, to socialism, and get rid of Soros.

>

> ...democracy and a republic can function only in a firm partnership with morality and religion. -- John Adams.  Indeed.  Same should be said for ANY type of gubmnt

>

>      



    


	


-- 

If you're an American, just say NO to the Obamanation, to socialism, and get rid of Soros.



..democracy and a republic can function only in a firm partnership with morality and religion. -- John Adams.  Indeed.  Same should be said for ANY type of gubmnt

zodiac601

Joined: 11 Jul 2011
Posts: 7

Posted: Thu Jul 14, 2011 7:40 pm Post subject: Re: Circuit Design Software

+1 for Visio



I've drawn electrical schematics with it several times.

stuart(at)stuarthutchison
Guest

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 12:43 am Post subject: Circuit Design Software

Another plug for MS Visio.  Attached is a draft 'start circuit' I drew for

myself a few months back.  Outputing to PDF resized some of the lines, but

Visio itself is great.



Cheers, Stu



--

VH-FLY_Start_Circuit.pdf

Description:

Download

Filename:

VH-FLY_Start_Circuit.pdf

Filesize:

26.98 KB

Downloaded:

633 Time(s)

mrspudandcompany(at)veriz
Guest

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 4:03 am Post subject: Circuit Design Software

 	  Quote: 	
		  

I'd like to have a drawing system that is not a CAD system.  I want 

to place a part with standardized icon, draw a line from there to 

the next part, and have the computer automagically arrange 

everything so that nothing overlaps and one can label the wires, 

etc.  Don't know that it exists.  Guess I'll have to write it someday.


	




		My suggestion is to download the FREE Express PCB software

and give it a try.  I find it to be rather easy to use and has symbols with

it, that are easy to place and interconnect.



		So, give it a go. . . "Nothing ventured nothing lost"



		Roger

winmail.dat

Description:

Download

Filename:

winmail.dat

Filesize:

3.54 KB

Downloaded:

532 Time(s)

nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
Guest

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 5:27 am Post subject: Circuit Design Software

At 03:38 AM 7/15/2011, you wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  Another plug for MS Visio.  Attached is a draft 'start circuit' I drew for

myself a few months back.  Outputing to PDF resized some of the lines, but

Visio itself is great.


	


   I would encourage anyone who is willing to spend the

   $time$ to become competent in any sort of illustration

   software also take the time to become fluent in

   the language of speaking and illustrating "electronese".



   If you look at any drawings produced in the 'Connection

   or on aeroelectric.com, the diagrams speak to specific

   connections of wires to terminals of devices, to wire

   sizes, symbology to suggest type of terminals used,

   internal functions of devices such as switches, relays,

   contactors, motors, etc. The whole story on one page.



   VERY FEW professional illustrators of consumer

   product wiring diagrams bother to offer such detail

   in their work-product. Even folks who should know

   better. I can't tell you how many no-value hours

   I spent trying to find a truly descriptive schematic

   of how the fuel selector valve and gage system worked

   in my '87 GMC truck. All the schematics in 'official'

   published documents showed "boxes" with colored wires

   routing between them and no information what so ever

   as to what goes on inside the boxes. Having finally

   discovered what I needed to know, it made perfect

   sense and I can now draw the schematic from memory,

   not as an activity to mimic somebody else's drawings

   but as a fundamental understanding of how the system

   works.



   I'll suggest there are two aspects of creating really

   useful drawings. The choice of illustration software

   obviously drives the general appearance of the finished

   drawings. But organization and completeness is entirely

   up to the skills, willingness and experience of the

   illustrator.



   Symbols for lucid production of schematics and diagrams

   are the language of the discipline. Learn the symbols

   too and use what ever illustrative tools to present

   those symbols in a manner that makes understanding

   'jump off the page' into the mind of the competent

   observer. These same drawings will provide a solid

   foundation for sharing understanding for the not-so-

   competent observer with a willingness and desire to

   learn.



   Just a few more little lines in the published schematics

   for my truck's fuel system would have completed the

   story and saved a lot of wasted time. COMPLETE

   schematics are the tools of both teaching how

   something works but the tools of understanding

   for how to fix the thing that doesn't work at

   some later time.

        Bob . . .

                    ////

                   (o o)

    ===========o00o=(_)=o00o=========

    < Go ahead, make my day . . .   >

    < show me where I'm wrong.      >

    =================================

gpabruce(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 7:56 am Post subject: Circuit Design Software

Are you looking for an active program like SPICE?  (Simulated analysis) 
Or a passive, flat program to show the electrical diagram?  
Or do you want to show the actual component layout on the circuit board?     

Sorry but I missed the beginning of the discussion. It sounds like you have already bread-boarded and proven your circuit and are looking to go from 2 to 3 for production. Is that correct? 

On Fri, Jul 15, 2011 at 4:58 AM, ROGER &  JEAN CURTIS <mrspudandcompany(at)verizon.net (mrspudandcompany(at)verizon.net)> wrote:

 [quote]>

 >I'd like to have a drawing system that is not a CAD system.  I want

 >to place a part with standardized icon, draw a line from there to

 >the next part, and have the computer automagically arrange

 >everything so that nothing overlaps and one can label the wires,

 >etc.  Don't know that it exists.  Guess I'll have to write it someday.

                 My suggestion is to download the FREE Express PCB software

 and give it a try.  I find it to be rather easy to use and has symbols with

 it, that are easy to place and interconnect.

                 So, give it a go. . . "Nothing ventured nothing lost"

                 Roger

 [b]

Float Flyr

Joined: 19 Jul 2006
Posts: 2704
Location: Campbellton, Newfoundland

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 8:28 am Post subject: Circuit Design Software

Confusing... you say you do not want a CAD system then you describe  CAD

system.



Noel

--

_________________
Noel Loveys
Kitfox III-A
Aerocet 1100 Floats

Mauledriver(at)nc.rr.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 10:26 am Post subject: Circuit Design Software

I've attached  a schematic created with Express SCH for reference.



Bill "it can be really tough to get any work done at the airport on a 

nice day" Watson

[quote] Another plug for MS Visio.  Attached is a draft 'start circuit' I drew for

 myself a few months back.  Outputing to PDF resized some of the lines, but

 Visio itself is great.



 Cheers, Stu



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ainut(at)knology.net
Guest

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 5:06 pm Post subject: Circuit Design Software

Would it make sense to use a program like Spice in the mix, in order to 

show how the circuits work (and possibly identify problems before 

something is burned out?)



I'm looking at the gEDA project (gpl electronic design automation) as 

the toolset to use right now.  Don't know how hard it is to use or 

anything.  Bear in mind, I have very little background in electronics.  

I'm  hoping that the relatively simple schematic of the airplane will 

not be terribly difficult to model.



David M.



Robert L. Nuckolls, III wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   

 <nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelectric.com>



 At 03:38 AM 7/15/2011, you wrote:

> Another plug for MS Visio.  Attached is a draft 'start circuit' I 

> drew for

> myself a few months back.  Outputing to PDF resized some of the 

> lines, but

> Visio itself is great.



   I would encourage anyone who is willing to spend the

   $time$ to become competent in any sort of illustration

   software also take the time to become fluent in

   the language of speaking and illustrating "electronese".



   If you look at any drawings produced in the 'Connection

   or on aeroelectric.com, the diagrams speak to specific

   connections of wires to terminals of devices, to wire

   sizes, symbology to suggest type of terminals used,

   internal functions of devices such as switches, relays,

   contactors, motors, etc. The whole story on one page.



   VERY FEW professional illustrators of consumer

   product wiring diagrams bother to offer such detail

   in their work-product. Even folks who should know

   better. I can't tell you how many no-value hours

   I spent trying to find a truly descriptive schematic

   of how the fuel selector valve and gage system worked

   in my '87 GMC truck. All the schematics in 'official'

   published documents showed "boxes" with colored wires

   routing between them and no information what so ever

   as to what goes on inside the boxes. Having finally

   discovered what I needed to know, it made perfect

   sense and I can now draw the schematic from memory,

   not as an activity to mimic somebody else's drawings

   but as a fundamental understanding of how the system

   works.



   I'll suggest there are two aspects of creating really

   useful drawings. The choice of illustration software

   obviously drives the general appearance of the finished

   drawings. But organization and completeness is entirely

   up to the skills, willingness and experience of the

   illustrator.



   Symbols for lucid production of schematics and diagrams

   are the language of the discipline. Learn the symbols

   too and use what ever illustrative tools to present

   those symbols in a manner that makes understanding

   'jump off the page' into the mind of the competent

   observer. These same drawings will provide a solid

   foundation for sharing understanding for the not-so-

   competent observer with a willingness and desire to

   learn.



   Just a few more little lines in the published schematics

   for my truck's fuel system would have completed the

   story and saved a lot of wasted time. COMPLETE

   schematics are the tools of both teaching how

   something works but the tools of understanding

   for how to fix the thing that doesn't work at

   some later time.

        Bob . . .

                    ////

                   (o o)

    ===========o00o=(_)=o00o=========

 < Go ahead, make my day . . . >

 < show me where I'm wrong. >

    =================================




	


-- 

If you're an American, just say NO to the Obamanation, to socialism, and get rid of Soros.



..democracy and a republic can function only in a firm partnership with morality and religion. -- John Adams.  Indeed.  Same should be said for ANY type of gubmnt

ainut(at)knology.net
Guest

Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 5:08 pm Post subject: Circuit Design Software

Mostly, my purpose is to document my airplane wiring.  If I can get 

analysis while I'm at it, I'm willing to learn to do so.  Others have 

differing needs, of course.

David M.

b d wrote:

 	  Quote: 	

    1. Are you looking for an active program like SPICE?  (Simulated

       analysis)

    2. Or a passive, flat program to show the electrical diagram?

    3. Or do you want to show the actual component layout on the

       circuit board?

 Sorry but I missed the beginning of the discussion. It sounds like you 

 have already bread-boarded and proven your circuit and are looking to 

 go from 2 to 3 for production. Is that correct?

 On Fri, Jul 15, 2011 at 4:58 AM, ROGER & JEAN CURTIS 

 <mrspudandcompany(at)verizon.net <mailto:mrspudandcompany(at)verizon.net>> 

 wrote:

     >

     >I'd like to have a drawing system that is not a CAD system.  I want

     >to place a part with standardized icon, draw a line from there to

     >the next part, and have the computer automagically arrange

     >everything so that nothing overlaps and one can label the wires,

     >etc.  Don't know that it exists.  Guess I'll have to write it

     someday.

                    My suggestion is to download the FREE Express PCB

     software

     and give it a try.  I find it to be rather easy to use and has

     symbols with

     it, that are easy to place and interconnect.

                    So, give it a go. . . "Nothing ventured nothing lost"

                    Roger

 *

 *

-- 

If you're an American, just say NO to the Obamanation, to socialism, and get rid of Soros.

..democracy and a republic can function only in a firm partnership with morality and religion. -- John Adams.  Indeed.  Same should be said for ANY type of gubmnt

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