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Thread: Electrical Design Software??

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    Default Electrical Design Software??

    Any reccomendations for electrical design software? I dont need a $2000 program. something simplistic with most of the shit we use for projectors. DSUB connectors, switches- ya know the basics.

    I am trying "edraw" but not very impressed with it so far

    Any advice?

    Thanks!
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  2. #2
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    Default

    Cadsoft Eagle
    Ti-Tina
    National Instruments Multisim
    DipTrace
    etc.

    All of these programs are mostly electric circuit designer PCB makers and simulation environment
    All programs have educational/evaluation or free demo versions to try.

  3. #3
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    ... I'm using Target: http://server.ibfriedrich.com/wiki/i...itle=Main_Page

    The free version is limited for 250 pads max. and one schematics sheet, but not crippled in size as Eagle ...

    Viktor

  4. #4
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    Default

    +1 for Eagle & TI-TINA

    TINA is AWESOME for quick simulations.

  5. #5
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    Default

    Hello,

    For simple projects I use ExpressPCB. It has both schematic and PCB layout software and it is free. Here is a link.

    http://www.expresspcb.com/

    Here are links to some of the boards I have made using ExpressPCB:

    http://www.comx35.com/superboard.html
    http://www.cosmacvip.com/VIP2/VIP2.php



    I also use Pad2Pad for PCBs, no schematic with this one though:

    http://www.pad2pad.com/

    Here are links to some of the boards I have made using Pad2Pad:

    http://www.cosmacvip.com/avi1861/avi1861.html
    http://www.cosmacvip.com/SMVIP/SMVIP.php



    I also use Diptrace for more involved projects. It also has both schematic and PCB layout software. It is not free, but has a 30-day trial with all features and libraries. I use this when I need to generate Gerber file based PCBs.

    http://www.diptrace.com/

    I hope this was helpful,

    ED

  6. #6
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    Default

    +1 for eaglecad.
    LT spice is recommended for advanced circuit simulation and to my recollection is free. *but not super easy to use*

  7. #7
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    Default

    http://www.solidworks.com/sw/product...n/packages.htm

    was looking at this yesterday.. im sure its expensive...
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    -dnar

  8. #8
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    Default

    Solidworks is excellent but not for PCB design, Altium is the way to go for that.

  9. #9
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    Thank you ALL very much. I should have been more clear. this is for design and schematics only (simulated testing of circuits is a plus, but not reqd.). NO pcb design is needed. (yet). Does this change anyones reccs?
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    ILDA- U.S. Laser Regulatory Committee

    Authorized Dealer for:

    • Pangolin Laser Software and Hardware
    • KVANT Laser Modules & Laser Systems
    • X-Laser USA
    • CNI Lasers
    • Cambridge Technology & Eye Magic Professional Scanning Systems

    FDA/CDRH Certified Professional LuminanceRGB Laser Light Show Systems


  10. #10
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    Chicago area, IL
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    Default

    Hey Marc,

    I use AutoDesk AutoCAD Electrical for my schematic design, however, I think it is very expensive. Even AutoCAD light works well, I used then when working for a custom automation house 15 years ago... I would look into AutoCAD light. I've got drawings of 9 and 25 pin D-Subs, power supplies, switches, relays, etc, etc in .dwg format which could be exported to .dxf (like a vector file that any AutoDesk application can read) ....

    If you get a copy of CAD let me know, I can hunt down some symbols that could be useful for designing and documenting projector wiring....

    -Jason

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