Software for Making Circuit Diagrams?

Rod

this might be what you are referring to. It is called TinyCad and does electric schematics.

http://sourceforge.net/projects/tinycad/?_test=b

Ralph

I use TinyCAD here, works great, so Ralph is onto one of the best free suggestions.

Here's a sample done with TinyCAD.

Very impressive thanks John.

I have some time on my hands so I may just give it a whirl.

Does it have built in libraries for common components?

Rod

It has a lot of libraries, and you can make your own symbols.

Thanks John & Ralph;

I downloaded it and have been getting my feet wet. Well just kind of damp actually.

But it does look good, and the libraries of symbols are vast. Some seem repetitive for some reason.

Looks like it will be fun.

Rod

Actually, if you go to the Yahoo group and look at the messages, they ended up with multiple libraries with lots of duplication.  That's the only negative.  I mean to sort mine out someday, but I haven't gotten around to it.

I've been using a program called Dip Trace. It's a lot like TinyCAD. I like it because it's very easy to use, has multiple libraries too. try it---

Well, Dip Trace is hardly in the same league, to get a useful configuration you have to spend money.  The only "free" version is a limited non-profit one, even full capability there is well over $100!

TinyCAD is totally free and works very well.  It also interfaces with a free PCB layout package as a bonus.

I was going to suggest TinyCad but see Ralph and John beat me to it.  For freeware it's tough to beat.

John;

I am intrigued by your sample drawing CAT Locomotive Lighting.

Can you give us a brief rundown of what it does and how it works?

Thanks,

Rod

It was an experiment with controlling a bunch of light combinations with the smoke output.  It mostly works, but when I get a power interruption, it resets.  It worked great on the bench, but in the real world...

Basically, it manages the cab light, the blinking MARS light, and the top mounted classification lights.  I can step through the combinations and light any combination.

I'm planning on a similar circuit with improvements based on what I learned doing this one.  I may just wait until I get up to speed with the PIC processor and use it to save the current configuration in FLASH, that would solve the problem of power interruptions.  I get a kick out of trying new stuff, I was a project manager so long that my EE experience has dulled, time to sharpen it up.

BTW, in reference to the TinyCAD library issue, rename the existing library structure and install just these, see how well it does.  These are the ones that the semi-official librarian was maintaining.

He designed a computer program where by he could put various components into a schematic with their values and the program would test it and show weather it worked or not and would adjust the values to meet his spec's.

Sounds like Spice Circuit Analysis, that's exactly what it does.  I've used it for some analog circuits when I wanted to be more sure of the design before doing the first cut of a PCB.

John,
This guy is fascinating. Whenever I visit Pete he never ceases to amaze me.
It's like he can read a book on something and automatically have a complete understanding of it. He's the only guy I've ever been around like it.
If the guy had 2 hands it'd be scary what he could do.
And even though he's a complete Geek when you ask him a question he can explain it in a way that you can understand. A very amazing guy and a very good friend to have.

David

The talent to explain stuff clearly is a gift, one that I don't always master.   Good friends are always nice to have, and it's hard to find them.

I agree 100% John. That's why you and I hang out here I know I'm guilty of being over excited about wanting to help someone that I forget they don't know much if anything about electricity. But I think if there's any sub forum on this site that's important  it's this one. So far I've had 5 forumites new to trains that e mailed me directly asking questions .Do I mind ?? Heck no I'd post my phone number if I didn't think it might get used for something I don't want.
I think nothing could be worse than A new guy wanting to get his trains up and running and the only thing standing in the way are un answered electrical questions.
So that's why I'm here Oh and the good fellowship
Best
David

I don't know about the other programs but I will take a look that them - thanks.  For wiring diagrams, I have used a free (for non-commercial use) program called Dia.  You can find it at http://live.gnome.org/Dia  Dia is very similar to Microsoft's Visio.

George

Dia looks cool, I didn't know about that one.  I till think that TinyCAD is ideal for circuits, it actually outputs a file for the free layout package FreePCB as well, it's a one-stop-solution to building an electronic board.

Well I have been playing with Tinycad a little now, and it seems to work pretty well. I have made a few simple schematics that previously were only paper and pencil.

One thing I noticed; it tends to leave an assortment of autosave files all over the place, and it does not clean up after itself. You need to go into the folder every so often and clean out all the old autosave files manually.

Also I can't seem to change the rev number in the title block for some reason?

Otherwise it works well; especially for free.

How do you make a custom component?

Rod

Mine just leaves the .autosave files in the single folder, it's never been a problem.

To change the title block contents, File, Design Details, you can change it there.

From a Google search.

Re: [tinycad] How to create new symbols?

Libraries > (Select existing library or create a new one) > Edit Button > Symbol Menu > New or Edit Selected... from this point forward, once you start drawing your symbol, a prompt to save your new or edited symbol will appear, if you try to exit the drawing pane.

I've created a number of symbols by starting with an existing symbol, which is the easiest way.

Here's a PDF TinyCAD User's Manual

I use Smart draw to do the diagrams for my layouts

The program I use to draw scematic diagrams is called ExpressSCH. It has an extensive library of both active and passive components. It is available as a free download from ExpressPCB.com.

Another good reason to use TinyCAD is you can use FreePCB with it, and that interfaces with FreeRouting a web-based autorouter.

I'm the lazy type, and manually routing the board is a bother.