Schematic capture software

Tom Ligon · Post by **Tom Ligon** » Mon Nov 15, 2010 12:38 am

Can anyone recommend a good inexpensive or free schematic capture package?

I'm used to OrCad, though not a big fan, but I need something for home projects. Nothing very fancy. I usually whitewire boards but might consider having boards made so a PCB art add-on might be a nice option.

I see no shortage of options on the internet available for download, not a few of which have big red Xs beside them due to my antivirus software flagging them. That's a big reason I'm after a recommendation.

FredG · Post by **FredG** » Mon Nov 15, 2010 5:47 am

I have used Eagle by CadSoft for years, the free version lets you make any size schematic as long as it is on one sheet and up to 3" X 4" board

MSimon · Post by **MSimon** » Mon Nov 15, 2010 7:33 am

I have been using Tiny CAD for about a year. I like it. Not too hard for an OrCAD user to learn. Interfaces to PCB mfg co board software.

They have a nice e-mail user group and best of all I can answer quite a few questions.

It has some quirks. i.e. pin numbers are on the "wrong" side of the pin. You get used to it. Also the connection point to the pin has a little circle which was not there in earlier versions. So that helps.

Tom Ligon · Post by **Tom Ligon** » Mon Nov 15, 2010 5:04 pm

I see the Tiny CAD user's manual is written for the way engineers usually use manuals!

http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/t ... ser_manual

krenshala · Post by **krenshala** » Tue Nov 16, 2010 12:32 am

FredG wrote:I have used Eagle by CadSoft for years, the free version lets you make any size schematic as long as it is on one sheet and up to 3" X 4" board

I can second this one, as my coworker used it to work up a small board for a project he was working on. I toyed around in it, helping him optimize the component placements, and it was quite easy to work with. There were a few things that (mildly) annoyed me about the app (some of the snap-to-grid behaviors, primarily) but nothing that can't be worked around relatively easily.

hanelyp · Post by **hanelyp** » Tue Nov 16, 2010 2:58 am

I'll also second Eagle.

Tom Ligon · Post by **Tom Ligon** » Tue Nov 16, 2010 3:33 pm

Thanks! I downloaded Eagle last night on the freeware license, which should cover my occasion needs for my solar and nuclear projects. So far I've managed to put a relay, resistor, comparator, and voltage regulator on the drawing. It took a little while to figure out which teensy little icon substitutes for the "Place Part" menu option in OrCad, and then that it takes two more steps to both select the specific part and the PCB footprint.

At least I don't have to worry about a large corporation bugging me about a release process to get the parts I want into a massive database, making a bill of materials, passing qualification tests, etc. I'll just order the parts and heat up the iron. I miss that kind of electronics.