electrical CAD software

[Rickertsen2]

I'm looking for a CAD program that does wiring diagrams. I'm working on an engine swap for a Fiero and need to be able to plan things out. Any suggestions from the vast knowlege base of CDers heads?

This is obviously not for FIRST, but such a program would be great for FIRST bot wiring as well so i think it is relevant.

[Arefin Bari]

Originally Posted by Rickertsen2

I'm looking for a CAD program that does wiring diagrams. I'm working on an engine swap for a Fiero and need to be able to plan things out. Any suggestions from the vast knowlege base of CDers heads?

This is obviously not for FIRST, but such a program would be great for FIRST bot wiring as well so i think it is relevant.

Came up when I searched in Google...

[Matt Krass]

I've had great success with CadSoft EAGLE software. It does schematics and PCB layouts as well, and they have a well featured freeware version.

Here's the site: http://www.cadsoft.de/

I highly recommend it. I use it for all of my projects.

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by Matt Krass

I've had great success with CadSoft EAGLE software.

I like Eagle, too. It's especially good for simple PC boards, and it also works well if you just need to draw a wiring diagram.

When you need small quantities of PC boards, say 1-10 pieces, Eagle is a very popular way define what you want so you can get prices and enter orders with online suppliers.

[Chris_Elston]

If depends on what kind of schematics?

Circuit Board level? Or Hard wiring type?

Circuit Board level Eagle works well and it's a free download.

Hard wiring type, I used AutoCad Electrical 2004. I dunno if that was included in the KOP or not last year, but it works well.

Here are some of my example prints:
http://forums.mrplc.com/index.php?download=186

http://forums.mrplc.com/index.php?download=185

AutoCad Menu system free download. Installs into your AutoCad for electrical symbols. Made by me.
http://forums.mrplc.com/index.php?download=146




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[sciguy125]

I've been using Kicad. It's similar to Eagle, but open source.

[Rickertsen2]

Originally Posted by Chris_Elston

If depends on what kind of schematics?

Circuit Board level? Or Hard wiring type?

I'm looking for something to do wires/connectors/black boxes level designs. Maybie i will try to learn Autocad Electrical. Eagle is great but really not suited for this purpose.

[RyanN]

Originally Posted by Rickertsen2

I'm looking for something to do wires/connectors/black boxes level designs. Maybie i will try to learn Autocad Electrical. Eagle is great but really not suited for this purpose.

I use Visio. It suits our needs well, although it's hard to get used to.

[Joe Ross]

We used Powerpoint for this on our team. It gets unweildy for larger drawings or where you have to make a lot of changes, but many more people have it then other programs.

As for schematics and such, I used the demo of Orcad while at school, which helped a lot when I got into industry. http://www.cadence.com/products/si_p...emo/index.aspx

[Qbranch]

This beats em all for electronic design. Its TOTTALLY FREE and incorporates a SPICE simulator. So, it helps out a lot with the math.



Here's a direct link to the download: http://ltspice.linear.com/software/swcadiii.exe

Here's a link to LinearTechnology's website: http://www.linear.com

You'll be amazed how good this is for a free circuit simulator. PM me with any ?'s/comments you might have.

-Q

[KenWittlief]

Originally Posted by RyanN

I use Visio. It suits our needs well, although it's hard to get used to.

ditto - I think you can download a free 30 use version, and I know all the teams use to get a copy

use the basic block diagram, and lines with arrow heads - for a wiring diagram its perfect.

[FIRST JerseyKid]

For analog curcuits I like 5Spice, its tough to do some stuff without buying it, its another SPICE simulator.

For digital I like logic works, you can do anything digital in logicworks.

[woody]

expresspcb.com has a nice schematic layout program, including a number of pre-made connectors, ic's, passive components, etc. They also allow you to create your own components. It may be worth a look.

[Matt Krass]

Originally Posted by woody

expresspcb.com has a nice schematic layout program, including a number of pre-made connectors, ic's, passive components, etc. They also allow you to create your own components. It may be worth a look.

I've used their program, it's not bad, it's not great either, often times I found myself fighting with it. Then when I finished the PCB, I had no way of easily getting it out of the program. It uses a proprietary file format, and watermarks all the printouts so you can't etch your own board. It's only good for ordering from Express PCB, which is a bit pricey for someone who already has the etching stuff available.

Eagle is cross platform as well, and the professional version has a nice autorouter for PCB layouts, and many PCB fabrication companies accept Eagle files.