I use Visio (an old 2007 version) for my layouts
and FidocadJ for my schematics (a free program with tubes on library and is very easy to add your own components to the library)
very easy to learn to use
you can download it here
http://darwinne.github.io/FidoCadJ/index.html
K
Schematic Software
Moderators: pompeiisneaks, Colossal
Re: Schematic Software
Visio does excellent schematics too! The schematic on page one of the pdf I linked is a Visio drawing. I like the idea of only having to learn one software. FAA likes Visio enough that they have a corporate license. And that enables po folks like me to participate in Microsoft's HUP program. Visio Pro only costs $10 for FAA employees to own one copy for their home use.
Re: Schematic Software
If you can get it for $10, more power to you! 
$280 (or $5 or more a month) for normal folks.
That is a pretty nice schematic. Did you have to create the symbols or are they available?
$280 (or $5 or more a month) for normal folks.That is a pretty nice schematic. Did you have to create the symbols or are they available?
Re: Schematic Software
I retired in 2012 so the MS HUP program is no longer available to me. However, I still know a lot of FAAers that have no use for Visio or MS Office. Perhaps you know someone too! 
All the schematic components (Visio calls them shapes) are included with Visio Pro. Most all the components in my layouts are custom made and available on my website. Visio is loaded with stencils (shapes collections) for almost any diagram you want to create. I've attached a screen shot that shows the Electrical Engineering shapes stencils opened (circled in red). Each of those stencils contains about 30 to 50 individual shapes that can be dropped onto your drawing. On the left is a pane showing a lot of the custom stencils I have made. My "Misc Amp Parts" stencil is open. The schematic in the work area is the same as I posted in the pdf file earlier.
All the schematic components (Visio calls them shapes) are included with Visio Pro. Most all the components in my layouts are custom made and available on my website. Visio is loaded with stencils (shapes collections) for almost any diagram you want to create. I've attached a screen shot that shows the Electrical Engineering shapes stencils opened (circled in red). Each of those stencils contains about 30 to 50 individual shapes that can be dropped onto your drawing. On the left is a pane showing a lot of the custom stencils I have made. My "Misc Amp Parts" stencil is open. The schematic in the work area is the same as I posted in the pdf file earlier.
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Re: Schematic Software
I use SPlan from Abacom Software. It's a small and relatvely cheap german software (49€). There is an english version also. Very simple to learn but not too powerful (no layers, no electrical test, no interfaceto the PCB-SoftwareSPrint, no simulation). Sufficient to make schematics for tube amps and a real schematic editor.
https://www.electronic-software-shop.co ... 607fkj8q94
no, I'm not affiliated with them
it comes with a basic library but there are tube-amp libraries in the community of https://www.tube-town.de/ttforum/index.php (mainly german forum)
in my opinion much better than Visio etc as it it a specific schematic editor
also very good for creating layouts to scale
https://www.electronic-software-shop.co ... 607fkj8q94
no, I'm not affiliated with them
it comes with a basic library but there are tube-amp libraries in the community of https://www.tube-town.de/ttforum/index.php (mainly german forum)
in my opinion much better than Visio etc as it it a specific schematic editor
also very good for creating layouts to scale
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mirage_indigo
- Posts: 84
- Joined: Thu Oct 02, 2014 3:34 pm
- Location: Longmont, CO
Re: Schematic Software
I went through this a year ago when I got back into amp building about a year ago trying to capture my really old hand drawn schematics from the last time I was into amp building 15 years prior. I was looking for something freeish and able to simulate the circuit.
I settled on KiCAD for schematic entry but DIY Layout Creator for the actual useful bits. In fact DIYLC has proved to be the much more useful one of the two since most of my designs are fairly conventional and most of my problems are mechanical (getting things to fit).
KiCAD is great but I found it didn't really have enough tube models to really do the simulation parts I wanted. But the schematic entry part is great and fairly straightforward once you get used to it. I'd also look at LTSpice. People seem to have better luck doing simulations with that one.
The only one to completely avoid (imho) is Eagle CAD which is a trainwreck of UI design bad practices.
I settled on KiCAD for schematic entry but DIY Layout Creator for the actual useful bits. In fact DIYLC has proved to be the much more useful one of the two since most of my designs are fairly conventional and most of my problems are mechanical (getting things to fit).
KiCAD is great but I found it didn't really have enough tube models to really do the simulation parts I wanted. But the schematic entry part is great and fairly straightforward once you get used to it. I'd also look at LTSpice. People seem to have better luck doing simulations with that one.
The only one to completely avoid (imho) is Eagle CAD which is a trainwreck of UI design bad practices.
We build because we must.
Re: Schematic Software
The clue with an intergrated Sch-PCB package, is that when the schematic is done and transferred to layout, all connections - aka netlist- follows, When you then start moving components around, all connections are "rubber banded" and shown as you move things around... make a printout, and -voila- you also have the connections layout for hard wiring....with error correction...... I also use Visio, but to my mind, it is no substitute for a layout system. It does make great graphics, though, for others to follow... or a "build-by-numbers" image....