Found: Schematic drawing software..
- Thread starter Kegger
- Start date
JURB
Super Member
No, they have to be dull or they rip up the napkins.
Some people are using what's called LTSpice. It's Daddy, Pspice is the paid version while LT is the stripped down, free version distributed by Linear Technology, of course with the component library full of what they sell. You can add to the library but it takes more skill. I am not sure if it can handle tubes at all. I can ask.
But LT spice, while it is totally possibly to get a picture of the print, it has a format called .ASC. You have to watch if you do anything else with ASC files because when you install it is going to take that file association. You can probably change that but when you want to send the files to someone else you'll have to rename them.
And why bother ? Because with the .ASC files the program actually draws it and knows what it is, and can do simulations. The files are strictly text and can go in an email not as an attachment, just copy and paste the text, then when you save it you give it whatever extension you are using for LTSpice. I doubt anyone will have a problem with the .ASC files, maybe back in the DOS days, but I got it in XP and Vista, and they got newer versions so I assume they run in newer Windows. Not sure about Linux or Mac.
But the cool thing is the simulation. I think there is another program that can do that called Qucs, which I actually have but have not played with yet so I do not know how to run it. In fact I still have trouble with LTSpice. There are just some things I'll have to learn.
And, if anyone out there uses a regular graphics program to draw schematics, most of them have a straight line function. Don't try to draw a straight line in freehand. If Paint doesn't do it I'll Dropbox an old copy of Pain Shop Pro that does. Also does nice screen captures, respects nothing. Actually fits on a floppy without the help file, which won't run in newer Windows anyway. It is a matter of copying it to the HD in some directory and run the .EXE. Then you need to run it ONCE in administrator mode for it to set the registry, otherwise you get a nag every time you open it.
Some people are using what's called LTSpice. It's Daddy, Pspice is the paid version while LT is the stripped down, free version distributed by Linear Technology, of course with the component library full of what they sell. You can add to the library but it takes more skill. I am not sure if it can handle tubes at all. I can ask.
But LT spice, while it is totally possibly to get a picture of the print, it has a format called .ASC. You have to watch if you do anything else with ASC files because when you install it is going to take that file association. You can probably change that but when you want to send the files to someone else you'll have to rename them.
And why bother ? Because with the .ASC files the program actually draws it and knows what it is, and can do simulations. The files are strictly text and can go in an email not as an attachment, just copy and paste the text, then when you save it you give it whatever extension you are using for LTSpice. I doubt anyone will have a problem with the .ASC files, maybe back in the DOS days, but I got it in XP and Vista, and they got newer versions so I assume they run in newer Windows. Not sure about Linux or Mac.
But the cool thing is the simulation. I think there is another program that can do that called Qucs, which I actually have but have not played with yet so I do not know how to run it. In fact I still have trouble with LTSpice. There are just some things I'll have to learn.
And, if anyone out there uses a regular graphics program to draw schematics, most of them have a straight line function. Don't try to draw a straight line in freehand. If Paint doesn't do it I'll Dropbox an old copy of Pain Shop Pro that does. Also does nice screen captures, respects nothing. Actually fits on a floppy without the help file, which won't run in newer Windows anyway. It is a matter of copying it to the HD in some directory and run the .EXE. Then you need to run it ONCE in administrator mode for it to set the registry, otherwise you get a nag every time you open it.
Kegger
R.I.P. 1/12/1966 - 6/1/2017
I've got spice here to, been using it for years,
I also use it to draw schems and simulation, and was still looking for a schematic drawing program that I preferred to use for that.
DipTrace is easier to use then spice, but it is somewhat similar, Diptrace also has an spice variant built in, as well as pcb making.
As of now I prefer Diptrace for schematic drawing an Multisim for spice simulation.. (I'd also like to make some schems into PCB)
I also use it to draw schems and simulation, and was still looking for a schematic drawing program that I preferred to use for that.
DipTrace is easier to use then spice, but it is somewhat similar, Diptrace also has an spice variant built in, as well as pcb making.
As of now I prefer Diptrace for schematic drawing an Multisim for spice simulation.. (I'd also like to make some schems into PCB)
Kegger
R.I.P. 1/12/1966 - 6/1/2017
UPLOAD TRIAL,Testing to see if converting to PDF gives full resolution when uploaded to AK,
.
EDIT: Yes that does work, so pdf files don't get squashed.. But just uploading a jpg and say full-size image is still squashed as seen here.
(these were both made with Diptrace)