The AM Forum

What do you guys use to draw out schematics on the computer?  Surely there must be some simple schematic CAD like programs out there that includes some libraries of common components and of course TUBES! 

I use either windows (vista) or ubuntu linux.  I want to start on my first homebrew project and want to layout the schematic on the computer.  Any suggestions?  Free of course is nice but I wouldn't mind paying a little for a GOOD easy program.

I use Tubepad and Microsoft Paint. Free.

http://www.qsl.net/wd4nka/TEXTS/Tubepadf.html (http://www.qsl.net/wd4nka/TEXTS/Tubepadf.html)

Someone here pointed me to a free little program called TinyCad. It is simple and has worked great for me. Allows you to create, edit, and export schematics into various formats. Attached is one I did using a circuit that Pete W1VZR suggested to me. It's available at SourceForge:

http://tinycad.sourceforge.net/

I use a commercial program called WinDraft by IVEX. It was even carried by NTE at one time.  Unfortunately IVEX is out of business. Paired with WinBoard it could be used to generate multilayer PCB artwork as well.

Pete

We have been using the DOS program PCAD (PCCAPS/PCCARDS) since the days when a 386 was cutting edge.  (Our first 386 machine for PCAD (ATI) was over $7,000.) The video drivers are not compatible with anything newer than Win 98, so currently, each station has 2 computers and a KVM switch to toggle fron XP to 98.  We are starting to use PADS for new designs, but really, the DOS program still does everything we need it to do.

That tinycad looks interesting.

Okay! I'll check out the tinycad and others but the TubePad bitmap library will certainly help get me started! Thanks!

Tiny Cad is great and I highly recommend it.

However, if you want to go one step farther and are up to defining all the parameters,
LtSpice by Linear Technologies will actually run the project and tell you if it really works.

Mine never do of course but that is another issue.

It's free also and Spice models are available everywhere, except that is for a crystal.  I really wanted to model my Xtal oscillator but for some reason, a crystal seems beyond simulation.

js

I bought a drawing program 10 years ago called Canvas and have been using it and even upgraded. Now owned by Deneba software. It is not really a schematic program but I have developed my own "tubes" and styles of symbols to replicate the styles that you find in the handbook of the 1920's or 1960's. 

Those are really well done Mike. I like the retro look!

You might look at

http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/ExpressSCH-Download-67424.html

I haven't used it yet, but someone recommended to me what they said was a neat and easy schematic drawing program, ExpressSCH, which is a module inside a larger program, ExpressPCB (all freeware).  You can draw a diagram in SCH, file it, and then send it to PCB and they will design a circuit board to match which the company will make for you, if you want.  Or you can just use SCH program.  In it is a library of symbols.  Some are useful, some are not.  For vintage components, you can make your own symbols and save them in the custom library.