schematic drawing

[kaukasion]

what software do you guys use most
whats the easiest?

thanx

[Christer]

Well you do explicitly ask for software, and of course it depends
on the purpose you have. However, in many cases I would say
it is rather a matter of hardware. No software has so far come
even come close to the user-friendliness of pen and paper. You
don't have to jot it down on an old envelope like Bob Pease, any
paper will do.

I have been around in the computer business long enough to
be quite desillusioned about the appropriateness of using computers
for many tasks. All too often they just slow you down and create
an obstacle to creativity. They might be good for producing a
nice-looking final schematic for presentation, though.

[kaukasion]

the software im using is garbage
and i have a schematic on paper i want to share with yall so i can get answers and general help with it

but i dont have a scanner

[Christer]

Originally posted by kaukasion
the software im using is garbage
and i have a schematic on paper i want to share with yall so i can get answers and general help with it

but i dont have a scanner

Ok, without a scanner it is a problem. Otherwise most of us wouldn't
mind a handdrawn schematic. To the contrary, it is quite refreshing
to see that some people still post those.

While it is more than a drawing program, you could use LTSpice,
the freeware Spice implementation from Linear.
www.linear.com/software
I find that GUI more easy to use and get started with than most
others I have seen.
As a bonus you can simulate your circuits if you wish.

[kaukasion]

what version of it should i download?

[Christer]

Originally posted by kaukasion
what version of it should i download?

I think there is only one version. It is called both LTSPice and
SwitcherCAD III. First in the list of software last time I chekced.

[baggystevo82]

Protel DXF's pretty good for schematic capture and PCB design. Quite heavy going software though, but good once you've got the hang of it. Full circuit simulations etc are also possible

[Fred Dieckmann]

Jocko and I use the Micro-Cap 7 demo. It draws good schematics and is very easy to use for schematic capture. I really think that's the best freebie program to do schematics with. I use another expensive program for Spice but it's schematics don't look near as good.
I would probably use Microcap 7 for free Spice if I didn't already have a very good program that I am used to.

http://www.spectrum-soft.com/index.shtm

[kaukasion]

Originally posted by Christer


I think there is only one version. It is called both LTSPice and
SwitcherCAD III. First in the list of software last time I chekced.

i cant figure out how to draw a transformer in it?

[kaukasion]

well here is what i was wanting to do
i like that program very easy for beginners thank you

i was picking apart a very small powersupply just for practice
i drew a schematic of what it looked like was going on
just for practice

i dont know hardly anything
and am a total begginner i just thought that this would be good practice

i havent identified the value of alot of the parts

the R1 is 1/4W 4.7kohm +/- 5%

c1 + c2 seem to be small disc looking capacitors but other than the number 103 on them they tell me nothing yet lol (remember begginner)

c3 is a large cylindrical capacitor black in color top of it has the impression of |<, 10v 6800uf

d1 and d2 seem to just be regular old black diodes

lol anyone wanna help me identify these parts and or point me in the right direction

thanx