CAD program for schematics

[N8YX]

What's a nice, fully featured, free one?

I have a number of hand-drawn schematics which I would like to share with the homebrew crowd but I don't think you folks would relish the idea of deciphering my hand-drawn chicken scratchings.

[WØTKX]

I tend to prefer regular CAD programs for that, but then you have to build a "library" of schematic parts.
That being said, Google Sketchup is pretty damn good. I have Sketchup Pro, as I dabble in 3D.

Here are a couple of other choices, that I have heard about, but not used:

http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/tinycad/index.php?title=TinyCAD

http://www.expresspcb.com/expresspcbhtm/download.htm

[PA5COR]

Free: http://www.expresspcb.com/ExpressPCBHtm/Download.htm

[kf0rt]

I've used the expresspcb software. It's decent for smaller projects (including PCB layout). I'm not sure if it'll handle multi-page schematics, though.

[ad4mg]

I'm weak on schematics (I can draw the living hell outta piping ISO's in AutoCad), but I've toyed with TinyCad. Awesome software, hard to believe it's free!

[N2CHX]

I've used Qcad and Pcad. Qcad I got about 12 years ago and it was like $30. I used it for designing the MarketMinder prototypes from start to finish. Pcad was free. Not sure if it's even still available. Linux comes with some CAD software that I've dinked with and seemed pretty decent. Haven't used CAD software in a while so can't remember any names offhand.

[N2CHX]

I guess there is a different QCAD available now. This is the one I used: http://www.free-downloads-center.com/download/qcad-schematics-and-pcb-v12-5-2362.html

Looks like P-CAD is obsoleted as well: http://www.altium.com/community/downloads/legacy_p-cad.cfm

Oh well. Sorry I can't help you more, but I did find the Linux packages I was thinking of: Kicad and Geda.

[XE1/N5AL]

I use Eagle PCB ( http://www.cadsoftusa.com/ ). Their free download lets you do single sheet schematics (and small PCBs). There is also special hobbyist pricing, for non-commercial uses, that expands on the free download capabilities. Commercial users pay quite a bit more for their license.

[XE1/N5AL]

I've used the expresspcb software. It's decent for smaller projects (including PCB layout). I'm not sure if it'll handle multi-page schematics, though.
I've never used the free expresspcb software. It might be good for schematics; but, if you follow through with a PCB layout, I believe you are locked into using their board manufacturing service.

[kf0rt]

I've heard good things about Eagle.

Kind of got hooked up with ExpressPCB because of their 3-board deal. 3 boards for $59, express delivery. They're a specific size (pretty small), but seemed to be the best deal going for the kind of stuff I've played with. Use it more for PCB layout than schematics, so it doesn't solve Fred's question.

[kf0rt]

I've never used the free expresspcb software. It might be good for schematics; but, if you follow through with a PCB layout, I believe you are locked into using their board manufacturing service.

I believe that's true. It's been a few years, but from what I remember, I couldn't find a better PCB deal using other software, so I've stuck with ExpressPCB. The $59 PCB deal requires their software (in fact, you place your order within their PCB program).

Seems decent for small projects though and the PCB software will node-check against the schematic.

I've done 3 PCB runs through them and so far, all the mistakes have been mine. :lol:

[N1LAF]

I don't know how I missed this posting...

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