PC Schematic/PCB/Simulation FOR FREE!

[Tony Clark]

>     I've been watching the "free design software" thread for a few days 
>     now, and am mildly surprised that no one has mentioned the MicroSim 
>     evaluation CD.
>     
>     Who the hell are MicroSim?  The people who designed PSpice - the 
>     widely available (and expensive) SPICE circuit simulator for the PC 
>     platform.
     
   Well whatever they are famous for, it certainly isn't their circuit 
software!  The engineering department tried to convince me to use it for 
the Printed Circuits class I taught last year and I have to admit, I 
really hated it!  Hated it so much it boiled down to me basically wanting 
to NOT teach the class unless they actually bought OrCAD.
   My main complaints?  The parts library is rather goofily organized.  
Transistors aren't referenced "nicely".  Neither are off page 
connectors.  In fact, their connector library bites.
   Second, their routing program is hideous to use.  Menus aren't well 
organized and cryptic.  The program can't handle as many CAD formats 
either, so I couldn't port OrCAD stuff into it.  Strange.
   But really, I'm spoiled, having worked with a ten grand program.  :)  
As far as free goes, Microsim may be a godsend.  But it is still a pretty 
darn expensive program if you have to buy it.
   And on the downside, I had all sorts of problems with OrCAD during my 
classes.  We were using the "cheaper" program due to budget constraints, 
not the full professional version, and man, what a difference!  There 
were so many bugs and problems, I spent half the quarter straightening 
them out!
   Oh well.  If I have to teach the class again, I'll definately fair 
better.  :)

   Tony

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I can't drive (my Moog) 55!
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Tony Clark -- clark at andrews.edu 
http://aupe.phys.andrews.edu/~clark
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