PC Schematic/PCB/Simulation FOR FREE!

Thu Aug 7 16:33:42 CEST 1997

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Date: Thu, 7 Aug 1997 10:05:53 -0400 (EDT)
From: Tony Clark <clark at andrews.edu>
To: Synth-DIY <synth-diy at horus.sara.nl>
Subject: Re: PC Schematic/PCB/Simulation FOR FREE!
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     List, and Tony,

     Good comments.  But what you have got to realise is that, no matter 
     how much you pay for a package, to someone it will "suck".

     Some of us on this list might have had the opportunity (or misfortune) 
     to play with the Cadence Allegro Schematic/PCB system.  When I played 
     around with it I didn't like it, much too complicated for me - all I 
     wanted to do was design small embedded microcontroller systems.  The 
     300,000 UK pounds price tag, and 30,000 UK pounds PER YEAR maintenance 
     fee, also left a sour taste in my mouth.

     As for the MicroSim package, I think that for free software it's 
     probably the best around.  And anyway, if you can successfully 
     navigate the MicroSim programs you should be able to use the other PCB 
     CAD systems on the market without too much head-scratching.

     Neil
     ----

     +---------------------------+-----------------------------+
      Neil Johnson               * All thoughts and opinions
      Cambridge Consultants Ltd  * expressed here are my own.
      email: nj at camcon.co.uk     * Heck, even _I_ don't believe
      http://www.camcon.co.uk    * what I say at times.....
     +---------------------------+-----------------------------+ 

______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: PC Schematic/PCB/Simulation FOR FREE!
Author:  Tony Clark <clark at andrews.edu> at Internet-PO
Date:    07/08/97 10:05

>     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

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