[sdiy] Free Electronics CAD/Simulation program?

[ryan williams]

Pspice student version: no longer offered, but can probably still be 
found online with a little bit of work. This is probably the best one 
you can get free. has a limit on simulation size.

Circuit Maker Student: I often use this one for quick tests. limited to 
50 components

Simetrix: this one is pretty nice, but the number of nodes is limited. 
It is really limited though because things like opamps are subcircuits 
and each node inside the parts are counted.

LTspice: a completely free (no limitation) spice program. I'd go with 
this one, but I just don't like the user interface. has a very active 
yahoo group.

-ryan williams

Josh Henne wrote:
> Hello All;
> 
> I have a bunch of module schematics I'd like to build,  but I am unsure 
> if the schematics are drawn correctly since there are no dots or 
> "curves" to indicate which "wires" are joined or overlap. So before I 
> blow a few components on a breadboard I'd like to see if I can simulate 
> or verify the circuit in some sort of CAD program to check for errors. 
> Is there anything that's free that can do this? I realise it might be 
> hard to simulate certain IC's especially if it's something older.
> 
> BTW what's a good tool for cutting/punching out perfect rectangular or 
> square holes in panels.. say If I want rectangular LEDs instead of 
> round?... what I wouldn't do for a CNC cadcam machine......
> 
> Josh