OT: Software to do block/wiring diagram?

[Bruce Thompson-4]

Sorry for the off topic post but I know the knowledge is out on this list.

 

I'm looking for some software that I can use to create block diagrams for
electronic setups.  Station wiring is just one example.  I would like it to
be able to show things like grounds and pull up resistors too but it doesn't
need to be able to do full schematic capture or PC board layout.  Willing to
pay a few bucks if that helps.  Any suggestions?  

 

Bruce KG0SH

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

[Mike S-8]

At 01:42 PM 3/7/2008, Bruce Thompson wrote...
>I'm looking for some software that I can use to create block diagrams
>for
>electronic setups.

OpenOffice is free ( http://www.openoffice.org/ ), and the Draw
application can do what you want. You can create common symbols and
save them to the gallery for reuse.

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

[Don Wilhelm-4]

Bruce,

As has been mentioned, the Draw application of Open Office could be
used.  But if you need something more schematic related, I suggest the
schematic drawing program from ExpressPCB
http://www.expresspcb.com/ExpressPCBHtm/Free_schematic_software.htm.  
That program will handle multisheet drawings and can link signal lines
from one sheet to another.  It is easy to draw rectangles or just about
any shape you want.  Lots of possibilities.

73,
Don W3FPR

Bruce Thompson wrote:

> Sorry for the off topic post but I know the knowledge is out on this list.
>
>  
>
> I'm looking for some software that I can use to create block diagrams for
> electronic setups.  Station wiring is just one example.  I would like it to
> be able to show things like grounds and pull up resistors too but it doesn't
> need to be able to do full schematic capture or PC board layout.  Willing to
> pay a few bucks if that helps.  Any suggestions?  
>
>
>  

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

[John W2XS]

"I'm looking for some software that I can use to create block diagrams for
electronic setups. "

I like the program RF Flow.  It costs $50 to purchase.

http://www.rff.com/

A trial version is available with a limited number of components allowed.

73,

John W2XS

[Tom Hammond-2]

Hi Bruce:

>I'm looking for some software that I can use to create block diagrams for
>electronic setups.  Station wiring is just one example.  I would like it to
>be able to show things like grounds and pull up resistors too but it doesn't
>need to be able to do full schematic capture or PC board layout.  Willing to
>pay a few bucks if that helps.  Any suggestions?

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

I've used it quite a bit. It's easy to use, even for the beginner, and
allows you to (relatively easily) create your own 'objects' for things
it doesn't already have in its library.

73,

Tom   N0SS

_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com

[Kevin Cozens-2]

Bruce Thompson wrote:
> I'm looking for some software that I can use to create block diagrams for
> electronic setups.  Station wiring is just one example.

Since you won't be doing full blown detailed schematics, you have a lot of
choices. You can use a simple drawing program such as OpenOffice Draw, or dia.

Under Linux you could use gschem (from the gEDA set of programs), EagleCAD,
KiCad (I've only just discovered this one), or WinQCad (via WINE). Under
Windows you could use EagleCAD, KiCad, or WinQCad.

I use WinQCad 38.0 (http://www.winqcad.com/). Of the programs I have looked at
it was the easiest program to use, didn't have the (board size) restrictions
of EagleCad, has a small but useful set of part libraries to start using it,
can output PDF copies of your schematics, and the 499 pin limit only comes in
to play when you want to use the PCB layout tools.

I started using it to import and/or recreate several schematics originally
done in a very old copy of Orcad (for DOS) which including creating a few
parts not in the supplied libraries. I even made one 8 page schematic which
documents one panel of an LED sign system I acquired.

I will be evaluating KiCad when I have some spare time. I won't be switching
to it yet. From what I've seen so far, there isn't a (known to me) method for
importing my existing schematics and/or my own part libraries.

--
Cheers!

Kevin.

http://www.ve3syb.ca/           |"What are we going to do today, Borg?"
Owner of Elecraft K2 #2172      |"Same thing we always do, Pinkutus:
                                 |  Try to assimilate the world!"
#include <disclaimer/favourite> |              -Pinkutus & the Borg
_______________________________________________
Elecraft mailing list
Post to: [hidden email]
You must be a subscriber to post to the list.
Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.):
 http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft   

Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm
Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com