Free software for simple diagrams?

[cs.dk]

What do you guys use?

It's not for PCB-design or schematics in that way.. More like a couple of relays, switches, automotive stuff, etc. I've tried a lot that showed up on google, but thats free-trial for 30-days, etc.. There must be some simple freeware tool, i just don't use the correct search term.

Any hints?

[elgonzo]

I wonder when someone is going to suggest Libre Office.
(Not sure if there are clip-art collections available for your needs and whether that would be of importance to you...)

[JPortici]

my very first pcb, i drew it while in high school, a relay module for a PLC
i used autocad.

you can use whatever you want, even ms paint.
however, i suggest it has the possibility to type the lenght/width of segments (so a CAD software of some kind).

[PChi]

I have used http://www.3ds.com/products-services/draftsight-cad-software/free-download/ to draw up a wiring diagram for a car. It isn't ideal becuase it doesn't have any concept of nets but it is flexible.
It's possible to create crude symbols quickly in LTSpice. I have also used it and  drawn relays, fuses and that type of component.

[rx8pilot]

This is my go-to solution for block diagrams, flow charts, etc. Super easy and free if you don't need too much. I eventually went 'pro' which allows more complex diagrams.

https://www.lucidchart.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=eta_lucidchart_unitedstates&gclid=Cj0KEQjw4rbABRD_gfPA2-uQqroBEiQA58MNdF0G1bRdIGExJG4Fl1dJKJsf5tr1-g9zM_UYpuS-KsQaAnBE8P8HAQ

[Ammar]

I use Xcircuit and Kicad which are both free and open source.

[Cliff Matthews]

Wiki lists a few more under "Programs for drawing circuits"
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:WikiProject_Electronics/Programs

[Legionary]

Perhaps Dia would meet your needs?
http://wiki.gnome.org/Apps/Dia/

Open source, free, fairly full-featured, and has binaries for just about every major platform.

[tautech]

Here's one I got told about only today:
https://www.proficad.com/

ProfiCAD Home is free for non-commercial use and can be used indefinitely.

version: 9.0.2
size: 7.59 MB
released:10/15/2016

If you install it do report your findings.

[hamster_nz]

Dia ( https://wiki.gnome.org/Apps/Dia/ ) is pretty good for "things with connected arrows" sort of diagrams. It runs on multiple platforms too.

[stj]

eaglecad has no limitations on schematic size in "free" mode.

[ebclr]

http://dia-installer.de/

[Farley]

I've heard good things about TinyCAD. However, I have not used it.
https://sourceforge.net/projects/tinycad/

DipTrace has a free version and includes a schematic editor (this is what I use).
http://diptrace.com/

[JohnG]

For quick and dirty diagrams, I use LTspice. It's fast, relatively easy to make new parts, and I'm familiar with it. Also, I often make diagrams from simulations, so it's a matter of cleaning something up for documentation, presentation, or publication.

If I want really nice looking, simple diagrams for explaining concepts in presentations or publications, I have found Libreoffice to be a good tool. I have done this for many years. I have set up a template with a 1 cm grid, and have a library of parts for such diagrams. Some benefits of this approach include import and export of many formats, both vector and bitmap, inclusion of photos and other graphic elements, multi-page documents if you want several version of a diagram, or if you want multiple figures in one file. There have been some gotchas and glitches over the years, and it's not perfect, but it works for me. I can paste EMFs into Word (a god-awful, terrible, horrible, buggy POS) or Powerpoint (actually ok), or generate PDFs for use in LaTeX.

I've tried Inkscape a few times. Very nice images, but I found that I have become dependent on multi-page documents, so until that happens, it's back to Libreoffice.

Finally, for exact schematics of a PCB design, I suggest you use whatever tool you use for PCB design. I use Altium Summer 2009. I find the schematic entry for this to be way more difficult and slower than LTspice, but it could be possible that the latest Altium is better.

[KMoffett]

ExpressPCB is a good, free schematic program. Pretty intuitive, good parts library, and easy to make new (odd) part symbols.
https://www.expresspcb.com/free-cad-software/

Ken

[Cliff Matthews]

OP stated, "It's not for PCB-design or schematics".. Perhaps the Dia Shape Repository may help (if/when) the op revisits the post?
http://dia-installer.de/shapes/index.html.en
Also, DiaShapes installs other lib packages: http://dia-installer.de/diashapes/index.html

[cs.dk]

Wow, what a massive reply. Thanks

I'll try out the links/software, and return back

[cs.dk]

Will have to evaluate the software for a longer time. But for now it looks like Dia + shapes, or ProfiCAD could be a winner.

Thanks for all advices

[tautech]

Will have to evaluate the software for a longer time. But for now it looks like Dia + shapes, or ProfiCAD could be a winner.

Thanks for all advices

Wow, thanks.
I made that  ProfiCAD recommendation based on high praise for it from a sparky mate, he uses ProfiCAD for drawing up "as built" diagrams.
As it happens I need to draw up some reverse engineering in the next few days so I better grab it and give it a try.
Thanks for the feedback.