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Simple schematic diagramming software
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SiliconWizard:

--- Quote from: Doctorandus_P on May 20, 2020, 10:12:09 pm ---
--- Quote from: galvanix on May 20, 2020, 09:02:58 pm ---Obviously drawing stuff up in KiCad and exporting it won't look nearly as neat as these diagrams so I was wondering which software was used to do that.

--- End quote ---
I do not agree at all with this. KiCad's default schematic symbols are simple and practical, but KiCad has enough flexibility to make a schematic look much alike to what is shown here. You would just have to experiment a bit with line widths and make some loops on the inductor symbols and other small things like that.

I have not found a way to use another font in KiCad, but KiCad's font looks very similar to the font used in these pictures anyway.

--- End quote ---

Yes, KiCad can export in various formats including vector graphics (EPS, SVG, PDF...) which is IMO mandatory for publishing. You can set the export to B&W, and frankly it looks nice.
Sure you may want to design your own symbols (at least for some parts), but other than that, it's now perfectly usable IMO.
Regarding the font - that's IMO the only culprit so far. It's definitely not good IMHO for on-screen display (unless you use high zoom levels). For exporting/printing, it's OK, but it sure would be nice to be able to use other fonts - especially truetype fonts. I think this is going to be available in KiCad 6.x.

One schematic editor that allows to draw nice looking schematics is sPlan. It's not free, but not expensive. The schematics can look close to the typical Elektor ones.

There are also a few LaTeX packages, for people using LaTeX. You can get very nice results, but of course it's a bit tedious, and if you don't otherwise use LaTeX, probably not worth it. Just thought I would mention that though, and I know a few people here use that, they can probably show you some examples.
GlennSprigg:
Everyone raves (or did!) about Spice/LTSpice etc.  For the uninitiated, it can appear like the Cockpit
of a Jumbo Jet, and 'Runs' by way of a short sampling of time, after you 'design' it, for your data.

However, I personally love "Circuit Wizard", that allows you to design virtually any circuit you like,
as in your example images. It has a massive array of components/data to use/modify, and can run
it continuously in Real-Time. While running, you can hover the mouse over any component/wire, and
see all the respective voltages & currents, etc.

The beauty of it, is that you can instruct it to create the final PCB for you too. Auto-arranging all the
components/tracks, and considering all the on-board & off-board components. This final view is photo
realistic with the board, and all components, and can be 'run' in this visual mode too!!

Here's a 'before' image while designing a schematic...

Here's an 'after' image, with auto PCB creation!...

You can 'run' and 'edit' it in real time from the 2nd mode above, also! And add any externals as shown.
And you can 'print' your PCB layout, with overlays, from numerous views...   ;D

P.S.   Here's the example PCB Artwork!!...
engrguy42:
Yeah, I've had my eye on Circuit Wizard for a while. It has that slick real time adjustment of component values during a simulation that LTSpice doesn't have.  |O

I recall one of the issues was that I could never find out exactly WHO the developer is. I think I saw a few commercial versions around for vastly different prices. Like $70 for one and $300 for another, but seemingly identical versions (educational, 1 user, etc.). And I recall there was squat in terms of youtube videos on it. Except for the standard "how to crack the software" nonsense.

Any idea who the legit developer and seller is?
Messtechniker:
Been using Splan from Abacom for ages.
See screenshot example. Printouts do not have steps.
GlennSprigg:

--- Quote from: engrguy42 on May 21, 2020, 03:16:22 pm ---Yeah, I've had my eye on Circuit Wizard for a while. It has that slick real time adjustment of component values during a simulation that LTSpice doesn't have.  |O

I recall one of the issues was that I could never find out exactly WHO the developer is. I think I saw a few commercial versions around for vastly different prices. Like $70 for one and $300 for another, but seemingly identical versions (educational, 1 user, etc.). And I recall there was squat in terms of youtube videos on it. Except for the standard "how to crack the software" nonsense.

Any idea who the legit developer and seller is?

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Hi there...
"Circuit wizard" is the current flagship product of...
https://www.new-wave-concepts.com/ed/circuit.html
YES, there are 'Educational' versions, and people can also find 'others'.
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