I heard that TINA is a pretty good "Free" simulator from TI. I went to TI and found it and downloaded it, it installed fine. Then I found that that TINA is actually here at its own site.

That site offers v14 so I looked at the one I installed yesterday and it was v 9.X, so I just uninstalled that, its clearly somewhat dated. I was under the impression that TINA was developed and provided by TI but then I find "DesignSoft" which sells TINA and they make no mention at all of TI or any partnership with TI.

Now, on the TINA website it talks about a "demo" but is that the same as "free"? there's no mention - as such - of free so I'm now totally confused! Nor does the TINA site actually define "demo" in fact the website itself is a bit lackluster, feels a bit amateurish.

 

I've used TINA but not that familiar with it.
Most of us here use, and are most familiar with, the free LTspice simulator from Analog Devices.

 

I've used TINA but not that familiar with it.
Most of us here use, and are most familiar with, the free LTspice simulator from Analog Devices.

OK Buddy, that's good enough for me - let me download that instead...

Thanks

 

I just tried Tina, using the Demo version. Tried it with a logic gate circuit very simple, yet it didnt behave as expected, so I changed circuit to go even more simple. Two switches connected in parallel, one end to positive battery, the other to a voltmeter, and the negative battery terminal straight to the negative of the voltmeter. With just one of the switches closed, the other open it said 0V, which is nonsense, with the other closed as well it told me I was overloading the switches.
This simulator should emulate what a real circuit would do. Might have bought it if it simulated properly, but this is just useless.

Will give that LTSpice simulator a go as mentioned above, and see if thats any better.

 

Hi SSpo,
The LTSpice sim is a very useful piece of kit, lots of users here, so lotsa help avaible.
E

 

LTspice is very good, but takes a bit of getting used to. Do read the included Help to get you going. Plenty of tutorials online too. Third party Spice models can be added. There's also a User Group at groups.io.

 

I also tried TINA, but there was something, which I don’t recall now, that made me abandon it. I kept using LTSpice.

As others have mentioned, LTSpice has become the default simulation tool.
Very capable software, although its user interface takes a while to get used to.

To Analog Device’s credit, when they purchased Linear Technology they continued to support LTSpice and expand its library. Also on the AD website they have greatly improved the documentation and help functions.

Plus, as others have mentioned, the program is so ubiquitous that you can ask a question in this or any other electronics forums, and someone will be able to assist you.