I'd like some recommendations for free (or even open-source) software to create clean, good-looking schematics and circuit diagrams.
Don't get me wrong, Eagle is great for creating professional documents and designing PCBs, but I was wondering if there are alternatives that can export more aesthetically pleasing schematics for publishing images online, for example.

I'm an Ubuntu user, but I've got Windows installed as well, so that's not really a problem.

Looking forward to your suggestions!
Thanks,
Pieter

 

Have a look at Scheme-it from Digi-Key.

http://www.digikey.com/en/resources/design-tools/design-tools#schemeit

 

Thanks, I've used SchemeIt a couple of times, and it's great for nice-looking, simple analog circuits. However, I couldn't find an option to add digital ICs ...

 

For digital logic, use the standard symbols for gates and flip-flops. For more complex logic, create your own function using rectangular boxes.

 

http://kicad-pcb.org/
http://diptrace.com/download-diptrace/
A few here..

They all allow you to create your own "shapes" for use in the schematic capture part..

 

I've never used it myself, but I've always liked how pictures from Fritzing look:

http://fritzing.org/home/

 

ExpressPCB: https://www.expresspcb.com/free-cad-software/
Free, pretty intuitive to use, good library, easy to create or modify symbols, exports to 300dpt bitmap (I convert to GIFs), helpful forum. Only down side, If you want to make PCBs, you're pretty well locked into their production facilities.

Ken

 

ExpressPCB: https://www.expresspcb.com/free-cad-software/
Free, pretty intuitive to use, good library, easy to create or modify symbols, exports to 300dpt bitmap (I convert to GIFs), helpful forum. Only down side, If you want to make PCBs, you're pretty well locked into their production facilities.

Ken

Thats a HUGE downside though..

 

For schematics my choice is also Kicad. You can then go on to produce a PCB from the schematic output and get connections tested automatically.

I also do like ExpressPCB for toss together schematics, as you can do just that: toss down shapes that are not necessarily proper symbols and still get a good looking output.

Aside: if you go the ExpressPCB way you are not bound to them forever. They will sell you the Gerber files for a price so you can set them free. Not a bad choice for inexpensive prototyping extensible to production quantities.

 

+1 on Kicad, my choice also.
Lots of tutorial's from both Kicad and other sources.
Max.

 

They will sell you the Gerber files for a price so you can set them free. Not a bad choice for inexpensive prototyping extensible to production quantities.

How nice of them
Wonder the cost of such a "service"..

Or just use one of the others and never worry and be able to generate your own gerbers for whatever you want without added costs....

 

How nice of them
Wonder the cost of such a "service"..

Or just use one of the others to start, and never worry and be able to generate your own gerbers for whatever you want without added costs....

It has been several years since I used that service but as I recall we bought a set of production service boards (full mask and silk screen) for around $70. The gerbers were an additional $70, same as another set of boards.

It is nice. It allows you to use a cheap fast and good prototyping service to start your project, then use the very same artwork for production.

I am not recommending doing it this way (I find Kicad a much better program) but may be a good option for some.

 

DesignSpark has unlimited PCB size, multilayer and includes Gerber output, pen-plotter output, PDF output or standard window print commands as output.
Huge library but you can also build your own device. Wide array of suppliers are supporting it including some of the Adafruit-type suppliers with additional libraries of parts and pieces (large caps, switches, pots, trimmers, sub-boards (e.g. ultra-sonic range finder, ...).

The auto-router is not great so I generally do it manually or, on smaller circuits, I completely skip the schematic building and I directly draw my pcb with the icons and copper traces (intuitive and locking connections - copper pours, net lists, ...)

Very nice for a free package.

 

I'd like some recommendations for free (or even open-source) software to create clean, good-looking schematics and circuit diagrams.
Don't get me wrong, Eagle is great for creating professional documents and designing PCBs, but I was wondering if there are alternatives that can export more aesthetically pleasing schematics for publishing images online, for example.

I'm an Ubuntu user, but I've got Windows installed as well, so that's not really a problem.

Looking forward to your suggestions!
Thanks,
Pieter

I use ORCAD. They have a free version. sample attached. Very extensive library of parts.

 

Have a look at Scheme-it from Digi-Key.

http://www.digikey.com/en/resources/design-tools/design-tools#schemeit

I had a look at that one today. But don't you need to be online to use it, at least that is how it seems. And you need to store your work on their site, don't have a problem sharing after I'm done making all my mistakes, but until then I'd like to keep it to myself. MrChips, or anyone else using it, can you tell me if I'm correct on this?

I do like that they have most of their catalog to chose parts from though.

 

I had a look at that one today. But don't you need to be online to use it, at least that is how it seems. And you need to store your work on their site, don't have a problem sharing after I'm done making all my mistakes, but until then I'd like to keep it to myself. MrChips, or anyone else using it, can you tell me if I'm correct on this?

I do like that they have most of their catalog to chose parts from though.

Yes, you are correct. It requires internet access and your design is saved on the cloud. However, it is still private.

Here is an example of the latest thing I created for my DIY Pong blog:

 

MrChips,
No connection dots? What happens if you need to cross, but not connect wires in the schematic?
Ken

 

That's plenty of replies, thank you all!
Pieter

 

Yes, you are correct. It requires internet access and your design is saved on the cloud. However, it is still private.

Can your design be saved to your personal computer? As some one (old?) that has a hard time using CAD, this looks like a pretty easy one to use. Thank you for answering.

 

MrChips,
No connection dots? What happens if you need to cross, but not connect wires in the schematic?
Ken

Something like this?