I want to start using simulator. I work for a school and can get a discount on multisum, but I see many use LTSpice. Which should I invest my learning time to. I dont care about the learning curve, don't want to waste my time. Running out of brain power.

 

I want to say up front I don't use either or any of them. But since most people on most forums use LTSpice I'd go with that. Especially if you want to ask forum members to look at your work.

 

I want to start using simulator. I work for a school and can get a discount on multisum, but I see many use LTSpice. Which should I invest my learning time to. I dont care about the learning curve, don't want to waste my time. Running out of brain power.

I've used LTspice, it's not a big learning curve. On the Yahoo Spice Forums you can get a lot of help, they have Libraries you can download to assist you with many parts you would otherwise not have. It's free runs on Mac or PC I'm not sure if they have a flavor for Linux. There are a lot of folks who can assist when you need help here on this forum.

kv

 

I want to say up front I don't use either or any of them. But since most people on most forums use LTSpice I'd go with that. Especially if you want to ask forum members to look at your work.

Good point, this is just for fun, nothing serious.

 

I've used LTspice, it's not a big learning curve. On the Yahoo Spice Forums you can get a lot of help, they have Libraries you can download to assist you with many parts you would otherwise not have. It's free runs on Mac or PC I'm not sure if they have a flavor for Linux. There are a lot of folks who can assist when you need help here on this forum.

kv

The assistance is the determining factor. Thanks much.

 

Good point, this is just for fun, nothing serious.

But that is usually what people new to electronics are doing too. Just makes it easier for all concerned. The members that understand the simulators are willing to help and that is great!

 

In my opinion, you should invest your time experimenting with LTspice. It is a very complete simulator, with many parts available. Of course most of them are from Linear Technology, but you can easily import foreign parts. After all, it is spice. As an alternative, you could give TINA-TI a try. Or why not, give both a try.

Anyway, there is no better simulator than a breadboard (for low frequency stuff, anyway), and sure nothing beats a real circuit. Of course, this last solution costs plenty of money should things fail, but you can always green wire and cut traces. In my long experience in electronics design, I can count the one or two times I had to use a simulator.

Kind regards, Samuel Lourenço

 

The assistance is the determining factor. Thanks much.

Ya, I got a lot of help. I just did a one off circuit diagram to prove if someone else's design would work. Since many people tried and failed, I decided to virtual the thing. Problem was no one had the chip I needed for the oscillations, it was a pretty fun circuit to play with, @SgtWookie made one for me or he had built the part earlier.

kv

Edit: Here is the plasma speaker I made once I knew it would work.

 

Ya, I got a lot of help. I just did a one off circuit diagram to prove if someone else's design would work. Since many people tried and failed, I decided to virtual the thing. Problem was no one had the chip I needed for the oscillations, it was a pretty fun circuit to play with, @SgtWookie made one for me or he had built the part earlier.

kv

Edit: Here is the plasma speaker I made once I knew it would work.

Here are some of the files I used plus the people on ETO that assisted also.

https://www.electro-tech-online.com...e-transformer-help.138524/page-2#post-1148958

 

I work for a school and can get a discount on multisum, but I see many use LTSpice.

Why limit yourself to one? IMO, LTspice is better at analog than digital. Every digital schematic I've seen from LTspice looked retarded and most of the analog too. For a better looking schematic, I use Eagle.

Multisim is better at digital than analog. I tried the free version (MultisimBlue), but it was retarded (didn't have enough commercial components) and the "auto" router is brain dead.

For digital, I use DigitalWorks. It's free and you can create your own components. It isn't without it deficiencies, but better I prefer it over Multisim.

I use LTspice occasionally for analog simulations, but my preference is to use the simulator between my ears. I make an exception for digital because it's faster than wiring components on a breadboard.

 

I use ADIsimPE. Analog Devices. They, having bought Linear Technology, are
trying to steer folks towards LTC.

But I found LTC is OK, thats it. Whereas probing ease in ADIsimPE seems to be
a lot easier, and graphing setup.

I use them both, LTC when I have to. I also use Circuit Maker 2000, old version,
mainly it has a fairly large legacy library which I find useful. I found it free on web,
cannot remember where.


Regards, Dana.

 

Thanks for the big responce, get a cup and have at it. Thanks for the links also.


I am having much fun, thanks for all your input.

 

Quite a few years ago, I was in the same crossroads that you're now. I learned LTspice mainly because there's plenty of very knowledgeable people in this place that will help you with it, and because it's got my favorite price: it's free!

Also, dl324 is right about Digital Works. That software is far easier to learn than most other simulators, although it only does digital logic. And still, it's a very valuable learning resource. You can download it here ... and it's also free.

EDIT: come to think of it... it's not free... you owe me a beer...

 

LTSpice is fine on a PC but has a terrible user interface for the Mac.

 

Been having much fun, just stayed up all night and getting ready for round 2. I Do like the UI and you guys are right it ain't to bad to learn.

 

Also, dl324 is right about Digital Works.

Thx for the tip, it looks interesting and some of the same interface that LTS has. Except I can't enlarge it to make it easier for me to see?

 

Thx for the tip, it looks interesting and some of the same interface that LTS has. Except I can't enlarge it to make it easier for me to see?

Unfortunately, that option is not available.