Schematics & Spice

[Olly]

Yep, this works exactly the same, but now the output is ground-referenced:

Hi Carl, what program are you using for simulation? It seems a bit prettier than LtSpice.

[Carl-NC]

Schematics are done in Easy-PC (NumberOne.com). They used to sell Easy-Spice, which was a version of SIMetrix Spice, but it's been discontinued. I am actually in the process of switching to KiCad and LTSpice.

[GeoMax]

Hi Carl,

I use DipTrace. It’s a very good program, but I’m quite disappointed with the software developer. Last year, I sent them a six-page A4 document containing bug reports and suggestions for simple productivity improvements. But guess what happened: no reply, no follow-up questions regarding my list, and even three software revisions later, nothing from that list has been implemented. Some of the bugs still haven't been fixed.
While I do intend to finish my current projects in DipTrace, I also want to switch to KiCad. I can see that work on improvements is constantly ongoing there.

[Olly]

Schematics are done in Easy-PC (NumberOne.com). They used to sell Easy-Spice, which was a version of SIMetrix Spice, but it's been discontinued. I am actually in the process of switching to KiCad and LTSpice.

Thanks Carl.

KiCad has come a long way and is now on par with a lot of "professional" level packages. What I really like about it is that it doesn't contain a lot of over complicated bloat like 'Altium' for instance.

Cheers...

[Qiaozhi]

I've used several different ECAD packages, including Easy-PC and DipTrace.
Now I exclusively use KiCad, and LTSpice for simulation. Not only is KiCad FOC, but it doesn't have any design size limitations and runs in Linux, unlike DipTrace.

[ivconic]

[Olly]

Ah, but you see, Linux is only for those that realize its elegant efficiency and pinpoint precision vs the bloat and over complication of the Windows juggernaut....

[ivconic]

Inexperienced young man, let me teach you a useful life lesson!
I am known in close circles as a great admirer of female virtues!
Whenever I hear comments like:
"I prefer brunettes ... I prefer blondes ... I prefer dark skin ... I prefer skinny ... I prefer elegantly plump ... I prefer athletically built..."
and so on;
right from the start it becomes clear to me that the one who "prefer ..." is actually not a real lover of women and that he is a latent fan of the same gender (To put it politely...)! Mmmmmhaahahahahahahahahahahahah!
If you ask me; I DON'T CHOOSE; I PREFER THEM ALL!
I have 10-15 laptops and 4-5 desktops in my house and about 10 current smartphones, with every possible current OS!
And I use ALL of them, as needed and according to the task that is currently on the table!

[Olly]

Touche

[pito]

and whot you have on VP1 and on VP2

[Carl-NC]

I have just finished my first KiCad board and sent it off to JLC.It is only 22x24mm but has 7 chips and I wanted them all on one side. First time I've had to use 0201 passives. 2 layers only, no planes.

I am very impressed with KiCad. It's capabilities are slightly beyond Easy-PC with many features/methods easier to use but some in Easy-PC that I miss. Anyway, all new projects will be in KiCad and Easy-PC for legacy stuff.

[GeoMax]

Hi Carl,

Well done, looks good!!! The circuit board looks like an intelligent RX/TX receiver designed to be installed inside a coil.
A few days ago, I also took a closer look at KiCad. I think I’ll use it for my next PCB project as well.

[Qiaozhi]

It's amazing that nowadays we have such powerful ECAD tools for free (on a home computer) that can now exceed the capabilities of high-end software which could only run on proprietary hardware, and cost a small fortune.

Here's an ESP32 module I designed in August last year using KiCAD. It was populated by JLCPCB, and it worked first time!
Bottom copper and silkscreen not shown for clarity.

[GeoMax]

Hi Qiaozhi,

Well done—it looks great! I have a question: as far as I recall, you used to use DipTrace. How would you compare the two programs—without getting into the limitations regarding PCB component connections? Are the features comparable, and are they equally easy to use? Is KiCad just as easy to use for tasks like manual routing? DipTrace has excellent functions for that which I use often. I ask because I currently use DipTrace but would like to switch to KiCad.
One of the reasons for switching is that, last year, I put together a six-page A4 document detailing software bugs and easy-to-implement improvements to boost productivity and usability. After three DipTrace revisions, nothing from my list had been implemented or fixed—let alone had anyone even asked about it. That was truly disappointing.

[ivconic]

My main problem is that I am an incurable slave of habits!
It is very difficult for me to switch to a newer (often better) tool, when I have been using an older tool for a long time before that.
I have one of the desktop computers which now has a market value of around 2000e, it is unnecessary to list the specifications here, it is a real "beast".
But even on it, I still use ACDSee ver 3 for quick image manipulation (changing the format, scaling, rotating, etc.)!
Ha, ha, ha!
A 30 year old habit (approx)... As I still use Winamp ver 5 to listen to music!
In Serbian traditional wisdom, there is a saying that says "a grandmother does not go to heaven by force" or "donkeys went to Vienna - donkeys returned from Vienna". The Vienna Philharmonic didn't help!
Unfortunately, that's how it is with me.