Schematics & Spice

[Qiaozhi]

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.

I was using Easy-PC for a long while, but also used DipTrace for some projects mainly because it was more accessible to Geotech members. However, the free version of DipTrace has too many size limitations. I did pay for an upgrade, but even then it was not good enough. Also, during that time KiCAD was still maturing and there were many features that were difficult to use, especially with the link between the schematic and PCB.
Since then KiCAD has vastly improved and (as Carl mentioned) the capabilities now exceed those of Easy-PC.
Today I actually managed to screw up my KiCAD software on Linux Mint. Not sure how it happened, but I suspect it had something to do with the hacking I was doing to my FreeCAD installation. I was using KiCAD 7 (which I recently upgraded to from KiCAD 6), but when I went to the Software Manager to re-install it said the current available version was 6. Anyway, I installed the software, and to my surprise I now have version 10, despite what the Software Manager said!
If you install KiCAD and run through the tutorial, you will be an expert in no time.

[Aziz]

Regarding good old tools:

I was running more than 25-30 years ago a cracked german pcb software called Eagle in MS-DOS. And later on Windows 95/98.
This pcb software was pretty good for that time. I was able to design and route a 6 layer DSP board (very compact design).
The first company couldn't produce the pbcs (SMD, through hole, small vias, double sided part assembly). The pcbs had a lot of missing electrical contacts on vias. After complaining, they gave the production to an another company and it worked then fine.

I have designed and produced also Co-processor DSP and IO-interface boards with the pcb software.

Well, you have more free and advanced tools today.
You don't have to loook for "warez, serials, cracked" sites anymore.

Cheers

PS: AI image for illustration please. Ivica?

[Aziz]

BTW,

with the DSP board at that time, I have even developped neural networks on this board. I was able to run real-time AI inferencing. Decimation of the weights to 16-bit fixed floating point number running on a 40-bit accumulator register with the MAC instruction. This was pretty fast.

Today, we have millions and zillions of more horse power for that purpose.
Aziz

[ivconic]

I remember Eagle!
But do you remember "Rule"? Today it is "Target... something...".
I have about 20 works in Rule and all interesting pcbs for metal detectors, but there is no way to transfer it to today's standards.
I contacted them, they don't have a way either, they didn't make "legacy" formats!
I have tried various MSDOS emulators with no success.
Same as I have Elektor collection which is made for DOS and has some impossible format for schematic and pcb designs.

[Olly]

Ha, showing my age here. Does anyone remember using 'SmartWork' released around 1983 and ran on a 4MHz IBM PC with a 320x200 CGA monitor?

[Aziz]

Ha, showing my age here. Does anyone remember using 'SmartWork' released around 1983 and ran on a 4MHz IBM PC with a 320x200 CGA monitor?

What?

I was playing with my C64 and assembly coding (6510 / 6502 on VC 1541 - floppy disc) in the year 1983 ..
Never heard of it.

[ivconic]

I started somewhere between you two, in 1982.
I wrote my first "code" in "Simons Basic" on a C64.
It was some "submarine" game... ha,ha,ha!
"...around 1983 and ran on a 4MHz IBM PC with a 320x200 CGA monitor..."
Hey! My first PC was just that! But later in 1989! You were ahead of me for 6 years!

[Carl-NC]

When I first joined Analog Devices they had just moved away from cutting rubylith. The first CAD software I used was Schema by Omation, ran on DOS 5-1/4" floppies. Eventually they were bought by Tango, who got bought by Protel, which became Altium.

[Olly]

When I first joined Analog Devices they had just moved away from cutting rubylith. The first CAD software I used was Schema by Omation, ran on DOS 5-1/4" floppies. Eventually they were bought by Tango, who got bought by Protel, which became Altium.

Yeah, I remember the pre-CAD days of hand taping in double full size. Ripping up and re-routing was just that,...
Tango was what I used after outgrowing SmartWork. I used OrCad SDT 3 for schematics and Tango for the PCB layout all running under DOS, was actually a great combination and really fast. Then we would plot it all out on a Roland pen plotter.

[ivconic]

I remember Tango! It was good back in the days! Considering the computers we had.

[Mdtoday]

Ha, showing my age here. Does anyone remember using 'SmartWork' released around 1983 and ran on a 4MHz IBM PC with a 320x200 CGA monitor?

Crikey, SmartWorks, yeah I used it back in mid 1980s when I worked for Detroit Engine and Turbine, after using a CPM based application, it was heaven…for a while