Programs for drawing circuits is a tool used by engineers to calculate and test products at various stages of creating electronic circuits: from design and production to operation. The exact reflection of the necessary parameters is carried out using scaling. All elements have their designations with symbols corresponding to GOST.
Features
Using programs, it is possible to build accurate diagrams and drawings, and then print or save them electronically. Almost all such programs have a library with ready-made elements, so there is no need to draw them manually.
These programs are free and paid. The possibilities of the second are much wider, they are characterized by great functionality. In addition, there are complexes of automated systems for the design of CAD systems, successfully used by engineers around the world. Using programs for drawing diagrams, the creation process is fully automated, and the result is extremely accurate.
Free applications are inferior in functionality to paid software, however, they easily implement projects with initial and medium complexity.
What schemes are the programs for
Schemes are a graphic type of design document. They host the components of the future device with symbols and connections between them.
Schemes are included in the general set of design documentation and contain data necessary for the design, assembly, regulation, production, use of the device.
Schemes are necessary in the following cases:
- In the design process. They determine the structure of the product being developed.
- In the production process - they provide the opportunity to demonstrate the design, and then on their basis the necessary technological process, installation and control methods are developed.
- In operation. With the help of schemes, you can determine the cause of the breakdown, the correctness of repair and maintenance.
Below is an overview of the most popular programs for drawing circuits on a computer with their features and purpose.
DipTrace System
Designed for the automatic design of circuit diagrams, and is also a means for the manufacture of printed circuit boards. Symbols for this program for drawing schematic diagrams correspond to GOST.
The program is quite easy to learn, has a Russian-language interface and a large number of training materials in Russian.
The system consists of four parts:
- PCB Layout - an environment for developing boards in automatic and manual modes with a trace function.
- Schematic Capture - a program for drawing circuit diagrams.
- Pattern Editor - editor for component enclosures.
- Component Editor - software for creating and editing component libraries.
DipTrace Functions
The free version of this program is equipped with all the functions and libraries of the main version, although it does not have three-dimensional models, there are limitations on 300 pins and only 2 signal layers. Among the advantages of the program are the following:
- quick easy PCB design;
- Russian-language training materials;
- the ability to create complex multi-sheet and multi-level schemes;
- the creation of a variety of cases and components of any complexity;
- the ability to import and export to a huge number of file types for other CAD systems (PADS, OrCAD, DXF, P-CAD, Eagle and so on);
- preview with all the elements of the 3D finished board;
"Beginning of Electronics"
This free program for drawing electrical circuits is an electronic designer that allows you to show in detail on the screen all the assembly processes of various electrical circuits.
The main feature of the application is as close as possible imitation of real physical processes. Most of the actions and their results are accompanied by visual and sound effects that occur during connection during the assembly of various AC or DC sources.
The program is useful for use both in universities and in schools. And also for studying various courses related to electricity. Thanks to this system, students will be able to learn the laws of direct current, the principles of using fuses in electronic circuits, the laws of parallel and series connections of conductors, the manifestation of inductive and capacitive resistances, and much more.
Accompanying sound effects help students to visually see the consequences of their mistakes and learn to understand the causes of failed experiments. In addition, such hints develop the necessary skills for the analysis of electrical circuits.
The program is multifunctional and extremely useful. It can be used for students' creative work.
ProfiCAD
This utility will become a convenient assistant for employees of technical specialties and students of technical universities. This simple editor is designed to create wiring diagrams and other similar documentation. Many existing schematic elements are already included in the application library, grouped to provide easy navigation.
The program for drawing single-line diagrams ProfiCAD supports most encodings, has a very convenient interface and allows you to create specifications. It can be used to read ready-made schemes in various formats. To add the desired image or symbol to the diagram, it is simply dragged to the desired location. The program has a completely Russified interface, and it differs from its analogues in its compactness.
Functional features are as follows:
- convenient and easy to use utility;
- constant updates in automatic mode;
- most encodings, technical characters and languages are supported;
- can "remember" the copied characters.
"Scheme builder"
A program for drawing basic electrical circuits will help to quickly build almost any circuit without much effort. To do this, it is equipped with many functions already built into the program. For example, you can rotate text objects, edit the thickness of lines, and even add your own elements.
The only drawback of this utility is the lack of activation of many of the functions presented when using an unregistered version of the program. And having received registration, you can save the created schemes to the clipboard, print them or export to BMP files.
Program for drawing schemes sPlan
It has hundreds of ready-to-use elements, divided into 40 categories. After the installation, the program will remind you that the demo version does not have the functions of saving, printing and exporting results.
You will not be able to work fully in this version, but you can get acquainted with the functions.
The main field, on which all the constructions are made, is scaled for more detailed and accurate editing or viewing of the overall picture. The drop-down list at the top left unites the categories of elements that are included in the program database. There are elements of diodes, acoustics, elements for antennas, transistors, inductors, batteries, resistors and other elements.
The disadvantage of this program is the lack of a Russian-language interface, only German and English.
Pros of sPlan:
- preview function;
- building high-quality print-ready designs;
- creating lists of shapes;
- location and scaling of the drawing on the sheet;
- wide library of elements;
- easy editing of figures;
- automatic numbering;
- the ability to create electrical circuits in accordance with GOST and the development of their own elements.
Turbocad
This program for drawing electrical circuits according to GOST has existed for more than 10 years. Now its developers offer their users tremendous opportunities for creating 2D and 3D drawings.
In the program, you can use ready-made sets of settings for different levels of users - with basic, intermediate and advanced skills. This greatly facilitates interaction with the application if the user is just starting to master the computer-aided design system. A contextual help is structured so that it is able to answer most of the questions of beginners.
The program includes more than a hundred tools for drawing diagrams and graphic designs that allow you to create models of mechanical parts, presentations, technical drawings, illustrations with photorealistic graphics and other types of projects.
TurboCAD contains functions for professionals in various fields. For example, for builders and architects there are functions for the design of premises: kitchen furniture, floors and other objects. But mechanics and engineers will be able to design engines, electrical circuits, mechanical parts, etc.