Editor Needed !
You need a schematic editor to produce a netlist file for VeeCAD to
import.
Default Schematic Editor
For a quick start,
download
the TinyCAD schematic editor, then draw your schematics using the
special TinyCAD symbol libraries that are supplied with VeeCAD.
Alternative Schematic Editors
Most schematic editors can work with VeeCAD, provided you copy the basic
VeeCAD library file and rename the outlines to match the footprints used in
your schematic library.
VeeCAD works with these netlist formats:
- Protel : Produced by Altium, Protel,
TinyCAD, Target3001, Multisim7, Rimu Schematic, Electronics Workbench,
CircuitMaker,
Eagle with ULP
script and many others.
- Tango : Produced by Orcad Capture,
DipTrace, Proteus-ISIS (not Proteus Lite) and many others.
- Orcad PCB2 : Produced by KiCAD and others.
- EasyPC-Generic : As produced by Easy-PC and DesignSpark PCB.
In EasyPC V11 or DesignSpark PCB V1 select "Output / Reports / Generic Netlist / Run",
ensure "Include Components" is checked, then click "Generate".
- UltiCap : For UltiCap DOS and Ulticap
Windows. Requires export of the Component Placement File also.
- Seetrax : Requires export of the Parts file also.
Contact the author if you
require another format added to VeeCAD.
Free Editors
- TinyCAD Schematic Editor ** recommended **
- Windows Open Source
- VeeCAD installs ready to run TinyCAD libraries so you
can start work immediately.
- Decent multi-sheet schematic editor for Windows.
- Simple interface, good looking schematics.
- See the TinyCAD
Guide for information.
- http://tinycad.sourceforge.net
- KiCad Schematic-PCB
- Windows or Linux Open Source.
- Heavy-duty hierarchical page schematic editor for
Windows, Linux, Solaris etc.
- Includes large library of well-drawn components.
- PCB editor included
- Exports the Orcad PCB2 net format which VeeCAD supports.
- http://www.lis.inpg.fr/realise_au_lis/kicad/index.html
- BSch3V Schematic Editor
- Windows Open Source.
- Beautifully rendered and printed schematic symbols and
text.
- Netlist generator program produces Protel net format
which VeeCAD supports.
- Japanese version also.
- Basic multi sheet facility.
- http://www.suigyodo.com/online/e/index.htm
- DesignSparkPCB Schematic-PCB
- Windows.
- Non-crippled design tool from RS Components engineering community site.
- Exports the Easy-PC Generic format which VeeCAD supports
- Draw your schematic and transfer the netlist to VeeCAD for full component
creation using the special libraries.
- An opinion available here.
- http://www.designspark.com/
- Eagle Layout Editor
- Windows, Linux or Mac.
- Freeware version for non-commercial use with schematics
limited to to single sheet, plus commercial versions.
- Transfer your schematic to the PCB editor, then using
this ULP
script, export the Protel net format which VeeCAD supports.
- An opinion available here.
- http://cadsoft.de/
- DipTrace Schematic-PCB
- Windows.
- Freeware version for non-commercial use with full
schematic functionality and PCB limited to 250 pins, plus commercial
versions.
- Exports the Tango net format which VeeCAD supports.
- http://www.diptrace.com/
Affordable Commercial Editors
Choosing a Schematic Editor
- A schematic editor is a useful tool for drawing circuit
diagrams, as well as for use with PCB or VeeCAD
editors.
- Free or Lite editions of commercial editors are often
licenced only for personal use or may not export a usable netlist.
- TinyCAD, KiCAD and BSch3V can be used commercially for free.
- Schematic editors in simulators like LTSpice, Livewire,
Crocodile Physics etc cannot act as your general editor since they omit
important component information and hit limitations such as single
page, inflexible or fixed component libraries, limited or no netlist.
- KiCAD and Eagle have Linux versions. Users have run
DipTrace under Linux/Wine. TinyCAD requires the JET database and is not
so suited to Wine, but the JET dependency will be removed on the next
TinyCAD release.