This page lists engineering software that we hope will be of interest to other electronics engineers. In the past we have trawled through the web looking for such programs and had to sift the relevant from the not. There does seem to be a preponderance of pcb cad and simulation packages, and not much actual engineering help stuff. Of course you don't realise what can be done until you come across it and find it useful. Those programs that have comments have been reviewed by us. The comments are brief but hopefully pithy. Click on the categories below to take you to the section of interest, or just scroll through the lot ! If you know of others that might be of interest please let us know.
IMPORTANT NOTE - the review comments that follow are only the personal opinion of the reviewer and others may think totally differently. They should only be taken as a guide and not a definitive analysis.
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| Analogue Simulators |
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| AimSpice |
An excellent Windows Spice implimentation, BUT, in this day and age, who needs netlists ? Add schematic capture please. |
| ANP3 & NAP2 |
Both are DOS programs. They seem to require ready-made Spice netlists. |
| Aplac |
Why do site designers do this ? I couldn't figure out how to get the price ! |
| CirSim |
Possibly a good program but lacks standard Windows features. However, it is only £10, and there is a speaker simulator available as well. |
| Esacap |
A strange DOS-like Windows program. Looks clean but I couldn't figure out what to do with it ! |
| ICAP |
I am NOT going to download an 11Mb demo ! |
| Links |
A links page for various Spice resources |
| Optima |
A FREE DOS Spice program. The usual incomprehensible interface. I gave up ! |
| PSim |
Rather nice simulator, though power systems orientated. Good for power supply simulation, transient analysis only. |
| SuperSpice |
FREE - £60. A 6Mb download, maybe later ! |
| WinLAP |
This FREE windows program is simple in essence but difficult to use. I couldn't load an existing circuit. Poor help. Apparently it is no longer supported. |
| eSketch |
This program has replaced the WinLAP offering above. No longer free, a trial demo is available to download. The interface is friendly enough but I wasn't impressed by the program itself. |
| Winspice |
As the author says, this is a port from DOS to Windows. It shows. It is FREE ! |
| Digital Simulators |
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| Digital Simulator |
FREE. Quite nice if a little awkward, graphic displays ( LEDs etc ) and moving timing diagram.
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| Digital Works |
An excellent simulator, good graphics, easy to use. |
| EasySim |
Another good implimentation, good graphics, easy use, basic gates only.
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| MacroSim |
This looks like a useful logic simulator, shows timing diagrams.
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| Multimedia Logic |
I like it, excellent graphics based logic learning tool, real time switches etc.
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| WinBreadboard |
Interesting graphical representation of real breadboard. Only TTL gates available, but buzzer, leds and timing diagram. Nice try ! Small file size, only 107k !!
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| Mixed-Mode Simulators |
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| 5Spice |
An excellent Windows spice program. Schematic capture, fast analysis, many options. Easy import of commercial models. A bit expensive but still cheaper than the opposition ! |
| B squared |
You have to buy to try ! I didn't. |
| Circuitmaker |
Excellent program, I use this myself. Suffers from some inaccuracies, so still breadboard before production. Like most simulators, oscillators don't always run ! |
| CircuitShop |
A good try but not up to some standards, draw analog or digital and simulate, more educational than useful. |
| Electronics Workbench |
This program has elevated it's own status and now asks too much money. I have an early version and it was quite poor, so I hope they have improved. |
| Micro-Cap |
This is how it should be, but the price ??!!*** |
| SimCad |
A rather nice simulator with schematic input, designed for power systems analysis. Hence the available symbols are power-supply oriented. |
| SIMetrix |
Looks like a good program, comprehensive, good graphics, I need to read the help file and do the tutorials. |
| Smash |
Mixed-mode simulator. 11.5 Mb download !! Looks like it has no schematic entry - come on, it's the 21st century! |
| Spiceage |
A Windows implimentation of Spice. Data entry is by netlist, so you have to purchase the schematic entry program separately. |
| Spice-It |
7Mb download ! |
| Target |
I'm sure this is a good program but I'm blowed if I can see how to place symbols on the schematic.
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| Tina |
A very good program, much better than Spice specialists, but is it so accurate ? |
| TopSpice |
This is more like it, Spice with schematic input. Still have to manually set analysis, Circuitmaker etc. much easier. |
| VisualSpice |
The demo is restricted. Very comprehensive, awkward interface. Too many buttons, toolbars, etc. Will take a lot of learning, so I'll not bother. Give me Circuitmaker or Tina anytime ! |
| Filters |
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| Bores |
A selection of DSP based filter programs. |
| FaiSyn |
Quite nice designer/simulator, but too small, AND it downloads synthesizer program that then plays until it is finished !! |
| FilterCAD |
A superb filter design program, shows schematics, graphs etc. Suffers from very small active filter chip choice, lots of switched. |
| FilterFree |
Excellent free filter program. Passive, TX Line, Active and Digital are catered for. Program shows circuit for chosen filter, plus graphs, equations etc.. Very comprehensive. Register for more functions. See site for more programs. |
| FilterLab |
Low-pass only, simple but effective plots and circuits, I have my doubts about the circuits, they're all the same ! |
| FilterPro |
Now migrated from DOS to Windows, hence the 5Mb download, no broadband here, I resisted ! Manual available at FilterPro manual |
| FilterWiz |
This company can do no wrong ! Good filter design, data, circuits, fine ! |
| Filtroid |
A DOS program for $ 995 !!! |
| Mathlab add-ons |
Filter design add-ons for the Mathlab program |
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More add-ons |
Add-ons for the Mathematica and Mathlab programs. |
| OpFil |
For a DOS program this is very good indeed, but FilterWiz is a much better buy. |
| Superfilter |
This is more like it, a comprehensive design program, demo only a slide show, can't use it yourself. |
| Tunekit |
It doesn't seem to show the circuit configuration, but calculates the values for LC filters.
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| PCB Design & Schematics |
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| Boardmaker |
No help file with demo - can't get symbols. A shame as I personally use the old DOS Boardmaker1 for all my commercial work. Oh well ! |
| Bpecs |
Although graphically basic it does the job, no frills, it autoroutes, schematic captures. |
| Cadence |
High level design stuff, unfathomable site. |
| CirCAD |
Quite a nice implimentation, but no auto vias, awkward placing & drawing as you have to get menu back. |
| Circuit Design |
This is the companion program to PC Logic (see below). For a new introduction this looks promising, although I dislike the way the text is displayed on the symbols. However, you can modify and create parts so all is not lost. Definitely worth a look. |
| DesignWorks |
The help is online ! Select symbols from huge menu, only need generic for schematic, grid coarse, fixed, symbol scale wrong. |
| Eagle |
The program works, but I don't like the schematic symbols, and the pcb design is restrictive, not flexible enough for me. |
| EasyPC |
7Mb download ! |
| EdWin |
Good grief, do they want us to buy it ? The demo is an html slideshow, too fast, pointless. Go somewhere else ! |
| Electronic Design Studio |
No demo |
| Leda 2000 |
Good graphics, fairly intuitive. Excellent library. BUT, no help, even at web site. No apparent custom parts. Nearly very good apart from these points. |
| McCAD |
You have to fill in a form for download, but this seems to be for their information only. 17Mb download! |
| Mentor |
High end stuff but again, what ? |
| (old) EasyTRAX |
PLEEEEZE ! ega DOS program, don't bother ! |
| OrCAD |
Useless site from this large company. Tells you next to nothing. The free Pspice version appears to have gone now. I suggest you go for a cheaper friendlier company. |
| Pads |
Unfathomable site, can't see any demo, or much else really ! |
| Pantheon |
High end stuff, requires password to download, no thanks ! |
| P-cad |
You need a password to get the demo, they're not having MY details ! |
| PCB Design |
9Mb download! |
| PCB Designer |
A lot of trouble has gone into the features, but the graphics are very poor. No apparent auto-vias. Small component library. Not user friendly. |
| PCB Editor |
I like this, it is fairly basic, does what you need, has simple autoroute from rats-nest, but strangely manual vias toggle track sides !!! |
| PCB Elegance |
Unweildy, have to have schematic, unconnected wires message, probably okay once learned but !
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| PClogic |
The latest version is greatly improved and recommended. There will always be wish-lists for such programs but this is useable as-is. See also Circuit Design schematic program. |
| PCtrace |
Who uses these programs, unwieldy component placing in schematic, I gave up. |
| ProCad |
7Mb download ! |
| Protel99 |
Now call me fussy, but I'm NOT downloading a 54Mb program !! |
| Proteus |
A comprehensive package, pcb layout, schematic and simulation. These things are to a personal taste, and it's not to mine, too fussy and over-complicated, but a very capable package nonetheless. |
| Qcad |
Schematic, pcb, autoroute, manual, all for $59 ? Can't get component overlay on pcb !
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| Ranger |
Although this looks a comprehensive program, with schematic capture and autorouter, I found it unneccesarily complicated. |
| SchematiCAD |
A nice if simple schematic program, allows clipboard export, easy interface, custom parts bins. Needs finishing ! Fixed grid, limited custom parts. Limited help. |
| Supermax |
Apparently no demo. |
| Theda |
Apparently no demo. |
| TinyCAD |
A useable basic schematic, custom symbols, clipboard export flaky, otherwise quite nice.
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| Ultiboard |
8 Mb download ! |
| Vutrax |
8 Mb download ! |
| Winboard |
Similar comments to Windraft. Basically rather amateurish for all the same reasons. |
| Wincircuit2000 |
Wincircuit, does a job, but no auto vias, behaves more like paint program, amateur, better around. |
| Windraft |
Schematic program. Tiny parts selection. Parts are not to same scale. Poor graphics. Unfriendly custom parts creation. Rather amateur in general. |
| WinSchematic |
A huge 28Mb download ! |
| Winschema98 |
Winschema98 is much better, very nice clear graphics, easy to use, no export to other file formats.
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| Virtual Instruments |
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| Analysis Center |
Same garish graphics, more comprehensive. Same comment about reinstallation ! |
| Audio Sweep Generator |
Well implimented tone and sweep generator. Many options. Recommended. |
| Audio-Tester |
Spectrum analyser, tone generator and oscilloscope. Previous problems with tone generator now fixed. |
| DQA |
Make your soundcard a spectrum analyser. DOS, won't work in protected mode !
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| FFT Properties |
Had to get this from shareware site, home page doesn't offer the program ! Potentially a nice program but the graphics shake and it crashed my computer ! Supports modulation. |
| Frequency Generator |
Same garish graphics again, excellent generator with modulation as well. Same comment about reinstallation !
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| Gram412 |
Displays real-time audio as colourful chart. |
| MicroLab |
Excellent instrument, audio generator, oscilloscope, spectrum analyser. |
| Scope30 |
Basic oscilloscope. Judging by the slow response to adjusting the display it is probably slow in real time as well. |
| Sine30 |
Basic tone and sweep generator. Although showing 1Hz resolution this does not seem to be the case. The sweep function is weird, the start and finish points keep changing dynamically ! |
| Spec for Windows |
Really nice spectrum analyser. Excellent tutorial. |
| Spectrum Analyzer Pro |
Rather garish graphics for my liking, but an excellent implimentation. The trouble is, I installed the demo, then later moved some files around and reinstalled, BUT they don't allow that, so now it doesn't run. THANKYOU ! |
| Test Tone Generator |
Basic but functional tone and sweep generator. It works well. Perhaps it could benefit from a fine tune function, as it tunes in 100Hz steps, unless you enter an exact frequency. |
| Wavetools |
Just the job, a basic suite of tools including oscilloscope, spectrum analyser, level meter, frequency generator. No frills, suits me ! |
| WinScope |
Nice little soundcard into a dual-scope implimentation. |
| Winspec |
Excellent real-time oscilloscope and spectrum analyser. |
| Various Programs |
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| 555 |
Excellent little program, well executed, choose mode, enter f, calculates values, gives application circuits. |
| Analoginsydes |
Analogue modelling and design program, needs Mathematica. |
| Caos |
Equation into graph program. |
| EPTsoft |
Electronics and computing study program. |
| Grafer |
Graphing program. |
| Mathematica |
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| Mathworks |
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| Resist |
Useful little program that calculates resistor combinations for attenuation, op-amp gain, etc. plus lots more stuff. |
| Resistor Code |
This company make realy neat programs, click select colours, read resistor value.
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| SSS Magazine |
Various downloadable programs. |
| Scad |
Linear Technology free DOS switched mode supply design program. |
| SwitcherCADIII |
Linear Technology free Windows switched mode supply design program. Very nice, plenty of simulation graphs, circuits, etc. Can be used as a general simulator, not just PSUs ! |
| Switchers Made Simple |
20 Mb download !!! |
| Timecrafter |
Simple timing diagram writer, seems to work. |
| Tranmono |
DOS program to design transistor monostables, must be in C: root directory ! Then it works, many similar programs from author. |
| Ultracad |
Simple but useful looking program to calculate the temperature rise on pcb tracks. |
| Vinny Graphics |
Excellent, great graphs, perform mathematical operations on them, curve fits etc. Unfortunately the screen is white on black !. The print-out is normal. |
| Programmable Logic |
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| Actel |
The lite versions are free. Huge programs, 400Mb+ !!!, with schematic entry and simulation etc. Probably no support for manual equation entry. |
| Active HDL |
A comprehensive array of programs, they look expensive, AND they want your email address! Suspicious. |
| Altera |
The basic package is 20Mb+, and you have to purchase a license. It doesn't say how much. What are they scared of, the price ? |
| Atmel |
WinCUPL is available for free, usual registration form, etc. 10Mb program. Apparently they email the program key. I'm always suspicious, why not just let us have it at the start ? |
| Cypress |
Cypress Warp program, not free. BOOO !! Shame on them. I'd look elsewhere. |
| Lattice |
They let you have their basic program for a 6 month trial. WHY ?? 6 months, might as well be free ! And it should be. |
| Mycad |
Apart from some simulation programs, and a chip layout program, there is a C-compiler based VHDL simulator. Student versions apparently free. |
| Quicklogic |
Quickworks Lite is advertised as free, but there is no link to it ! |
| Synopsys |
High level stuff here. Expect a price to suit. |
| Synplicity |
More high level stuff. 20 day demo, thanks guys !. |
| Logical Devices |
US vendor of various compilers and other stuff. |
| WinPlace |
A free Windows pld compiler. Not bad implimentation, limited device support. Equation, truth-table and state-machine design entry. Nice and basic, thankfully. |
| Xilinx |
Standard product range is high level and expensive. However, they have a collection of free tools to download on registration. Click on the Free WebPowered Software tab. |
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