[Elecraft] OT: Software to do block/wiring diagram?

[Kevin Cozens]

Bruce Thompson wrote:
> I'm looking for some software that I can use to create block diagrams for
> electronic setups.  Station wiring is just one example.

Since you won't be doing full blown detailed schematics, you have a lot of 
choices. You can use a simple drawing program such as OpenOffice Draw, or dia.

Under Linux you could use gschem (from the gEDA set of programs), EagleCAD, 
KiCad (I've only just discovered this one), or WinQCad (via WINE). Under 
Windows you could use EagleCAD, KiCad, or WinQCad.

I use WinQCad 38.0 (http://www.winqcad.com/). Of the programs I have looked at 
it was the easiest program to use, didn't have the (board size) restrictions 
of EagleCad, has a small but useful set of part libraries to start using it, 
can output PDF copies of your schematics, and the 499 pin limit only comes in 
to play when you want to use the PCB layout tools.

I started using it to import and/or recreate several schematics originally 
done in a very old copy of Orcad (for DOS) which including creating a few 
parts not in the supplied libraries. I even made one 8 page schematic which 
documents one panel of an LED sign system I acquired.

I will be evaluating KiCad when I have some spare time. I won't be switching 
to it yet. From what I've seen so far, there isn't a (known to me) method for 
importing my existing schematics and/or my own part libraries.

-- 
Cheers!

Kevin.

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