What circuit design software is available?

Part1:Circuit simulation

01 PartSim:URL: www.partsim.com

PartSim is a browser-based circuit simulator that allows users to perform circuit experiments.

The simulator has a simple layout, thus ensuring ease of use, while providing a full SPICE simulation engine, a web-based schematic capture tool, and a graphical oscilloscope to monitor the analog/digital signal levels of the circuit.

The tool also includes the Digi-Key BOM (Bill of Materials), allowing users to assign part numbers to design components and then locate distributors.

02 EasyEDA:Website: easyeda.com

EasyEDA is designed to "help designers turn ideas into manufacturing prototypes faster by providing comprehensive data and collaboration tools for electronic design". easyEDA provides free online circuit simulation, PCB design and electronic circuit design capabilities.

One can save design time by accessing an extensive library of schematic components, PCB packages and packaging, spice simulations, models and subcircuits. One can also invite others to collaborate on projects and easily share designs in a team. The standard version is free to use and offers unlimited public projects and 2 private projects.

03 Autodesk Circuits:Website: circuits.io/

Autodesk Circuits is a set of tools for electronic design and experimentation.

Beginners can start experimenting simply with Electronics Lab or Circuit Scribe, while experienced users can jump straight to PCB design.

The software offers a large number of free introductory tutorials and project tutorials that can be learned through Electronics Lab.

Part2:PCB design

01 DesignSpark PCB

Official website:https://www.rs-online.com/designspark/pcb-software

DesignSpark PCB describes itself as "the world's easiest-to-use electronics design software, designed for rapid prototyping and for turning your circuit ideas into testable boards faster".

The software has no restrictions on schematic size, so there are no limitations on how users can create PCB designs. Users can also import and export files in any format they need and are able to create a BOM (bill of materials) in the desired format.

Although the tool is completely free, it is important to note that the user must register on its website to unlock the program and must confirm the ads displayed before starting work.

02 KiCad EDA

Website: kicad-pcb.org/

KiCad is a cross-platform open source electronic design automation suite. The suite consists of three different tools: Eeschema (schematic capture), PcbNEW (PCB layout) and 3D Viewer (view board designs in 3D).

One of these tools, 3D Viewer, is a unique tool that allows you to rotate and pan your board to see details that are not visible in 2D drawings.

03 PCBWeb

Website: https://www.pcbweb.com

PCBWeb is a full-featured, free electronic design tool that supports both schematic and PCB layout. PCBWeb is the ideal tool for electronic engineers who want to simplify hardware design for designing and manufacturing electronic hardware.

Users can design multi-page schematics with PCBWeb's fast, easy-to-use writing tools; PCBWeb also supports copper cladding and DRC checking capabilities, allowing users to layout multilayer boards. The resource also integrates with the Digi-Key Parts Catalog and BOM Manager (Bill of Materials Manager).

Part3 :CAD modeling

01 FreeCAD

URL: freecadweb.org/

FreeCAD is a multi-platform open source parametric 3D modeling tool designed to help users bring design projects to life. This is a general purpose multi-tool suitable for users of all levels. Beginners, educators, or experienced CAD users who want to get involved in 3D printing can use FreeCAD.

Programmers can also use Python to "extend FreeCAD's functionality, automate with scripts, build their own modules, and even embed FreeCAD into their own applications."

02 QCAD

Website: qcad.org/en/

QCAD is a free and open source 2D CAD application. QCAD enables users to create a wide variety of technical drawings such as architectural floor plans, interior drawings, mechanical parts drawings, schematics and diagrams.

The program's features are listed below: layers, blocks (grouping), 35 CAD fonts, more than 40 construction tools, more than 20 modification tools, and more. Many users appreciate the easy-to-use interface and versatility of QCAD and give it high marks.

03: ImplicitCAD

Official website: implicitcad.org/

"The ImplicitCAD project is dedicated to harnessing the power of mathematics and computer science to solve the silly design problems of the 3D printing revolution", says the ImplicitCAD website. ImplicitCAD is an open source procedural CAD tool. This means that ImplicitCAD uses a programming language that can be compiled into 3D objects.

The benefits of procedural CAD include: reusability and abstraction of objects; automation of repetitive tasks; parametric design and a common tool for software development (e.g. version control).

04:OpenSCAD

Official website: openscad.org

OpenSCAD is a free software that allows creating solid 3D CAD models. It allows designers to create accurate 3D models and parametric designs that can be easily adjusted by changing parameters. The documents are ASCII plain text scripts. As such, OpenSCAD is more of a solid modeling tool for programmers and is often considered an entry-level CAD tool for designing open source hardware, such as research and educational science tools.