If you see any shapes you like on a diagram, just drag them into a blank stencil. As for the wiring connections, I just use the line tool and draw them in. No magic, just tedium.
Normster wrote:If you see any shapes you like on a diagram, just drag them into a blank stencil. As for the wiring connections, I just use the line tool and draw them in. No magic, just tedium.
Cool, Thanks.
On the lines, I was hoping they were connected so when I move things around, they re-route.
Normster wrote:If you see any shapes you like on a diagram, just drag them into a blank stencil. As for the wiring connections, I just use the line tool and draw them in. No magic, just tedium.
Cool, Thanks.
On the lines, I was hoping they were connected so when I move things around, they re-route.
For that use designworks or cadsoftusa.com (Eagle)
I've used PCB123 for FX pedal layouts. It's not geared for tube type perse because they're selling circuit boards. It is easy and the parts data base seems large.
All excellent things are as difficult as they are rare__B Spinoza
Another one is ExpressSchem from ExpressPCB (www.expresspcb.com). There are tube libraries available (email me and I will send them to you) and it exports to BMP files for sharing with people who don't have the software.
It isn't nearly as good as some of the engineering software I use, but it certainly gets the job done. I have attached a sample.
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sPlan 6.0
The schematic editor for Windows
With sPlan you will design your schematic circuit diagrams clean and easy on your PC. Many powerful functions like the the extensive component library, the usage of free definable background form sheets, automatic component numbering, component searching, component lists, etc. will help you. Even beginners will create perfectly designed schematic diagrams within minutes.
Sprint-Layout 5.0
Design your own Printed Circuit Boards
Sprint-Layout is a simple but powerful tool to create layouts for single-sided and double-sided PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards). The software comes along with all functions that are necessary for board design. Even professional features, like export of Gerber-files (for professional manufacturing) or HPGL (for isolation-milling with CNC machines) are included, while the handling of Sprint-Layout was kept self-explaining.
I use a freebie program from a PCB maker. PCB Express is the free one from a maker of custom PCBs. They charge $50 for 3 boards of your design for a custom stomp box. The software is free, and you can print up a schematic easily. This one is the easiest to add symbols to also. You can make your own tube symbols and add them in. You cannot have a PCB made for anything much larger than a Champ SE amp though. You will need to have ports and not put any PCB mounted tube socket on the board. I hate PCBs in amps anyway! Dip Trace is another free one. It allows you to do the same thing. You will have to make pentode, rectifier, triode, symbols, as well as a left right and center triode for twin and triple triodes like 12AX7s and 6U10 triple triodes, but once you have those in the custom library you can just add them in to the normal resistors, caps, diodes, etc. Express PCB is the free software I use for effects pedal PCBs and you can also make your own tube symbols for it too. You cannot make a PCB this way though. You would need to add ports to run flying leads to tube sockets. Dip Trace is a rip and replace type PCB generator, so no real thought goes into the design, and it will keep making designs until IT finds on IT likes. I usually keep my finger on the enter button to stop it when I see one I prefer. Eagle Cad is one I am still playing with. Glassware is very good. The SE CD ROM seems to be discontinued. The CAD one is $39, and is not too bad at all. I would prefer BOTH! I like small SE amps for their touch responsiveness with my sloppy finger style playing. Glassware has yet to answer my email requesting the SE CD ROM. They also have an audio gadgets, and several ZIP file add ons. There are a dozen or so CAD designs in the push pull CD ROM, and more on the SE one (if you can still buy it). These give you some direction in how you are going to do your preamp, phase inverter, or other part of the design. You can go with cathode follower, cascode, side branch inverter, long tail inverter, balanced pair, etc. I have seen 1000s of designs done on Glassware for hi fis, headphone amps, etc. Mostly hi fi stuff, but any audio amp schematic can be drawn up. A vacuum tube PSPICE is the next step, and then actual prototyping and then cap voicing in my shop. Once I get a tone stack, EQ, or filters I like THEN we try orange drop PS, PE, Mallory, Sozo, Panasonic, etc caps to see what really IS best for the amp. Then you can go back into your schematic and put in the parts list!
I got some decent results with Jschem recently. Someone built a basic library into a drawing so you can just copy the parts. I was able to edit the tube diagrams to reassign pin numbers for different kinds of octal tubes. Pretty good and free. I see someone just posted the link.
I have a very old release of CM Pro someone gave me. I don't think I'd be willing to pay for it. The student version, as I recall, is limited to 80 or 100 components. Anything more complex than a Champ and you have to split it in two. I think they count a connecting wire as a component.
I too use ExpressSchem. I used to use Tiny Cad but I like the way ExpressSchem looks better. And as stated above - lots of components, tubes, etc. You easily make your own custom components too.
