VeeCAD: editors

Editor Requirements

You need a schematic editor to produce a netlist file for VeeCAD to import. VeeCAD accepts netlist files in these formats :

Protel : Produced by Altium, Protel, TinyCAD, Target3001, Multisim7, Rimu Schematic, Electronics Workbench, Orcad, CircuitMaker, Eagle with ULP script and many others.
Tango : Produced by DipTrace and many others.
Orcad PCB2 :Produced by KiCAD, Orcad and others.
EasyPC-Generic : As produced by Easy-PC. In EasyPC V11 select "Reports / Generic Netlist / Run", with "Include Components" checked.
UltiCap : For UltiCap DOS and Ulticap Windows. Requires export of the Component Placement File also.

Contact the author if you require another format added to VeeCAD.

Netlist

A netlist file fully defines a circuit, since it contains the designator and footprint name of every component; and a list of connected pins for every net. When importing the netlist, VeeCAD creates all required components, and stores connection information for error checking.

Free Editors

TinyCAD Schematic Editor
- Decent multi-sheet schematic editor for Windows.
- Simple interface, good looking schematics.
- TinyCAD library and TinyCAD tutorial included in VeeCAD install package.
- See the TinyCAD Guide for information.
- http://tinycad.sourceforge.net
KiCad Schematic-PCB
- 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
Eagle Layout Editor
- Freeware version for non-commercial use with schematics limited to to single sheet, plus commercial versions.
- Using a ULP script, exports the Protel net format which VeeCAD supports.
- http://cadsoft.de/
DipTrace Schematic-PCB
- 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

Rimu Schematic
- Exports Protel format netlist.
- http://www.hutson.co.nz/rimu.htm

Choosing a Schematic Editor

TinyCAD and KiCAD can be used commercially for free.
DipTrace, including the free version, meets high standards for reliability and ease of use.
Eagle is popular, but tricky to learn.
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.
For ease of use, TinyCAD and DipTrace are winners.
Consider other commercial free or for-purchase editors.