Wiring Diagram Software

Status
Not open for further replies.
NotCook

NotCook

.
Dec 29, 2008
806
Treworgy 65' LOA Custom Steel Pilothouse Staysail Ketch St. Croix, Virgin Islands
I am looking for software for documenting wiring - preferably which will auto-route from one point to another, and which will neatly and logically draw parallel lines between adjacent points, and allow dragging endpoints with connections intact. Symbols library preferred.

Free or cheap are favorable attributes.

Similar interest for plumbing diagrams.

I am familiar with Aperture software, but way too expensive.

Anyone familiar with anything along these lines?

Not interested in Corel of other packages which just allow you to connect boxes.

Thanks! Brian
 
RAD

RAD

.
Jun 3, 2004
2,330
Catalina 30 Bay Shore, N.Y.
Microsoft Visio will do what your looking for
 
sailingdog

sailingdog

.
Oct 22, 2008
3,502
- Telstar 28 Buzzards Bay
It would really help if you said what computer/OS you were using. I am guessing that you're on a Mac since you mention Aperture. BTW, Aperture is a photo cataloging/editing program more than anything else and not really suitable for what you're looking to do.

As stated previously, Visio would work, but Visio is rather expensive, and MS-Windows only. A Mac-based application that might serve the purpose is OmniGraffle. It has symbol libraries and does allow you to move items with the lines intact. It does not auto-route the lines as well as Visio IMHO, but it also doesn't require the expenditure of cash that Visio does.
 
Bob Poff

Bob Poff

.
Dec 4, 2006
279
Hunter 34 Havre de Grace
TinyCAD

I haven't messed with it but saw this one mentioned on a Ham Radio list :
TinyCAD

I'm aslo a Visio user. Very useful for many types of projects.
 
NotCook

NotCook

.
Dec 29, 2008
806
Treworgy 65' LOA Custom Steel Pilothouse Staysail Ketch St. Croix, Virgin Islands
sailingdog said:
It would really help if you said what computer/OS you were using. I am guessing that you're on a Mac since you mention Aperture. BTW, Aperture is a photo cataloging/editing program more than anything else and not really suitable for what you're looking to do.
Click to expand
Sorry, I almost mentioned Windows (Vista). No, not Mac. I am aware of the photo system you are familiar with, but I was referring to a highend industrial product from Aperture Technologies, Inc. which does datacenter management: floor plans with layers of wiring, utilities, plumbing, computers, etc., with click to display asset data from a database, such as serial numbers, models, ratings, etc.

I'll take another look at Visio. Not sure it does the kind of thing I am looking for, but we'll see. Thanks to all who suggested it.
 
NotCook

NotCook

.
Dec 29, 2008
806
Treworgy 65' LOA Custom Steel Pilothouse Staysail Ketch St. Croix, Virgin Islands
TinyCAD

Bob Poff said:
I haven't messed with it but saw this one mentioned on a Ham Radio list :
TinyCAD

I'm aslo a Visio user. Very useful for many types of projects.
Click to expand
Thanks Bob. This is open source, so I am going to give it a shot first. At first glance it looks more like it is PCB design oriented, but maybe it will also work for general purpose wiring diagrams as well. Thanks for the link!
 
sailingdog

sailingdog

.
Oct 22, 2008
3,502
- Telstar 28 Buzzards Bay
Oh, that Aperture.. I've used that, but most IT guys I know use Visio instead mainly due to Aperture being overkill and really expensive overkill... unless they've got a real need for the database side of Aperture. Using that would be like using a shotgun to swat houseflies. :)

If you've got Visio, use it...
 
rpwillia

rpwillia

.
Sep 29, 2008
1,936
Catalina 310 #185 Quantico
How about spice

Spice is open source softrware for doing printed circuit board design. I understand it is very good.
 
NotCook

NotCook

.
Dec 29, 2008
806
Treworgy 65' LOA Custom Steel Pilothouse Staysail Ketch St. Croix, Virgin Islands
I like Dia

Just an follow up on what I ended up with.

Following Marc's ideas, after trying TinyCad, which I didn't care for (too IC oriented for my needs), I downloaded Dia. This is Open Source software, and I really like it. (I also use Open Office instead of sending more money to Microsoft) Even through a prerelease, I haven't encountered any significant issues with it so far. The feature I like most is the Layers function, much like transparency overlays. So, I have created a base layer with the panels, main engine and genset, the other overlays with the various DC charging components (chargers, solar panel, wind generator, and batteries, etc.), wiring to various DC components, such as bow thruster, anchor windlass, davit windlass, and will be adding layers for the DC and AC house wiring, AC appliances, and so on. I really like this package for my purposes, and highly recommend it.

Thanks to Marc and all who responded.

Brian
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top Bottom