Website or application to design and simulate simple circuits?

Thanks, I haven't heard of this. There is a web port of the app: http://lushprojects.com/circuitjs/

Posted by: @mday

There is also CircuitJS.  The web site doesn't seem to be responding right now.  I sure hope it's not down permanently.  It has (had?) a downloadable version you can use locally.  It supports a number of types of components, with the ability to measure voltage and current at connection points in your circuit.

Looks like the site is up again - https://www.falstad.com/circuit/

Posted by: @yurkshirelad

I'm not sure if anyone is using this, but I have this working in my browser for a simple circuit: https://easyeda.com.

The only thing it doesn't appear to do, which would be useful, is to let you interact with sensors, buttons and switches and update the simulation in real-time.

During the last times I was on that editor, there was a buzz (on its forums) that they wanted to make it a paid service. They did have a free and a paid version earlier. I am unsure if their paid version has this simulation in real-time feature or not.

And, a big problem with EasyEda that I encountered was the components - some of them are just not there in their findable lists while some of them are wrongly pinned (I refer to one particular FTDI which had its schematic pins wrongly ordered).

I would recommend using the Free version of Eagle for schematics - it is very widely used and hence there are tonnes of libraries for Arduino and others as well. However, this too does not have the real-time simulation (or if there is one, I am unsure of it).

Posted by: @centari

I'm using, and still learning KiCad.  It has a steep learning curve, but does everything from circuit schematic to pcb layout.  Hence why I did not recommend it off the bat.  However, once you're comfortable working with the electronics and designing circuits, it's a very worthwhile package.  Open source, continuously maintained, and free for hobbyists like us.  It is to the point that commercial interests are using it as well.

I downloaded KiCad (about 1.5GB for Windows 10), installed it. And then I could find no clue where to start off at. It was sometime before I joined this forum. I have read a lot of praise about this, but even our Admin mentions that it is for "pro"s. And I am just a lame beginner. I still have that 1.5 GB on my laptop. I was recommended to use Eagle (their free version) and for now, it is quite good - just because I do not have too many things to do with it.

There are some really good Youtube tutorials on KiCAD. 

@sid

I too was a rank beginner with KiCad and had no idea where to start at first.  Then I ran across Peter Dalmaris and his book KiCad like a Pro 2nd Edition from Tech Explorations.  The book isn't free, but more than worth the price!  Link to KiCad at Tech Explorations

From that page scroll down to the "Ready to learn?" selection and there will be a box on the left side of the screen to order the book (which can be in PDF form).  There is also a video course you could enroll in as well.  The book is also available in a Kindle edition from Amazon, but it is double the price as the one on Tech Explorations.

There are also some YouTube videos at Product Design Online that you might find useful.  There are probably others but I haven't tried any of them, so if you find any useful let us know.

I'm currently using version 5.99 whish is really the beta for version 6 that will be released later this year.  I would advise you stay with version 5 as that is what the book uses and there won't be much info on the differences just yet.

Posted by: @codecage

I too was a rank beginner with KiCad and had no idea where to start at first.  Then I ran across Peter Dalmaris and his book KiCad like a Pro 2nd Edition from Tech Explorations.  The book isn't free, but more than worth the price!  Link to KiCad at Tech Explorations

Sorry for replying you late here, but here is the update -

One of the students who lives in our apartment will be getting me a copy of this from his college professor. He said that it might not be the latest edition. I also found that he has a tutorial on udemy as well.

For those who are interested here is the link - https://www.udemy.com/course/kicad-like-a-pro-2e/?src=sac&kw=kicad

Thanks for this one, @codecage 🙂

@sid

Not sure why you need to get a copy from a student via his professor when you can just download it yourself?

Posted by: @codecage

@sid

Not sure why you need to get a copy from a student via his professor when you can just download it yourself?

Old school, probably. I prefer to read a physical book. But in case his copy is real outdated (I refer to the versions of KiCad), I might have no choice but to download and print out the one you mentioned.

@sid

Oh sorry!  You're referring to the book!   I thought it was the software you were getting from the professor.  My bad!

@centari

Does LT Spice allow breadboard circuits and Arduino circuits?

@sumanta, sorry for being late to the show.  @magicchristian knows more about it than I do.  I went headlong into KiCad.  I found a great series of you tube vids on the KiCad platform.  I'll see if I can track it back down.

(got a short break in the kidney stones hitting.  Still one lurking but able to function a bit.  Good to be up again.)

Resources for KiCad help:

First the KiCad website, https://kicad.org/help/tutorials/

Second, John's Basement you-tuber produced an excellent series (in my opinion) and the play list is

@centari

Get well soon. 🙂 

Thanks for your reply. 😀