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Topic starter
2025-09-30 6:39 pm
For those of us who are new to Arduino, ESP32 and Raspberry Pi based projects, I'm wondering what members use to design and document their projects, and why they choose that particular solution. The pictures I see on the websites and videos are great to show what devices are used and how they are connected. There seems to be several mainstream choices, each with its own price-tag and learning curve with some steeper that others. Some are cloud based while others are entirely local; and some seem to be in-between??? I'm hesitant to just pick one and tackle its learning curve only to find out I selected a niche solution and the majority of fellow nerds picked a different solution.
Maybe this could also be a Poll Topic?
-- Joe S.
wilber82 reacted
2025-10-14 12:04 am
So I use DIY layout creator for basic perfboard layout and find it works well for basic wiring and such and it's free.
For PCB's KiCad rocks and I believe digikey has tutorials on it as well. Yup it's free.
Free is the cheapest software I can find.
wilber82 reacted
2025-10-14 5:14 pm
I also use Kicad; when I could not find schematic symbol or footprint for a part, I asked Claude about finding the part. Claude volunteered he could create a script to build both the symbol and the footprint. Both symbol and footprint were useable! Claude even gave a step by step detailed instructions on how to use the script!
William
wilber82 reacted
2025-11-07 2:28 pm
AutoCAD has a free online tool for device connection design
2025-11-14 7:11 am
I use Lochmaster for the veroboard layout but like the look of DIY Layout Creator.
Been over 30 years since i used a PCB Layout software so looking at something simple and will give KiCad a look.
What program does Bill use on his Videos?
Looks like a great piece of software and easy to look at when following his tutorials.