The ExpressPCB CAD software is very easy to learn and use. For the first time, designing circuit boards is simple for the beginner and efficient for the professional. Best of all, its FREE.
The ExpressSCH schematic design program is just as easy to use as our PCB layout software, both having the same user interface. After spending a few minutes to learn one, mastering the other takes no time at all. Here's how simple it is to draw a schematic with ExpressSCH:
Select the Components
Begin your schematic by placing the components. Select the parts from the Component Manager dialog Box. ExpressSCH includes a large library with hundreds of component symbols (ICs, resistors, capacitors...) that you can use to draw your electronic circuits.
Position the Components
Drag each component to the desired location on the page. The Snap to Grid feature makes it easy to neatly align the symbols.
If all of the components do not fit on a single page, add additional sheets. All the sheets of a schematic are linked together and saved in one file.
Add the Wires
Now draw the wires to Connect the parts together. Add each wire by clicking on a component's pin, then dragging the wire to the pin it connects to.
Edit the Schematic
Making changes to a schematic is simple using standard commands such as Copy, Cut and Paste. Rearranging the components is easy by dragging them with the mouse. Wires always stay connected to their pins, even when you MOVE things around.
Link the Schematic and PCB
After you complete your schematic, it can be linked to your circuit board layout file.
This image of the ExpressPCB layout program shows how it guides you in designing your board by highlighting in blue the pins that should be wired together.
