Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Well, while I haven't read every single post in every single thread in this section of the forums, I have detected a few common problems:

1.) Peeps talk about auto cad and other commercial drawing programs that most other peeps can't afford. Plus they are hard to use for newbs.

2.) All I've seen is words to describe circuits, no drawing of schematics with accompanying parts lists.

I don't know if there are any other professionals who make their living off of electronics on the board, or if all are hobbyists. Not that there is anything wrong with hobbyists, I was in that place once. It's a great place to be. In fact making the transition to a professional and slaving over it every day can actually take the fun out of messing with it at home after work. You've already seen enough at work for one day, etc.

Another thing I detect in the boards here, and this is something that is near and dear to my heart, is the desire to do everything as cheaply as possible versus buying a ready made plug and play AP system for thousands of dollars.

I propose that we can all agree to one single drawing program that is simple to use, provides a means for us to make our own symbol libraries to augment the ones that come with the program, and is totally and LEGALLY free. No software piracy involved here.

I have been using this program for years to draw schematics for my designs of ham radio transmitters and receivers, hi-fi vacuum tube audio amplifiers, etc. Heck, the basic program after you download it even has symbols in the library for vacuum tubes already. Where else you gonna find that?!

As I progress through the design phase into the build phase of my AP system, I will share photos like everyone else does. But I will not be describing any circuitry for the DC controls of my off the grid system in words. I will be publishing schematics, and accompanying bill of materials.

These will be drawn in TinyCAD, a free program that does all of the these things.

So if you want to be able to see them, download TinyCAD here:
http://sourceforge.net/projects/tinycad/

I have spent many hours over the years downloading and trying different free programs. This is by far the best.

So can we all agree to stop disagreeing over this? And can we all stop describing schematics in words, and actually start publishing schematics on this board?

Most people here use sketchup. Or if they want to be really basic, MSpaint.

I've seen some of you MSpaint drawings, Ron...

My sketchup skills are better.

I dont think sketchup does electrical circuits etc.

I've sen MS Paint used, but I found it a bit cumbersome when I tried it myself. Not enough tools in the box, so to speak.

How easily does TinyCAD do IBC's barrels and tubs? Are you propposing it mainly for electrical/electronic schematics or have you used it for system designs as well?

Traditionally using CAD programs has needed a steep learning curve for the average punter. Most have neither the time nor patience to sit and spend hours learning to use something they only partly understand.

I'll DL it and see what it is like...

I spent some time looking and I haven't yet located any libraries other than for electric/electronic work. For those doing such projects it does seem a handy tool, but perhaps not for AP systems.

Yes Journeyman, I propose it just for electrical/electronic drawings. Which is why I posted it in the Electronics and Electrical section. Sorry for any confusion, seems we all started talking apples and oranges in this thread I started. I meant for all my comments to apply to only the things I've seen in just this particular Electronics and Electrical section of the forums. I try to keep my posts on topic and posted in the proper relevant sections.

I'm planning a DC off the grid system. After I get it all figured out and working, my plan was to post all the electrical diagrams in TinyCAD format. It's what I use for that purpose. My plan is to post my schematic diagrams either in a future thread that I start on my system after I build it, or else in this electronic and electrical section of the forums.

TinyCAD can give you a bill of materials based on the reference designators you use in the schematics, automatically.

I imagine it would be difficult, at best, to use for any other purpose than electrical/electronic. It seems to be the easiest free tool for electronics though.

Attached for example, is a drawing for a valve Hi-Fi amplifier I made with TinyCad, which you can look at after you download it. Also attached are two text files generated by TinyCAD. Each sheet in the drawing automatically generates a text file bill of materials for that sheet.

If you are so inclined, you can now build this most excellent sounding amplifier.

Hmmm . . where do the attachments go? It looked like they uploaded.

Ah, I should have realized you meant for electrical schematics. I always used Eagle. TinyCAD might be nice. Typically, posting an 800 x 600 jpeg of said schematic to get the point across is enough...

Seems like a lot disagreeing about agreeing on anything....

I agree Rupe.

I will sit on the fence with this one.

Bru, I appreciate the drawings that anyone has posted, format not withstanding. That said; Your drawings and any others that use your free program, should contain precision diagrams. This will benefit the whole community. I can see only good coming from this. Except that someone could decide not to put up their idea because its in paint. I for one will be giving your program a try. I encourage anyone with a thought/idea, give it to us however you are able.