Fritzing

[smashedProton]

Does anybody use Fritzing?  If so, how does it stack up to eagle?  I have access to both.  The eternal problem of libraries is the deciding factor

[c4757p]

The last time I messed around with Fritzing it struck me as a pointless toy...

[c4757p]

By the way, I've never had a problem just making my own libraries. In fact I use an entirely custom library for KiCad - love the program but the included library sucks  . Didn't take long to make at all, PCB footprints included (and I included everything - from "P-channel JFET with interchangeable source and drain" to three kinds of thyristors to air-core inductors and so on). It only takes five minutes or so to throw a new chip into the library. Whatever you end up using, I encourage you to get familiar with its library editor.

[smashedProton]

Is there any chance that you can email me your kicad library?

[c4757p]

I can put it together for you tomorrow, but remember - I made it for myself, so it may be missing important things that I have never used, it does not contain PCB footprints that I have not needed, and I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the footprints in general cases (i.e., many are made from measurements I took with a caliper).

[smashedProton]

Thank you so much!  The default eagle library is rubbish too.  So I have really only been dealing with that. 

[c4757p]

I will get it to you today as promised, but maybe a bit late. I was in the middle of making some changes to it, and it is partially broken. I'll pack it up as soon as I get it fixed.

[firewalker]

I am a translator for Fritzing. It's a nice educational tool but not for serious engineering.

Alexander.

[c4757p]

Yeah, "pointless toy" may have been overly blunt, I can see how it would be nice as an educational tool.

[smashedProton]

If you toss the breadboard cad, it's a wonderful tool.   ThLe libraries really need to be better. And SMd would be nice.  I am impressed wi the organization though.  I really wish that circuit hub would come around soon

[Eonir]

I'd say Fritzing is a nice image editor for visualising simple electronics projects. I wouldn't want to use its schematic editor, let alone their layout editor.

I think it's an adequate tool to teaching children about electronics (which I think is its entire premise!), but no more than that.

[Stonent]

I think I would like it if Fritzing had the capability of auto-rotating your components in the schematic view to avoid overly complex wiring.

[nctnico]

By the way, I've never had a problem just making my own libraries. In fact I use an entirely custom library for KiCad - love the program but the included library sucks  . . It only takes five minutes or so to throw a new chip into the library. Whatever you end up using, I encourage you to get familiar with its library editor.

I agree. I've been designing PCBs using a computer for more than 15 years and every single project needs at least one new footprint. A library with standard stuff like resistors, chips, most of the transistor / diode footprints is a good start though.

[Stonent]

I've decided Fritzing is best at allowing you to share breadboarded projects with others. Or the stuff like, how ditch the Arduino and use just the AVR.