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I've just starting learning electronics. I've been using Autodesk Eagle for a little while now since it runs on Linux and seems to be pretty full featured. I like that you can easily design a circuit schema, layout PCB, and then order the PCB and parts. However, it seems to be missing a simulator which I really need. Searching online it seems that there an add-on simulator called PCBSim. It looks very cool, but the pricing is very high and as a hobbyist, I just cannot afford it.

Does Autodesk Eagle have any other, more moderately priced, add-on simulators? Did I miss anything with Autodesk Eagle's built-in functionality when it comes to circuit simulation? Should I be looking at other options other then Eagle? I've tried running LTSpice via wine, but it's been buggy.

Thank you

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  • \$\begingroup\$ I think you are unnecessarily limiting yourself by requiring an Eagle add-on (I also think you're limiting yourself with Eagle, but that's another matter). While it may not integrate as well with Eagle, LTSpice is free and generally well-liked by the community. What are you simulating? There may be other more appropriate options. \$\endgroup\$
    – uint128_t
    Commented Jul 10, 2017 at 5:04
  • \$\begingroup\$ Hi, I need something that can run on Linux. I've tried running LTSpice via wine, but it seems a little buggy. Are there other options I should be looking at? \$\endgroup\$
    – oneself
    Commented Jul 10, 2017 at 14:34
  • \$\begingroup\$ ngspice is probably the most commonly used native Linux simulator, but it's not quite as friendly as LTSpice IMO. \$\endgroup\$
    – uint128_t
    Commented Jul 11, 2017 at 14:49

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I run Wine 1.6.2 /LTSpice May 26 2016 /Ubuntu 16.04 and it's usable. There are minor GUI annoyances and I can't easily plot the current in a wire, but otherwise I can manage. It might be worthwhile trying to address the Wine issues directly, rather than looking elsewhere for a simulator.

Can I suggest dropping Eagle? Go for Kicad. If it's good enough to design the Hadron Collider on, it should do for users here. And they're starting to develop Spice integration too, but for free.

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    \$\begingroup\$ +1 for LTSpice + Kicad. Eagle licensing is only getting pricier/less functional under Autodesk, and Kicad is more capable with better community support. \$\endgroup\$
    – uint128_t
    Commented Jul 11, 2017 at 14:48
  • \$\begingroup\$ @uint128_t To be honest, I view Autodesk as a danger to the free market with the rate they're buying up stuff. Their portfolio is huge. If they buy Dassault Systèmes and /or SolidWorks there'll be nothing left of the market. \$\endgroup\$
    – Paul Uszak
    Commented Jul 11, 2017 at 22:37
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    \$\begingroup\$ I would agree with that. The real shame is that Sparkfun, Adafruit, and other "maker-friendly" shops have now designed themselves into a corner: they've got all their part libraries and boards in Eagle, and to redo all that would be too much. IMO, it's crippling the maker/DIY community. \$\endgroup\$
    – uint128_t
    Commented Jul 11, 2017 at 23:58

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