Anybody With A Mac Computer……...

[The Ballzz]

Hey All,
Is there any one here with a Mac that has found a good program(s) for drawing layouts/schematics that doesn't cost an arm & a leg? I know that I can go the route of "virtual machines" to be able to "kinda" run Windows crap, but all that is just that, CRAP!
Gene

[Reeltarded]

Ironic. The wndows stuff works great and it's free.

[frankdrebin]

i use Sprint layout,with Crossover.
super easy to use and inexpensive,runs smoothly without the hassle of starting a complete emulation machine that sucks all your resources.

[JazzGuitarGimp]

No crap about it. I've been on a Mac Mini since 2009. I'm running the Mac OS (OS X 10.8.5) concurrently with Windows XP Pro SP 3 as a virtual machine using VMWare Fusion. I run PADS Layout for pc board design and OrCAD Capture for schematic capture, both of which are industry-standard, heavy-hitter programs - all without a hitch, and certainly no crap! And I've been doing it five days a week for five years. I run only my Windows-based CAD programs on the Windows partition. Everything else happens in OS X, including all internet-connected apps. It's a very elegant solution.

[tubeswell]

http://dhost.info/jschem/

[gui_tarzan]

I love how the hardcore Mac guys trash Windows software all the time. Is there crap out there? You bet, but there's crap for Mac too, I've seen it. But there is a hundred times more software available for the PC and a lot of it is good and free.

Keep your PC protected and be careful about websites you go to and the virus/malware argument is null and void.

[The Ballzz]

I love how the hardcore Mac guys trash Windows software all the time. Is there crap out there? You bet, but there's crap for Mac too, I've seen it. But there is a hundred times more software available for the PC and a lot of it is good and free.

Keep your PC protected and be careful about websites you go to and the virus/malware argument is null and void.

Not so much slamming on Windows software when it's used on a Windows machine, but there always seems to be issues when trying to use it on a Mac. My main complaint about the Windows OS in general is that it seems to not be strictly hierarchical in terms of finding stuff. I have WindowsXP installed on a partition in my older (07-sh) Mac laptop, but I was looking for a way to use my newer imac (bigger screen-27", faster, more convenient) and putting a partition in and installing Windows will require a complete reconfiguration, etc!
Gene

[The Ballzz]

i use Sprint layout,with Crossover.
super easy to use and inexpensive,runs smoothly without the hassle of starting a complete emulation machine that sucks all your resources.

Frank,
Do you have links to these items that you could share?
Thanks,
Gene

[gui_tarzan]

Not so much slamming on Windows software when it's used on a Windows machine, but there always seems to be issues when trying to use it on a Mac.

No arguments there.

My main complaint about the Windows OS in general is that it seems to not be strictly hierarchical in terms of finding stuff.

The structure of Windows has always been a tree of directories and subdirectories. Finding things has never been an issue with me, but the Mac OS used to give me fits.

[The Ballzz]

Yeah,
It's mostly a matter of what you're most familiar with. My first computer in 98 was a Mac and that's what I've used ever since. Whenever I sit down to a PC, it feels like I'm trying to re-invent the wheel! For what it's worth, my 98 Blue & White G3 Mac tower, with 350 mhz processor still works flawlessly, within it's limits and hasn't had a crash since 01. Of course, it is too slow and not update-able for internet use any more, but…….. I use it now mostly for word processing, music storage, etc!
And I found those programs that Frank mentioned and I kinda like the idea of "CROSSOVER!" Now I'll just need to decide which layout & schematic program I want/need to use, as his suggested Sprint Layout appears to center around printed circuit boards and I work pretty exclusively with turret board construction.
Thanks,
Gene

[brewdude]

I use jschem for schematics. It took me a while to figure it out but I'm a bit of a ludite.

[jazbo8]

Inkscape + stencils can get you very far.

[overtone]

Re. JSchem:
The "undo" does not seem to function on the mac version of JSchem. So you have to make sure not to goof up!

In the end I am quicker with AutoCad on PC running XP-pro which is quarantined from the internet.

[The Ballzz]

Re. JSchem:
The "undo" does not seem to function on the mac version of JSchem. So you have to make sure not to goof up!

In the end I am quicker with AutoCad on PC running XP-pro which is quarantined from the internet.

Yes, Indeed,
While not fully experienced in AutoCad, I did run a free trial and loved it! Huge learning curve, but the whole "blank canvas" nature appeals to me. I wish I could justify the $$$ and if so, I would either purchase a PC or another Mac (I do like the Apple hardware) just to use Windows on it, simply for AutoCad use! I use Sketchup for wood working projects and like it, unfortunately, it does not lend itself well to use for electronics in any way!
Thanks,
Gene

[shoggoth]

I use KiCAD on the PC, it's free and does the job well. Only thing I hate is that there's no cut'n'paste between two different schematics, you can only paste in the same schematic.

There's a Mac version too.