Tip: List of Free Engineering Software

[ash]

Well, I thought of just posting this after I compiled a big list of programs, but it'll take some time. So i'll just post an initial list. To make the list complete, it'll take all of you CEans to contribute I was sorta inspired by the Neowin's List of free alternative software (click HERE), so I believe a dedicated engineering one here would be useful!

CAD software
OpenCascade (OSS)
Alibre Xpress (Free edition, need to register)
Google SketchUp (freeware)
A9CAD (General purpose 2D, freeware)
BRL CAD (solid modelling system, OSS)

ECAD software
KiCad (OSS)
Eagle (Free edition)

Mathematics/Numerical
Scilab (sorta OSS)

Circuit Analysis and Schematics
PSpice (student edition)
Circuit Maker 6 (student edition)
Multisim Designsuite 9 (freeware edition. Im not sure of the limitations yet)
SwCADIII (free version)

Compiler
Dev C++ 5 beta (OSS)
Dev C++ 4.9.9.2 Portable (OSS. It can run off a USB, pretty useful)
Visual Basic 2008 Express, Visual C++ 2008 Express (Freeware IDE's from Microsoft. Has some limitations, but ideal for students and hobbyists)

Wave Analysis
Spectrogram Version 16 (Freeware)

PIC stuff
MPLAB IDE (free version)
HI-TECH PICC-Lite (freeware with some limitations, quick registration)

PIC16F87x / 16F87xA bootloader (freeware)

Embedded RTOS
Salvo Lite (free version with some limitations)

Thanks Suyash and Muffy for your suggestions!

Yep, this list still has a long way to go. I've tried most the software listed above. I could have just googled for more, but it isnt right if I just copy paste them unless I've actually tested them. So, please post in any free software which you have used that could be useful to the rest of us! I'll update this list often. If we can have a big list, it can be sticky'd

[ash]

I just added some PIC tools. Does anyone know a more user friendly PIC compiler like the CCS PCW PIC C-compiler? The HI-TECH one takes some extra steps to compile

[ash]

*bump*

Any CEan got anymore free engineering software which I can add to the list? Preferably ones that you have used before, of course!

[ash]

*bump again*
I added a free wave analyzer called Spectrogram (at version 16 now). It turns your computer into a Spectrum analyzer, using the MIC input of your soundcard. Its totally awesome stuff. Here's a quote from the website regarding its features:

Spectrogram version 16 is a freeware dual channel audio spectrum analyzer for Windows 2000/XP/Vista which can provide either a scrolling time-frequency display or a spectrum analyzer scope display in real time for any sound source connected to your sound card. Spectrogram allows unlimited recording and playback of the sounds from the audio spectrum display and can provide very high resolution spectrum analysis of wave files with a wide choice of frequency bands and frequency resolution and either linear or logarithmic frequency scales. Spectrum data logging capability is also provided. Spectrogram is ideal for any purpose related to sound spectrum analysis including

• Analysis and identification of biological sounds
• Analysis of bat echolocation sounds
• Analysis and identification of human speech
• Analysis of vocal and instrumental music

• Evaluation and tuning of musical instruments
• Evaluation and calibration of home audio systems
• Ham Radio audio reception and tuning

I also came across SwitcherCAD III. The circuit analysis is quite easy to use. I'll test it more to see how well it compares with Orcad PSpice. Check them out!

I wanted to add Octave to the list.. but I had trouble installing it. Its a MATLAB 4 clone, meaning the syntax and keywords are virtually the same. Perhaps its easier to use than Scilab for those migrating from MATLAB.

[suyash]

A9CAD - for general 2D purpose ... quite simple to use and uses AutoCAD like GUI

Google Sketch up - for 3d modeling, haven't used it... but heard that it's quite powerful !!

[ash]

*bumps*

Added a entry to the Visual Studio 2008 express editions. They are free IDE tools from Microsoft, and pack quite a lot of functions.

Some links for more info:
Visual Studio 2008 Express Edition Products
Microsoft Visual Studio Express - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

CEans, please do not hesitate to post your suggestions. Anyone know any wave analysis software? How about finite analysis? How about BasicStamp and AVR tools?

Ideally it should be a software you already tried

[sauravgoswami]

why dont ya add some measurement helpfull s/w Labveiw form NI will do,you can also add some scripting tools like Python which are also helpfull,and finally Emulator s/w,it will help to run programmes without H/W or development kits.