Re: Software tools for architectural diagrams and for timing diagram entry?
- From: "JJ" <johnjakson@xxxxxxxxx>
- Date: 17 Sep 2005 08:05:09 -0700
Telenochek wrote:
> Hi!
> I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for software that is
> designed for drawing architectural level diagrams or block diagrams for
> hardware design.
> (lets say a microprogrammed pipelined processor).
> Currently I am using Microsoft Visio 2003, and its okay, but it never
> hurts to try and find something better (if you know what I mean) :)
>
> Also does anyone know what software tools are used to draw the timing
> diagrams in various datasheets?
>
> Any help will be highly appreciated!
> Thank you!
Yes
I spent several months preparing a paper (on a pipelined processor) and
docs trying to use relatively free software Windows like Open Office
but the graphics really just were awefull.
I remembered how much fun I had on the old Mac 20yrs ago with MacDraw
so I dug up Canvas by deneba who also did a Windows version starting
around early 90s.
Basically its a CAD program as easy to use as the old MacDraw but much
more powerful, it doesn't do the links thing like Visio or OO but after
using OO version of that I got sick of that feature in a hurry.
In canvas when you need to make up arrays it figures how to auto step &
repeat, many Win programs copy right on top of same, what good is that.
It allows hierarchy grouping ungrouping etc.
Its stipple pattern choices are very dated though right out of MacPaint
1 1984.
You can control your grid and resolutions.
Its follows good interface design and installs by just dragging (old
version).
It starts in <<1s while OO,Acrobat_reader starts in 10-20secs.
Overall I found I could do all my schematic and other drawings in a
half hour instead of hitting the wall. Downside of course these
schematics are for artwork only, not machine readable. Works well with
OO etc and the final PDFs looks good.
They are still around but seem to have moved on to high end drawing.
>>From the web its looks familiar but the price is much higher (about
same as Visio). It started out life as a $50 desk accessory.
You can probably find quite a few Windows native CAD programs (some
even free) but I always find they get the whole user experience wrong
in some terrible way, I have tried way too many and forget them.
regards
johnjakson at usa dot_com...
PS if you want to see what my graphics look like, drop a note, may take
a week though.
.
- References:
- Prev by Date: Software tools for architectural diagrams and for timing diagram entry?
- Next by Date: Re: Software tools for architectural diagrams and for timing diagram entry?
- Previous by thread: Software tools for architectural diagrams and for timing diagram entry?
- Next by thread: Re: Software tools for architectural diagrams and for timing diagram entry?
- Index(es):
Relevant Pages
|
