Is this good for analog stuff, at least as effective as LTSpice?
I've been using the latter on a Mac for simulating vacuum tube (UK: valve) circuits with some success and a very large amount of frustration. I would love something a little less actively user-hostile...
I didn't grow up with it, so coming at it from a perspective of someone who's gotten used to modern software, it's remarkably hard to learn.
The interface is weird. Placement of components isn't so bad but when you want to do stuff like move them or rotate, you fall into this strange mode system that's unlike any other software I've ever used.
Including models is done by writing arcane text commands on the diagram. And also by setting parameters in a hidden window on the component diagram itself.
Models != visual components.
Sometimes I have to set the model designator for a component in the UI twice before it'll "take". That's hostile!
Finickity pin alignment on custom/3rd party components sometimes leads to open circuits when they look closed.
The parameter/settings windows are cryptic.
The wire drawing tool is really nice though.
It's obviously better than writing a setlist in TextEdit but I've found the learning curve very steep, with all the underlying complexity of Spice exposed. The fairly prehistoric interface paradigm that means that any muscle memory and expectations from using any other graphical software just don't help. In fact, they hurt.
I tried your thing when I was looking for circuit design software. I liked it. It didn't have any vacuum tube models at the time (not that I blame you, it's niche) and so I couldn't use it for what I needed.
Does your tool support custom key commands and macros (also can I use it out of a browser)?
Last time I played with it that was what got me to leave. A drag and drop wysiwyg is wholly inappropriate for serious work. Also the search feature doesn’t work well, it stalled looking for “op amp”
And by “serious” work I mean a small circuit with two dozen elements.
I've been using the latter on a Mac for simulating vacuum tube (UK: valve) circuits with some success and a very large amount of frustration. I would love something a little less actively user-hostile...