JSchem can now import ExpressSCH files

[Heinz]

Hello everybody,

I am pleased to announce a new version of JSchem that can import ExpressSCH files. The schematics library is now open for all operating systems!
You can download it from http://dhost.info/jschem
The new version also has some handling and performance improvements.
Feel free to PM me or send an email if you have problems/bugs/ideas/wishes.

Bernhard aka Heinz

[jhadhar65]

Man, you've done it again.  This is fantastic!  I can't wait to try it out.

Hoyt

[Heinz]

Update:

I have uploaded a new version that fixes some bugs and adds a file type association for .sch files on Mac OS (so they can be double-clicked).

[bluejay]

It works great displaying the .sch files.  Thank you Heinz!!!     ;D

[TubeGeek]

Now I finally have a way to look at the .sch files on my mac!

Thanks a ton.

[juse]

Hi, I'm new here, this is my first post. Thanks for the great schematic capture app. It is nice & compact. Awesome!

[TubeStake]

>> Now I finally have a way to look at the .sch files on my mac!

I second that! Not only look at, but edit, revise, and generally make use of!!

FABULOUS!!!

Thank you Bernhard.

[Heinz]

I have uploaded a new version of JSchem that fixes some problems with wire/component attachments and adds many new components to the library.

If you have designed library components that you would like to see added to the library you can send them to my email address (see the JSchem website) and I will include them in the next release.

[mrpixel]

Heinz, I really appreciate that you made this program available and thank you very much. I haven't found anything at any price to do this on a Mac.

I am a Mac developer myself and there are two small points that you might consider.

1. I can't get the Undo function to work with Command - Z (or from the menu)

2. Mac users use the 'backspace' key to delete in all other programs, not the 'delete' key.

Cheers,

Joe

[Heinz]

mrpixel, thank you.
The Undo function won't work on any system (mainly because it is not implemented... ;))
I am currently redesigning the whole application to improve OS specific features and I will take the delete/backspace issue into account.
I have never owned or used a Mac, so some details might escape me. If you find more inconsistencies like this I would be grateful for hints.

Makes me really happy to find that people actually use the program.

[mrpixel]

Having used the program a bit more, I have some other suggestions for the Mac version which I hope are helpful:-

1. On Mac OS, clicking on the "Go Away" (red button) top left of any window closes the window but does not exit the application as it does on other platforms.

2. Although contextual menus are available on OS X from the right mouse button, many Mac users still use single button mice and tend to rely on Command - key presses more. It would be helpful to include more of these, specifically:-

Command +    = zoom in
Command -     = zoom out
Command d    for 'Duplicate' would be very useful (this is essentially a copy AND paste) and would avoid multiple trips to the library to get resistors and capacitors. Also, see below about alt-dragging.

3. The 'expected' behaviour for the arrow keys is to nudge the selected object in the arrow direction - not to scroll the window. The distance is sometimes modified with the alt key.

4. Two other Mac drawing conventions that would be useful:-
Holding the Shift key constrains drawing lines to horizontal and vertical only.
Alt-dragging an object duplicates it.

5. Now something that is VERY specific to this program and would make life a lot easier. Inserting a Micro character (Unicode 00B5) as in microfarad somehow. This involves a trip to the character palette each time it is used. It would be nice if you could implement an automatic substitution of uF to µF through the properties dialog "Part name" mechanism.

I hope that these comments are helpful and not an imposition :) They will help make an good program even better!

[Heinz]

Joe, thank you for your suggestions. I think the features you are asking for will be useful for any platform, not just Macs. I'll add them to my to-do list.

Here are some hints how to make life easier until the new version is finished:

[*]On Windows/Linux you can produce a µ on the keyboard via "Alt Gr"-m. Maybe there is a similar key combination with m on Mac OS. Just try all modifier keys you have...
[*]Activating the library tool (third button in left toolbar, with the red op-amp symbol) displays a combobox with the most recently inserted library components in the toolbar. Pick one from that box and place it in the schematic.
[*]Components can be moved with the arrow keys if you click and hold them...but they jump back when you release the mouse button. :-? Well, better forget about this feature until it's fixed.
[/list]

[mrpixel]

[*]On Windows/Linux you can produce a µ on the keyboard via "Alt Gr"-m. Maybe there is a similar key combination with m on Mac OS. Just try all modifier keys you have...

Yes, it is alt-m on Mac. Thanks for the tip.

[*]Activating the library tool (third button in left toolbar, with the red op-amp symbol) displays a combobox with the most recently inserted library components in the toolbar. Pick one from that box and place it in the schematic.

I'm not getting a combo box. I can only place the last symbol.

Mac OS X 10.4.11 Java v 1.4.2_16 and 1.5.0_13

If you would like me to be a beta tester for the Mac version next time round, just let me know. I have much beta testing experience for Apple, Adobe and Microsoft and others.

[*]Components can be moved with the arrow keys if you click and hold them...but they jump back when you release the mouse button. :-? Well, better forget about this feature until it's fixed.
[/list]

Mmm. Yes.

[Heinz]

I am using OS X 10.4.10 with Java 1.5.0_07. This is what it looks like for me.
You don't have that combobox?
Is there a red flag in lower right corner? If yes, press it and send me the contents of the console window.

[mrpixel]

Sorry Bernhard, now that you show me the picture, it is there. I was looking in the wrong place (or maybe the right place). In other programs, the menu would be adjacent to the button. Have a look at Photoshop and Illustrator. I don't know if this is possible in Java?

[Heinz]

Joe, please check your PM.

[Heinz]

JSchem 0.9.30 has just been released and can be downloaded from http://dhost.info/jschem as usual.

This version has many handling and performance improvements over the previous release and provides a much better "native" experience, especially for Mac users. Unfortunately, undo/redo is giving me a headache and is still not working properly. Some actions (e.g. adding a sheet) can be undone, but it is still dangerous. Don't do it until it's finished. I'm working on it.

When you run this version for the first time, you will be prompted with the library update tool. Please read the paragraph on the JSchem home page about this feature.

Best regards,
Bernhard (aka Heinz)

[Twanger]

Thanks for your work Heinz!

[EL34]

Thanks Heinz

[SirElwood]

How do I change language? I use mac osx if that matters...

Am I blind or what?

[Heinz]

No, your eyes are fine...

You can't change the language manually. JSchem detects the locale of the operating system on startup. If it has a translation for that locale (currently only English and German) it will use it, otherwise it will use English.

What language are you looking for? You could contribute a translation if you want to. It's pretty simple.

Edit: I looked at your profile. A Finnish translation would be really cool.
A translation is a simple text file with about 300 words and phrases. Should be done in less than an hour. And your name will appear in the about box of JSchem  ;)

If you or anyone else is interested in doing a translation for their language, please send me an email or PM.

[SirElwood]

No, your eyes are fine...

You can't change the language manually. JSchem detects the locale of the operating system on startup. If it has a translation for that locale (currently only English and German) it will use it, otherwise it will use English.

Ok. "I see". ;D

What language are you looking for? You could contribute a translation if you want to. It's pretty simple.

I was just browsing this program.

Edit: I looked at your profile. A Finnish translation would be really cool.
A translation is a simple text file with about 300 words and phrases. Should be done in less than an hour. And your name will appear in the about box of JSchem  ;)

I'm happy to do a Finnish translation. I send you @mail. I've been useing ExpressSCH/PCB to make effect pedal pcb's and schematics and I think I also have some custom components. Some tubes, semiconductors, IC's, connectors, transformers and so on...

[Heinz]

A new version of JSchem is available from http://dhost.info/jschem

Forum member SirElwood has volunteered to provide a Finnish translation. The new version includes his translation, some of his favorite components and several features that facilitate the translation process. It is now also possible to display pin outlines for connected components and wires.

[Heinz]

Another new version of JSchem is available from http://dhost.info/jschem

Eric Vanden Bussche has provided a French translation for our Francophone friends. This version also has some new components in the library.

[Heinz]

An updated version of JSchem is available from the well-known site.

It provides the following new features:

• paste bug fixed
• several new library components
• export as bill of material (txt, csv)
• Windows Vista compatible

Feedback is always welcome.

[tubeswell]

Hi Bernhard

I really love using the program you've developed - thank you enormously.

I just have one question - I've never been able to make the 'AB' button do anything except bring up a selection of buttons in the button bar at the top of the window. What am I doing wrong?

Cheers

Pete

[Heinz]

Pete,

sorry I missed your post. There's nothing wrong with what you're doing. If you want to place a text, select the AB button, type the text in the edit field in the toolbar (to the right of the buttons you mentioned) and click into the sheet. I know it's not the most intuitive way, but it's exactly as ExpressSCH works...

Best regards
Bernhard

[Heinz]

An updated version of JSchem is available from the well-known site.

It fixes a bug in the .sch file importer that was pointed out by forum member fresh_start. Thanks a lot, Chip!

Feedback is always welcome.

[EL34]

Thanks Heinz

[EL34]

Jschem could be used as an Eyelet or turret lug board design tool.
I do this with CAD, but not everybody has a CAD program

Problem is that you need to set up the X and Y grid independently
And the grid have to be able to Snap-to that non square grid

The grid on my turret boards
Horizontal rows = 0.296875"
Vertical columns = 0.19685"

PC express only offers a square snap to grid.
Jschem is multi platform, which is a big plus
You could lay out parts on top of the board to see how they fit if you had the correct sizes of each part.
A common pad could be used to indicate where a hole for a lug or eyelet should be

Just throwing out ideas

This post has details on how to submit turret board designs to me, the method described is primitive
http://www.el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=9741.0

[Heinz]

Implementing a non-square grid does not sound overly complicated. I'll see what I can do.

However, there could be a problem with accuracy. JSchem stores its coordinates in 1/100 of a mm, ExpressPCB uses 1/1000 of an inch. It seems your grid is actually metric, but I'm not sure whether your layout can be done without rounding errors. I'll look into that as well.

EL34 edit: Hey Heinz.
1/100th of a mm is close enough
My row spacings center to center acually work out to 7.54062 mm
That could just be rounded off to 7.54 mm no problem
Column spacings are 5mm and 10mm exactly

[EL34]

Cool, thanks Heinz

My grid is strange

The horizontal row spacing between lugs is 19/64th inch
This came about many years ago because the original template I started with was an aluminum backing plate from a 3M computer backup tape
The metal plate was stamped with tiny indents in a grid of 19/64ths inch
I drilled on the indents to make a template

The vertical column spacing is 5mm and 10mm metric because most components have metric leg spacings

On my CAD program I have my rectangular grid set up as
X = .296875
Y = .19685

I found the original 3M tape template I used for the very first boards I made
here's a pic of it

[EL34]

If Heinz adds a rectangular grid capability and you could snap-to that grid and you have the components exact sizes in your library, you technically should be able to do the actual layouts on Jschem instead of that primitive paper method I came up with.

I could make a stock Jschem drawing file that is the same shape as my metal template
That template is 18 inches long x 3.125 inches wide
The grid in the file would be set to the correct lug spacings
This would make things a whole lot easier than my silly paper template idea.

here's a pic of one of the well used metal drilling templates that I used in my shop to make boards
It is 18 inches x 3.125 inches

[jhadhar65]

This would be very cool for me, too.  I've had very good success in the past starting with a Hoffman board, then modding the layout to explore other ideas.  I've tried a number of software tools for this, including ExpressSCH and Microsoft Visio.  I'm almost exclusively Linux and JSchem now (with the occasional use of Dia) and I would be very interested in being able to recreate my drilling template as a graphic template in JSchem.

Again, thanks Heinz for all your work on this, and thanks EL34 for giving us such an incredible and predictable way to build.

[tubeswell]

Hi Heinz

Is there any way to import other components for the component library, once you are in the component library window? (I can figure out how to access other folders containing ExpressSCH component files from within the Component Library window - I just cant find where the .jschem folder is on my mac)

Cheers

Pete

[EL34]

Component - Load from library - then browse

[Heinz]

Hi Tubeswell,

the library is located inside the .jschem folder in your Home folder. The folder is hidden since its name starts with a ".". You can either access it via terminal or modify the finder settings to make it visible. See http://guides.macrumors.com/Viewing_hidden_files_on_a_Mac for more info. Once you have access to the library you can simply copy the custom components into the library. ExpressSCH components will work, as well.
There is no way to import the components from within the library dialog in JSchem. Sorry.

Best regards,
Bernhard

[Jack_Hester]

I'm not home, where I can get to my drawing computer.  But, if I remember correctly, I could not find a way to set the grid to inches.  Is there an easy way to change this?  Thanks.

Jack

[stratele52]

Yesterday I just discover JSchem for Mac and PC from forum member Thelonius.
http://www.el34world.com/Forum/index.php?topic=14575.0

Its fantastic easy and great , for IC , transistor  and tubes amp. Also avalaible in french , I'm french canadian.

Thank's so much Theloius

download here ;http://dhost.info/jschem/