Here is hoping

https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/lko-trackwork-12193780

If the link falls down, page 11 of the thread. (Sorry Bill, forgot how you showed me to repair Drupal links)

Many versions of SPICE available

There are several free versions of SPICE(Simulated Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis) available. MultiSIM Blue from Mouser ( http://www.mouser.com/multisimblue/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=august2014&utm_campaign=cm-multisimblue-comingsoon&utm_content=cta) is an online version of SPICE which is not yet available (due in September). Many SPICE packages are available inculding Analog Devices' ADIsimPE ( http://www.analog.com/en/content/adisimpe/fca.html) and CoolCAD's free student version of their CoolSPICE ( CoolCAD Electronics).

But, and this is a big BUT. SPICE except for very simple circuits generally is not for the beginner. Almost every text or course on SPICE includes a note to the effect: If you do not already understand the circuit your are trying to simulate, your are probably going to be very frustrated. Simulators such as SPICE can be very good of tweaking designs, but are rarely useful during the concept stage. A typical undergraduate EE will be able to design, build and tweak simple OpAmp circuits in about half the time it takes them to design and simulate the circuits in SPICE.

Another major issue with the various versions of SPICE is the range and model quality of the components library. If a component model is not available or is inadequate, creating a model can be very time consuming. Packages from manufacturers like AD, TI, National, etc. usually have good models of their products, but lack models of other manufacturers products. Mouser is promising 100,000 of the industry’s leading manufacturer components built-in, but 99,000 capacitors, resistors and inductors; 20 versions of NE555's or similar device redundancies will just add to the frustration. Note: This lack of scope in the basic libraries has already led to the demise of several free SPICE packages.

Mouser has actually been working very hard to support independent developers and hobbyists, so I am hopeful that the MultiSIM library will include a broad range of devices.

I've used NI Multi-Sim

SPICE Tutorial

Allan, I forgot to add a link to  http://www.ecircuitcenter.com/AboutSPICE.htm. This is one of the better introductions to Running SPICE with several good examples in the CIRCUIT COLLECTION. The examples include the schematics, theory and SPICE code.

Hot Spice

My favorite version of Spice is SOLDER.

Call me old school, but I prefer to work out a schematic on a piece of paper and build up a breadboard with real components. Why? because actual components and layout parasitic elements resulting from the breadboard do not lie. You gain experience and you will learn so much more about your circuit by putting one together on the bench and getting it working.  After you get your circuit working, try spicing it and see what happens.

Having said that, I use spice or filter pro to quickly work out component values for feedback compensation networks or active filters, however, I know what the results are reasonably likely to be before I push the "give me the answer" button.  Experience allows me to vet the good data from the bad data....which holds true with anything in life.

I wish you good designing.

Steven

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