Free design automation app
Fritzing is a multimedia application designed for artists, designers, and anyone who works with interactive electronics. It is a design automation software that primarily serves as a means for users to learn how to use printed circuit boards (PCBs) and get efficient with them. Moreover, it allows you to create circuit designs from scratch and work with interactive electronics. Fritzing is a free and open-source application that simplifies the process of electronic design. However, it has not been updated by its developers for more than a year.
What is Fritzing?
Fritzing is primarily a teaching tool for users to learn how to create and work with PCBs and other electronics designs. Once launched, you will find that the main window offers three viewing modes. The first one is the Breadboard, where you can usually begin your work. In this mode, you can create a design that looks like the real thing. As a result, you can prevent mistakes when turning your project from its virtual version to the physical state.
Another viewing mode is the Schematic. Here, you can create a circuit designed as a diagram. It is a handy mode to use for those who prefer to create a design using the standard circuit symbols. The third viewing mode is the PCB view, which lets users design and export documents needed to produce PCB. Fritzing makes creating a design easy. To add parts to your board, you only need to drag them from the library and drop them onto your project.
Speaking of parts library, Fritzing boasts an extensive library of electronic parts, with all of its catalog organized into categories. With this, you can easily find what you need. And if the app does not have the parts you require, you can create customized ones. To do so, simply provide the part name, icon, and graphic image. You also need to give the other required specifications, such as the label, description, properties, tags, and author. Another interesting feature of this app is the Part Inspector. Here, users can view and modify the information on the individual circuit parts.
Is the app worth it?
In conclusion, Fritzing is a reliable design app that designers and engineers can use to learn more about PCBs. It allows the automation of electronics design, cutting the job in half. Moreover, it lets you test your ideas and develops PCBs for your electronics. It also enables you to share your prototypes with other users, making it an effective tool to teach electronics in a classroom setup.
