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LT Spice or Visual Spice?

M

Maxwell

Jan 1, 1970
0
I'm a beginner that would like to start learning a simulation package to
aid my understand of basic electronics. I have spent a great deal of time
searching the archives, and reading comments on sim software, and decided I
would like to go with either LT Spice or Visual Spice. Right now I can get
Visual Spice Advanced for $98. Would it be worth it to me in the long run,
or should I just go with LT Spice since it's free. If it's likely I would
want to upgrade someday, I'd rather spend the money to begin with, and avoid
the learning curve of changing later. But the what are the odds I would ever
outgrow LT Spice?

Thanks for your thoughts guys, I really appreciate it,

Maxwell
 
J

Joerg

Jan 1, 1970
0
Maxwell said:
I'm a beginner that would like to start learning a simulation package to
aid my understand of basic electronics. I have spent a great deal of time
searching the archives, and reading comments on sim software, and decided I
would like to go with either LT Spice or Visual Spice. Right now I can get
Visual Spice Advanced for $98. Would it be worth it to me in the long run,
or should I just go with LT Spice since it's free. If it's likely I would
want to upgrade someday, I'd rather spend the money to begin with, and avoid
the learning curve of changing later. But the what are the odds I would ever
outgrow LT Spice?

Thanks for your thoughts guys, I really appreciate it,

Maxwell

It doesn't get much easier than LTSpice. You can do schematic entry. Ok,
maybe I am biased because I grew up in a time when text entry was the
only modus operandi for simulations. And I still use the slide rule...
 
F

Fred Bartoli

Jan 1, 1970
0
Joerg a écrit :
It doesn't get much easier than LTSpice. You can do schematic entry. Ok,
maybe I am biased because I grew up in a time when text entry was the
only modus operandi for simulations. And I still use the slide rule...

Slide rule... hmmm
Do you still use the old text one (log table) or did you take the plunge
and switched to that incredibly modern graphic one with a cursor? :)
 
D

D from BC

Jan 1, 1970
0
I'm a beginner that would like to start learning a simulation package to
aid my understand of basic electronics. I have spent a great deal of time
searching the archives, and reading comments on sim software, and decided I
would like to go with either LT Spice or Visual Spice. Right now I can get
Visual Spice Advanced for $98. Would it be worth it to me in the long run,
or should I just go with LT Spice since it's free. If it's likely I would
want to upgrade someday, I'd rather spend the money to begin with, and avoid
the learning curve of changing later. But the what are the odds I would ever
outgrow LT Spice?

Thanks for your thoughts guys, I really appreciate it,

Maxwell
The old saying:
One thing that's constant is change...

I say start with LTSpice and then try something else when needed.

You could read the replies I got when I posted:
Do Designers Do Spice Hopping?
http://groups.google.ca/group/sci.e...o+spice+hopping&rnum=1&hl=en#d19f08e60d00d903

D from BC
 
M

martin griffith

Jan 1, 1970
0
I'm a beginner that would like to start learning a simulation package to
aid my understand of basic electronics. I have spent a great deal of time
searching the archives, and reading comments on sim software, and decided I
would like to go with either LT Spice or Visual Spice. Right now I can get
Visual Spice Advanced for $98. Would it be worth it to me in the long run,
or should I just go with LT Spice since it's free. If it's likely I would
want to upgrade someday, I'd rather spend the money to begin with, and avoid
the learning curve of changing later. But the what are the odds I would ever
outgrow LT Spice?

Thanks for your thoughts guys, I really appreciate it,

Maxwell
go with LT spice, and checkout the LTspice yahoo group, if you are not
happy, ask for your money back :)
I have a feeling that LTspice will outgrow you, if you are just a
beginner


martin
 
J

Joerg

Jan 1, 1970
0
Fred said:
Joerg a écrit :


Slide rule... hmmm
Do you still use the old text one (log table) or did you take the plunge
and switched to that incredibly modern graphic one with a cursor? :)

I've got two tables. Almost mil-spec with embedded washable dust covers
so coffee and beer stains wipe right off. Then several modern ones with
cursor. The one I use the most is the "Aristo Scholar VS". I don't own a
rotational one though like Jim does. Well, my wife does but it is for
gynecological ultrasound.
 
T

Tom Bruhns

Jan 1, 1970
0
I'm a beginner that would like to start learning a simulation package to
aid my understand of basic electronics. I have spent a great deal of time
searching the archives, and reading comments on sim software, and decided I
would like to go with either LT Spice or Visual Spice. Right now I can get
Visual Spice Advanced for $98. Would it be worth it to me in the long run,
or should I just go with LT Spice since it's free. If it's likely I would
want to upgrade someday, I'd rather spend the money to begin with, and avoid
the learning curve of changing later. But the what are the odds I would ever
outgrow LT Spice?

Thanks for your thoughts guys, I really appreciate it,

Maxwell


I attended a seminar given by the person who developed LTSpice, and
who maintains it, a couple weeks ago. We got to learn a lot about the
history of Spice and the things he's done to make it the best Spice
around. I'd say it's unlikely you'll find a better one, if you
consider everything, and highly unlikely you'll find one with support
that's as good. Companies that try to make a living selling Spice
will never have the resources to invest in it as does a company like
Linear Technology that needs a good, stable simulation program to do
their in-house designs on. In addition, it's unlikely you'll find
another one that has anywhere near as active and helpful a user's
group as LT spice does.

If something else works better for you, by all means go for it, but if
I were you, I'd want to make sure I was actually getting a better
product--one that actually did more for me--before I spent any money
on it.

Cheers,
Tom
 
M

Maxwell

Jan 1, 1970
0
Thanks a lot for your input guys, I really apprecate it.

I don't mind spending 100 or so if it would benefit me, but it doesn't sound
like it would.
 
J

John

Jan 1, 1970
0
Maxwell said:
I'm a beginner that would like to start learning a simulation package to
aid my understand of basic electronics. I have spent a great deal of time
searching the archives, and reading comments on sim software, and decided
I
would like to go with either LT Spice or Visual Spice. Right now I can get
Visual Spice Advanced for $98. Would it be worth it to me in the long run,
or should I just go with LT Spice since it's free. If it's likely I would
want to upgrade someday, I'd rather spend the money to begin with, and
avoid
the learning curve of changing later. But the what are the odds I would
ever outgrow LT Spice?

Thanks for your thoughts guys, I really appreciate it,

Maxwell

I paid for Visual Spice about 4 or 5 years ago. I had lots of trouble with
it. I went to LT Spice and I have never looked back.

Cheers,
John
 
Q

qrk

Jan 1, 1970
0
I'm a beginner that would like to start learning a simulation package to
aid my understand of basic electronics. I have spent a great deal of time
searching the archives, and reading comments on sim software, and decided I
would like to go with either LT Spice or Visual Spice. Right now I can get
Visual Spice Advanced for $98. Would it be worth it to me in the long run,
or should I just go with LT Spice since it's free. If it's likely I would
want to upgrade someday, I'd rather spend the money to begin with, and avoid
the learning curve of changing later. But the what are the odds I would ever
outgrow LT Spice?

Thanks for your thoughts guys, I really appreciate it,

Maxwell
In spite of LTspice being free, it is a quality Spice program. The
Spice solver is on par, or better, than the high cost programs. Added
bonus, LTspice accepts PSpice syntax. If you use LTspice, get the
PSpice Reference Guide which can be found on the Internet as a PDF
download.
 
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