by ABSF » Sat Jan 01, 2011 11:49 am
I am using ISIS 6.1 SP1 and it came with TTL, cmos, op-amp and some MCU libraries. Without the library files you cannot do real time simulations. You can create your own packages but that's good for schematices drawing only. You cannot simmulate it in a working circuit and I think that's the most useful part of ISIS. It has a demo circuit using 68HC11 connected as a calculator with keypad and LCD display. The program in HEX can be loaded into the MCU and actually running the calculator on the PC.
My ISIS is also linked to ARES for PCB fabrication. The netlist is automatically linked to ARES and you can use Autorouting to create double-sided PCB. I have done a few projects with this combination and am happy with the result. The ARES can also be used in standalone mode, but then you have to check the connections visually.
You might have to get the libraries separately from LabCentres and I think they weren't cheap. There is also a demo version with limited file size for trial. If you want to have schematic drawing programs free, there are many on the web, just google and I am sure you can find it.
Allen
The next war will determine NOT who is right BUT what is left.