BRL-CAD is a powerful Combinatorial/Constructive Solid Geometry (CSG)
solid modeling system that includes an interactive geometry editor,
ray-tracing support for rendering and geometric analysis,
network-distributed framebuffer support, image and signal-processing
tools, and an embedded scripting language.
The package is a collection of over 400 tools and utilities across
over 750,000 lines of source code. Included is support for various
geometric data format conversions, image and signal processing
capabilities, sophisticated ray-tracing based lighting models, network
distributed ray-tracing, massively parallel ray-tracing, animation
capabilities, data compression, image handling, and interactive 3-D
geometric editing. Included is an implementation of Weiler's
n-Manifold Geometry (NMG) data structures for surface-based solid
models and photon mapping.
Cascade is a program for analyzing the noise and distortion performance
of a cascade of elements in an electronic system. A typical application
of cascade is the analysis of a receiver. A text description of the
receiver block diagram consisting of things like amplifiers, mixers,
and filters is entered into cascade. Each element is characterized
by its gain and optionally noise figure, and third order intercept
point. The program then analyzes the system and produces a report
detailing the performance at each stage.
A summary is produced which shows the relative contributions to the
total system performance of each block. This allows easy identification
of what limits system performance.
ChipVault is a VHDL and Verilog Chip Design Organization tool which improves
design efficiency by:
- Providing the ability to Navigate and Edit files Hierarchically.
- Automatically generating Schematic Component Port views of VHDL and
Verilog RTL files.
- Automating RTL instantiation and template generation.
- Providing Revision Control (designed for HW, not SW development).
- Supporting External Tool Hooks (bottom-up vcoms,etc).
- Providing an Issue Tracking Log with sorting.
- Providing Netlist sorting and hierarchy viewing.
- Supporting web-sharing of RTL files (both encrypted and clear).
- Fast and Nimble.
Electric is a sophisticated electrical CAD system that can handle
many forms of circuit design, including:
- Custom IC layout (ASICs)
- Schematic drawing
- Hardware description language specifications
For real functionality, one should consider installing
support simulation software such as cad/spice.
A Three-Dimensional Structural Finite Element Program
CalculiX Finite Element Models can be build, calculated and
post-processed. The pre- and post-processor is an interactive 3D-tool
using the openGL API.
Notice: The authors acknowledge that naming conventions and input style
formats for CalculiX are based on those used by ABAQUS, a proprietary,
general purpose finite element code developed and supported by Hibbitt,
Karlsson & Sorensen, Inc (HKS) and are used with kind permission from HKS.
Results obtained from CalculiX are in no way connected to ABAQUS.
note: By default the single-threaded solver is used, this can be changed
by setting the OMP_NUM_THREADS environment variable with the number of
processors you want to use.
Fritzing is an Electronic Design Automation software with a low
entry barrier, suited for the needs of designers and artists. It
uses the metaphor of the breadboard, so that it is easy to transfer
your hardware sketch to the software. From there it is possible to
create PCB layouts for turning it into a robust PCB yourself or by
help of a manufacturer.
The GPL Electronic Design Automation (gEDA) project has produced and
continues working on a full GPL'd suite and toolkit of Electronic
Design Automation tools. These tools are used for electrical circuit
design, schematic capture, simulation, prototyping, and production.
Currently, the gEDA project offers a mature suite of free software
applications for electronics design, including schematic capture,
attribute management, bill of materials (BOM) generation, netlisting
into over 20 netlist formats, analog and digital simulation, and
printed circuit board (PCB) layout.
The gEDA/gaf suite provides schematic capture, netlisting, bill of
materials generation, and many other features.
FreeCAD is a general purpose parametric 3D modeler.
FreeCAD is aimed directly at mechanical engineering and product
design but also fits in a wider range of uses around engineering,
such as architecture or other engineering specialties.
FreeCAD features tools similar to Catia, SolidWorks or Solid Edge,
and therefore also falls into the category of MCAD, PLM, CAx and
CAE. It is a feature based parametric modeler with a modular software
architecture which makes it easy to provide additional functionality
without modifying the core system.
FreeCAD is under heavy development and might not be
ready for production use.
GTKWave is a fully featured GTK+ based wave viewer for Unix and
Win32 which reads LXT, LXT2, VZT, and GHW files as well as standard
Verilog VCD/EVCD files and allows their viewing.
Icarus Verilog is a Verilog simulation and synthesis tool. It
operates as a compiler, compiling source code written in Verilog
(IEEE-1364) into some target format. For batch simulation, the
compiler can generate C++ code that is compiled and linked with
a run time library (called "vvm") then executed as a command to
run the simulation. For synthesis, the compiler generates netlists
in the desired format.
The compiler proper is intended to parse and elaborate design
descriptions written to the IEEE standard IEEE Std 1364-2000. The
standard proper is due to be release towards the middle of the
year 2000. This is a fairly large and complex standard, so it will
take some time for it to get there, but that's the goal.