Circuit Layout Software For Electronic Hobbyist?

[Scarletpimpofnel]

I'm taking up hobby electronics. I used to build stuff years ago but am now getting back into it.

I'm using veroboard (equivalent Chinese stuff) as the basis for my first project and am building a circuit diagram on paper. It's getting complicated as each time I think I am almost done I read a bit more and find I need to add a ceramic capacitor here or a pull up resistor there or link multiple GNDs together and so on. So my paper cct diagram is a mess.

Is there any free software that would allow me to add/remove components at will, then press a button and magically a Veroboard layout appears with all track breaks etc given?

Many thanks for any pointers.

[Captain_Morgan]

Why not ask ChatGPT?
It thinks…


Yes — there **are free tools that can help you go from schematic to a cleaner stripboard/Veroboard layout**, some even with assisted layout features. They vary in how “automatic” they are, but they’ll save you *loads* of time compared to paper planning.

---

1. 🛠️ 1. **VeeCAD (Stripboard Layout with Autorouting help)**

Probably **the best-known free option for Veroboard/stripboard**.

• Lets you import a netlist (from TinyCAD, etc.), place components, and assists with layout.
• You can add track breaks, jumper links, check connectivity and print clear building diagrams rather than hand-drawn sketches. ([veecad.com][1])
• It’s aimed specifically at stripboard rather than general PCBs — ideal for what you’re doing.
• Runs on Windows (works under Wine on Linux/macOS too).

👉 Good if you want a dedicated stripboard tool with more structure than drawing by hand.

---

1. 🧩 2. **StripboardCAD / StripCAD**

A free app focused on stripboard design:

• Lets you **draw schematics and lay out on virtual stripboard**, generating diagrams you can print. ([drnil.com][2])
• Not as automatic as proper PCB autorouters (you still place parts manually), but it helps a *lot* with organization and checking tracks.
• Available for Windows; some people also use it on tablets like iPad. ([Reddit][3])

This is a *big step up* from pencil + paper because you can edit, move and try arrangements without erasing!

---

1. 🖥️ 3. **VeroDes**

A simpler free veroboard design editor.

• Lets you place parts, add track breaks, links, view both sides of the board and print overlays. ([heyrick.eu][4])
• Not as sophisticated as VeeCAD, but good for smaller projects and quick layouts.

---

1. ⚙️ 4. **General EDA Tools (Indirectly Helpful)**

These aren’t stripboard-specific, but you *can* use them to manage complexity:

1. # **Fritzing**

• Free/open-source (some builds ask for a donation) and has **breadboard, schematic and PCB views**. ([Reddit][5])
• You can place components visually and see how they connect, which helps with planning before translating to stripboard.
• It has perfboard/stripboard views too.

1. # **KiCad**

• Full EDA suite: schematic capture + PCB layout. ([Wikipedia][6])
• Not stripboard-specific, but many hobbyists lay out an “ideal” PCB and use that as a reference when planning their Veroboard.
• Some projects even adapt KiCad for stripboard grids. ([hackaday.io][7])

These are more work up front but **excellent for managing schematics and complexity before you get anywhere near glue-and-solder**.

---

1. 🧠 Tips When Using These Tools

📌 **Start in schematic mode first**
Use TinyCAD, KiCad, Fritzing, etc., to get your circuit right. Then import the netlist into tools like VeeCAD for layout.

📌 **Expect some manual tweaking**
Stripboard layout isn’t as algorithmically simple as PCB routing; auto-layout can help but you’ll still move parts around for best track usage.

📌 **Print and use overlays**
Having a printout to stick on your board speeds up build and reduces mistakes — most of these tools support that.

---

1. # 🧾 Summary Table

| Software | Free? | Stripboard-Focused | Auto Layout | Schematic Support |
| ---------------------------- | -------- | ------------------ | ---------------- | ----------------- |
| **VeeCAD** | Yes | ✔️ | Partial (assist) | Netlist import |
| **StripboardCAD / StripCAD** | Yes | ✔️ | No | Built-in |
| **VeroDes** | Yes | ✔️ | No | Basic |
| **Fritzing** | Yes/Open | Breadboard/Perf | Limited | Yes |
| **KiCad** | Yes | Not native | PCB auto | Yes |

---

If you want a **single tool to draw your schematic *and* help generate a Veroboard layout with minimum fuss**, *VeeCAD* is often the best starting point for stripboard projects. ([veecad.com][1])

Would you like workflows/examples showing how to go from a schematic in TinyCAD → VeeCAD stripboard layout?

[1]: https://veecad.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "VeeCAD Home"
[2]: https://www.drnil.com/stripcad/index.html?utm_sour... "index.html"
[3]: https://www.reddit.com//r/AskElectronics/comments/... "What is a good software to design perfboard electronics on"
[4]: https://heyrick.eu/software/verodes/?utm_source=ch... "VeroDes - Veroboard design software"
[5]: https://www.reddit.com/r/diypedals/comments/cny4if... "I found a cool program that lets you build circuits on a virtual breadboard!"
[6]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KiCad?utm_source=cha... "KiCad"
[7]: https://hackaday.io/project/166863-stripboard-meet... "Stripboard Meets KiCad | Hackaday.io"

[Mr E]

Altium is industry standard. It is not free, and likely a sledgehammer to crack your nut.

Give KiCAD a go.

[Scarletpimpofnel]

Thanks both, I think I will try downloading VeeCAD tonight and see how it goes.

(Re why didn't I ask ChatGPT, fair point. I have only ever had bad results with AI that didn't stand up to scrutiny but will try it in future.)

[ecs]

I used to use Eagle which was free for small PCBs, however it was absorbed by Autodesk a few years ago which was a bit annoying. KiCad is a pretty decent alternative, but I miss Eagle

[maccboy]

ecs said:

I used to use Eagle which was free for small PCBs, however it was absorbed by Autodesk a few years ago which was a bit annoying. KiCad is a pretty decent alternative, but I miss Eagle

I think it's really sad when you're used to using some software, even if it's way out of date, and then it gets swallowed up into some big company.

[Scarletpimpofnel]

Hmmmm I think I've hit a brick wall.

VeeCAD requires you to import a schematic (I have tried both KiCAD and TinyCAD to do this). But that schematic has to use VeeCAD's own symbols library that you import. That is all OK EXCEPT that my project includes a 40pin Raspberry Pi Pico that doesn't exist in the VeeCAD library of symbols and none of the microprocessors that do exist in the VeeCAD library have the same pin layout as the Raspberry Pi Pico so I can't create a schematic.

[mike9009]

Not sure whether this will help?

At work we use Altium but we have also used Design Spark in the recent past which is a free tool from RS components.

I am not a designer, but we have designed some fairly complex boards and parts using Design Spark. Our Senior engineer swears by it
...

[Scarletpimpofnel]

mike9009 said:

Not sure whether this will help?

At work we use Altium but we have also used Design Spark in the recent past which is a free tool from RS components.

I am not a designer, but we have designed some fairly complex boards and parts using Design Spark. Our Senior engineer swears by it
...

Thanks. I'll give that a go now....

[Mr E]

A pico is a very common part. You should be able to pull down the part

[Scarletpimpofnel]

Mr E said:

A pico is a very common part. You should be able to pull down the part

You would think so. But to be able to use VeeCAD to plot the PCB for you, you have to use its libraries in TinyCAD or KiCAD and the VeeCAD library doesn't include the Pico.

[twister]

mike9009 said:

Not sure whether this will help?

At work we use Altium but we have also used Design Spark in the recent past which is a free tool from RS components.

I am not a designer, but we have designed some fairly complex boards and parts using Design Spark. Our Senior engineer swears by it
...

Before switching to KiCAD a few years ago, we used to use EasyPC which was decent enough (as with every single ECAD tool I've used throughout my career, none of them could ever be said to be excellent across the board - they ALL have quirks and gotchas somewhere), and IIRC Design Spark was a RS-specific variant of EPC, so provided they didn't alter the functionality too much then yeah, I'd expect DS would be similarly decent enough (and the pricetag might make dealing with its quirks a little easier to bear...)

[happygoron]

Captain_Morgan said:

Why not ask ChatGPT?

Its a sad day when someone asking for people's experiences and recommendations is told to go straight to chatgpt. The beginning of the end for discussion forums????

[megaphone]

happygoron said:

Captain_Morgan said:

Why not ask ChatGPT?

Its a sad day when someone asking for people's experiences and recommendations is told to go straight to chatgpt. The beginning of the end for discussion forums????

Yes, thought the same, why bother having a forum.

[pteron]

megaphone said:

happygoron said:

Captain_Morgan said:

Why not ask ChatGPT?

Its a sad day when someone asking for people's experiences and recommendations is told to go straight to chatgpt. The beginning of the end for discussion forums????

Yes, thought the same, why bother having a forum.

Plus we need forums to have actual experience on them so that chatgpt can answer the question for the next person correctly!

Sorry OP I can't help, we use Cadence and Mentor tools, but they are much spendy!