XCircuit

XCircuit is a Unix/X11 program used for drawing publication-quality figures of circuits and related diagrams. It is primarily employed for creating schematics suitable for inclusion in academic papers, technical documentation, and circuit board layouts.

XCircuit differs from many schematic capture programs in that it is not primarily intended for simulation. While it can export netlists, its core function is graphical editing and layout. Its strength lies in its ability to produce visually appealing and easily understandable diagrams that conform to accepted standards for circuit representation.

Key features of XCircuit include:

• Graphical Editing: Offers a robust set of tools for creating and manipulating circuit elements (resistors, capacitors, transistors, etc.), wires, and text.

• Library Support: Allows users to create and utilize libraries of custom symbols, enabling reuse and standardization of designs.

• Netlist Export: Can generate netlists in various formats, allowing compatibility with circuit simulators and PCB layout tools. The supported formats often depend on the configuration and included libraries.

• PostScript Output: Produces high-quality PostScript output suitable for printing and inclusion in documents. It also supports other vector graphics formats.

• Customization: Offers a degree of customization through configuration files, allowing users to tailor the program's behavior and appearance to their preferences.

XCircuit's development has focused on providing a stable and reliable tool for creating visually clear and professional-looking circuit diagrams, prioritizing aesthetics and clarity over advanced simulation capabilities. It is often a preferred tool for researchers and engineers who need to create schematics for documentation purposes.