SIMetrix/SIMPLIS Intro

SIMetrix/SIMPLIS Intro is a professional software application able to create a virtual environment where electronic engineers can shape up electrical systems, simulate their functions and identify possible flaws. It includes a powerful SPICE simulator, schematic editor and waveform viewer.

User interface

The tool integrates an advanced suite of features, so novices may be a bit overwhelmed by the multitude of options they get to play with. Checking the comprehensive help manual and viewing the tutorials may get them out of trouble.
From the main window of the program you can open up multiple schematic editor windows, add schematic files from your computer, check out the schematic file examples included in the package, generate graphs and open up the configuration panel.
Furthermore, you may run, view or edit Netlist, as well as alter a series of parameters related to graph and data, such as create SOA report, plot SOA histogram, add curves and open graph sheets and windows.

Schematic editor

You are given the possibility to work with multiple schematic files at the same time, zoom in or out of the electrical system, detach, duplicate, rotate, mirror, flip, cut, copy, paste or delete the selected object, insert user-defined text and captions, as well as undo or redo your actions.
Furthermore, you can work with a manual or smart wiring method. The manual mode lets you place each wire segment individually in the target locations, while the smart one enables you to enter the start and end points and automatically find a suitable route.
Handy components are integrated in the schematic editor, so you can easily insert them in the design. You may add resistors, capacitors, inductors, grounds, voltage sources, diodes, NPN transistors, and other objects.
You can perform a number of checks for detecting potential errors, such as unconnected pins, dangling wires, implicit connections and name translations.
Additionally, you may assign node names, enable the automatic mode, copy data to the clipboard, add bus connectors, create symbols from scripts, and enable the Monte Carlo analysis with support for comprehensive tolerance specification features.

Other handy features to play with

SIMetrix/SIMPLIS Intro provides support for a waveform generator used for creating a time domain signal, and lets you place a fixed voltage or current source, generate a symmetrical bidirectional waveform, plot voltage, current and digital signals after the simulation is complete, and attach probes before or during the simulation.

Configuration settings

SIMetrix/SIMPLIS Intro comes with a powerful configuration menu which enables you to alter the schematic editor, graph printing customization options, graph/probe/data analysis, model library, shell/scripts, file locations, and file extensions.

Bottom line

All in all, SIMetrix/SIMPLIS Intro proves to be a reliable CAD program that bundles a decent suite of features. If you are looking for powerful functions, such as Verilog-A complier, Verilog-HDL mixed signal simulation, user scripts and SPICE3 raw file import, you can check out the Elite version of the application.