Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

PCBWeb VS OpenModelica

Compare PCBWeb VS OpenModelica and see what are their differences

PCBWeb logo PCBWeb

PCBWeb is a 100% free Windows desktop CAD application for designing and manufacturing electronics...

OpenModelica logo OpenModelica

OpenModelica – A Free Modelica Environment!
  • PCBWeb Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-12-28
  • OpenModelica Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19

PCBWeb features and specs

  • Free to Use
    PCBWeb is completely free to use, which makes it accessible for hobbyists and small businesses with limited budgets.
  • Integrated Design Environment
    The tool offers an integrated suite that includes schematic capture, PCB layout, and Bill of Materials (BOM) management.
  • Part Library
    PCBWeb provides a built-in library with a wide range of available components for design purposes.
  • Easy to Use Interface
    The user interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced users.

Possible disadvantages of PCBWeb

  • Limited Advanced Features
    PCBWeb may lack some of the advanced features and customization options found in more professional PCB design software.
  • Windows Only
    The software is only available on Windows, which limits usability for those using other operating systems like macOS or Linux.
  • No 3D Preview
    PCBWeb does not offer a 3D preview feature, which can be a drawback for those who need to visualize the final product.
  • Limited File Export Options
    Users may find the export options limited, potentially affecting compatibility with other tools or manufacturers.

OpenModelica features and specs

  • Open Source
    OpenModelica is an open-source tool, meaning it is free to use and modify. This allows for extensive customization and community support.
  • Modelica Standard Compliance
    OpenModelica supports the Modelica language, which is a standardized, object-oriented language for modeling complex systems.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    The tool is available for various operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS, providing flexibility for users across different platforms.
  • Extensive Libraries
    OpenModelica provides access to a wide range of built-in libraries for different domains, such as mechanical, electrical, and thermal systems.
  • Community and Support
    There is an active community of users and developers who contribute to the continuous improvement of OpenModelica and offer support via forums and mailing lists.

Possible disadvantages of OpenModelica

  • User Interface
    The user interface is not as polished or user-friendly as some commercial alternatives, which might make it challenging for beginners.
  • Documentation Quality
    While the tool is well-documented, some users find that the documentation could be more detailed and better structured.
  • Performance
    In some cases, the performance of OpenModelica may not match that of specialized commercial tools, especially for very large and complex models.
  • Learning Curve
    Due to the complexity of the Modelica language and the tool, there can be a steep learning curve for new users who are not already familiar with system modeling.
  • Limited Commercial Support
    As an open-source tool, OpenModelica may lack the level of dedicated commercial support and frequent updates that some users might expect from proprietary software.

Analysis of OpenModelica

Overall verdict

  • Overall, OpenModelica is a strong choice for users seeking a cost-effective, open-source option for system modeling. Its robust features and active development community contribute to its high regard among users in both academic and industrial settings.

Why this product is good

  • OpenModelica is considered good due to its open-source nature, which allows for customization and flexibility. It supports a wide range of modeling capabilities, especially for multi-domain physical systems. The software is constantly updated by a large community of researchers and developers, who provide support and share improvements. Additionally, it is compliant with the Modelica language, making it a versatile choice for those familiar with Modelica's capabilities.

Recommended for

  • Researchers and academics in need of an open-source tool for detailed system modeling.
  • Engineers and developers familiar with the Modelica language looking for a versatile modeling environment.
  • Organizations and individuals seeking a cost-effective alternative to commercial modeling software.

PCBWeb videos

Introducing PCBWeb Designer

More videos:

  • Tutorial - PCBWeb - Tutorial: Basic Navigation
  • Tutorial - PCBWeb - Tutorial: PCB Picker Filter

OpenModelica videos

Simulacion Openmodelica Control de Tanques

More videos:

  • Review - Modelica - Graphical modeling of electric circuits with OpenModelica

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to PCBWeb and OpenModelica)
Simulation
68 68%
32% 32
Technical Computing
0 0%
100% 100
Electrical
100 100%
0% 0
Numerical Computation
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using PCBWeb and OpenModelica. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, OpenModelica seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 7 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

PCBWeb mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of PCBWeb yet. Tracking of PCBWeb recommendations started around Mar 2021.

OpenModelica mentions (7)

  • Modelica
    Obligatory mention to Openmodelica[1] which is an open source implementation based on the Modelica language. While I haven't used it yet, I was planning on exploring some of the features this holiday. [1] https://openmodelica.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 6 months ago
  • An open source, educational, low-cost modern analog computer
    I have used https://openmodelica.org/. It's another one of those "invest substantial time understanding what they are doing, and you will likely be rewarded." Simple things are simple, but I found it took longer than I would have like to bang out e.g. a PID algo with a particular motor and load. If you want to try this, buy the book, and follow it to the end. Then keep learning, as you build more and more... - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • Best software for parallel robot simulation?
    If the robot simulation doesn't need to pick up stuff or take into account changing contacts with other objects you can use Modelica's Multibody library which you can run for free with OpenModelica. This will be more accurate than other simulators because modelica can analytically solve the dynamics equations. You don't need to write them either just to connect blocks for various components. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Anyone know if python can be used to make a MATLAB simulink clone (dragging and dropping elements)? If not, do you have recommendations of other languages that can do this best to make a desktop app?
    OpenModelica consists of a combination of graphical and written components to simulate dynamic systems. I don’t know what control system feature set might be available. AMESIM is a more extensive paid tool that operates on the same Modelica modeling language. IIRC, at least Simuscape operates on Modelica under the hood. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Just introduced to diffeq last year. Curious how to go about modeling something like this.
    It shouldn't be too difficult to model in Modelica. You could approximate the pendula in 1D with masses on springs or just use Modelica's multibody library. Source: over 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing PCBWeb and OpenModelica, you can also consider the following products

Pspice - OrCAD PSpice technology provides the best, high-performance circuit simulation to analyze and refine your circuits, components, and parameters before committing to layout and fabrication

Oregano - oregano - An electrical engineering tool for GNOME

BlackBoard Circuit Designer - Help building prototypes on so called breadboards easily

Solve Elec - Solve Elec is a free educational program to draw and analyze electrical circuits.

PCB Wizard - PCB Wizard 3 is a powerful package for designing single-sided and double-sided PCBs.

Circuit Simulator - Animated electronic circuit simulator using ideal components to visualize voltage and current.