I also wish someone would revitalize falstad circuit sim (http://falstad.com/circuit/), which is still I think the best tool for experimentation with analog electronics. Just a little bit better interface and user friendliness and it would be amazing!
A somewhat more robust numerical backend (that can give error guarantees) would also be nice, you kind of have to tinker with time steps in some cases.
I did the port of Paul's sim so that it runs natively in the browser instead of needing a Java plug-in (remember them) and made various other contributions.
I haven't contributed for a couple of years, but Paul still actively maintains it.
Do you have specific ideas on what would be changed to "revitalize" it? I agree the UI is kind of basic (it could do with a pallet of common components), but I still like the productivity of it.
Well, first, thanks so much for your work it's really one of the most useful tools on the internet imo. I'm not super qualified to critique it, specially the interface. (but I think it works well as is!)
I had a look back at it and see many great new features.
(1) I think it's awesome that you can program javascript inputs (and there's AVR8js). But it's not really user friendly: maybe there could be some editor window or something you could program js in with syntax highlighting
I think that's what would be most significant contribution for me, because there are quite a few prototypes where you want to mix analog/digital and that's currently difficult.
(2) If you want to get really fancy, look at editor.p5.js interface (although in terms of self-documentation[1], I think circuitjs is better!). The cloud save functionality could be really useful (although I'd understand if you find it out of scope).
(3) Maybe the time step could adjust automatically as an option? (Something like: auto step -- simulate at half speed and check the difference between the two simulations; if significant, improve accuracy until it reaches maximum; I'm sure there could be better approaches though like trying to find maximum resonance frequencies)
(4) An easy way to run it offline? I think since it's already a web app and it's very light, an electron app distribution would be nice (although HN notoriously cringes at electron :P ).
[1] I define self-documentation as the ability to find functionality and documentation within a user interface. That's easier done with GUIs where commands and references should be a few clicks away, though it can also be done in text interfaces with help commands and such.
Indeed, mixed signal simulations would be very useful, I reckon, for people dealing with sensors and that kind of stuff. Might as well simulate it before building it. It's currently possible with falstad's open source code base as well, you just have to program inputs and outputs but it's not very ergonomical let's put it that way.
In any case, I always encourage trying to be as open as you can with the software, this encourages collaboration/cooperation (and of course is just better for everyone, in most cases!).
I think (like others here) any slightly more advanced user would be more comfortable/productive in a 2D interface most of the time. But the option of having 3D for blinkenlights is sure nice :)
(also a great accessibility for people who can't afford to buy hardware for learning and experimentation but have access to a computer)
It's actually really useful, fast, educational. Highly recommended.
I also wish someone would revitalize falstad circuit sim (http://falstad.com/circuit/), which is still I think the best tool for experimentation with analog electronics. Just a little bit better interface and user friendliness and it would be amazing!
A somewhat more robust numerical backend (that can give error guarantees) would also be nice, you kind of have to tinker with time steps in some cases.