CRUMB is an interactive 3D circuit simulator designed to emulate a traditional workbench environment, allowing users to construct and test electronic circuits virtually. It offers a comprehensive selection of components, including passive elements like resistors and capacitors, semiconductors such as diodes and transistors, various switches, LEDs, displays, power supplies, signal generators, and programmable microcontrollers. This extensive library enables users to explore a wide array of electronic designs without the need for physical components.
Developed by Mike Bushell, CRUMB was initially released for mobile platforms, targeting educational purposes and hobbyists. Over time, it expanded to desktop versions for Windows and macOS, enhancing its features and component library. The development process is community-driven, with updates and expansions guided by user feedback and suggestions. As a solo developer, Bushell manages to keep all platform versions up to date, with desktop versions leading development and mobile versions following. You can use CRUMB on your iOS or Android device and on your PC (it runs on STEAM).
Insights from review
In my video review, I explored some of CRUMB’s capabilities and shared my hands-on experience with the simulator. Here are the key takeaways:
CRUMB’s 3D environment is a standout feature. The interface allows you to work in a virtual workspace, placing components like resistors, capacitors and switches onto a breadboard. This setup closely mimics physical circuit prototyping, providing an excellent bridge between theory and practice.
During the review, I built a simple circuit with a resistor, capacitor, and switch to demonstrate charging and discharging the capacitor. CRUMB’s visualization tools, such as the voltage color mapping and real-time scope function, made it easy to dynamically observe changes in voltage and current.
I noted some limitations in its current development stage. The user interface can feel clunky, particularly when correcting mistakes or adjusting component placement. Features like multiple probes or more advanced analysis tools must be included, though they will likely be added as development progresses. Adjusting simulation parameters, like frequency and step size, also revealed how critical system performance is for smooth operation, especially when running simulations on less powerful hardware.
The simulator has quirks, but as its functionality improves, I see significant potential for CRUMB to become a mainstay for educators, students, and hobbyists. Its recent addition of higher simulation frequencies and support for microcontrollers like the Arduino Nano is particularly exciting, showing that it is evolving to handle more complex projects.
These insights reflect my belief that CRUMB is a simulator to watch as it matures. For a closer look at these demonstrations and findings, check out my video review on YouTube. I walk through the simulation process and share more about how CRUMB can enhance learning and experimentation.
Comparison with Other Circuit Simulators
I am optimistic that CRUMB will become increasingly useful in teaching and learning electronics. However, I acknowledge that it needs a few more core features before it can do so. Here are a few ideas of features that I would love to see in CRUMB, which I have used in CircuitLab and EveryCircuit and find indispensable.
From a high-level perspective, CircuitLab offers a user-friendly, browser-based interface suitable for quick circuit design and analysis. EveryCircuit provides an intuitive platform with real-time simulation capabilities. CRUMB’s 3D visualization offers a more tangible representation of circuit assembly, closely mimicking physical prototyping. This feature can be particularly beneficial for beginners and educators aiming to provide a more hands-on learning experience.
CircuitLab’s advanced analysis tools, such as frequency response and transient simulations, could be a game-changer for CRUMB. These tools would suit advanced users looking to dive deeper into circuit behavior. Another great feature is CircuitLab’s ability to precisely place probes at specific points in a circuit to measure voltages and currents. This would pair perfectly with CRUMB’s visualization capabilities, offering more detailed insights into circuit performance.
One thing I appreciate about CircuitLab is its 2D schematic view, which provides a clear and familiar perspective for those used to traditional circuit design. If CRUMB added a 2D mode alongside its 3D environment, it could give users the best of both worlds. And let’s not forget about collaboration. CircuitLab allows users to share circuits via links, which would be a fantastic addition to CRUMB, especially for educators and students working on projects.
EveryCircuit’s real-time interaction is one of its standout features. You can tweak a resistor value or adjust an input signal and instantly see how it affects your circuit. Adding this live interactivity to CRUMB would make the simulations feel even more hands-on. Another EveryCircuit feature I’d love to see in CRUMB is its intuitive parameter adjustments. With simple sliders and real-time updates, it’s incredibly easy to experiment with component values—a feature that would fit seamlessly into CRUMB’s design.
EveryCircuit’s visual learning aids are also worth mentioning. Watching the flow of voltage and current as it happens is not just useful—it’s engaging. CRUMB already has some excellent visualization tools, but taking inspiration from EveryCircuit’s dynamic animations could make its simulations even more compelling. Lastly, EveryCircuit’s mobile optimization opens the door for on-the-go learning. While CRUMB is currently desktop-focused, a mobile-friendly version could broaden its reach and make it more accessible to users everywhere.
In conclusion…
As CRUMB continues to evolve, I am eager to follow its development closely. Its innovative 3D environment and immersive approach have the potential to revolutionize how we teach, learn, and experiment with electronics. While it still has room to grow, the progress so far is promising, and I am excited to see how future updates refine its features and usability. For educators, hobbyists, and students alike, CRUMB represents a significant step forward in making circuit simulation accessible and engaging.
I look forward to incorporating it into my teaching toolkit as it becomes more robust and versatile.
I’d love to hear what you think about CRUMB! Have you tried it yet? What features do you think would make it even better? If you have any experiences with CRUMB or questions about how it works, please share them using the comments tool below this article. Let’s start a conversation and explore how CRUMB can shape the future of learning and experimenting with electronics. Your feedback and ideas could even help shape the direction of this exciting tool!
Sources and References
- CRUMB Official Website.
- CRUMB Development Status.
- CRUMB on Steam.
- CRUMB Review on Hackaday.
- CRUMB Overview on Electronics-Lab.
- Peter’s Introduction to Electronics course.
- CircuitLab simulator.
- EveryCircuit simulator.