Getting Started with GEEC

Accessing GEEC

GEEC is a web application, so no installation is required. Simply:

1. Open your web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge recommended)
2. Navigate to your GEEC instance URL (provided by your institution or server administrator)
3. You'll see the GEEC homepage with options to create new circuits or load existing projects

The GEEC Interface

When you open GEEC for the first time, you'll see the main editing interface divided into several functional areas:

Top Bar (Navigation & File Operations)

The top bar contains:

• General - Project management (new, open, save)
• Tools - Drawing tools and utilities
• Styles - Component appearance and display options
• Analysis - List of available analyses and configuration
• Export - Output circuit in various formats
• Help - Documentation and support

Left Menu (Component Library)

The left sidebar displays:

• General tools - Selection, Wire, Slider, Result box
• Components - Basic components that are commonly used (resistors, capacitors, inductors)
• Categories - Organized component categories (Sources, Active, Passive, etc.)
• Drawing tools - line, Bezier curve, text, arrows

Central Canvas (Main Drawing Area)

The large central area is where you design circuits:

• Grid - Visible grid for alignment (can be toggled on/off)
• Zoom controls - Zoom from 0.25x to 8x magnification
• Pan - Click and drag to move around the circuit
• Wire drawing - Connect components with circuit wires (see Left Menu)

Right Menu (Analysis Panel)

The right sidebar displays:

• Project name - Current project name and button to edit it.
• Favorites - Saved results and graphs for quick access.
• Analysis list - All configured analyses for the current circuit.
• Layers - List of drew items.

Bottom Menu (Canvas Controls)

At the bottom of the canvas:

• Zoom level display - Current magnification
• Grid size controls - Adjust grid spacing
• Description area - Add notes about the circuit or analysis parameters

Floating Panels

Additional panels that appear as needed:

• Interactive Sliders - Control circuit variables and re-run analyses in real-time.
• Dialogs - Configuration windows and component properties.
• Results graphs - Draggable windows showing analysis results and graphs.

Creating Your First Circuit

Here's a quick walkthrough:

Step 1: Place a Voltage Source

1. Click on the Sources category in the left menu
2. Find and click on Sinusoidal Voltage Source (or DC source)
3. Click on the canvas where you want to place it
4. A voltage source symbol appears on your circuit

Step 2: Add a Resistor

1. Select Resistor from basic components section
2. Press R to rotate it to have vertical orientation
3. Place it to the right of your voltage source
4. The resistor appears on the canvas

Step 3: Connect with a Wire

1. Press W (or select the wire tool from left menu)
2. Click on the positive terminal of the voltage source
3. Click on the top terminal of the resistor
4. A wire connects the two components
5. Connect the resistor's bottom terminal back to the voltage source's negative terminal to complete a circuit loop
6. Always must be present a reference node (ground) in the circuit, so add a ground symbol (basic components section) and connect it to the negative terminal of the voltage source

Step 4: View Your Circuit

Your first circuit is now complete! It shows:

• A voltage source (left)
• A resistor (right)
• Two connecting wires (top and bottom)
• A ground symbol (connected to negative terminal)

Basic Canvas Operations

Navigation

Selection & Editing

Drawing

Grid and Alignment

GEEC includes a grid system to help align components:

• Grid visible - Dashed lines show the alignment grid
• Grid size - Adjust in the bottom menu (common: 10px, 20px, 50px)
• Snap to grid - Components automatically align to grid when placed
• Toggle grid - Press G to show/hide the grid

Saving Your First Project

Before you start analysis, save your work:

1. Set a project name and other project details in the right menu
2. In the top menu select preferred save method:
   • Local - Downloads a file to your computer (compressed .geec file)
   • Server - If available, saves to server database for access from any device

For more details on saving and project management, see Project Management.

Next Steps

Now that you understand the basic interface:

1. Learn circuit design basics - See Circuit Basics for detailed information about components and editing
2. Run your first analysis - Go to Analysis Guide to simulate your circuit
3. Explore interactive features - Check Interactive Features for advanced techniques

Stuck? Check Troubleshooting or Keyboard Shortcuts for quick help.