Just to jump in and make a quick note that LTSpice and SwitcherCad are the same program. Linear provides it for free along with a ton of their power supply IC models, and even a whole pile of ready-to-go schematic jigs. I've never actually used it to design a switching power supply but I've done a couple of linear supplies using it. It's also constantly updated and new models are added all the time.
Just to jump in and make a quick note that LTSpice and SwitcherCad are the same program. Linear provides it for free along with a ton of their power supply IC models, and even a whole pile of ready-to-go schematic jigs. I've never actually used it to design a switching power supply but I've done a couple of linear supplies using it. It's also constantly updated and new models are added all the time.
Yeah, and even make your own models if you can get a grip on the various parameters. I haven't gotten that far yet but luckily I haven't needed to.
I keep finding other things you can do with it, such as frequency responses, THD analysis, adding formulaic traces to the plot panes, plot power by Alt-clicking a component, plot temperature if the model supports it, and so on.
At first glance it looks like a really simple little program but I've found over time that it is capable of far more than I am (yet).