This artiele describes a pro to typical computer-based electronics simulator which supports the user during various phases of his task. The system has been built by augmenting a traditional simulator approach by direct manipulation techniques and by representing substantial knowledge of the task in an expert system kerneI. The direct manipulation interface allows the user to manipulate the familiar objects of an electronics laboratory on the computer screen. The expert component provides adequate simulation parameters, answers questions about the problem domain and gives examples and partial solutions of the problem at hand. It therefore serves as a kind of intelligent tutor.