Importing components/netlist

Sub menu File menu item Importing components/netlist

In the File menu the Importing components/netlist, function can be used to import components and the netlist in the design. Before importing the components, the whole design will be deleted. (This can not be undone) After importing the netlist, the connections (Air lines, service lines, guide wires) of each net will be recalculated (ratsnet).

Importing components

All the components with starting with a reference name R (resistors), will be placed below the PCB. The R components with the smallest geometry will be placed first, just below the PCB. The R components with the next smallest geometry will be placed under the previous ones, etc.

All the components with starting with a reference name C (capacitors), will be placed right the PCB. The C components with the smallest geometry will be placed first, just at the right of the PCB. The C components with the next smallest geometry will be placed to the right of the previous ones, etc.

All the other component will be placed on top of the PCB, the smallest geometries first, and the greater the component geometries the higher they will be placed.

Calculating connections (ratsnest)

Calculating connections means, find the shortest connections between the pads of a net. Every found connection is visible by a line. When the net contains many pads (>200) usually the power nets, a different calculation will be used. For those power nets, every connection will go to a central point below the PCB. The reason for doing this, is speed up calculations for those nets.

The layout editor also supports net properties. There are two properties which can be used by the layout editor: TRACEWIDTH and CLEARANCE. The properties have the following format:

(TRACEWIDTH,”<value>”)

(CLEARANCE,”<value>”)

Examples of the value are: “8 mil” or “0.2 mm”.

The TRACEWIDTH and CLEARANCE values will overrule the standard value for the net.