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You cannot edit the built-in
component symbols. |
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Symbols (for
both circuit diagram and PCB layout) are primarily created
by using the Line, Rectangle, Ellipse, Arc, Chord, Freeform and Scribble drawing tools. |
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PCB component symbols
can include copper pad or track objects. |
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You should not draw symbols
using graphics imported from other applications, such as
via the From File... or Paste commands. |
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To add text labels to
symbols you should use the Label tool
not the Text
Box tool (which is designed instead for word processor-style
documentation). For circuit diagram symbols the label's
layer should be
set
to 'Circuit
Diagram'; for PCB symbols you will most likely want to
set it to 'Silk Screen'. |
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Shapes for a circuit symbol
should be placed on the Circuit Diagram layer whilst a
PCB symbol can be drawn on the copper and silk layers (layers
are controlled via the Edit | Layers menu). |
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When drawing real-looking
components pictures (for the Real World style view), ensure
the drawing objects are placed on the Real Components layer. |
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Each symbol also needs
pins to indicate the connection points on the symbol. Each
pin is numbered and normally reflects the physical PCB
pin number. |
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For circuit
symbol components, the pins should be aligned on a 0.1" grid
so that they work with the existing, built-in component
symbols (which are also aligned to the same grid). In addition,
they should also be placed on the outer edge of the symbol
and
not be blocked or covered by other shapes within the symbol. |
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The pins determine how
the connections are converted when a circuit symbol is
converted into a PCB symbol (the software will simply match
up the pin numbers). |
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Once drawn, the shapes
and pins can be turned into a symbol by using the Make
Symbol command. |
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Each custom circuit or
PCB symbol should be given its own unique identifier. This
is the Key field of the Make Symbol window. |
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The key to linking the
circuit diagram symbol with a PCB component symbol is the
Convert To field in the Make Symbol window for the circuit
symbol. This should be identical to the value held in the
Key field of the PCB component's symbol. Note that the
PCB component will need to have been added to the PCB part
of the library before any conversion takes place. |
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A custom custom circuit
symbol can only link (and hence convert) to a custom
PCB symbol. |
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Custom components can
only be added to custom libraries. You will need to create
at least one custom library via the New Library command. |
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With a library created,
you can add your custom symbol to it by first ensuring
that it is selected and then choosing Add to Library. |
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Libraries are stored in
the Library application folder (this is a sub folder
of the folder in which the software was installed). |
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You can create a back-up
of your custom symbols and libraries by copying the contents
of this Library folder to another location. |
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To remove an entire library,
delete the file in the Library folder and then restart
the software. For Windows Vista or later you may also
need to check the following folder (ensuring that hidden
files
are visible in the Windows file explorer): |
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C:\Users\<your user
name>\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files\New Wave
Concepts\<product name>\Library |
