Electronics Workbench Multicap 9 Schematic Capture User Guide TitleShort-Hidden (cross reference text) February 2006 371889A-01 TM
Support Worldwide Technical Support and Product Information ni.
Important Information Warranty The media on which you receive National Instruments software are warranted not to fail to execute programming instructions, due to defects in materials and workmanship, for a period of 90 days from date of shipment, as evidenced by receipts or other documentation. National Instruments will, at its option, repair or replace software media that do not execute programming instructions if National Instruments receives notice of such defects during the warranty period.
Preface Congratulations on choosing Multicap 9 from Electronics Workbench. We are confident that it will deliver years of increased productivity and superior designs. Electronics Workbench is the world’s leading supplier of circuit design tools. Our products are used by more customers than those of any other EDA vendor, so we are sure you will be pleased with the value delivered by Multicap 9, and by any other Electronics Workbench products you may select.
Online Help Multicap 9 offers a full help file system to support your use of the product. Choose Help/Multicap Help to display the help file that explains the Multicap 9 program in detail, or choose Help/Component Reference to display the help file that contains details on all the component families provided with Multicap 9. Both are standard Windows help files, offering a table of contents and index.
Table of Contents 1. Installing Multicap 1.1 Installation Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2 1.2 Installation Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 1.3 Installing Multicap 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3 1.3.1 Before Installing Multicap 9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2. Multicap Tutorial 2.1 The Electronics Workbench Suite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-1 2.2 Multicap 9 Tutorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2 2.2.1 Schematic Capture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3 3. User Interface ii 3.1 Introduction to the Multicap Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.6 Customizing the Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-35 3.6.1 Commands tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-36 3.6.2 Toolbars tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-37 3.6.3 Keyboard tab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-38 3.6.4 Menu tab . . . . . . . . .
4.6 Manually Adding a Junction (Connector) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-29 4.7 Rotating/Flipping Placed Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-30 4.8 Finding Components in Your Circuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-32 4.9 Labeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-33 4.9.
5.2 The Spreadsheet View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7 5.2.1 Spreadsheet View Results Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-7 5.2.2 Spreadsheet View Nets Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-8 5.2.3 Spreadsheet View Components Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-9 5.2.4 Spreadsheet View PCB Layers Tab . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6.2.5 6.2.6 6.2.7 Adding a Hierarchical Block . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-7 6.2.5.1 Placing a HB from an Existing File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-8 6.2.5.2 Replacing Components with an HB. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-9 Adding a Subcircuit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-9 6.2.6.1 Replacing Components with a SC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.3 Types of Information Stored for Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-6 7.3.1 Pre-Defined Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7 7.3.1.1 General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7 7.3.2 User Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-7 7.4 Managing the Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
8.7 Editing a Component’s Footprint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-38 8.7.1 Select a Footprint dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-39 8.7.1.1 Filter dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-40 8.7.2 Add a Footprint dialog box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-44 8.7.3 Advanced Pin Mapping Dialog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Appendix A A.1 Multicap Menus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1 A.1.1 File Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1 A.1.1.1 File/New/Schematic Capture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1 A.1.1.2 File/Open . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2 A.1.1.3 File/Open Samples . . . . . . . . . .
A.1.3 A.1.4 x A.1.2.18 Edit/Font . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-7 A.1.2.19 Edit/Comment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-8 A.1.2.20 Edit/Forms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-8 A.1.2.21 Edit/Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-8 View Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A.1.5 A.1.6 A.1.7 A.1.8 A.1.9 Transfer Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-15 A.1.5.1 Transfer/Transfer to Ultiboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-15 A.1.5.2 Transfer/Transfer to Other PCB Layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-15 A.1.5.3 Transfer/Forward Annotate to Ultiboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-15 A.1.5.4 Transfer/Backannotate from Ultiboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-15 A.1.
A.1.10 Help Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A.1.10.1 Help/Multicap Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A.1.10.2 Help/Component Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A.1.10.3 Help/Release Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A.1.10.4 Help/Check for Updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A.1.10.
Chapter 1 Installing Multicap This chapter contains Multicap installation instructions. It also includes documentation on the Support and Upgrade Utility (SUU) and the Network License Server (NLS). Some of the features described in this chapter may not be available in your edition of Multicap 9. Such features have an icon in the column next to their description. Refer to the release notes for a list of the features in your edition. The following are described in this chapter. Subject Page No.
Installing Multicap 1.1 Subject Page No. Uninstalling SUU 1-16 Uninstalling a Site Version Uninstalling Standalone Multi-Station Installation Uninstalling Network Installation Uninstalling Combination Standalone Multi-Station and Network Installations 1-17 1-17 1-17 1-17 Uninstalling NLS 1-18 Installation Requirements To successfully install Multicap 9, you may need up to 150 MB of hard disk space, depending on which edition you have purchased.
Installation Overview 1.2 Installation Overview Multicap 9 has three types of installation: Single User Edition, Network Edition, and Multi-Station Standalone Edition. Single User Edition – The Single User Edition is only licensed on the computer on which you install it. If for any reason you wish to move the software to a different computer, you must first uninstall it from the initial computer, and then re-install it onto the new computer.
Installing Multicap 2. Copy the entire \database folder to a location that you will remember later (for example, C:\Temp). 3. Your database is now safely backed-up. Note You will require Administrator privileges to install Electronics Workbench software and to enter release codes. 1.3.2 Single User Edition You have been provided with a serial number that you will be required to enter at the time of installation. The Single User Edition is only licensed on the computer on which you install it.
Installing Multicap 9 Electronics Workbench recommends that you obtain your Release Code as soon as possible after you have installed Multicap 9. To enter the Release Code: 1. Click on the Enter Release Code button at the start-up splash screen. 2. If you have received your Release Code via email there are a few ways to easily enter it without the need to type each number or character one at a time. Select one of the following methods: • Highlight the Release Code.
Installing Multicap have the client software installed locally, and other workstations may have the software served from a shared file system. 3. On several file servers, each one of which serves the software to a subset of the networked computers, and, optionally, also on selected workstation computers. This option is intermediate between options 1 and 2.
Installing Multicap 9 3. Insert the Multicap 9 CD into your CD-ROM drive. When the splashscreen appears, click on Multicap 9 to begin the installation. 4. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation. 1.3.4.2 Entering the Release Code for the Network Edition After installing NLS, you will be required to enter a Release Code to enable the workstations to run Multicap 9. (NLS is installed at the same time as the Multicap 9 Network Edition).
Installing Multicap you have advanced knowledge of NTFS and share permissions. Contact your administrator for help. Multicap 9 Permissions on a Windows XP Professional-based Computer 1. Browse to \EWB9, where the Multicap 9 Network Edition is installed on the server. 2. Right-click on the \EWB9 folder and click on “Sharing and Security” from the pop-up menu. 3. Click on the “Sharing” tab on the EWB9 Properties dialog and select “Share this folder”. 4. Click on the “Permissions” button.
Installing Multicap 9 10.Set the following permissions: Permission Allow Read & Execute X List Folder Contents X Read X Deny All other options shown on the dialog should be unchecked unless specified on the above table. Under the “Advanced” tab, make sure that the option “Inherit from parent the permission entries that apply to child objects. Include these with entries explicitly defined here” is unchecked.
Installing Multicap 1.3.5 Changing Server Name and/or Port Number After Client Installation If after having installed Multicap 9 on workstations and/or file servers it becomes necessary to change the server name or port number, it is possible to do this without re-installing the client software.
Network License Server 7. When network seats are being used, the dialog will appear similar to the following: Right-click to edit release codes, edit serial numbers or remove the product Right-click to edit serial number Right-click to edit release code Right-click to log-off all users Right-click on individual users to log them off Click to restart the Network License Server software. 1.4.2 Click to add a new product.
Installing Multicap Authorized and Available Seats Number of seats logged in Number of Authorized Seats Maximum Seats Available 1.4.3 Reviewing License Server Events The Network License Server records all client connections or attempted connections in the system event log. To access the event log, go to the Windows Control Panel, select Administrative Tools, and then select Event Viewer. In the left-hand pane of the Event Viewer, choose Application Log.
Network License Server If either the server machine or client machine has a firewall installed (including the Windows XP service pack 2 internal firewall), make sure that either: a) the required port is allowed to be open (in TCP protocol) or b) the server program (EWBNLSS) or client application is granted an exception. Please see your firewall’s documentation for more information. • Client application gives “This product is not registered on the license server” message.
Installing Multicap 1.5 Support and Upgrade The Support and Upgrade program lets you call Electronics Workbench with your technical questions. The program also entitles you to no-charge upgrades to the software as new versions are released. Between major upgrade releases, Electronics Workbench puts out a series of patches that may add incremental functionality, add new parts to the database, or quickly address any issues found in the field.
Support and Upgrade Installing all Updates To install all available updates: 1. From the Support and Upgrade Utility, click on Upgrade to Latest Version. Patch information appears as the download progresses. When all downloads have been made the install process begins. 2. Follow the onscreen prompts (if available) to complete the upgrade. Note Some patches may be configured to install without user input. Upgrading to a Specific Version To upgrade to a specific version: 1.
Installing Multicap (For instructions on what to do if there are available updates, see “1.5.1 Checking for Updates” on page 1-14). 2. Click on the Settings button. Note The Language field applies to messages only. The sofware’s language is not affected by this setting. 3. Select the desired options and click OK. 1.6 Uninstalling Multicap 9 1.6.1 Uninstalling the Single User Version 1. Ensure that you have recorded the serial number before uninstalling the software. 2. Click the Windows Start button.
Uninstalling a Site Version 1.8 Uninstalling a Site Version 1.8.1 Uninstalling Standalone Multi-Station Installation At each standalone workstation, perform the following procedure: 1. Ensure you have recorded the serial number. 2. Click the Windows Start button. 3. Click Control Panel. 4. Click Add or Remove Programs. The Add or Remove Programs dialog appears. 5. From the list, select Multicap 9 and select Remove. Multicap 9 will be removed from the standalone workstation. 1.8.
Installing Multicap 1.9 Uninstalling NLS To uninstall NLS: 1. Click the Windows Start button. 2. Click Control Panel. 3. Click Add or Remove Programs. The Add or Remove Programs dialog appears. 4. From the list, select EWB Network License Server and select Remove. SUU will be removed from the standalone workstation.
Chapter 2 Multicap Tutorial This chapter contains a tutorial that introduces you to Multicap. Some of the features described in this chapter may not be available in your edition of Multicap 9. Such features have an icon in the column next to their description. Refer to the release notes for a list of the features in your edition. The following are described in this chapter. 2.1 Subject Page No.
Multicap Tutorial co-simulation to Multisim. Depending on your tier of Multisim, optional add-ons may be available, such as for RF simulation and extended parts libraries. Ultiboard, fed from Multicap or Multisim, is used to design printed circuit boards, perform certain basic mechanical CAD operations, and prepare them for manufacturing. Ultiroute is an add-on to Ultiboard that provides automated parts placement and layout beyond what is available in Ultiboard stand-alone.
Multicap 9 Tutorial 2.2.1 Schematic Capture In this section, you will place and wire the components in the circuit shown below. Opening and Saving the File When you first launch Multicap, a blank file is opened on the workspace called "Circuit1". To save the file with a new name: 1. Select File/Save As to display a standard Windows Save dialog. 2. Navigate to the location where you wish the file to reside, and enter "sample_and_count" as the filename, and click on the Save button.
Multicap Tutorial You can import legacy OrCAD® or PSpice® files by selecting the desired type that appears in the "Files of Type" drop-down list of the Windows Open dialog. To view files from earlier versions of Multicap, select the desired version in the Files of Type drop-down in the Open dialog. Placing the Components 1. Open sample_and_count.ms9 as described above. 2. Select Place/Component to display the Select a Component browser, navigate to the 7-segment LED display as shown below and click OK.
Multicap 9 Tutorial 4. Place the remaining components in the Digital Counter area as shown below. While placing the 200-ohm resistor, rotate it to a vertical orientation by pressing CTRL-R on your keyboard. Reference Designators (e.g., U1, U2) are assigned in the order the components are placed. If you place components in a different order than in the original circuit, the numbering will differ. This will not effect the operation of the circuit in any way. 5.
Multicap Tutorial 6. Place the parts in the Analog Amplifier section as shown below, rotating as needed. After you place the AC voltage signal source, double-click on it. Change the Voltage (Pk) to 0.2 V and click OK to close the dialog. 7. Place the parts in the Bypass Capacitors section as shown below. 8. Place the header and associated parts as shown below.
Multicap 9 Tutorial You can wire the circuit that you placed on the workspace or you can use “Tut1.ms9” from the Tutorial folder (found inside the Samples folder). To wire the circuit: 1. Click on a pin on a component to start the connection (your pointer turns into a crosshair) and move the mouse. A wire appears, attached to your cursor. 2. Click on a pin on the second component to finish the connection.
Multicap Tutorial 5. Wire the Counter Control section as shown below. Select Place/Junction to place a junction beside J1. Repeat for J2 and wire the junctions to each switch as shown. Virtual Wiring - To avoid clutter, this circuit uses virtual connections between the Counter Control and Digital Counter sections. A virtual connection is achieved when two unconnected wires are given the same net name. (A net represents a group of pins wired together at the same electrical point).
Multicap 9 Tutorial 9. Finish wiring the circuit as shown below. Reports Multicap allows you to generate a number of reports: Bill of Materials (BOM), Component Detail Report, Netlist Report, Schematic Statistics, Spare Gates and the Cross Reference Report. This section uses the BOM as an example for the tutorial circuit. A bill of materials lists the components used in your design and therefore provides a summary of the components needed to manufacture the circuit board.
Multicap Tutorial To create a BOM for your circuit: 1. Click the Reports menu and choose Bill of Materials from the menu that appears. 2. The report appears, looking similar to this: To print the Bill of Materials, click the Print button. A standard Windows print screen appears, allowing you to choose the printer, number of copies, and so on. To save the Bill of Materials to a file, click the Save button. A standard Windows file save dialog box appears, allowing you to specify the path and file name.
Chapter 3 User Interface This chapter explains the basic operation of the Multicap 9 user interface. Some of the features described in this chapter may not be available in your edition of Multicap 9. Such features have an icon in the column next to their description. Refer to the release notes for a list of the features in your edition. The following are described in this chapter. Subject Page No.
User Interface 3-2 Subject Page No.
Introduction to the Multicap Interface 3.1 Introduction to the Multicap Interface Multicap’s user interface consists of the following basic elements: Standard toolbar Design Toolbox Component toolbar Status bar Main toolbar Graphic Annotation toolbar “In Use” list Menu Bar Active circuit tab Spreadsheet view View toolbar Circuit window Scroll left/right Menus are where you find commands for all functions. For details, see “A.1 Multicap Menus” on page A-1.
User Interface The Standard toolbar contains buttons for commonly-performed functions, as described in “3.2.1 Standard Toolbar” on page 3-5. The Component toolbar contains buttons that let you select components from the Multicap databases for placement in your schematic. See “3.2.4 Components Toolbar” on page 3-8. The Circuit Window (or workspace) is where you build your circuit designs.
Toolbars 3.2.1 Standard Toolbar The Standard toolbar contains buttons for commonly performed functions. The buttons in the Standard toolbar are described below: Button Description New button. Creates a new circuit file. Open button. Opens an existing circuit file. Save button. Saves the active circuit. Print Circuit button. Prints the active circuit. Print Preview button. Previews the circuit as it will be printed. Cut button. Removes the selected elements and places them on the Windows clipboard.
User Interface 3.2.2 Main Toolbar The buttons in the Main toolbar are described below: Button Description Toggle Design Toolbox button. Switches the Design Toolbox on and off. For details, see “3.5 Design Toolbox” on page 3-32. Toggle Spreadsheet View button. Switches the Spreadsheet View on and off. For details, see “5.2 The Spreadsheet View” on page 5-7. This feature is not available in all versions of Multicap. Database Manager button. Launches the Database Manager dialog box. For details, see “8.
Toolbars 3.2.3 View Toolbar The buttons in the View toolbar are described below: Button Description Toggle Full Screen button. Displays only the workspace, with no toobars or menu items. Increase Zoom button. Magnifies the active circuit. Decrease Zoom button. Decreases the magnification of the active circuit. Zoom Area button. Drag the cursor to select an area on the workspace to magnify. Zoom Fit to Page button. Shows the entire circuit in the workspace.
User Interface 3.2.4 Components Toolbar The buttons in the Component toolbar are described below. Each button will launch the place component browser (Select a Component browser) with the group specified on the button pre-selected. For details, see “4.4.1 Using the place component browser” on page 4-4. Button Description Source button. Selects the Source components group in the browser. Basic button. Selects the Basic components group in the browser. Diode button.
Toolbars Button Description Electromechanical button. Selects the Electromechanical component group in the browser. RF button. Selects the RF component group in the browser. Place Hierarchical Block button. Opens a file to be embedded as a hierarchical block. Place Bus button. For details, see “6.4 Buses” on page 6-16. 3.2.5 Virtual Toolbar Use the Virtual toolbar to place virtual components on your workspace. The buttons in the Virtual toolbar are described in “4.4.
User Interface 3.2.6 Graphic Annotation Toolbar The buttons in the Graphic Annotation toolbar are described below. For details on their use, see “4.9.6 Graphic Annotation” on page 4-43. Button Description Place Text button. Places a text frame on your workspace into which you can enter miscellaneous text. For details, see “4.9.4 Adding Miscellaneous Text” on page 4-39. Line button. Click on this button to draw a line. Multiline button. Click on this button to draw a multiline. Rectangle button.
Using the Pop-up Menus 3.3.1 Pop-up From Circuit Window, with no Component Selected If you right-click on the circuit window with no component selected, a pop-up menu of appropriate commands appears. These commands are: Command Description Place Component Lets you browse the databases (“Master”, “Corporate” and “User”) for components to be placed. For details, see “4.4.1 Using the place component browser” on page 4-4.
User Interface 3-12 Command Description Place Schematic Replace by Subcircuit Replaces the selection by a subcircuit. Place Schematic Multi-Page Opens a new flat page. For details, see “6.1 Flat Multi-sheet Design” on page 6-2. Place Schematic Merge Bus Merges selected buses. Place Schematic Bus Vector Connect Use to place numerous connections from a multi-pinned device, such as an IC, to a bus. For details, see “6.4.5 Bus Vector Connect” on page 6-27.
Using the Pop-up Menus 3.3.2 Command Description Paste as Subcircuit Pastes the contents of the clipboard onto the workspace as a subcircuit. Replace by HB Replaces the elements that you have selected with a hierarchical block. See “6.2.5.2 Replacing Components with an HB” on page 6-9. Replace by SC Replaces the elements that you have selected with a subcircuit. See “6.2 Hierarchical Design” on page 6-3. Font Displays a dialog box where you set font information for the circuit.
User Interface 3-14 90 Clockwise Rotates the selection 90 degrees clockwise. For details, see “4.7 Rotating/Flipping Placed Components” on page 4-30. 90 CounterCW Rotates the selection 90 degrees counterclockwise. For details, see “4.7 Rotating/Flipping Placed Components” on page 4-30. Bus Vector Connect Displays the Bus Vector Connect dialog box. For details, see “6.4.5 Bus Vector Connect” on page 6-27. Replace by HB Replaces the elements that you have selected with a hierarchical block. See “6.2.
Using the Pop-up Menus 3.3.3 Pop-up From a Selected Wire If you right-click on a selected wire on the circuit window, a pop-up menu of appropriate commands appears. These commands are: 3.3.4 Command Description Delete Deletes the selected wire from the workspace. Wire Color Changes the color of the selected wire from its default value. Segment Color Changes the color of the selected wire segment from its default value.
User Interface 3.3.5 Command Description Pen Style Changes the style of the pen for a selected graphic. Is disabled if text is selected. Fill Color Changes the color of the fill for selected rectangles, ellipses and polygons. Is disabled if any other graphic element, or text is selected. Fill Type Changes the appearance of the fill for selected rectangles, ellipses and polygons. Is disabled if any other graphic element, or text is selected. Arrow Places an arrow on selected lines and multilines.
Using the Pop-up Menus 3.3.6 Command Description Move to - Top Left Places the selected title block at the top left corner of the document. Move to - Top Right Places the selected title block at the top right corner of the document. Properties Lets you change the information that you see in the title block. For details, see “4.9.3.1 Entering the Title Block Contents” on page 4-37.
User Interface 3.4 Setting Schematic Capture Preferences You can customize virtually any aspect of Multicap preferences, including the colors used in your circuit, page size, zoom level, auto-backup interval, symbol set (ANSI or DIN) and printer setup. Your customization settings are saved individually with each circuit file you use so you could, for example, have one color scheme for one circuit and another for a different circuit.
Setting Schematic Capture Preferences 3.4.1.1 Preferences - Paths Tab The Multicap installation puts specific files in specific locations. If necessary you can point Multicap to a new location to find, for example, database files. You can also use this dialog box to create and specify user settings files that contain individuals' preferences for all options. To set up file locations: 1. Choose Options/Global Preferences. The Preferences dialog box appears. 2.
User Interface 3.4.1.2 Preferences - Save Tab The options in this tab let you set up auto-backup timing. Enable to save a security copy when you do a Save. Enable auto-backup.
Setting Schematic Capture Preferences 3.4.1.3 Preferences - Parts Tab The options in this tab determine where you set up component placement mode, the symbol standard (ANSI or DIN), phase shift direction and digital simulation settings. 1. In the Place component mode box, select one of: • Place single component — Allows you to place one selected component at a time. • Continuous placement for multi-section part only — Allows you to place multiple sections of a multi-section component.
User Interface 2. In the Symbol Standard box: • Select the symbol set to be used for components. The graphic changes to represent the selected symbol set. To override this setting for individual components, see “8.5.2 Creating and Editing a Component’s Symbol with the Symbol Editor” on page 8-15. 3.4.1.4 Preferences - General Tab In this tab, you set up selection rectangle behavior, mouse wheel behavior, bus wiring and auto-wiring behavior. For details, see “ Showing/ Hiding ‘Move’ Lines” on page 4-16.
Setting Schematic Capture Preferences 3.4.2 Using the Sheet Properties Dialog Box The Sheet Properties dialog box is used to set up the preferences for each sheet. These preferences are saved with the circuit file so that if the circuit is opened on another computer, it will use the same settings. Note For personal (user) preferences, see “3.4.1 Using the Preferences Dialog Box” on page 3-18. To set sheet preferences: 1. Select Options /Sheet Properties.
User Interface 3.4.2.1 Sheet Properties - Circuit Tab The options on this tab control the way your circuit and its components appear on the workspace, and the level of detail which appears. Multicap comes with several color schemes that affect the circuit window background color, wire color, and component color. You can also develop your own color scheme to meet your individual needs. Shows the results of enabling the options on the right. Select a built-in color scheme.
Setting Schematic Capture Preferences 2. In the Net Names box, select how net names will be shown: • Show All — check to display all net names on the workspace. • Use Net-specific Setting — check to show net names as set in the Net dialog box. For details, see “4.9.2 Modifying Net Names” on page 4-35. • Hide All — check to hide all net names on the workspace. 3. In the Color box: • To use one of the built-in color schemes : - Choose the scheme from the drop-down list.
User Interface 3.4.2.2 Sheet Properties - Workspace Tab The options on this tab determine the appearance and behavior of the circuit window. Shows the results of enabling the options on the right. Enable those items you want shown. Modify a sheet size. Multicap comes with the standard sheet sizes that you can use for capturing your circuit. You can modify any of the settings of these sizes to make your own custom sheet.
Setting Schematic Capture Preferences 3.4.2.3 Sheet Properties - Wiring Tab The options on this tab control the wire width, bus width and bus wiring mode options. Change the wire width for current or subsequent wiring. Change the bus width for current or subsequent buses. Set bus wiring mode. For details, see “6.4 Buses” on page 6-16.
User Interface 3.4.2.4 Sheet Properties - Font Tab Use this tab to set the font parameters for all elements in the workspace containing text. Specify the font, style and size of labels and names on your circuit. Changes the font for all instances of the elements selected in “Change All”. Displays a sample using the selected font settings. Specify the text element to change to the selected font.
Setting Schematic Capture Preferences To change the font for any text element of the circuit: 1. Select the font, font style and font size for the desired elements. 2. Select the elements you want to change from the following options in the Change All section of the tab: Font Option Description Component RefDes The component’s unique identification (Reference Designator). For example, R22.
User Interface 3.4.2.5 Sheet Properties - PCB Tab This tab is used to set options used when exporting data for PCB layout. Select this option to make digital and analog ground the same when exporting to PCB layout packages. Select units to use during export to PCB layout. As you increase the number of copper layers, the number of copper layers (inner) increases. This setting is used by Ultiboard to determine the default board setup.
Setting Schematic Capture Preferences 3.4.2.6 Sheet Properties - Visibility Tab This tab lets you add the custom annotation layers that are available in Multicap. Click to add custom annotation layers to the schematic. You can show/hide these layers from the Visibility tab in the Design Toolbox. For details, see “3.5.1 Visibility Tab” on page 3-32 For details on annotation layers, refer to “3.5.1 Visibility Tab” on page 3-32.
User Interface 3.5 Design Toolbox The Design Toolbox is used to manage various elements in the schematic. Note For a description of the Project View tab, see “6.6 Project Management and Version Control” on page 6-47. 3.5.1 Visibility Tab The Visibility tab lets you choose which layers to display on the current sheet on the workspace. Custom annotation layer added via the Visibility tab in the Sheet Properties dialog box.
Design Toolbox • • • Pin Name — this layer contains the pin names, for example, “1Q” in a J-K flip-flop. Pin Number — this layer contains the pin numbers. Bus Entry Label — this layer contains the labels that appear at the point where a wire enters a bus, for example, “Ln 1”. The Fixed Annotations layers consist of: ERC Error Mark — this layer contains the marks that are placed on the schematic that indicate ERC error points. See “5.4 Electrical Rules Checking” on page 5-32 for details.
User Interface Pop-up Menus To view context-sensitive menus in the Hierarchy tab: 1. Right-click on an item. Depending on the item, different context-sensitive menus appear. 2. From the Design Root you can select: • Close — to close the entire design. • Save — to save the design. 3. From an active or in-active variant that branches from the Design Root, you can select: • Set Variant Active — to set the active variant. A blue box displays beside the active variant. For details, see “6.5.2.
Customizing the Interface 3.6 Customizing the Interface The Multicap user interface is highly customizable. Separate customizations may be applied whenever each different type of sheet becomes active. For example, the toolbars and docking windows may be re-configured as you move from a circuit sheet to a description sheet. Toolbars may be docked in various positions and orientations. The contents of the toolbars may be customized. New toolbars may be created.
User Interface 3.6.1 Commands tab The Commands tab in the Customize dialog box is used to add commands to menus and toolbars. To add a command to a menu or toolbar: 1. Drag it from the Commands list to the desired menu or toolbar. When a command is selected in the Command list, its description is displayed in the Description field. 2. If you do not see the command that you require, click on another selection in the Categories list to display more commands. 3.
Customizing the Interface 3.6.2 Toolbars tab The Toolbars tab in the Customize dialog box is used to show or hide toolbars, and to add new custom toolbars. To use the features in this tab: 1. To display a toolbar, switch on the checkbox beside the desired toolbar in the Toolbars list. 2. Switch off a checkbox to hide a toolbar. Note You cannot switch off the Menu bar. 3.
User Interface 3.6.3 Keyboard tab The Keyboard tab is used to set up keyboard shortcuts. To set up keyboard shortcuts: 1. Choose a menu from the Category drop-down list and the desired command from the Commands drop-down list. If a shortcut is already assigned, it appears in the Current Keys field. 2. Enter a new shortcut in the Press New Shortcut Key field. 3. Click Close when customizations are complete.
Customizing the Interface 3.6.4 Menu tab The Menu tab is used to modify the various context-sensitive menus that appear when you right-click from various locations in Multicap. To display the desired menu: 1. Select the desired menu set from the Select Context Menu drop-down list. 2. Right-click on the menu that appears and edit as desired. 3. Select the desired menu effects using the Menu animations drop-down list and the Menu shadows checkbox.
User Interface 3.6.5 Options tab The Options tab in the Customize dialog box is used to set up toolbar and menu options. To set up menu and toolbar options, switch the checkboxes on or off as desired. 3.6.6 Customization Pop-up Menus To customize the appearance of toolbar buttons and menu items, a pop-up menu is available when the Customize dialog box is open. To display the above pop-up: 1. Be sure you have the Customize dialog box open. 2.
Customizing the Interface 3. When you select Button Appearance, the Button Appearance dialog box appears, where you can change the appearance of the selected toolbutton. 3.6.7 Other Customization Options The Multicap user interface is highly customizable. Separate customizations may be applied whenever a different type of sheet becomes active. For example, the toolbars and docking windows may be re-configured as you move from a circuit sheet to a description edit sheet.
Chapter 4 Schematic Capture - Basics This chapter describes the basic functions involved in creating a circuit in the circuit window. It explains the fundamental steps in circuit creation, but is not intended to describe all the potential aspects of circuit design. For example, you should look to other chapters for details on the component database and instructions on editing components. Some of the features described in this chapter may not be available in your edition of Multicap 9.
Schematic Capture - Basics 4-2 Subject Page No.
Introduction to Schematic Capture 4.1 Introduction to Schematic Capture Schematic capture is the first stage in developing your circuit. In this stage you choose the components you want to use, place them on the circuit window in the desired position and orientation, wire them together, and otherwise prepare your design.
Schematic Capture - Basics 4.4 Placing Components The component browser is used to select parts from the three databases and place them on a circuit. It is designed to make it fast and easy to find the part you are looking for amongst the more than 17,000 available. Parts are organized by database, group, and family (for example, Master Database, Digital Group, TTL Family). Filters are provided as appropriate to narrow lists based on value range and tolerance where applicable.
Placing Components Note The Select a Component browser is also referred to as the place component browser. Note The default database that displays in the browser is the Master Database. If you wish to select a component from either the Corporate Database or User Database, you must select that database from the Database drop-down list before selecting a component. Once changed, the database will remain as selected for subsequent part placements. 2. Click on the desired component family in the Family list.
Schematic Capture - Basics 4. To confirm that this is the component you want to place, click OK. (To cancel placing the component, click Close). The browser closes and the cursor on the circuit window changes to a ghost image of the component you wish to place. This indicates that the component is ready to be placed.
Placing Components Tip Some components, like resistors and capacitors will have Filter fields at the top of the Component list, to make part selection faster. Filters 4.4.1.1 Multisection Components Certain non-virtual parts do not have a one-to-one correspondence with a footprint. Rather, several circuit components may correspond to a single physical package. An example is a quad 2-input NAND gate such as the Texas Instruments 7400N.
Schematic Capture - Basics To place a multi-section part: 1. Select Place/Component and navigate to the desired Group, Family and Component. 2. Click OK. If this is the first multi-section component of this type (e.g., 7400N) being placed on the circuit, a dialog box appears as follows: Click to place section A of the component. If there are other multi-section components placed the Select Part dialog box will be similar to the following: Darker text indicates available sections for placement.
Placing Components 4.4.1.2 Rotating/flipping a part during placement To rotate or flip a part during placement: 1. Select a part as detailed in “4.4.1 Using the place component browser” on page 4-4. 2. As you are dragging the “ghost” image of the part that you are placing, press one of the following key combinations: CTRL-R — rotates the component 90 degrees clockwise. CTRL-SHIFT-R — rotates the component 90 degrees counter-clockwise. ALT-X — flips the component horizontally.
Schematic Capture - Basics Button Description Show Basic Components button. Displays the Basic Components toolbar, which contains buttons that let you place different virtual Basic components. Show Diode Components button. Displays the Diodes Components toolbar, which contains buttons that let you place different virtual diodes. Show Transistor Components button. Displays the Transistor Components toolbar, which contains buttons that let you place different virtual transistors.
Placing Components Voltage Source Delta; 3 Phase Voltage Source Wye; VCC Supply; VDD Supply; VEE Supply; VSS Supply.
Schematic Capture - Basics The buttons (from left to right) in the Transistor Components toolbar place the following virtual components: BJT NPN 4T; BJT NPN; BJT PNP 4T; BJT PNP; GaASFET N; GaASFET P; JFET N; JFET P; several enhancement and depletion mode NMOSFETs and PMOSFETs. Analog Components toolbar The buttons (from left to right) in the Analog Components toolbar place the following virtual components: Comparator; 3 Terminal Opamp; 5 Terminal Opamp.
Placing Components 4.4.3 Using the In Use List Each time you place a component, it is added to the In Use List for easy re-use. To place another instance of any currently placed component, simply select it from the list. The copied component appears at the top of your circuit window—you can move it to any location you like. 4.4.4 Selecting Placed Components You can select a component that has been placed on the workspace by either clicking on it or dragging the mouse to make a selection.
Schematic Capture - Basics 2. Release the mouse. Dashed line indicates selected component. Tip You can select individual elements in a component like the RefDes, label and so on. To move the selection to another element of the component, use the TAB key. Setting Dragging Selection Options You can use the Selection Rectangle box in the General tab of the Preferences dialog box to set how part selection by mouse dragging functions.
Placing Components To move a component by dragging: 1. Click and hold the left mouse button on the desired component. The component is selected with a dashed line. Note A component’s symbol and labels can be moved independently or together — if you plan to move the component, be sure the whole component is selected, not just its label. Refer to “4.4.4 Selecting Placed Components” on page 4-13 for details. Labels Symbol 2. Drag the component to the desired location.
Schematic Capture - Basics 2. Drag the component to the desired location. As you drag the mouse, a ghost image of the selected label appears attached to the cursor, along with a dashed line that connects the ghost image to the selected label’s original location. A solid line connects the ghost image to the component to which it belongs. This is very useful in circuits which have a large number of components. To toggle this feature, see “ Showing/Hiding ‘Move’ Lines” on page 4-16. 3.
Placing Components 3. The cursor shows a “ghosted” version of the copied component. Click at the location where you want the copied component placed. Note You can also copy a component using the Windows control keys for cut (CTRL-X), copy (CTRL-C) and paste (CTRL-V). 4.4.7 Replacing a Placed Component You can easily replace a placed component by using the Replace button on the component’s properties dialog box. To replace a placed component: 1. Double-click on the component you want to replace.
Schematic Capture - Basics 4.4.8 Controlling Component Color The default color used for a component and the background color of the circuit window are controlled in the Sheet Properties dialog box, as described in “3.4.2.1 Sheet Properties Circuit Tab” on page 3-24. To change the color of a placed component, right-click on the component and choose Color from the pop-up menu that appears. You are presented with a color palette. Choose a color and click OK to apply it to the selected item. 4.
Wiring Components corresponds to analog ground. GND is a digital ground (as it is common for the purposes of PCB layout to wish to isolate these two ground nets). These reserved nets are most often used in conjunction with hidden symbol pins. These are pins that are not shown on a schematic, as they and their accompanying wires would clutter the schematic to too great an extent, but are nonetheless connected for the purposes of simulation and layout.
Schematic Capture - Basics Note When wiring a component with multiple sections, an “X” indicates that a common pin has been connected in another section of the component. In the example below, U5A and U5B are sections of a Dual, Current Controlled Operational Transconductance Amplifier. These two sections share a common pin on the IC (pin 11, VB+). Pin 11 is connected to Q1 from component U5A (section A of U5). Pin 11 of U5B (section B of U5) is marked with an “X”.
Wiring Components Refer to the steps in the following example to automatically connect a component to a wire: Step 1 Step 2 Add a component to the workspace. Existing components. Step 3 Step 4 Move the component into contact with the wire and a junction is automatically placed when the mouse is released. Drag the component to a new location.... Step 5 ....and note that the component stays attached to the wire.
Schematic Capture - Basics Similarly, follow the steps in the example below to connect two components: Step 1 Step 2 Existing components. Step 3 Move one component into contact with the other and a junction is automatically placed when the mouse is released. Step 4 Drag the component to a new location.... ....and note that the two components stay wired. Tip Use the technique illustrated in the example above to automatically connect a component to a junction. 4.5.
Wiring Components By default, Multicap “skips over” (avoids) components to which it is not connected. For example: The wire “skips” this component. To pass through intermediary components instead, position the wire at the desired location beside the intermediary component and press SHIFT on your keyboard while dragging the wire. For example: The wire passes through this component. 3. Click on the desired pin of the second component to finish the connection.
Schematic Capture - Basics If you attempt to connect a wire to a pin with an NC marker, the connection is prevented and a message appears advising that you cannot connect to a pin marked as “no connection”. To place an NC marker on a component’s pin: 1. Select Tools/Toggle NC Marker. The cursor changes to a crosshair as shown below. Cursor 2. Click the crosshair on the desired pin to place the NC marker. NC Marker To exit the place NC marker mode: 1. Select Tools/Toggle NC Marker.
Wiring Components To place an NC marker on a component’s pin via the component’s properties dialog: 1. Double-click on the component and click on the Pins tab. 2. Click in the field in the NC column for the desired pin, select Yes from the drop-down list that appears and click OK to close the dialog box. An NC marker is added to the selected pin on the schematic.
Schematic Capture - Basics 4.5.5 Placing Wires Directly Onto Workspace For more flexibility during wiring, you can also start and end a wire in “mid-air”, that is, without attaching it to a component or starting from a previously placed junction. To place a wire using the menu: 1. Select Place/Wire. Or Right-click on the workspace and select Place Schematic/Wire from the pop-up menu that appears. 2. Click to place a junction on the workspace and then move the mouse to route the wire as desired. 3.
Wiring Components 4.5.7 Modifying the Wire Path To alter the shape of the wire once it is placed: 1. Click on the wire. A number of drag points appear on the wire: Drag points 2. Click any of these and drag to modify the shape. Or, more commonly, Move your cursor anywhere on the wire. When your cursor changes to a double arrow, click and drag, in the direction of the arrows, to modify the shape. You can add or remove drag points to give you even more control over the wire shape.
Schematic Capture - Basics 4.5.9 Moving a Wire To disconnect a wire and move it to another location in your schematic: 1. Place your cursor at the point where you wish to disconnect the wire. The cursor changes to an “x” with two parallel lines, as shown below. 2. Click once. The cursor changes to a crosshair. 3. Move the cursor to where you wish to reconnect the wire and click once. The wire is now connected to the new location. 4.5.
Manually Adding a Junction (Connector) Note You should exercise caution when changing net names, as they are critical to your circuit’s connectivity as understood by PCB layout. 4. Multicap prompts you to confirm that you want this duplication. Click Yes. Multicap creates a virtual connection between the pins with the same net number. 4.
Schematic Capture - Basics Junction was automatically placed when Ground was wired. Junction placed directly on workspace with no connections. Junction placed over two intersecting wires to form electrical connection. Junction placed on end of component pin. To make a connection from a placed junction: 1. Move your cursor close to the junction, until the cursor changes to a crosshair ( ) symbol. 2. Click and drag a wire from the junction to the desired location and click to place. 4.
Rotating/Flipping Placed Components 2. From the pop-up menu that appears, choose 90 Clockwise to rotate the component 90 degrees clockwise. or Choose 90 CounterCW to rotate the component 90 degrees counter clockwise. For example: Unrotated: Rotated 90 degrees clockwise: Rotated 90 degrees counter-clockwise: Note Text associated with the component, such as labels and values, will be repositioned and rotated as a result of your action. Pin numbers will rotate along with the associated pin.
Schematic Capture - Basics 4.8 Finding Components in Your Circuit To quickly find a component in the workspace: 1. Choose Edit/Find. The Find Component dialog box appears. 2. Enter a string in the Find What field. Wildcards are allowed, for example: • • • • • “V1” finds only the exact string “V1” “*1” finds any string ending with “1” “V*” finds any string starting with “V” “*V*” finds any string containing “V” a “?” anywhere in the string will match exactly one character.
Labeling 5. Optionally, select one or both of the following checkboxes in the Search Options box: Match Case — select if you wish to make the search case sensitive Match Whole Word Only — click if you wish to find only whole words that match the entered string. If not selected, search will be for entered string anywhere. For example, if “1” is entered, search will yield “V1”, R1”, “C1”, etc. 6. Click the Find button. The results of your search are displayed in the Results tab of the Spreadsheet View.
Schematic Capture - Basics • • • 4.9.1 Circuit Description Box on page 4-47 Graphic Annotation on page 4-43 Capturing Screen Area on page 4-45 Modifying Component Labels and Attributes To assign a label and/or Reference Designator to a placed component: 1. Double-click on the component. The component’s properties dialog box appears. 2. Click the Label tab: Enter or modify the RefDes and/or label here. Enter any name or value you wish and have it displayed with the component. 3.
Labeling 4.9.2 Modifying Net Names Multicap automatically assigns a net name to each node in the circuit. You can modify and move these net names. To modify a net name: 1. Double-click on the wire. The Net dialog box appears: Net name that appears on the circuit window. 2. Enter the desired settings. 3. To confirm your settings, click OK. To cancel them, click Cancel.
Schematic Capture - Basics 4.9.3 Adding a Title Block A powerful title block editor allows you to create customized title blocks. If desired, a title block can be included on every page of your design. Various fields in the title block are automatically filled in depending upon the context and various document properties. When designing the title block, you choose one of the pre-defined fields or create your own. You choose appropriate fonts depending upon your language of preference.
Labeling 3. You can also move the placed title block by right-clicking on it and selecting one of: • Move to/Bottom Left — places the title block in the bottom-left corner of the workspace • Move to/Bottom Right — place the title block in the bottom-right corner of the workspace • Move to/Top Left — places the title block in the top-left corner of the workspace • Move to/Top Right — places the title block in the top-right corner of the workspace. To add a title block with a new format, refer to “5.
Schematic Capture - Basics Field Title Description Title of the circuit. Defaults to the circuit’s filename. Corresponds to the #TITLE field that is placed using the Title Block Editor. Description A description for your project. Defaults to Project 1. Corresponds to the #DSCRPT field that is placed using the Title Block Editor. 4-38 Designed by Designer’s name. Corresponds to the #DESIGNED field that is placed using the Title Block Editor. Document No. Document number. Defaults to 0001.
Labeling Caution The width of a field as displayed in the Title Block Editor is not the same as the actual text that is placed in that field in the title block. The text in the title block will be as wide as the amount of text. It is also dependant on the font size. So if two fields are placed closed to each other they may overlap. You can also place the following special symbols in the Title Block dialog box. When you return to the workspace, the symbol will be replaced by text as listed. 4.9.
Schematic Capture - Basics 4. Click elsewhere on the circuit window to stop adding text. To delete text, right-click on the text box and choose Delete from the pop-up menu that appears, or select the text and press DELETE on your keyboard. To change the color of text, right-click on the text box, choose Pen Color from the pop-up menu that appears, and choose the desired color. For details, see “3.3.4 Pop-up From a Selected Text Block or Graphic” on page 3-15.
Labeling To enter text in the placed comment: 1. Double-click on the placed comment. The Comment Properties dialog box appears. Layer on which the comment will appear. Change if desired. Type text here. 2. Type the desired text in the field at the bottom of the dialog. If you wish to show the note’s contents, enable the Show Window checkbox. 3. Optionally, set the Background and Text colors in the Color box. 4.
Schematic Capture - Basics 5. Optionally, click on the Font tab to change the comment’s font. 6. Click OK. If you selected the Show Window checkbox in the Display tab, the comment displays. Otherwise, the Comment icon displays. Comment with Show checkbox enabled. Comment with Show checkbox disabled. Note To enter text without using the Comment Properties dialog box, right-click on the placed comment, select Edit Comment from the pop-up that appears and type the desired text.
Labeling To display a hidden comment, right-click on the desired Comment icon, and select Show Comment from the pop-up that appears. To see the contents of a hidden comment, hover the cursor over the comment. When you move the cursor, the comment disappears. To change the size of a displayed comment: 1. Highlight its textbox. 2. Drag the handles that appears. Drag handles to size box. Note The size can also be changed from the Display tab of the Comment Properties dialog box. 4.9.
Schematic Capture - Basics To add a graphic element: 1. If the Graphic Annotation toolbar is not already showing, select View/Toolbars/Graphic Annotation. Or Right-click in the menu area and select Graphic Annotation from the pop-up that appears. 2. Click on the button in the Graphic Annotation toolbar for the desired graphic element and follow the directions for that element from the table below. Button Description Click on this button to place text on the workspace.
Labeling Button Description Click on this button to draw a polygon. The cursor changes to a crosshair. Place the crosshair where you wish to start the polygon and click the mouse button once. Move the crosshair to where you wish to end the the current segment of the polygon and click the button once. Repeat until all segments of the polygon have been drawn. When you have drawn the last segment of the polygon, double-click the mouse button. Click on this button to place a picture on the workspace.
Schematic Capture - Basics To copy a section of your screen to the clipboard: 1. Select Tools/Capture Screen Area. A selection frame appears on your workspace. Area within the selection frame will be copied to clipboard when copy is clicked. 2. To move the frame to a different location: • Move your cursor to the border of the frame. A crosshair is added to the cursor. Do not select sizing handles to move the selection frame.
Circuit Description Box 4. Click on the copy button at the top left corner of the selection frame. The image inside the selection frame is copied to the system clipboard. 5. Click on the x at the top right corner of the selection frame to close it. 4.10 Circuit Description Box In addition to adding text to a particular portion of a circuit, you can add general descriptions to your circuit using the Circuit Description Box. You can also place bitmaps, sound and video in the Circuit Description Box.
Schematic Capture - Basics page 4-50 for details. • Insert Object Dialog Box — use to select the type of object for insertion. Refer to page 4-50 for details. 4.10.1.1 Formatting Circuit Description Box Text You can format currently-selected text in the Circuit Description Box by using the following commands from the Description Edit Bar: • Font button — click to select the desired font name, size, etc. • Bold button — click to make the selection bold. • Italic button — click to italicize the selection.
Circuit Description Box margin. 4. In the Alignment drop-down list, select whether the paragraph is left-, right-, or center-aligned. 5. Click OK to close the dialog box. 4.10.1.3 Tabs Dialog Box Use the Tabs dialog box to enter tab settings for the Circuit Description Box. To enter tab settings for the Circuit Description Box: 1. Open the Edit Description window as described in “4.10 Circuit Description Box” on page 4-47. 2. Select Format/Tab to display the Tabs dialog box. 3.
Schematic Capture - Basics 3. Select Insert/Date and Time to display the Date and Time dialog box. 4. Select the desired date/time format from the Available Formats list and click OK to place the selection. 4.10.1.5 Options Dialog Box Use the Options dialog box to select the measurement units and text wrapping settings used in the Circuit Description Box. To set the measurement units and text wrapping settings: 1. Open the Edit Description window as described in “4.
Circuit Description Box To insert an object: 1. Open the Edit Description window as described in “4.10 Circuit Description Box” on page 4-47. 2. Select Insert/Object to display the Insert Object dialog box. 3. To create a new object, enable the Create New button (this is the default setting). 4. Select the desired object from the Object Type list. 5. Optionally, enable Display As Icon to view an icon representing the file. 6. Click OK. To create an object from an existing file: 1.
Schematic Capture - Basics Button Description Italic button. Makes the selection italic. Underline button. Underlines the selection. Left Justification button. Aligns the selected paragraph(s) along the left margin. Center Justification button. Center-aligns the selected paragraph(s). Right Justification button. Aligns the selected paragraph(s) along the right margin. Font button. Changes the font, size and color of the selected text. Color button.
Linking a Form to a Circuit • True/False — a statement is made on the form and either True or False is selected as the response. • Data Entry — a field for limited data entry is provided. • Free Form — a field for more extensive data entry is provided. The following sections discuss how to create a form, how to set form submission options and how the recipient should complete and submit the form. 4.11.
Schematic Capture - Basics 4. As you proceed, the question types appear in the Questions tree of the Edit Form dialog box. Click on a specific question in the tree to view its contents in the dialog box. Click on the Remove Selected Question button to remove it completely. Use the up and down arrows to change the position of the selected question in the tree. The sequence of the questions in the tree will be reflected when you view the completed form in lower pane of the Circuit Description Box. 5.
Linking a Form to a Circuit 2. Click Options in the Categories area and complete the following: Email the circuit file to — enable checkbox and enter the desired email address. Subject — enter text to be placed in the email’s subject line. Body — enter text to be placed in the body of the email message. Display the message — enable checkbox and enter text that you wish to appear in the message that appears on the Multicap workspace when you click Submit. 3. Click OK to close the Edit Form dialog box.
Schematic Capture - Basics 4.12 Printing the Circuit Multicap allows you to control specific aspects of your printing, including: • • • • • whether to output in color or black and white which pages of a design to print whether to include the background in the printed output page margins for printing scaling of the circuit’s image to fit the printed output. To set the printing environment for circuits: 1. Select File/Print Options/Print Circuit Setup. Set page margins for printed output.
Printing the Circuit Current and Subcircuits Prints the currently active window and any subcircuits or hierarchical blocks that it contains. Entire Design Prints all circuits, subcircuits, hierarchical blocks and multi-pages from the design which includes the currently active window. For more information on hiearchical blocks and subcircuits, see “6.2 Hierarchical Design” on page 6-3. 3.
Chapter 5 Schematic Capture - Advanced Functions This chapter describes the advanced functions involved in creating a circuit in Multicap. Some of the features described in this chapter may not be available in your edition of Multicap 9. Such features have an icon in the column next to their description. Refer to the release notes for a list of the features in your edition. The following are described in this chapter. Subject Page No.
Schematic Capture - Advanced Functions 5.1 Placed Component Properties Each component placed on the circuit window has a set of properties that control certain aspects of it beyond those stored in the Multicap database. These properties affect only the placed component, not other instances of that component in other circuits or other locations in this circuit. Depending on the type of component, these properties determine some or all of the following: • • 5.1.
Placed Component Properties 2. Click the Display tab. When this option is enabled, the types of identifying information displayed for this individual component are controlled by the circuit’s settings. When the above global setting option is not enabled, these options are available and determine which identifying information is displayed for this individual component. 3. Disable Use Schematic Global Setting. 4.
Schematic Capture - Advanced Functions simulated in Multicap, they will give you an idea of how such a circuit will function when prototyped. “Real” component with footprint RES0.5 Same “virtual” component - set to different values However, when a “real” component is referred to in this guide, it corresponds to a real, purchasable component with values that include footprints and package type for use in PCB layout programs, like Ultiboard.
Placed Component Properties To edit the component in the database: 1. Click on Edit Component in DB. 2. Refer to “8.1 Introduction to Component Editing” on page 8-2. 5.1.2.2 Edit Footprint Dialog Box You can edit the footprint of a selected component using the Edit Footprint dialog box. To edit the selected component’s footprint: 1. Click on Edit Footprint in the component’s Value tab. The Edit Footprint dialog box appears. 2. Click Select From Database to display the Select a Footprint dialog box.
Schematic Capture - Advanced Functions 3. To cancel your settings, click Cancel. To save your settings, click OK. Note Click Map Pins to display the Advanced Pin Mapping dialog. See “8.7.3 Advanced Pin Mapping Dialog” on page 8-45 for details. 5.1.2.3 Virtual Components For virtual components, whose value can be set manually, the tab looks similar to this: Options let you change the default settings of the virtual component. You can modify any of these fields. To cancel your changes, click Cancel.
The Spreadsheet View 5.2 The Spreadsheet View The Spreadsheet View allows fast advanced viewing and editing of parameters including component details such as footprints, Reference Designators, attributes and design constraints. The Spreadsheet View provides a global perspective on object properties. 5.2.1 Spreadsheet View Results Tab If you select Result Pane in the ERC Options tab of the Electrical Rules Check dialog box, the Results tab will display the results of Electrical Rules Checks (ERCs).
Schematic Capture - Advanced Functions 5.2.2 5-8 Spreadsheet View Nets Tab Column Description Net The net’s name. Sheet The filename of sheet on which the net is found. Color Net’s color. “Default” is based on the color scheme selected in the Circuit tab of the Sheet Properties dialog box. Click to display a Color palette and select the desired color. Trace Width Width of the traces after export to PCB layout. Unit of measure is set in Ultiboard.
The Spreadsheet View 5.2.3 Column Description Net Group Click in this field to enter a group for a net. This group can be used in Ultiboard 7 to keep nets together during the PCB layout process. Lock PCB Settings If enabled, prevents changes to parameters that effect layout of net on the PCB. Click to toggle between Yes and No. IC Initial Condition The net’s initial condition for Transient Analysis in Multisim. NODESET The net’s initial condition for DC Operating Point Analysis in Multisim.
Schematic Capture - Advanced Functions 5-10 Column Description Description The component’s description. Label The component’s user-defined label. Click on the field and type in desired text. Can also be entered in the Label tab in the component’s properties dialog box. For details, see “4.9.1 Modifying Component Labels and Attributes” on page 4-34. Coordinate X/Y The position of the component on the workspace. This field is read-only and changes as the component is moved on the workspace.
The Spreadsheet View Column Description VCC Supply voltage. If not blank, indicates that the part has the corresponding input. You may choose to assign a netname from those power and ground nets that are placed on the schematic. VDD Supply voltage. If not blank, indicates that the part has the corresponding input. You may choose to assign a netname from those power and ground nets that are placed on the schematic. VEE Supply voltage. If not blank, indicates that the part has the corresponding input.
Schematic Capture - Advanced Functions 5.2.4 5.2.5 Spreadsheet View PCB Layers Tab Column Description Layer The contents of this column are set from the PCB tab of the Sheet Properties dialog box. For details, see “3.4.2.5 Sheet Properties - PCB Tab” on page 3-30. Routable When enabled, the layer can be routed during the PCB layout process. Click to toggle between Yes and No. Type Defines the type of layer. Double-click to display a drop-down list and choose from Signal, Power or Ground.
Title Block Editor Button Description Copy button. Copies the selection to the clipboard. All button. Displays all of the netlists or components (depending on the selected tab) from all sheets, multi-pages, subcircuits and hierarchical blocks in the current design. Replace Selected Components button. Before using, select the desired component(s) in the circuit window to be replaced. Invokes the Select a Component browser from which you can select a new component.
Schematic Capture - Advanced Functions The Title Block Editor consists of: • • • • • the menu bar, which contains the menus with their associated commands. the toolbars, which give quick access to the most commonly-used tools. the workspace, which is where you build or modify your title blocks. The Draw Grid aids in the placement of graphic elements inside the Boundary Box. the Spreadsheet View, which is where you find and edit various title block parameters.
Title Block Editor 4. Select File/Exit and click Yes when prompted to save your changes. If this is a new title block, a standard Save As dialog box appears. Enter the desired filepath and filename, and click Save. If it is an existing title block the changes are saved and the Title Block Editor closes. The next sections describe the Title Block Editor functionality in more detail. 5.3.1 Enter Text Dialog Box The Enter Text dialog box is used to enter and format text and place it on the title block.
Schematic Capture - Advanced Functions 5.3.2 Placing Fields Fields are placeholders for text that appears in the title block on your circuit schematic. Note The actual text that appears in these fields is entered in the Title Block dialog box, which is accessed from Multicap’s main screen. For a field’s text to appear in the title block in Multicap, you must first place the field for that text in the title block using the Title Block Editor. To place a field on the title block: 1.
Title Block Editor 3. Click OK, move the cursor to the desired location and click the mouse to place the field. Code for placed Revision field. All placed fields appear in green highlighting. Placed text is not highlighted. 4. After completing any other edits to the title block, select File/Exit and save the changes when prompted. You are returned to the main Multicap screen, where the field code (#REV) has been replaced by text.
Schematic Capture - Advanced Functions 5.3.2.
Title Block Editor 5.3.3 Title Block Editor Spreadsheet View The Spreadsheet View is where you find and edit various title block parameters. When you select an item on the workspace, it is highlighted in the spreadsheet, and vice versa. If you make a change to an item in the spreadsheet, it is reflected on the title block in the workspace. Column Description Name The type of graphic element. Pen Type The appearance of lines for graphics elements, excluding placed text.
Schematic Capture - Advanced Functions Column Description Font Style The font style, active for placed text elements only. Select the desired row and click to display a list. Choices are: Regular; Italic; Bold; Bold Italic. Font Size The font size, active for placed text elements only. Select the desired row and click to display a list of sizes. Note If objects are grouped using Edit/Group, their distinct names and properties will no longer appear in the Name column.
Title Block Editor 5.3.4.2 Edit Menu The following selections are available under the Edit menu: Menu Use Undo Undoes the previous action. Redo Undoes the previous “undo” action. Cut Removes the selected element(s) from the workspace and places them on the clipboard. Copy Places a copy of the selected element(s) on the clipboard. Paste Places a copy of the element(s) on the clipboard on the workspace at the cursor’s location. Delete Removes the selected element(s) from the workspace.
Schematic Capture - Advanced Functions Menu Use Send To Back Sends selected element(s) to the background on the workspace. Other elements appear in front of them. Resize Boundary Box Places a cursor at the lower-right side of the boundary box. Drag it to the desired location to resize the boundary box. You cannot make the boundary box smaller than the elements that it contains. 5.3.4.
Title Block Editor 5.3.4.4 Fields Menu Fields are placeholders for text that appear in the title block on Multicap’s main screen. For details, see “5.3.2 Placing Fields” on page 5-16. The following selections are available under the Fields menu. Menu Use Select Lets you select specific element(s) on the workspace. Title Displays the Enter Title Block Attribute dialog box, where you enter formatting information for the Title field (#TITLE) and click OK to place the field on the title block.
Schematic Capture - Advanced Functions Menu Use Format Displays the Enter Title Block Attribute dialog box, where you enter formatting information for the Format field (#FMT) and click OK to place the field on the title block. Custom Field 1 Displays the Enter Title Block Attribute dialog box, where you enter formatting information for Custom Field 1 (#CUSTOM_1) and click OK to place the field on the title block.
Title Block Editor Menu Use Segment Arc Places an arc on the workspace. Click once to place the center point of the arc, click again to place the outer diameter point. As you move the cursor, a dotted outline of the arc appears. Now move the cursor and click to place the arc’s end point. Bezier Places a bezier curve on the workspace. Click to place the start of the curve, then move the cursor on the workspace. As you move the cursor, a dotted outline of the bezier curve appears.
Schematic Capture - Advanced Functions 5.3.4.7 Help Menu The following selections are available under the Help menu: Menu Use Help Topics Displays the helpfile. About Title Block Editor Displays a splash dialog with information about the Title Block Editor. 5.3.4.8 Pop-up Menus Depending on where you right-click in the Title Block Editor, different context-sensitive pop-up menus appear.
Title Block Editor 5.3.5 Toolbars The toolbars give access to the most commonly-used tools in the Title Block Editor. 5.3.5.1 Standard Toolbar The buttons in the Standard toolbar are described below: Button Description New button. Opens a new untitled document in the Title Block Editor. If you already have one open, it will close first, after prompting you to save any changes. Open button. Opens an existing document in the Title Block Editor.
Schematic Capture - Advanced Functions Button Description Undo button. Undoes the previous action. Redo button. Redoes the previous “undo” action. Print Preview button. Opens the Print Preview dialog box, which shows the title block in the active document with the best fit to the page. There are no other sizes available. Print button. Opens the standard Windows “Print” dialog box, where you can enter the desired printing properties and print the title block.
Title Block Editor 5.3.5.3 Draw Tools Toolbar The buttons in the Draw Tools toolbar are described below: Button Description Select button. Use to select element(s) on the workspace by clicking and dragging the mouse. Rectangle button. Places a rectangle on the workspace. Line button. Places a line on the workspace. Circle button. Places a circle on the workspace. Click to place the center of the circle, then move the cursor on the workspace.
Schematic Capture - Advanced Functions Button Description Text button. Displays the Enter Text dialog box, where you enter and format text to be placed on the workspace. For details, see “5.3.1 Enter Text Dialog Box” on page 5-15. Bitmap button. Places a bitmap image on the workspace. Click to display a standard Windows “Open” dialog box, where you can select the desired bitmap. Text Field button. Select to enter formatting information for a specific field.
Title Block Editor Button Description Snap To Grid button. Snaps the selected element(s) to the Draw Grid that is found within the title block’s boundary box. Distribute Horizontal button. Evenly spaces the selected objects horizontally. At least three objects must be selected to enable this button. Distribute Vertical button. Evenly spaces the selected objects vertically. At least three objects must be selected to enable this button. Bring To Front button.
Schematic Capture - Advanced Functions 5.4 Electrical Rules Checking Electrical Rules Checking creates and displays a report detailing connection errors (such as an output pin connected to a power pin) and unconnected pins. Once you have wired your circuit, you can check the connections for correctness based on the rules set up in the Electrical Rules Check dialog box.
Electrical Rules Checking Result Pane If you select Result Pane to display your output, errors and warnings are detailed in the Results tab of the Spreadsheet View as shown below. Double-click on individual errors or warnings in the Results tab to zoom in on the workspace with the error or warning centered. Double-click on the same error or warning to zoom to the other pin associated with the error or warning. (Does not apply to unconnected pins). ERC Marker — Red circle indicates an error or warning.
Schematic Capture - Advanced Functions List View If you select List View, a report displays as shown below: Total number of pins that were checked. Total warnings issued. Total error messages issued. Details of errors and warnings appear in this area. Use the buttons detailed below as required. Save to a text file Send to a printer Print preview To MS Excel App. • Save to a Text File — click to save the data in the dialog box to a text file. A standard Windows save dialog box appears.
Electrical Rules Checking 5.4.1 ERC Options Tab This section describes how to set up Electrical Rule Check (ERC) options. To run an ERC, see “5.4 Electrical Rules Checking” on page 5-32. To set up the ERC options: 1. Select Tools/Electrical Rules Check to display the Electrical Rules Check dialog box and click on the ERC Options tab. 2. In the Scope box, select one of: • Current Page — to run the ERC on the page displayed and selected on your workspace.
Schematic Capture - Advanced Functions • Check Touched Pages — is active when one or more of the above are selected. When selected, ERC will check all connections on the associated multi-page, hierarchical block or subcircuit. 4. In the Report Also box, select the following as desired: • Unconnected Pins — checks for pins that are not connected to anything. • Excluded Pins — checks pins that have been excluded from ERC in the Pins tab of the component’s properties dialog box. See “5.4.
Electrical Rules Checking 5.4.2 ERC Rules Tab This section describes how to set up the electrical rules used when running an Electrical Rules Check. To run an ERC, see “5.4 Electrical Rules Checking” on page 5-32. To set up the electrical rules: 1. Select Tools/Electrical Rules Check to display the Electrical Rules Check dialog box. 2. Click on the ERC Rules tab.
Schematic Capture - Advanced Functions 3. Set the desired warning or error levels by clicking on the button that appears at the intersection of the desired pin types in the grid found in the Definition box. Click until the desired color, based on the Legend appears. For clarity, some examples are shown below. ERC symbol. See chart below. Example 1 - This button indicates “OK” for connection of Pas (passive) to In (input) pin.
Electrical Rules Checking Pin Type Pin Type from Multicap Component Editor ERC Symbol PASSIVE Passive Pas POWER Power, Vcc, Vdd, Vee, Vpp Pwr GND Gnd, Vss Pwr NC NC (no connection) NC The following explains the warning and error levels available. 5.4.3 Level Description Ok Green button. No message is displayed after an Electrical Rules Check. Warning Yellow button. A warning message is displayed after an Electrical Rules Check. Error Red button.
Schematic Capture - Advanced Functions To set up which pins in a component to include or exclude from an ERC: 1. Double-click on the desired component to display its properties dialog box and click on the Pins tab. 2. In the ERC Status column, select either Include or Exclude for each of the component’s pins. 3. Click OK to close the dialog box.
Chapter 6 Working with Larger Designs Some of the features described in this chapter may not be available in your edition of Multicap 9. Such features have an icon in the column next to their description. Refer to the release notes for a list of the features in your edition. The following are described in this chapter. Subject Page No.
Working with Larger Designs 6.1 Subject Page No. Project Management and Version Control Setting up Projects Working with Projects Working with Files Contained in Projects Version Control 6-47 6-48 6-49 6-50 6-51 Flat Multi-sheet Design In many instances circuit designs are too large to fit all components on a single sheet or for logical reasons it’s easier to think of a circuit design if it is divided. In this case, you can use Multicap’s Flat Multi-sheet Design feature.
Hierarchical Design 6.1.1 Delete Multi-page Dialog Box To delete a page from a multi-page circuit file. 1. Select Edit/Delete Multi-Page. 2. Highlight the page that you wish to delete and click OK. 6.2 Hierarchical Design Hierarchical blocks and subcircuits are used to organize functionally related parts of a design into manageable pieces.
Working with Larger Designs 6.2.1 Nested Circuits When a circuit file is opened or created in Multicap, by definition it is the top-level circuit of the current design. All circuits may reference other, embedded (subcircuit) or linked-to (hierarchical block) nested circuits, which act as building blocks to control circuit complexity. In addition, any circuit (nested or otherwise), may comprise multiple pages for ease of understanding and printing.
Hierarchical Design The assignment of RefDes to part is stored with the top-level circuit, and not with any of the nested circuits. This is because the same nested circuit may appear more than once in a design. Were the RefDes to be associated with a nested circuit, duplicate RefDes would appear in this situation. To combat this, it is the top-level circuit that associates a RefDes with each part's instance of use.
Working with Larger Designs reach the circuit instance. In the diagram below, 'X1.IO1' is the full name of net number IO1 in the sub-circuit referenced by the RefDes 'X1' from the top-level circuit. 6.2.4 Global Nets Certain pre-defined named nets are considered global across an entire design. That is to say, anytime a net at any level in the hierarchy or on any page is re-named to one of these reserved nets, it joins this net. These reserved nets are 0, GND, VCC, VDD, VEE, and VSS.
Hierarchical Design net is renamed to be a top-level net, and joins any other nets at the top-level with the same name. For example, having a net named "power" in a sub-circuit referenced by X1 from the top-level circuit would normally re-write the name of the net to "X1.power". This makes this net unique to any other net named "power" at the top-level or in any other nested circuit in the design (even other use instances of the same sub-circuit).
Working with Larger Designs 7. Wire the hierarchical block into the circuit as in the example below. 8. Save the circuit. Note If you move or re-name a hierarchical block relative to the main circuit, Multicap will not be able to find it. A dialog box displays asking you to provide the new location for the hierarchical block. 6.2.5.1 Placing a HB from an Existing File To place a hierarchical block from an existing file: 1.
Hierarchical Design Note If you have already placed instances of the hierarchical block, the following dialog displays: Select which hierarchical block you wish to use to assign grouping information in the new hierarchical block and click OK. 6.2.5.2 Replacing Components with an HB To replace a section of a schematic with a hierarchical block (HB): 1. In the workspace, select the desired components and nets. 2. Select Place/Replace by Hierarchical Block.
Working with Larger Designs The subcircuit appears in the desired location on the circuit window as an icon with the subcircuit name inside it. 4. Double-click on the new subcircuit and select Edit HB/SC from the Hierarchical Block/Subcircuit dialog box that displays. An empty circuit window appears. 5. Place and wire components as desired in the new hierarchical block. 6. Select Place/Connectors/HB/SC Connector, and place and wire the connector as desired. Repeat for any other required HB/SC Connectors.
Renaming Component Instances 6.2.6.1 Replacing Components with a SC To replace a section of a schematic with a SC: 1. In the workspace, select the desired components and nets. 2. Select Place/Replace by Subcircuit. The Subcircuit Name dialog box appears. 3. Enter the name you wish to use for the subcircuit and click OK. The selection is replaced by a SC symbol that is correctly wired into the circuit. 6.2.
Working with Larger Designs • • • component’s reference designator (RefDes), as in the example “V1”. If the component is not on the main sheet, the sheet on which it is located also shows, as in the example “X3.R1”. This indicates that R1 is found on the subcircuit referenced by X3. RefDes — The reference designator of the component as it appears on the workspace. Section — The section of a multi-section component.
Renaming Component Instances 6.3.1 Reference Designator Prefix Setup Dialog This section uses the example of two instances of the same subcircuit. Please note that the Reference Designator Prefix Setup dialog box can be used to assign a unique numbering system for each subcircuit, hierarchical block or multi-page. This is very helpful when trying to identify components in a design. Note: X1 and X2 are instances of the same subcircuit.
Working with Larger Designs To set up renaming parameters: 1. Click Setup from the Rename Component Reference Designators dialog box. The following dialog box appears: 2. Select the item for which you wish to set up numbering parameters and enable Use RefDes Prefix. 3. If desired, enter a prefix for the components in the selection in the Prefix field, for example “Beta”.
Renaming Component Instances 4. Enter the starting number for each RefDes in the selection in the Offset field, for example “100”. 5. Click OK to return to the Rename Component Reference Designators dialog box. 6. Click Renumber. The RefDes’s are renumbered to reflect the changes to the setup that you made in the Reference Designator Prefix Setup dialog box. Prefix of “Beta” has been added to each component in the instance of the subcircuit.
Working with Larger Designs 7. Click OK to accept the changes. Prefix of “Beta” has been added to each component in the instance of the subcircuit. Component numbering sequence for components in the instance of the subcircuit begins at “100”. 6.4 Buses In order to simplify wiring, buses may be used to carry multiple nets. Buses may be used within a page, across pages, and down into nested circuits (subcircuits and hierarchical blocks). Buses operate in two modes.
Buses Net Mode Busline Mode Net mode is a more traditional way of using buses in schematic capture programs. Busline mode allows for a more modern, declaration-before-use, approach to designing buses that minimizes entry errors. Although you can switch between the two modes, you are encouraged to use either one style or the other for any given circuit (switching from busline mode to net mode loses information). Buses exist in multiple bus segments.
Working with Larger Designs of a nested circuit may in general be connected to a different bus. If the bus in the parent circuit is empty, no dialog will be presented and the bus will be wired in the natural manner. Bus HB/SC Connector To facilitate usage of buses, a powerful bus vector connect facility is provided that allows for multiple pins of a chip to be connected to a bus in a single operation. This dialog allows you to select pins from multi-pin components to connect to the buslines. 6.4.
Buses 6.4.1.1 Placing a bus across Multi-pages To place the same bus across multi-pages: 1. Select Place/Connectors/Bus-Offpage Connector to place a Bus-Offpage Connector on the workspace. 2. Wire the connector to the desired bus. 3. Place a bus on the multi-page, and wire another Bus-Offpage Connector to the bus. 4. Double-click on the bus and change its name to match the busname of the bus on the main page. 6.4.1.
Working with Larger Designs 5. Select Place/Connectors/Bus HB/SC Connector and place the connector in the HB/SC on the end of the bus. The symbol for the HB/SC in the main circuit will change to reflect the addition of the Bus HB/SC Connector. (See below). 6. In the main circuit, attach the bus to the BusIO pin on the HB/SC by hovering the cursor over one end of the bus and clicking when the cursor changes to a crosshair. Move the cursor to the BusIO pin on the HB/SC symbol and click to place.
Buses 8. In the Bus box on the right, select the buslines on the main page to which you wish to map the buslines that you selected above and click the down-arrow. 9. Click OK. The connection from the bus in the main circuit is made to the Bus IO pin as mapped above. Note If you add more nets to the bus, you must double-click on the Bus IO pin in the sub-circuit or hierarchical block symbol and map the new nets via the Bus HB/SC Mapping Properties dialog box. 6.4.
Working with Larger Designs To add buslines to a bus: 1. Double-click on a placed bus to display the Bus Properties dialog box. 2. Click Add to display the Add Buslines dialog box. 3. If you wish to add a single busline to the selected bus, enable Add a Busline and type a name into the Name field. If you wish to add a number of buslines, enable Add Bus Vector and enter information in the fields as described: • Prefix — the prefix for the entered buslines, for example “Out”.
Buses 4. Click OK. The Add Buslines dialog box disappears, and the Bus Properties dialog box appears with the added buslines appearing in the Buslines (Net) field. Indicates that the busline is unconnected. 6.4.2.2 Deleting Buslines from a Bus To delete buslines from a bus: 1. Double-click on a placed bus to display the Bus Properties dialog box. 2. Select the desired bus(es) in the Buslines (Net) field and click Delete. 6.4.2.3 Renaming Buslines in a Bus To rename buslines in a bus: 1.
Working with Larger Designs 6.4.3 Merging Buses To merge two buses together so that they have the same busname: 1. Highlight the two buses and select Place/Merge Bus to display the Bus Merge dialog box. Net to which the busline is connected Busline Tip If you want to rename busline(s) before merging the buses, select the desired busline(s) and click Rename. Buslines with the same name in each of the merged buses will be electrically connected after the merge. 2.
Buses Note You can also access the Bus Merge dialog box by double-clicking on a bus, and clicking the Merge button in the Bus Properties dialog box. In this case, you must select the second bus from its Name drop-down list before clicking Merge. As well, you can merge buses by wiring them together or renaming one bus with the name of another existing bus. 6.4.4 Wiring to a Bus In Busline bus wiring mode 1. Wire the bus into your circuit by drawing a wire to any location on the bus.
Working with Larger Designs Note After wiring, you can re-name the net, by double-clicking on it and editing the name in the Net dialog box that appears. Note You can select a bus entry to move it with the Arrow keys, or rotate it with SHIFT-R. Note You can double-click on a bus entry to edit its properties via the Bus Entry Connection dialog box. In Net Bus Wiring Mode 1. Wire the bus into your circuit by drawing a wire to any location on the bus.
Buses Bus Resizing To resize a bus: 1. Click on the bus and drag one of the handles that appear on the bus. To add to the bus: 1. Place the cursor over the bus, and when it turns to a crosshair, click the mouse. 2. Move the cursor to the desired location and double-click to complete the bus. 6.4.5 Bus Vector Connect Along with the method described in “6.4.4 Wiring to a Bus” on page 6-25, you can also use the Bus Vector Connect command.
Working with Larger Designs 3. Click once on the component to select it and select Place/Bus Vector Connect to display the Bus Vector Connect dialog box. 4. In the Component box, select the side of the component from which terminals should be connected from the Pins drop-down list. The list below the Pins field is populated based on your selection. 5. Highlight the pins that you wish to attach to the bus, as in the example below.
Buses 6. Click on the activated down-arrow button to move the selected pins to the bottom left field. Note If you move an incorrect item, highlight it and click on the up-arrow button to return it to the Pins list. 7. In the Bus box, select the bus you wish to connect to from the Name drop-down list.
Working with Larger Designs 8. In the Buslines field, select the buslines you wish to use and click on the enabled down-arrow button to move the selection to the lower-right field. (If the Buslines field is empty, you can click on the Auto-assign button to automatically create and assign busline names that correspond to the pin names). 9. Click OK. The connections to the bus are made as in the following example.
Buses In Net bus wiring mode To connect a device to a bus in Net bus wiring mode: 1. Place the component that you wish to connect to the bus on the workspace. 2. Place a bus on the workspace as described in “6.4.1 Placing a Bus” on page 6-18. For best results, position the bus so that it is at right-angles to the pins to be connected. Also, the bus should be long enough to comfortably accomodate the number of connections. 3.
Working with Larger Designs 5. Highlight the pins that you wish to attach to the bus, as in the example below. 6. Click on the activated down-arrow button to move the selected pins to the bottom left field. Note If you move an incorrect item, highlight it and click on the up-arrow button to return it to the Pins list.
Buses 7. In the Bus box, select the bus you wish to connect to from the Name drop-down list. 8. In the Nets in Bus field select: • existing nets — for example, “1” and/or “2” in the above, and click the down-arrow button to move them to the bottom-right field. • — to map new nets to the selected component pins. Each time you click the down-arrow button when is highlighted, an instance of appears in the bottom-right field.
Working with Larger Designs 9. Click OK. The connections to the bus are made as in the following example. Existing Nets Connections made using Bus Vector Connect 6.5 Variants A variant is a specific version of a circuit. As PCBs are manufactured for distribution on a global scale, some designs may require modifications depending on their target markets. For example, power supply requirements for the European market differ from those of North America.
Variants 3. Highlight the circuit in the hierarchy that is displayed in the left pane. “Default1” is the default name for the initial variant. Default variant 4. Highlight “Default1” in the right pane. The Rename Variant button becomes active. Note The Remove Variant button remains disabled, as there must be at least one variable assigned to each circuit. This button becomes active when there are two or more variants assigned to a circuit. 5. Click Rename Variant. The Rename Variant dialog box appears.
Working with Larger Designs 8. Enter the name for the new variant (in this example, “EU” for Europe) and click OK. The Variant Manager dialog box now appears as follows. European variant North American variant 9. Click Close to return to the workspace. To delete variants from your circuit: 1. Select Tools/Variant Manager to display the Variant Manager dialog box. 2. Select the desired circuit in the left pane, and the variant you wish to delete in the right pane. 3. Click Remove Variant.
Variants To remove components that are not in any of the variants: 1. Click on Remove Components in the Variant Manager dialog box. The Components for Delete dialog box appears. If you do not wish to remove any of these components, click to remove the corresponding checkmark 2. Click OK to remove the components from the workspace. 6.5.2 Placing Parts in Variants This section continues the example of the variants for the North American (NA) and European (EU) markets used in “6.5.
Working with Larger Designs 2. Add a 220 V, 50 Hz power supply to the circuit. (This is for the EU variant). 3. Add a 220V lamp to the circuit (also for the EU variant). 4. Assign variant status (in this case NA or EU) to each component as described below. 6.5.2.1 Assigning Variant Status to Components This section continues the example of the variants for the North American (NA) and European (EU) markets used in “6.5.1 Setting Up Variants” on page 6-34.
Variants To assign components to variants: 1. Open the desired circuit as in the following example: 2. Double-click on a component (for example V2) to display the component’s properties dialog box, and click on the Variant tab. Indicates that the selected component is included in both the EU and NA variants of the circuit. This is a 220V 50Hz power supply, so we want to include it in the EU (European) variant, but exclude it from the NA (North American) variant.
Working with Larger Designs 3. Highlight the line that contains “NA” in the Variant Name column and then select Excluded from the Status column. 4. Click OK to close the component’s properties dialog box. Component is dimmed, indicating that it is not present in the active variant. To set which variant is active on your workspace, see “6.5.2.3 Setting the Active Variant” on page 6-44 Label indicates component is only in the EU variant. 5.
Variants 7. Click OK to close the component’s properties dialog box. Component is not dimmed, indicating that it is present in the active variant. To set which variant is active on your workspace, see “6.5.2.3 Setting the Active Variant” on page 6-44. Label indicates component is only in the NA variant. 8. Set the variant status for the lamps X1 and X2, using the Variant tab as described in the preceding steps.
Working with Larger Designs To exclude a component from future variants of a circuit: 1. Double-click on the desired component to display its properties dialog box, and click on the Variant tab. Indicates whether this component will be in any future variants of this circuit that you create. Default value is “Included”. 2. Selected Excluded from the For New Variants drop-down list. This component will not be included in variants of this circuit that you may create in the future.
Variants 6.5.2.2 Assigning Variant Status to Nested Circuits The active variant for a for a nested circuit (HB or SC) is whichever variant is mapped to its parent circuit’s active variant. To assign variant status to a subcircuit or hierarchical block: 1. Right-click on the desired variant, and select Include in Active Variant from the pop-up.
Working with Larger Designs Note You can also assign the variant status in the Variant tab of the HB/SC’s properties dialog box as shown below. 6.5.2.3 Setting the Active Variant This section continues the example of the variants for the North American (NA) and European (EU) markets used in “6.5.1 Setting Up Variants” on page 6-34. You can set active and inactive variants on the schematic by following the instructions in the following sections.
Variants 2. Click on the “+” beside the Variants folder to open the folder. Blue box indicates that “NA” is the active variant White box indicates that “EU” is the inactive variant When NA is set as the active variant, the circuit appears as shown below. 3. Right-click on the EU variant and select Set Variant Active from the pop-up that appears. Select... ...
Working with Larger Designs When EU is the active variant, the circuit appears as shown below: The dimmed components are inactive. Setting the Active Variant from the Menu To set the active variant from the menu: 1. Select Tools/Set Active Variant. The Active Variant dialog box displays. 2. Highlight the variant you wish to make active and click OK.
Project Management and Version Control 6.6 Project Management and Version Control In order to help manage the various files associated with a design, Multicap Projects may be used. A project is a collection of files. For example, all the circuit files making up a design may be grouped together in a project, as well as external design documentation (written in say, Microsoft Word), simulation output, reports, and PCB layouts generated with Ultiboard. In fact, any file at all may be grouped into a project.
Working with Larger Designs 6.6.1 Setting up Projects To create a project for circuit files: 1. Choose File/New Project. The New Project dialog box appears: 2. Specify the name for your project, the folder where the project files are to be stored, and the folder where backups of the project file are to be placed. If the folders do not already exist, they will be created. Click the button next to the location fields to browse for the desired location. 3. To save your project, click OK.
Project Management and Version Control 3. The file is added to the project and its name appears in the project browser. Note A circuit file can be part of more than one project. • Schematic folder — for circuits drawn as schematics in Multisim or Multicap. May be mutiple schematics as part of one project. • PCB folder — for circuits laid out in Ultiboard are logically the PCBs matching the schematic of the project. • Documents folder — for documents you wish to collect for the project.
Working with Larger Designs 1. Double-click on a circuit file in the project browser. If the file is not in use by another user, it will open. If it is in use, you are prompted to open it as read-only. Note Files in use by another user are displayed with a different color in the project browser than files which are not in use. To open a project: 1. Choose File/Open Project. A standard Windows file browser appears. 2. If necessary, navigate to the correct folder and open the project file (with a .
Project Management and Version Control To see information on a file in a project, right-click on the file name in the project browser and choose Properties from the pop-up menu that appears. A message box similar to the following appears: 6.6.4 Version Control At any given time, you can back up the contents of a project folder. You can then restore the folder as of that day and time. To back up a project folder: 1. Choose File/Version Control. The Version Control dialog box appears: 2.
Working with Larger Designs To restore a backed up project folder: Note Restoring a backed up project folder replaces the current folder. If you want to keep the current folder as well as the backed up version, save the folder to a new location or with a new name before proceeding. 1. Close all circuits associated with the project. 2. Choose File/Version Control. The Version Control dialog box appears. 3. Select Restore project. A dialog box listing the available backed up project folders appears. 4.
Chapter 7 Components This chapter introduces you to the underlying structure and organization of the Multicap 9 component database. It also explains how to access the database for parts and how to search the database for information. Some of the features described in this chapter may not be available in your edition of Multicap 9. Such features have an icon in the column next to their description. Refer to the release notes for a list of the features in your edition.
Components 7.1 Subject Page No. Updating Components from Databases 7-18 Merging Databases 7-19 Structure of the Component Database The Multicap component database is designed to hold the information necessary to describe any component. It contains all the details needed for schematic capture (symbols) and PCB layout (footprints), as well as other electrical information. There are three levels of database provided by Multicap.
Structure of the Component Database the Corporate Database stores components selected and, possibly, modified or created by an individual user or company/institution; these remain available to any other selected users. • the User Database stores components modified, imported or created by you; these are available only to you. The User Database and the Corporate Database are empty when you first use Multicap.
Components 7.2 Locating Components in the Database You can locate components in a specific component family within a specific database by either browsing through the available data, which is the more common method, or by searching for a component that meets specific criteria. These functions are described in this section. 7.2.1 Browsing for Components When you are placing a component, the browser dialog box that appears lets you browse for components anywhere in the Multicap database.
Locating Components in the Database 3. Optionally, click More>> to display additional search options. 4. In the desired fields, enter your search criteria (you must enter at least one item). Enter alphanumeric characters, that is, text and/or numbers. Case is not considered, and you can use the “*” wildcard to search on partial strings.
Components a list of all the components that matched your criteria. For example, using the search example above, the results look like this: Number of components that matched the search criteria. List of components that matched the search criteria. Details of the component selected from the list. From the Component list, select the component you are interested in. To view information about any component found by the search, simply choose it from the list and the display fields change accordingly. 6.
Types of Information Stored for Components 7.3.1 Pre-Defined Fields For each component, the following is stored in the Master Database: • • general information common parameters. 7.3.1.1 General Information The following fields appear on the Select a Component browser: 7.3.2 Field Description Example Database Name of Multicap database in which the component is stored. User Group Name of the group to which the component belongs. TTL Family Name of family to which the component belongs.
Components 7.4 Managing the Database The Database Manager dialog box lets you: • • • add and remove component families from the User Database or Corporate Database. You cannot add or remove families in the Master Database. set up or modify user field titles for any database. add or change component toolbar button symbols for component families in the User Database or Corporate Database. To invoke the Database Manager dialog box: 1. Click the Database Manager button on the Main toolbar.
Managing the Database 7.4.1 Filtering Displayed Components To filter the components that are displayed in the Components tab of the Database Manager dialog box: 1. Select the desired database from the Database Name drop-down list. 2. Click Filter to display the Filters dialog box. 3. Make selections as described below. Select desired family. Use the CTRL and SHIFT keys with the left mouse button to select multiple items in the list, or select ALL to display all component families.
Components 7.4.2 Managing Families To add a component family to the User Database or Corporate Database database: 1. Select the Family tab in the Database Manager dialog box. 2. In the Database Family Tree area, choose either the Corporate or User Database. 3. Click Add Family. The New Family Name dialog box displays. 4. Enter the required information and click OK. You are returned to the Database Manager dialog box. 5. A default icon of the group is automatically assigned to the new family.
Managing the Database To delete a component family from the User Database or Corporate Database. 1. In the Family list, choose the Component Family from which you want to delete a component family. 2. Click Delete Family. You are prompted to confirm your deletion. 3. The Component Family is automatically removed. To delete empty families from the User Database or Corporate Database: 1. Click Delete Empty Families. You are prompted to confirm your command to delete all empty family folders. 2.
Components 7.4.4 Deleting Components To delete an existing component from a database: 1. Click the Database Manager button on the Main toolbar. Or Select Tools/Database/Database Manager. 2. Select the Components tab. 3. From the Database Name drop-down list, choose the database containing the component you want to remove (Corporate Database or User Database only). Note You cannot delete a component from the Master Database.
Managing the Database 4. Select the components that you wish to delete. Use the SHIFT and CTRL keys with the left mouse button to select multiple items in the list. 5. Click Delete. You are prompted to confirm the action. 6. Click Yes. The components are removed from the database. 7.4.5 Copying Components To copy an existing component: 1. Click the Database Manager button on the Main toolbar. Or Choose Tools/Database/Database Manager. 2. Select the Components tab in the Database Manager dialog box.
Components 4. Select the components that you wish to copy. Use the SHIFT and CTRL keys with the left mouse button to select multiple items in the list. 5. Click Copy. The Select Destination Family Name dialog box appears. 6. In the Family Tree, navigate to the database, group and family that you want to copy the component(s) to and click OK. You are returned to the Components tab in the Database Manager dialog box. Note You can only copy components to the Corporate Database or the User Database. 7.
Managing the Database 7.4.6 Saving Placed Components If you have made changes to a placed component (for example, changed the footprint) you can save the placed component to either the User Database or the Corporate Database. To save a placed component to the database: 1. Select the component on the workspace and select Tools/Database/Save Component to DB. The Select Destination Family Name dialog box appears. 2. Navigate to the desired location in either the User Database or the Corporate Database. 3.
Components 3. Select the components that you wish to move. Use the SHIFT and CTRL keys with the left mouse button to select multiple items in the list. 4. Click Move. The Select Destination Family Name dialog box appears. 5. Navigate to where you wish to placed the moved component(s) and click OK. 7.4.8 Displaying Database Information To review database information: 1. Click the About button in the Database Manager dialog box. The Database Information dialog box displays. 2.
Converting 2001 or V7 Databases 7.5 Converting 2001 or V7 Databases If you are a user of Multisim 2001, Multisim 7 or Multicap 7, your User Database and Corporate Database must be converted to Multicap 9 format if you wish to use those components in Multicap 9. Note If you are upgrading from Multisim 8, there is no need to convert these databases, as the formatting of the V8 and V9 databases is the same.
Components 7. Select the desired option and click OK. The database is converted. • Auto-Rename... — Import and automatically rename the duplicate components. • Overwrite... — Replace the Multicap 9 components with V6 or V7 components. • Ignore... — Do not import V6 or V7 components with duplicate names. 8. Click Close to close the Convert Database dialog box. 7.
Merging Databases 3. Select the components to update as indicated in the example below. Select so that all different models will be updated. De-select to prevent specific models from being updated. 4. Click Update to update the selected components. 7.7 Merging Databases To merge the contents of another database into your User or Corporate Database: 1. Select Tools/Database/Merge Database. The Database Merge dialog box appears. 2.
Chapter 8 Component Editing This chapter explains how to create, edit, copy, or delete a component, and how to manage the Multicap 9 component database. Some of the features described in this chapter may not be available in your edition of Multicap 9. Such features have an icon in the column next to their description. Refer to the release notes for a list of the features in your edition. Editing a Component Pin Model The following are described in this chapter. Subject Page No.
Component Editing 8.1 Introduction to Component Editing You can edit components in Multicap using the following methods: Component Wizard — used to create and edit new components. For details see “8.2 Adding Components with the Component Wizard” on page 8-3 • Component Properties dialog box — used to edit existing components and is accessed from the Database Manager dialog box. For details, see “8.3 Editing Components” on page 8-10. You can modify any component stored in the Multicap component database.
Adding Components with the Component Wizard Tip You can also edit components that you have already placed on the workspace. This can be done using the component’s properties dialog box (double-click on the component to display) and changing parameters in the various tabs. Changes made to placed components in this manner will not be reflected in the database. If you place the same component from the database, it will contain the parameters that it had before it was edited.
Component Editing 2. Click Next. Step 2 of the wizard appears. You will enter footprint information in this step. 3. Click Select a Footprint. The Select a Footprint dialog box appears, where you select a footprint from one of the databases. • Select the desired Database Name, scroll down the list at the bottom of the dialog box and click the desired Footprint, for example, TO-39. For more details on this dialog box, see “8.7.1 Select a Footprint dialog box” on page 8-39.
Adding Components with the Component Wizard Note If you do not wish to assign a footprint at this time, select the database where the component will be stored and click on the Add button. The Add a Footprint dialog box appears. Type in a name in the Footprint field, for example, placeholder. Enter “Generic” in the manufacturer field and click OK. For details, see “8.7.2 Add a Footprint dialog box” on page 8-44. 4. Click Select. You are returned to the Component Wizard.
Component Editing 6. Click Next. Step 3 of the wizard appears. • The symbol you assign to this component appears when it is placed on the workspace. • To modify the symbol information, click Edit and the Symbol Editor will be launched — see “8.5.2 Creating and Editing a Component’s Symbol with the Symbol Editor” on page 8-15 for more details. • Selecting ANSI or DIN, allows you to use the symbol for the symbol set you prefer. • By clicking Copy To, you can choose to have the same symbol used for both.
Adding Components with the Component Wizard 7. Click Next. The following dialog box appears. Click to add hidden pins: Power; Ground; Common. Click in field and select whether to include or exclude pin from Electrical Rules Checking. Click in field and select pin model type from drop-down list that appears. Click in field and select desired Section for pin. 8. To accept the symbol information displayed, click Next. Step 5 of the wizard appears.
Component Editing The symbol and footprint pins must accurately map in order to transfer correctly to PCB layout — see “ Pins” on page 8-20 for a more detailed explanation of symbol and footprint pins. • For each symbol pin, enter a corresponding footprint pin. The mapping information you enter here will be displayed in the Footprint tab of the Component Properties dialog box. • For advanced pin mapping options, click Map Pins. The Advanced Pin Mapping dialog box displays. For details, see “8.7.
Adding Components with the Component Wizard 8.2.1 Using an Existing Symbol File This section demonstrates how to use a symbol that you create in the Symbol Editor when creating a new component using the Component Wizard. Note In this example, we will use Bjt_new.sym for the symbol’s filename. Multicap saves all symbols as Sym_temp.sym in the folder pointed to by your environmental variable Temp. Therefore, you must first locate this folder. To determine the environment variable: 1. Start your computer.
Component Editing 3. In step 2 of the component wizard, enter the desired footprint and number of pins. 4. In step 3 of the component wizard, click the Edit button. The Symbol Editor appears. 5. Select File/Open and open the symbol file saved earlier (C:\Temp>Bjt_new.sym). 6. Select File/Save As and save the symbol as sym_temp.sym in the folder determined for TEMP (e.g., C:\Documents And Settings\User\Local Settings\Temp). (You are overwriting the existing sym_temp.sym). 7. Select File/Exit.
Editing Components 2. Select the Component tab if it is not selected. 3. In the Component List, select the component you want to edit. 4. Click Edit. The Component Properties dialog box appears, consisting of multiple tabs: 5. To edit component information in the various tabs, see: • “8.4 Editing a Component’s General Properties” on page 8-12 • “8.5 Editing a Component’s Symbol” on page 8-13 • “8.6 Editing a Component Pin Model” on page 8-37 • “8.7 Editing a Component’s Footprint” on page 8-38 • “8.
Component Editing You are prompted to specify the location where you want the edited component saved. Choose the database in which you want the edited component stored. Choose the family group in which you want the edited component stored and then click the family name. The OK button becomes active. Click here to add a new family (prompted for group and name).
Editing a Component’s Symbol 8.5 Editing a Component’s Symbol The Symbol tab of the Component Properties dialog box allows you to: • • • edit a component’s symbol give a component the same symbol as another component create a symbol for a component. The symbol set (ANSI or DIN) of the displayed symbol. Section of the component. Read-only for existing pins. If the number of pins is changed, can be edited for new pins. The symbol assigned to this component, if any.
Component Editing 8.5.1 Copying a Component’s Symbol To copy a symbol from another component: 1. From the Symbol tab of the Component Properties dialog box, click Copy from DB. The Select a Symbol dialog box appears. 2. Navigate through the Database, Group, Family and Component lists to identify the component whose symbol you want to copy and click OK. (Click Close to cancel.) You return to the Component Properties dialog box, where the symbol associated with the selected component appears. 3.
Editing a Component’s Symbol 8.5.1.1 Using “Copy To...” To copy the symbol of a multi-section component to another section in that component: 1. Click Copy to in the Symbol tab of the Component Properties dialog box. The Select Target dialog box displays. 2. Select the sections to where you would like to copy the symbol and click OK. 8.5.
Component Editing The Symbol Editor looks like this: Menu bar Toolbars Workspace Draw grid Pin grid Boundary box Spreadsheet View Status Bar The Symbol Editor dialog box consists of: the menu bar, which contains the menus with their associated commands. the toolbars, which give quick access to the most commonly-used tools. the workspace, which is where you build or modify your symbols. The Pin Grid aids in the placement of pins. Its size cannot be adjusted.
Editing a Component’s Symbol 8.5.2.1 Symbol Editor Spreadsheet View The Spreadsheet View is where you find and edit various symbol parameters. When you select an item on the workspace, it is highlighted in the spreadsheet, and vice versa. If you make a change to an item in the spreadsheet, it is reflected on the symbol in the workspace. Pins Tab Column Description Name The pin’s name.
Component Editing Column Description Name Font Size The size of the font used for the pin’s name. Footprint Pins Select a row and click in this field and select either Hidden or Visible to hide or show the footprint pin on the symbol. Number Orientation Select a row and click in this field to set the orientation of the pin number on the symbol. Choices are: Auto; Vertical; Horizontal. Number Font The font used for the pin’s number. Number Font Style The style of font used for the pin’s number.
Editing a Component’s Symbol Draw Layer Tab Column Description Name The type of graphic element. Pen Type The appearance of lines for graphics elements, excluding placed text. Select a row and click in this field to display a list of pen types. Choices are: Solid; Dash; Dot; Dash-Dot; Dash-Dot-Dot; Invisible; Solid Inside Frame. Pen Width The width of the lines in graphic elements, excluding placed text. Select a row and click in this field to display a list of pen types.
Component Editing 8.5.2.2 Working with the Symbol Editor To use the Symbol Editor to create working symbols you need to be familiar with the elements required to make up a symbol in Multicap. The key elements needed for a symbol are: • shape • pins These are described in more detail in the following sections. Shape A symbol requires a shape to allow users to recognize its general function.
Editing a Component’s Symbol This is a 555 timer’s symbol shown in the Symbol Editor Footprint Pin Symbol Pin This is the 555 timer’s symbol shown in Multicap’s workspace Footprint Pin The relationship of the Footprint Pin to the Symbol Pin is mapped in the Footprint tab of the Component Properties dialog box. For details, see “8.7 Editing a Component’s Footprint” on page 8-38 Symbol Pin To add a pin to a symbol: 1. Click on the desired pin type in the Place Pin Toolbar. 2.
Component Editing Default Pin Options Dialog Box For details on the Pin Array Options dialog box, go to “ Pin Array Options Dialog Box” on page 8-23. To set up the default options for pins: 1. Choose Pins/Default Pin Options. 2. Set the options in the Pin Name box: • Prefix field—appears before the pin name. A preview of the prefix appears in the Name Preview field. • Suffix field—appears after the pin name. A preview of the suffix appears in the Name Preview field.
Editing a Component’s Symbol Pin Array Options Dialog Box To place a pin array on a symbol: 1. Choose Pins/Place Pin Array. 2. Set the options in the Pin Name box: • Prefix field—appears before the pin names. A preview of the prefix appears in the Name Preview field. • Index checkbox—enables the Start from and Increment by fields. • Start from field—the starting number for the pins in the array. • Increment by field—the size of the steps between pin numbers in the array.
Component Editing 8.5.2.3 Enter Text Dialog Box This dialog box is accessed from either the Symbol Editor, or Title Block Editor. For details on the Title Block Editor, see “5.3 Title Block Editor” on page 5-13. To enter text on a symbol or title block: 1. Select Graphics/Text. 2. Type the desired text in the Enter Text field. 3. Change the formatting of the text as desired: • • • • • Font field—select desired font from the list or type in. Font Style field—select desired style from the list.
Editing a Component’s Symbol In the In-Place Edit Mode, you can change the graphical elements of a symbol (e.g., the shape and placed text). You cannot add or remove pins as this would affect the footprint mapping. Note The In-Place Edit Mode only changes the symbol for the selected component. It does not change the symbol for other components of the same value within the active circuit, or in the database. 8.5.2.
Component Editing Edit Menu The following selections are available under the Edit menu: 8-26 Menu Use Undo Undoes the previous action. Redo Redoes the previous “undo” action. Cut Removes the selected element(s) from the workspace and places them on the clipboard. Copy Places a copy of the selected element(s) on the clipboard. Note that pin names cannot be copied separately. Paste Places a copy of the element(s) on the clipboard on the workspace at the cursor’s location.
Editing a Component’s Symbol Menu Use Bring To Front Brings selected element(s) to the foreground on the workspace. Other element(s) appear behind them. Does not apply to pins. Send To Back Sends selected element(s) to the background on the workspace. Other elements appear in front of them. Does not apply to pins. Resize Boundary Box Places a cursor at the lower-right side of the boundary box. Drag it to the desired location to resize the boundary box.
Component Editing Menu Use Center By Mouse When viewing the workspace at high magnifications, you can use this command to center the image on the workspace. Select Center By Mouse and then click on the spot that you would like to be placed at the center of the workspace. Redraw Redraws all elements in the workspace. Pins Menu The following selections are available under the Pins menu. For details on pin types, see “ Pins” on page 8-20.
Editing a Component’s Symbol Graphics Menu The following selections are available under the Graphics menu: Menu Use Text Displays the Enter Text dialog box where you enter and format text to be placed on the workspace. For details, see “8.5.2.3 Enter Text Dialog Box” on page 8-24. Line Draws a line on the workspace. Multiline Draws a multiline on the workspace. Half Ellipse Arc Places half of an ellipse on the workspace.
Component Editing Layout Menu To align two or more graphic elements, use one of the following selections from under the Layout/Align menu: Menu Use Left Left aligns the selected elements. Horiz. Center Horizontally centers the selected elements. Right Right aligns the selected elements. Top Aligns the selected elements along their top edges. Vert. Center Vertically centers the selected items. Bottom Aligns the selected elements along their bottom edges.
Editing a Component’s Symbol Pop-up Menus Depending on where you right-click in the Symbol Editor, different pop-up menus appear. Right-clicking from a menu displays a pop-up which allows you to toggle the following toolbars on and off: Standard Toolbar; Zoom Toolbar; Draw Tools; Pin Place Toolbar; Drawing Toolbar.
Component Editing Button Description Copy As Picture button. Copies the symbol on the workspace as a metafile. Copy As Bitmap button. Copies the symbol on the workspace as a bitmap image. Undo button. Undoes the previous action. Redo button. Redoes the previous “undo” action. Print Preview button. Opens the Print Preview screen, which shows the symbol in the active document with the best fit to the page. There are no other magnifications available. Print button.
Editing a Component’s Symbol Draw Tools Toolbar The buttons in the Draw Tools toolbar are described below: Button Description Select button. Use to select element(s) on the workspace by clicking and dragging the mouse. Rectangle button. Places a rectangle on the workspace. Line button. Places a line on the workspace. Circle button. Places a circle on the workspace. Click to place the center of the circle, then move the cursor on the workspace.
Component Editing Button Description Places a bezier curve on the workspace. Click to place the start of the curve, then move the cursor on the workspace. As you move the cursor, a dotted outline of the bezier curve appears. Click to place the end point of the bezier, then move and click the cursor twice more to form the final shape of the bezier. Text button. Displays the Enter Text dialog box, where you enter and format text to be placed on the workspace. For details, see “8.5.2.
Editing a Component’s Symbol Button Description Output Wedge Pin button. Places an output wedge pin on the workspace. Zero-Length Pin button. Places a zero-length pin on the workspace. Note For details on pin types, see “ Pins” on page 8-20. Drawing Toolbar The buttons on the Drawing toolbar are described below: Button Description Align Left button. Moves selected objects horizontally so that their left sides line up with the left side of the left-most object.
Component Editing Button Description Bring To Front button. Brings selected element(s) to the foreground on the workspace. Other element(s) appear behind them. Does not work for pins. Send To Back button. Sends selected element(s) to the background on the workspace. Other elements appear in front of them. Does not work for pins. Rotate 90 Counter CW button. Rotates the selected element(s) 90 degrees counter-clockwise. Does not work for pins. Rotate 90 Clockwise button.
Editing a Component Pin Model 8.6 Editing a Component Pin Model The Pin Parameters tab of the Component Properties dialog box allows you to the type of pin for each of the symbol pins in a component. Section of a multi-section component. This column is read-only. Type of pin. Include/exclude pin from Electrical Rules Check. Note The Symbol Pin is the name of the pin. For example, most digital parts have pins named “Vcc” and “GND”. To enter pin parameters: 1.
Component Editing 8.7 Editing a Component’s Footprint The Footprint tab of the Component Properties dialog box allows you to specify/modify package information for a component and map footprint and symbol pins of a component. Allows the user to add a footprint package to the component from a list of footprints in the selected database. Allows the user to delete any of the footprint packages assigned to the component in the Footprint Manufacturer\Type section.
Editing a Component’s Footprint 8.7.1 Select a Footprint dialog box To modify or enter package information: 1. Click the Add From Database button in the Footprint tab of the Component Properties dialog box. The Select a Footprint dialog box appears. Indicates what database footprints are in. Lets you filter the contents of the Data List. See “8.7.1.1 Filter dialog box” on page 8-40. Shows list of footprints. Lets you add a footprint to the User Database or Corporate Database database. See “8.7.
Component Editing 4. Click OK. The footprint is copied to the database you indicated and you are returned to the Select a Footprint dialog box. 5. Click the field of the footprint you want to modify. 6. Enter the appropriate information. Note Once a footprint is modified, you will be prompted to save the footprint with the modifications. If you choose not to save, the modifications will be removed. 7. Click the Save button. The modifications are saved. To map symbol and footprint pins: 1.
Editing a Component’s Footprint 2. Click Add. The dialog box changes as shown below. 3. Enter desired parameters as shown below: • Column — corresponds to the columns in the Select a Footprint dialog box. Click in the field and select the desired value from the drop-down list that appears (“Footprint”, for example). • Operator — select one of: =; NOT =; Contains; Starts with. • Value — a value you would expect to see in the selected Column ( “16”, for example).
Component Editing 4. Click OK. The Filter dialog box closes and the Select a Footprint dialog box displays with the Data List populated according to the parameters you entered in the Filter dialog box. Remains visible until Clear Filter is clicked in the Filter dialog box. 5. Optionally, click Filter to display the Filter dialog box and enter more parameters. 6. Click Add and enter parameters as shown above.
Editing a Component’s Footprint 7. Click OK to return to the Select a Footprint dialog box. The contents of the dialog now reflect the two filters that you entered in the Filter List. Tip Add as many filters as necessary to reduce the items in the Data List to an easily scrollable quantity. To display all available footprints in the Select a Footprint dialog box, click Clear Filter and OK from the Filter dialog box.
Component Editing 8.7.2 Add a Footprint dialog box To add a footprint to the User Database or Corporate Database: 1. Select either Corporate Database or User Database in the Database Name field of the Select a Footprint dialog box. For details, see “8.7.1 Select a Footprint dialog box” on page 8-39. 2. Click on Add in the Select a Footprint dialog box. The Add a Footprint dialog box displays. Enter desired data in these fields. Select either SMT (surface mount) or TH (through-hole).
Editing a Component’s Footprint As you change the values in the above two fields, the Footprint Pins values are updated as in the example shown below. Note BGA pins in Ultiboard (Electronic Workbench’s PCB layout software), are named in a matrix array starting with A1, A2…Ax; the next row would be B1, B2...Bx, etc. When creating this symbol in Multisim, the footprint pins are initially named 1, 2, 3 etc… .
Component Editing This example shows the pin mapping for an LM3301N, Quad High Gain Norton Op-amp. Shows all pins Tabs A, B, C & D show pins from individual sections. Footprint Pins The COM tab shows pins common to all sections. To reverse the display so that the symbol pins appear in the right pane, click Switch. Symbol Pins To remove all pin mapping, click Clean Map.
Editing a Component’s Footprint Mapping Pins The following example uses the Advanced Pin Mapping dialog box with the footprint pins displayed in the right pane. If you wish to display the symbol pins in the right pane, click Switch. The same mapping techniques will apply. To map footprint to symbol pins: 1. Display the Advanced Pin Mapping dialog as described earlier in this section. Grey indicates that this pin is selected. Black indicates pin is mapped. Blue indicates unmapped pin.
Component Editing To use the Copy Up and Copy Down buttons: 1. Use the SHIFT and/or CTRL keys to select a number of pins: 2. Click Copy Up to copy the selected pin assignments upwards, as shown below. Or Click Copy Down to copy the selected pin assignments downward.
Editing User Fields 8.8 Editing User Fields User fields can be used for any purpose you wish. For example, you might use these fields to record the cost of a component (the price you pay to the supplier or vendor), lead time for ordering, preferred supplier, stock number, and so on. The information is particularly useful in reports and in searching the database for the most appropriate component. User fields consist of two elements: the field title and the field value.
Chapter Reports 9 This chapter details the various reports that are available in Multicap 9. Some of the features described in this chapter may not be available in your edition of Multicap 9. Such features have an icon in the column next to their description. Refer to the release notes for a list of the features in your edition. Refer to the sections noted below for detailed descriptions of each report’s capabilities. Subject Page No.
Reports 9.1 Bill of Materials A Bill of Materials (BOM) lists the components used in your design and provides a summary of the components needed to manufacture the circuit board. You can also select which fields to view and print on your BOM. The Bill of Materials report includes each component’s: • • • • Quantity Description, including its type (for example, resistor) and value (for example, 5.1 kohm) RefDes Package or footprint.
Bill of Materials 9.1.1 Using the BOM Report To create a Bill of Materials (BOM) for your circuit: 1. Have the desired circuit open in your workspace. 2. Select Reports/Bill of Materials. The Bill of Materials View dialog box displays. Note If there are multiple variants in the circuit, the Variants Filter dialog box will display before the report dialog. For details, see “9.7 Variants Filter Dialog Box” on page 9-12. 3.
Reports • Show Real Components button — click to return to the Bill of Materials View dialog box from either the Select Columns dialog box or the Virtual Components View dialog box. • Show Virtual Components button — click to display the Virtual Components View dialog box. 4. Optionally, click on a column (Quantity, Description, etc.) to sort the data on the dialog box in ascending order by that column. Click again to sort by descending order. 5.
Component Detail Report 9.2 Component Detail Report You can produce a Component Detail Report showing all information stored in the Multicap database for a particular component. Group and Family Component Data 9.2.1 Using the Component Detail Report To produce a Component Detail Report showing detailed information about a specific component: 1. Select Reports/Component Detail Report. The Select a Component to Print dialog box displays. 2.
Reports 4. Scroll through the information as necessary using the scrollbar on the right of the dialog box. 5. Use the buttons on the dialog box as required: • Save — click to save the data to a text file. A standard Windows save dialog box appears. Choose the desired filepath and click Save. • Print — click to print the information in the report. A standard Windows print dialog box appears. Choose the desired print options and click OK.
Netlist Report 9.3.1 Using the Netlist Report To produce a netlist: 1. Have the desired circuit open in your workspace. 2. Select Reports/Netlist Report. The Netlist Report dialog box displays. Note If there are multiple variants in the circuit, the Variants Filter dialog box will display before the report dialog. For details, see “9.7 Variants Filter Dialog Box” on page 9-12. 3. Optionally, click on a column (Net, Page, etc.) to sort the data on the dialog box in ascending order by that column.
Reports 9.4 Schematic Statistics Report The Schematic Statistics Report lists the quantity of the following in your circuit: • • • • • • • • • • • • • Components — total number of components. (Real components + virtual components). Real components — components that can be purchased. Virtual components — components that cannot be purchased. Gates — total number of gates used in the design. Nets — total number of connections between pins. Pins in nets. Unconnected pins.
Spare Gates Report 9.4.1 Using the Schematic Statistics Report To produce a schematic statistics report: 1. Have the desired circuit open in your workspace. 2. Select Reports/Schematic Statistics. The Schematic Statistics Report dialog box displays. Note If there are multiple variants in the circuit, the Variants Filter dialog box will display before the report dialog. For details, see “9.7 Variants Filter Dialog Box” on page 9-12. 3.
Reports 9.5.1 Using the Spare Gates Report To produce a Spare Gates Report: 1. Have the desired circuit open in your workspace. 2. Select Reports/Spare Gates Report. The Spare Gates Report dialog box displays. Note If there are multiple variants in the circuit, the Variants Filter dialog box will display before the report dialog. For details, see “9.7 Variants Filter Dialog Box” on page 9-12. 3. Optionally, click on a column to sort the data on the dialog box in ascending order by that column.
Cross Reference Report 9.6 Cross Reference Report The Cross Reference Report provides a detailed list of all components in the active circuit. 9.6.1 Using the Cross Reference Report To produce a Cross Reference report: 1. Have the desired circuit open in your workspace. 2. Select Reports/Cross Reference Report. The Cross Reference Report dialog box displays. Note If there are multiple variants in the circuit, the Variants Filter dialog box will display before the report dialog. For details, see “9.
Reports • Print Preview — click to display a Print Preview dialog box. • To MS Excel App — click to open a Microsoft® Excel spreadsheet with the data from the dialog box displayed. (You must have Excel installed to use this function). 9.7 Variants Filter Dialog Box When there is more than one variant present in a circuit, the Variants Filter dialog box will display when you run the following reports: • • • • • Bill of Materials — for details on this report, see “9.1 Bill of Materials” on page 9-2.
Chapter 10 Transfer/Communication This chapter explains how to use Multicap to transfer circuit schematics (in whole or in part). Some of the features described in this chapter may not be available in your edition of Multicap 9. Such features have an icon in the column next to their description. Refer to the release notes for a list of the features in your edition. The following are described in this chapter. 10.1 Subject Page No.
Transfer/Communication track of power and ground nets, and constrain them to be routed only on layers of the appropriate type. When the schematic has been prepared, the design will be flattened and consolidated, and transferred to Ultiboard for board layout. In Ultiboard you design the board shape and size, place the components on the board, and route the nets as copper traces on as many layers as you like, placing vias to connect traces between layers.
Exporting to PCB layout 10.1.1 Transferring from Multicap to Ultiboard for PCB Layout One of the most common applications to which you may want to transfer data is a PCB layout program. Ultiboard, also from Electronics Workbench, is one of the industry’s leading PCB layout tools. To transfer a circuit design from Multicap to Ultiboard, in order to perform a PCB layout: 1. Select Transfer/Transfer to Ultiboard. A standard Windows Save As dialog box appears. 2.
Transfer/Communication 10.1.3 Multisection Components Multisection components in different subcircuits, hierarchical blocks or multipages of the same design may be placed on the same IC even though they may have different Reference Designators. 10.2 Forward Annotation Forward Annotation lets you annotate changes made to a schematic file in Multicap to its existing Ultiboard file. To forward annotate changes to Ultiboard: 1.
Importing Files with Other Formats 10.4 Importing Files with Other Formats Files with the following formats can be opened with Multicap 9: • Multisim 7 and Multicap 7 files — these have a .ms7 extension. • Multisim 8 and Multicap 8 files — these have a .ms8 extension. • Multisim 9 and Multicap 9 files — these have a .ms9 extension. • Multisim files — these have a .msm extension. • Electronics Workbench v5 files — these have a .ewb extension. • Ulticap schematic files — these have a .utsch extension.
Transfer/Communication 4. Select the desired options in the Save to Database Options box: • Do not save imported parts — imports the Ulticap parts without saving them to any of the Multicap databases. • Save imported parts — saves the imported Ulticap parts to the selected Multicap database. 5. In the Use Grid Size box, select one of: • 50 Mil — places the Ulticap parts and the connected wires on a 50 mil grid. This will result in fewer importation errors, but some parts may appear quite large.
Internet Design Sharing Once you have established a connection with another user, you can: • • • • • • send text messages back and forth (in a “chat” mode) see and/or talk to the user (if you have the necessary software and hardware to support audio/video links) use an electronic whiteboard to present ideas to other users send circuit files to other users let other users (including Electronics Workbench support personnel) control Multicap on your machine so you can work together control other Multicap use
Appendix A This section contains brief descriptions for the commands in the Multicap 9 menus. A.1 Multicap Menus The following menus are found in Multicap. • • • • • • • • • • File Menu Edit Menu View Menu Place Menu Transfer Menu Tools Menu Reports Menu Options Menu Window Menu Help Menu A.1.1 File Menu The File menu contains commands for managing circuit files created with Multicap. A.1.1.1 File/New/Schematic Capture Opens an untitled circuit window that can be used to create a circuit.
A.1.1.2 File/Open Opens a previously created circuit file or netlist. Displays a file browser. If necessary, change to the location of the file you want to open. You can also open Ulticap and Orcad files. For details, see “10.4 Importing Files with Other Formats” on page 10-5. Note You can open files created with Version 5 of Electronics Workbench, and files created in previous versions Multicap, Multisim and netlist files. A.1.1.3 File/Open Samples Opens a folder containing sample and tutorial files. A.
Multicap Menus A.1.1.9 File/New Project Creates a new project for grouping together related circuit designs. For details, see “6.6.1 Setting up Projects” on page 6-48. A.1.1.10File/Open Project Opens an existing project. For details, see “6.6.2 Working with Projects” on page 6-49. A.1.1.11 File/Save Project Saves a project. For details, see “6.6.2 Working with Projects” on page 6-49. A.1.1.12File/Close Project Closes an open project. For details, see “6.6.2 Working with Projects” on page 6-49. A.1.1.
Note If you change the page orientation using the Page Circuit Setup dialog box, the change is also reflected in the Print Setup dialog box. A.1.1.18File/Recent Circuits Displays a list of the eight most recently saved circuit files. To re-open a file, select it from the list. A.1.1.19File/Recent Projects Displays a list of the eight most recently saved projects. To re-open a project, select it from the list. A.1.1.20File/Exit Closes all open circuit windows and exits Multicap.
Multicap Menus A.1.2.5 Edit/Paste Places the contents of the clipboard. The cursor shows a “ghosted” image of the item to be pasted. Click to indicate where the item is to be pasted. A.1.2.6 Edit/Delete Permanently removes selected components or text. Does not place the selection on the clipboard and does not affect anything currently on the clipboard. Caution Use the Delete command with care.
A.1.2.11 Edit/Graphic Annotation Shows various graphic annotation options. Edit/Graphic Annotation/Pen Color Displays a palette where you can change the color of lines for graphic elements, excluding placed text. Edit/Graphic Annotation/Pen Style Displays options for the appearance of lines for graphics elements, excluding placed text. Edit/Graphic Annotation/Fill Color Displays a palette where you can change the fill color of graphic elements like rectangles.
Multicap Menus Edit/Title Block Position/Title Block Bottom Right Places the title block at the bottom right of the sheet. Edit/Title Block Position/Title Block Top Left Places the title block at the top left of the sheet. Edit/Title Block Position/Title Block Top Right Places the title block at the top right of the sheet. A.1.2.16Edit/Orientation Shows options for changing the orientation of selected elements. Edit/Orientation/Flip Horizontal Flips the selection horizontally. For details, see “4.
A.1.2.19Edit/Comment Use to edit the contents of a selected comment. See also, “4.9.5 Adding a Comment” on page 4-40. A.1.2.20Edit/Forms Displays the Edit Form dialog box where you enter and edit questions related to the circuit. For details, see “4.11 Linking a Form to a Circuit” on page 4-52. A.1.2.21Edit/Properties Opens the properties dialog box of the item selected in the active window. If there is no item selected, the Sheet Properties dialog box displays. A.1.
Multicap Menus A.1.3.6 View/Zoom Fit to Page Lets you display your entire circuit on the workspace at once. A.1.3.7 View/ Show Grid Shows or hides a grid in the background of the circuit window. This helps you place elements in specific locations on a grid. A.1.3.8 View/Show Border Shows or hides the circuit’s border. A.1.3.9 View/Show Page Bounds Shows or hides page boundaries in the circuit window. This helps you note where circuits will appear on printed output. A.1.3.
View/Toolbars/Standard Select/deselect to show/hide the Standard toolbar. View/Toolbars/View Select/deselect to show/hide the View toolbar. View/Toolbars/Main Select/deselect to show/hide the Main toolbar. View/Toolbars/Graphic Annotation Select/deselect to show/hide the Graphic Annotation toolbar. View/Toolbars/3D Components Select/deselect to show/hide the 3D Components toolbar. You can place virtual 3D components from this toolbar.
Multicap Menus View/Toolbars/Components Select/deselect to show/hide the Component toolbar. View/Toolbars/Power Source Components Select/deselect to show/hide the Power Source Components toolbar. You can place virtual power source components from this toolbar. View/Toolbars/Rated Virtual Components Select/deselect to show/hide the Rated Virtual Components toolbar. You can place rated virtual components from this toolbar.
A.1.4.2 Place/Junction Places a junction where you click. For details, see “4.6 Manually Adding a Junction (Connector)” on page 4-29. A.1.4.3 Place/Wire Use to place a wire on the workspace that is not connected to any component. For details, see “4.5.5 Placing Wires Directly Onto Workspace” on page 4-26. A.1.4.4 Place/Bus Places a bus with segments created as you click. For details, see “6.4 Buses” on page 6-16. A.1.4.5 Place/Connectors Lets you place various connectors on the workspace.
Multicap Menus A.1.4.8 Place/Replace by Hierarchical Block Replaces the elements that you have selected with a hierarchical block. See “6.2.5.2 Replacing Components with an HB” on page 6-9. A.1.4.9 Place/New Subcircuit Places a subcircuit without any components. For details, see “6.2.6 Adding a Subcircuit” on page 6-9. A.1.4.10Place/Replace by Subcircuit Replaces the selected components with a subcircuit containing those components. For details, see “6.2.6 Adding a Subcircuit” on page 6-9. A.1.4.
Place/Graphics/Line Places a straight line on your workspace. For details, see “4.9.6 Graphic Annotation” on page 4-43. Place/Graphics/Multiline Places a multiline on your workspace. For details, see “4.9.6 Graphic Annotation” on page 4-43. Place/Graphics/Rectangle Places a rectangle on your workspace. For details, see “4.9.6 Graphic Annotation” on page 4-43. Place/Graphics/Ellipse Places an ellipse on your workspace. For details, see “4.9.6 Graphic Annotation” on page 4-43.
Multicap Menus A.1.5 Transfer Menu A.1.5.1 Transfer/Transfer to Ultiboard Displays a file browser where you choose or enter a file name for the data being transferred to Ultiboard. A netlist file for Ultiboard is created. A.1.5.2 Transfer/Transfer to Other PCB Layout Displays a file browser where you choose or enter a file name for the transferred data. You can choose the appropriate file type from a list of available types. A.1.5.
A.1.6.2 Tools/Database Tools/Database/Database Manager Lets you add component families, assign button icons to families, edit, copy and delete components, and (for some editions of Multicap) enter or modify user field titles for those component families. For details, see “7.4 Managing the Database” on page 7-8. Tools/Database/Save Component to DB Lets you save the selected component, including any changes you made to it, to the database. For details, see “7.4.6 Saving Placed Components” on page 7-15.
Multicap Menus A.1.6.7 Tools/Update Circuit Components If you open a circuit that was created in an older version of Multicap, you can update its components to match the current database. For details, see “7.6 Updating Components from Databases” on page 7-18. A.1.6.8 Tools/Electrical Rules Check Displays the Electrical Rules Check dialog box where you can create reports of electrical connection errors, such as an output pin connected to a power pin. For instructions on running the rule check, see “5.
A.1.6.15Tools/Internet Design Sharing Use to communicate and share designs with others, either across a network or using the Internet. For details, see “10.5 Internet Design Sharing” on page 10-6. A.1.7 Reports Menu A.1.7.1 Reports/Bill of Materials Lets you print a Bill of Materials (BOM) for your circuit. A BOM lists the components used in your design and provides a summary of the components needed to manufacture the circuit board. For details, see “9.1 Bill of Materials” on page 9-2. A.1.7.
Multicap Menus A.1.8 Options Menu A.1.8.1 Options/Global Preferences Displays the Preferences dialog box. For details see “3.4.1 Using the Preferences Dialog Box” on page 3-18. A.1.8.2 Options/Sheet Properties Displays the Sheet Properties dialog box. For details see “3.4.2 Using the Sheet Properties Dialog Box” on page 3-23. A.1.8.3 Options/Customize User Interface Lets you tailor your interface to your personal preferences. For details, see “3.6 Customizing the Interface” on page 3-35. A.1.
A.1.9.5 Window/Close All Closes all open files. A.1.9.6 Window/Windows Displays the Windows dialog box where you can show or close the files that you currently have open. A.1.9.7 Window (open files) Lists the open Multicap circuit files. Select one to make it active. A.1.10 Help Menu Contains commands that display online help and Multicap edition information.
Multicap Menus A.1.10.6Help/About Multicap Displays information on the edition number of Multicap. Customer support may ask for this number.
Index A Add a Footprint dialog 8-44 Add Buslines dialog box 6-22 Add Variant Name dialog box 6-35 adding components 8-3 administering NLS 1-10 Advanced Pin Mapping dialog 8-45 automatic wiring 4-19 B back annotation 10-4 backing up projects 6-51 Bill of Materials 9-2 bill of materials about 2-9 BOM report using 9-3 Browser screen 4-4 browsing database 4-3 bus placing 6-16 Bus Entry Connection dialog box 6-25, 6-26 Bus Merge dialog box 6-24 Bus Properties dialog box 6-21 Bus Vector Connect A-13 Bus Vector C
package information 8-38 pins 8-38 placed, properties 5-2 placing 4-4 placing on circuit window 4-4 removing 7-12 rotating 4-30 user fields 8-49 wiring 4-18 connector, adding 4-29 Convert Database dialog 7-17 converting V6 database 7-17 converting V7 database 7-17 copying component symbol 8-14 components 7-13 placed components 4-16 creating components 8-3 projects 6-48 Cross Reference report 9-11 using 9-11 Customization other options 3-41 Customize dialog Commands tab 3-36 Keyboard tab 3-38 Menu tab 3-39 O
locking and unlocking 6-50 opening with project 6-49 removing from project 6-49 Find Component dialog 4-32 Finding components 4-32 finding components 4-32 finding components in database 7-4 Flat multi-sheet design 6-2 flipping components 4-31 font settings 3-28 Footprint tab 8-38 forms about 4-52 forward annotation 10-4 G general component properties 8-12 General tab 8-12 Graphic Annotation 3-10, 4-43 Graphic Annotation Toolbar 3-10 Graphics placing A-13 grid showing 3-26 H HB/SC connector placing A-12 hi
using 9-7 Netmeeting 10-6 nets, assigning labels 4-35 Network License Server 1-10 New Family Name dialog 7-10 New Project dialog 6-48 NLS 1-10 O Off-page connector placing 6-2, A-12 opening file within project 6-49 project 6-49 Options dialog 4-50 Options menu A-19 P package information 8-38 page bounds, showing 3-26 Page Name dialog 6-2 Paragraph dialog 4-48 Paste Special dialog 4-16 PCB layout, transfer to 10-3 pin information 8-38 pin parameters 8-37 pins, adding to symbols 8-21 Place menu A-11 placed
replacing components with a subcircuit 6-11 reports Bill of Materials 9-2 bill of materials 2-9 component detail 9-5 Reports menu A-18 rotating components 4-30 Rule Check tab 5-37 S saving project 6-49 schematic capture 4-3 Schematic Statistics report 9-8 using 9-9 Search Component dialog 7-4 Search Component Result dialog 7-5 search results 7-6 Select a Component browser 4-17 other buttons 4-9 using 4-4 Select a Footprint dialog 8-39 Set Parameters dialog 8-39 Sheet Properties Circuit tab 3-24 Sheet Prope
system toolbar 3-5 T Tabs dialog 4-49 the 1-16 Title Block adding 4-36 contents, editing 4-37 placing A-14 showing 3-26 Title Block Editor 5-13 Draw Tools toolbar 5-29 Drawing toolbar 5-30 Edit menu 5-21 Enter Text dialog 5-15 Enter Title Block Attribute dialog 5-16 field codes 5-18 Fields menu 5-23 File menu 5-20 Graphics menu 5-24 Help menu 5-26 menus 5-20 pop-up menus 5-26 Spreadsheet View 5-19 Standard toolbar 5-27 Toolbars 5-27 Tools menu 5-25 View menu 5-22 Zoom toolbar 5-28 toolbars 3-4 system 3-5 z
directly onto workspace 4-26 manual 4-22 properties 4-26 setting options 3-27 virtual 4-28 width 4-26 Wizard Component 8-3 Z zoom level, default 3-26 zoom out A-8 zoom toolbar 3-5 zoom, setting 3-26 Multicap 9 User Guide vii
Technical Support and Professional Services Visit the following sections of the National Instruments Web site at ni.com for technical support and professional services: • Support—Online technical support resources at ni.
