Properties and PCB Editor

Essential Part properties for use with PCB Editor are Value and PCB Footprint. An alternative property can be used in place of the PCB Footprint if the Netlister settings are changed – this can be useful if the design is being transitioned between different PCB tools that need different footprint names.

The PCB Editor netlister will require that both Pin Name and Pin Number properties are set on the Pins of the Schematic Parts.

Net properties can be assigned but it is generally better to avoid setting numerical values in the schematic without specifying any units since the PCB units will be assumed. Using the NET_PHYSICAL_TYPE and NET_SPACING_TYPE properties on Nets will group the Nets into Net Classes in the PCB Editor Constraint Manager so that Constraint Sets can be applied to them. This allows the application of rules “by category”, rather than relying on numerical values applied from the Schematic.

Using the Capture Constraint Manager

The Capture Constraint System allows the Net Properties to be configured in a similar way to using the PCB Editor Constraint Manager. Since the Schematic “knows nothing about” the PCB, rules set in the Capture Constraint Manager will be applied to all layers unless a Technology File is loaded, or the Design is Back Annotated from a PCB Editor design, BRD file. Once the Constraint Manager flow is enabled, any Net Properties assigned in the Schematic will no longer be effective. For more information please refer to:- https://www.parallel-systems.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Capture_Constraints.pdf

All content Copyright 2022 Parallel Systems Ltd.