PlaceCurrentComponent

Applied Parameters: None

Summary

This command is used to place the component that is currently selected in the Libraries panel onto the active document (schematic or PCB).

Access

The command is accessed by right-clicking in the Components, Model Name, or Supplier regions of the Libraries panel then choosing the Place command from the context menu.

Use

After launching the command, the cursor will change to a cross-hair and an outline of the component (symbol or footprint, as applicable to the target document) will appear floating on the cursor. Move the component to the required position in the workspace then click or press Enter to place it.

Continue placing further instances of the same component or right-click or press Esc to exit placement mode.

Additional actions that can be performed during placement – while the component is still floating on the cursor – are:

• Press the Tab key to access the Properties panel, from where properties for the component can be changed on-the-fly. Pressing Tab pauses placement, allowing you to interact with the panel (or other area of the software) directly. To resume, click the pause symbol that appears over the workspace.
• Press the Alt key to constrain the direction of movement to the horizontal or vertical axis depending on the initial direction of movement.
• Press the Spacebar to rotate the component counterclockwise or Shift+Spacebar for clockwise rotation. Rotation is in increments of 90°.
• Press the X or Y keys to mirror the component along the X-axis or Y-axis respectively.

Tips

1. When placing multiple instances of the same component (or multiple parts of the same component), it is advisable to set the designator of the first component instance (first part) before placing it (press the Tab key during placement to edit the object's properties). By doing this, the designator will automatically increment as each subsequent component instance is placed.
2. The current component can also be placed by clicking the Place button at the top-right of the Libraries panel.
3. The current component can also be placed directly from the Libraries panel by dragging and dropping onto the active document. Keep in mind, however, that this is single shot placement.