ManageGridsAndGuides

Applied Parameters: Action=ShowGridPropertiesUnderCursor

Summary

This command is used to quickly access the dedicated grid editor dialog for the snap grid currently under the cursor.

Access

With the cursor over the grid of interest, this command is accessed from the PCB Editor and PCB Library Editor by:

• Using the Ctrl+G keyboard shortcut.
• Using the G keyboard shortcut, then choosing the Grid Properties entry on the subsequent pop-up menu.

Use

After launching the command, the applicable grid editing dialog will open - either the Cartesian Grid Editor dialog or the Polar Grid Editor dialog. Use the dialog to make changes to the definition of the grid, as required.

Tips

1. Hover the cursor over the grid of interest - do not click in the workspace prior to launching the command.
2. Where a number of grids overlap, the highest priority grid will be the one accessed for editing. In the workspace, priority is distinguished by drawing order. The highest priority grid (priority 1) will be drawn in front of all other grids, then the grid with priority level 2, and so on, down to the default Global Board Snap Grid, which is drawn behind all other custom grids.
3. Grids for the workspace are managed through the Grid Manager section of the Properties panel (when no objects are currently selected in the design workspace).

Applied Parameters: Action=PlaceHorzLineGuide

Summary

This command is used to place a horizontal guideline at the desired Y-coordinate location in the workspace. Linear Snap Guides such as this facilitate cursor snap to a specific axis. During an interactive process such as placing or moving, the cursor will snap to a placed guide at the point where that guide intersects the applicable snap grid. Using a guide, objects can quickly be aligned simply by dragging them until they 'snap' against the guideline.

Access

This command is accessed from the PCB Editor by choosing the Place » Work Guides » Place Horizontal Guide command from the main menus.

Use

After launching the command, the cursor will change to a cross-hair and you will be prompted to choose a location for the horizontal guideline. Position the cursor then click or press Enter - the guideline will appear, running horizontally through the chosen point.

Continue placing further horizontal guidelines or right-click or press Esc to exit placement mode.

Tips

1. The guide will be colored using a default yellow color (RGB = 250, 236, 133). Post-placement, this can be changed, along with position, and whether or not the guide is enabled, only through the Guide Manager section of the Properties panel, when no design objects are currently selected in the design workspace.

Applied Parameters: Action=PlaceVertLineGuide

Summary

This command is used to place a vertical guideline at the desired X-coordinate location in the workspace. Linear Snap Guides such as this facilitate cursor snap to a specific axis. During an interactive process such as placing or moving, the cursor will snap to a placed guide at the point where that guide intersects the applicable snap grid. Using a guide, objects can quickly be aligned simply by dragging them until they 'snap' against the guideline.

Access

This command is accessed from the PCB Editor by choosing the Place » Work Guides » Place Vertical Guide command from the main menus.

Use

After launching the command, the cursor will change to a cross-hair and you will be prompted to choose a location for the vertical guideline. Position the cursor then click or press Enter - the guideline will appear, running vertically through the chosen point.

Continue placing further vertical guidelines or right-click or press Esc to exit placement mode.

Tips

1. The guide will be colored using a default yellow color (RGB = 250, 236, 133). Post-placement, this can be changed, along with position, and whether or not the guide is enabled, only through the Guide Manager section of the Properties panel when no design objects are currently selected in the design workspace.

Applied Parameters: Action=PlacePlus45DegLineGuide

Summary

This command is used to place a 45 degree (y=x) guideline that passes through the desired X,Y coordinate location in the workspace. Linear Snap Guides such as this facilitate cursor snap to a specific axis. During an interactive process such as placing or moving, the cursor will snap to a placed guide at the point where that guide intersects the applicable snap grid. Using a guide, objects can quickly be aligned simply by dragging them until they 'snap' against the guideline.

Access

This command is accessed from the PCB Editor by choosing the Place » Work Guides » Place +45 Degree Guide command from the main menus.

Use

After launching the command, the cursor will change to a cross-hair and you will be prompted to choose a location for the +45 Degree guideline. Position the cursor then click or press Enter - the guideline will appear, running at 45 Degrees through the chosen point.

Continue placing further +45 Degree guidelines or right-click or press Esc to exit placement mode.

Tips

1. The guide will be colored using a default yellow color (RGB = 250, 236, 133). Post-placement, this can be changed, along with position, and whether or not the guide is enabled, only through the Guide Manager section of the Properties panel when no design objects are currently selected in the design workspace.

Applied Parameters: Action=PlaceMinus45DegLineGuide

Summary

This command is used to place a -45 degree (y=-x) guideline that passes through the desired X,Y coordinate location in the workspace. Linear Snap Guides such as this facilitate cursor snap to a specific axis. During an interactive process such as placing or moving, the cursor will snap to a placed guide, at the point where that guide intersects the applicable snap grid. Using a guide, objects can quickly be aligned simply by dragging them until they 'snap' against the guideline.

Access

This command is accessed from the PCB Editor by choosing the Place » Work Guides » Place -45 Degree Guide command from the main menus.

Use

After launching the command, the cursor will change to a cross-hair and you will be prompted to choose a location for the -45 Degree guideline. Position the cursor then click or press Enter - the guideline will appear, running at -45 Degrees through the chosen point.

Continue placing further -45 Degree guidelines or right-click or press Esc to exit placement mode.

Tips

1. The guide will be colored using a default yellow color (RGB = 250, 236, 133). Post-placement, this can be changed, along with position, and whether or not the guide is enabled, only through the Guide Manager section of the Properties panel when no design objects are currently selected in the design workspace.

Applied Parameters: Action=PlaceManualHotSpot

Summary

This command is used to place a point Snap Guide – a manual snap point if you will. A point snap guide is simply a hotspot that you manually mark within the confines of a defined grid. During an interactive process, such as placing or moving an object, that objects' hotspot will 'snap' to a point snap guide, when it passes into close proximity with it.

Access

This command is accessed from the PCB Editor by choosing the Place » Work Guides » Place Point Guide command from the main menus.

Use

After launching the command, the cursor will change to a cross-hair and you will be prompted to choose a location for the manual hotspot. Position the cursor then click or press Enter - the point guide will appear, marked by a cross at the chosen point.

Continue placing further point guides or right-click or press Esc to exit placement mode.

Tips

1. The guide will be colored using a default yellow color (RGB = 250, 236, 133). Post-placement, this can be changed, along with position, and whether or not the guide is enabled, only through the Guide Manager section of the Properties panel when no design objects are currently selected in the design workspace.