PCB Library Component

The PCB Library Component dialog.

Summary

This dialog allows the designer to specify various properties for the active component in the current PCB Library document.

Access

The dialog is accessed from the PCB Library Editor in the following ways:

• With the desired component active in the main design window, use the Tools » Component Properties command from the main menus.
• Double-click a component in the Components region of the PCB Library panel.

Options/Controls

• Name - use this field to specify the component's name.
• Height - use this field to specify a height for the component. This value is used by the Height design rule (part of the Placement category of rules).
• Description - use this field to add a meaningful description for the component.
• Type - use this field to determine the type of component. Choose from the following types, available from the field's associated drop-down menu:
  • Standard - standard electrical component loaded onto the board. Always synchronized, always in the BOM.
  • Mechanical - non-electrical component, e.g., heat sink or mounting bracket. Synchronized if it exists on both schematic and PCB documents and always included in the BOM.
  • Graphical - non-electrical component used for a company logo, title block, etc. Never synchronized and not included in the BOM.
  • Net Tie (In BOM) - for shorting two (or more) nets together in the routing. Typically used if a jumper type component needs to be fitted and also provide shorting in the same location. Always synchronized and included in the BOM.
  • Net Tie - as above but designed so you couldn't tell a component existed at the location where the shorting is to occur. Always synchronized but not included in the BOM. When placing components of this type, use the Verify Shorting Copper option in the Design Rule Checker dialog (when performing a DRC in the PCB) to verify the short (i.e., that no unconnected copper exists in the component).
  • Standard (No BOM) - standard electrical component loaded onto board. Always synchronized, not included in the BOM.
  • Jumper - used to represent a wire link, typically used on a single-sided board. On the schematic, Jumper-type components do not need to be wired in. They are only included to ensure that the Jumpers get included in the BOM. On the PCB, set the jumper pads to share the same non-zero JumperID value; the software recognizes this state, adds a symbolic link between the jumper pads to represent the wire link, and factors the link into design rule checks.