PlacePin

Applied Parameters: None

Summary

This command is used to place a Pin object onto the active document. A pin is an electrical design primitive. Pins give a component (part) its electrical properties and define the connection points on the part for the incoming and outgoing signals.

Access

Pins are available for placement in the Schematic Library Editor only, by:

• Choosing Place » Pin from the main menus.
• Clicking the  button on the Utility Tools drop-down () of the Utilities toolbar.
• Right-clicking in the workspace and choosing Place » Pin from the context menu.

Use

New pins are added to the component that is currently visible in the Schematic Library Editor. Select the required component in the SCH Library panel.

1. Launch the command using a method of access described above. Note that the floating pin is held by the electrical end, which must be positioned away from the component body. Only one end of the pin is electrical, and it is always this end the pin is held by.
2. Since there is often numerous pins on a component, it is more efficient to edit the properties of each pin as they are being placed. To do this, press Tab while the pin is floating on the cursor. This gives access to the Pin Properties dialog.
3. Edit the pin properties as required, typically this will include at least the Display Name, Designator and Electrical Type. Note that you can move between these fields using the Tab key to step forward, or Shift+Tab keys to step backward. You can also accept the dialog settings by pressing the Enter key on the keyboard, making it possible to define the dialog settings without touching the mouse.
4. Press the Spacebar to rotate the pin if required. Rotation is anti-clockwise in steps of 90 degrees.
5. Position the pin, then click or press Enter to place the pin in the Library Editor workspace.
6. Continue to place pins, or right-click or press Esc to terminate pin placement.

Tips

1. Create the Library component near the origin (center) of the Library Editor sheet, which is marked by dark cross-hair lines. Typically a pin or the corner of the component body is placed at the sheet origin.
2. The pin number (Designator) must be defined, as this is what is used to establish the connectivity. The Electrical Type is also important as this is used in the Schematic Editor for the Electrical Rules Check (ERC).
3. For information on how a placed pin object can be modified graphically, directly in the workspace, see Graphical Editing.
4. While attributes can be modified during placement (Tab to bring up associated properties dialog), bear in mind that these will become the default settings for further placement unless the Permanent option on the Schematic – Default Primitives page of the Preferences dialog is enabled. When this option is enabled, changes made will affect only the object being placed and subsequent objects placed during the same placement session.