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Ver: Version: 4
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Schematic - Break Wire

Created: July 07, 2022 | Updated: July 07, 2022 | Applies to version: 4

This document is no longer available beyond version 4. Information can now be found here: Schematic - Break Wire Preferences for version 5

This documentation page references Altium NEXUS/NEXUS Client (part of the deployed NEXUS solution), which has been discontinued. All your PCB design, data management and collaboration needs can now be delivered by Altium Designer and a connected Altium 365 Workspace. Check out the FAQs page for more information.

 

Parent page: Accessing, Defining & Managing System Preferences

The Schematic - Break Wire page of the Preferences dialog
The Schematic - Break Wire page of the Preferences dialog

Summary

The Schematic – Break Wire page of the Preferences dialog provides controls related to the behavior of the cutting tool when using the Break Wire feature. While the tool is labeled Break Wire, it can be used to break wires as well as buses and signal harnesses.

Access

The Schematic – Break Wire page is part of the main Preferences dialog that is accessed by clicking the  control in the upper-right corner of the workspace then selecting the Break Wire entry under the Schematic folder.

Options/Controls

Cutting Length

Select one of the following options to control the length of wire that gets cut:

  • Snap to Segment - choose this option to have the cutter snap to an entire wire segment.
  • Snap Grid Size Multiple - choose this option to have the cutter sized to a defined multiple of the current snap grid. Enter a value for the multiplier in the field to the right from 2 and 10 (inclusive).
  • Fixed Length - choose this option to create a fixed-length cutter, the length of which is specified by entering a value in the field to the right.
Values are entered in terms of Default units (1 Unit = 10mil).
Regardless of the size of cutter with options other than Snap To Segment, the cutter will shrink to accommodate smaller-sized wire segments in their entirety as it passes over them as though Snap To Segment was selected.

Show Cutter Box 

Select one of the following options to control the display of the cutter box (dotted rectangular box) while in Break Wire mode:

  • Never - never display the cutter box.
  • Always - always display the cutter box, regardless of whether the cursor is over a wire segment or not.
  • On Wire - only display the cutter box when the cursor passes over a wire segment.
If the Show Cutter Box option is set to Never or On Wire, the cutting area will be distinguished in the workspace through use of a central cross marker when the cursor is away from a wire segment.

Show Extremity Markers

Select one of the following options to control the display of extremity markers (at the ends of the cutter box) while in Break Wire mode:

  • Never - never display the extremity markers.
  • Always - always display the extremity markers, regardless of whether the cursor is over a wire segment or not.
  • On Wire - only display the extremity markers when the cursor passes over a wire segment.
If both cutter box and extremity markers are set to Never display, passing the cursor over a wire segment will cause the relevant portion of that segment or its entirety to become highlighted - thus distinguishing the portion of wire that will be cut when clicked.
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