Properties for Schematic Component

Created: December 16, 2024 | Updated: August 16, 2018

Other Related Resources

The two incarnations of the Component Properties dialog. The left image is the dialog as it appears for a component on the schematic. The right image is the dialog as it
appears for a component in the source schematic library.

Summary

This dialog provides controls to edit the properties of a schematic component. The controls of the dialog and its banner text, will vary depending on the context in which it is accessed. In the Schematic Editor, the dialog (Properties for Schematic Component dialog) is the main properties dialog for a component placed/being placed on a source sheet, while in the Schematic Library Editor, it is the main properties dialog (Library Component Properties dialog) for the symbol being created.

Access

The dialog can be accessed and used in both the Schematic Editor and the Schematic Library Editor.

Schematic Editor - the dialog can be accessed in the following ways:
- Press the Tab key during part placement.
- Double-click on the placed part object.
- Place the cursor over the placed part object, right-click then choose Properties from the context menu.
Schematic Library Editor - the dialog can be accessed in the following ways:
- Double-click on the entry for the component in the Components region of the SCH Library panel.
- Selecting the required component in the Components region of the SCH Library panel then click the Edit button at the bottom of the region.
- For the active component selected in the SCH Library panel, use the Home | Library | » Component Properties command from the main menus.

Options/Controls

Properties

Designator - this field shows the part's logical designator, which identifies the part within the design. If you do not enter a designator before you place a part, its designator will be the pre-assigned default (such as U?, C?, D?, R?).

If you enter the designator while placing a part, the designator will increment automatically (U1, U2, etc.,) as further parts are placed. If the component is a multi-part device, it will automatically be assigned a part suffix, for example, U3A, U3B and so on.

Regardless of initial designation, you will be able to ensure correct and unique annotation of your design components by using the annotation features available in the Tools | Annotation area of the main menus.

Visible - use this option to control the visibility of the designator in the workspace. Enable to display the designator; disable to hide it.
Locked - enable this option to lock the designator for the part preventing it from being changed as part of an annotation process.

Comment - use this field to give the component a meaningful comment, which might be its part number (for a specific IC package) or a value (for a generic component, such as a resistor, capacitor, or inductor).

When defining the Comment property for a component, the associated drop-down field will be populated with special strings for all existing component parameters, which enables quick use of any defined parameter's value for the Comment.

Visible - use this option to control the visibility of the comment in the workspace. Enable to display the comment; disable to hide it.

Part - this field indicates which part this particular instance is. For a single part component, the entry will be Part 1/1 and the other buttons in this region will be unavailable. For a multi-part component, this field will reflect the specific part in the form Part x/y (which part it is (x) out of the total number of defined parts (y)). Provided the Locked option is not enabled, the following buttons will become available for switching to another part of the component:
- (First Part) - click this button to switch to the first defined part for the component.
- (Previous Part) - click this button to switch to the previous defined part for the component.
- (Next Part) - click this button to switch to the next defined part for the component.
- (Last Part) - click this button to switch to the last defined part for the component.
- Locked - enable this option to lock the chosen part preventing it from being changed as part of an annotation process.
Description - this field is used to give a more detailed description for the part beyond its part number or value.
Unique Id - the current unique identifier for the part. The Unique ID (UID) is a system-generated value that uniquely identifies this part. A new UID value can be entered directly into this field.
- Reset - click this button to have the system generate a new UID for the part.
Type - use this field to determine the type of component. Choose from the following types that are available from the field's associated drop-down menu:
- Standard - standard electrical component loaded onto board. Always synchronized, always in BOM.
- Mechanical - non-electrical component, e.g., heat sink or mounting bracket. Synchronized if exists on both schematic and PCB documents, always in BOM.
- Graphical - non-electrical component used for company logo, title block, etc. Never synchronized and not included in 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 BOM.
- Net Tie - as above but designed so you could not tell a component existed at the location where the shorting is to occur. Always synchronized but not included in 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 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.

Graphical

The first four of the following options concern the placed component on the schematic sheet and are available in the Properties for Schematic Component dialog. They are not present in the Library Component Properties dialog when creating the component in the Schematic Library.

Location X/Y - the current X (horizontal) and Y (vertical) coordinates for the top-left corner of the part's bounding rectangle (0 degree orientation) in relation to the bottom-left corner of the schematic sheet. Edit these values to change the position of the part in the horizontal and/or vertical planes respectively.
Orientation - specify the orientation of the part, counterclockwise in relation to the horizontal. Options available are: 0 degrees, 90 degrees, 180 degrees, 270 degrees.
Locked - enable this option to protect the part from being edited graphically.

An object that has its Locked property enabled cannot be selected or graphically edited. Double-click on the locked object directly then disable the Locked property to graphically edit the object.

Mirrored - enable this option to mirror the schematic component along the X-axis.
Mode - use this field to choose the view mode for the component. By default, each part will have a standard view mode called Normal. In addition, up to 255 Alternate View modes can be added and defined for a component part (called Alternate 1, Alternate 2, ..., Alternate 255). These view modes can contain any different graphical representation of the component, such as an IEEE representation. If alternate view modes have been defined for the component, they will be available from the field's drop-down.
Lock Pins - enable this option to prevent the pins of the component from being edited graphically in the workspace. This option applies only when an instance of the component has been placed on a schematic sheet. Only the component itself can be edited. If you want to edit a pin graphically, disable this option.
Show All Pins On Sheet (Even if Hidden) - enable this option to display all component pins, including hidden pins, in the workspace.

The power pins of a component are often hidden. Once hidden, you can display these pins in one of three ways:

By enabling this Show All Pins On Sheet (Even if Hidden) option.
By enabling the Show option for a pin in the Component Pin Editor dialog. Using this option has the benefit of being able to selectively reveal hidden pins from one convenient location.
By disabling the Hide option in the Pin Properties dialog for a specific pin.

Local Colors - enable this option to define and use localized, override coloring for the component's fills, lines, and pins when the component is placed on a schematic sheet. With this option disabled, the coloring defined for the drawn component symbol in the library will be used.
- Fills - click the color sample to change the color used for fills using the standard Choose Color dialog.
- Lines - click the color sample to change the color used for lines using the standard Choose Color dialog.
- Pins - click the color sample to change the color used for pins using the standard Choose Color dialog.

Library Link

This section is available only when defining the properties of the component within the Schematic Library Editor.

Symbol Reference - this field shows the current name for the component within the library. This is the name that is presented when browsing the library through the SCH Library or Libraries panels.

Parameters

Use this region to manage parameters attached to the component. You can also add rule-based parameters. Component parameters are a means of defining additional information about the component. This can include electrical specifications (i.e. wattage or tolerance), purchasing or stock details, designer notes, references to component datasheets, etc. Stated simply, parameters can be used to add any useful information that might be needed for a component.

Adding a parameter (as a rule) to a component on the schematic results in a PCB design rule being generated when the design is transferred to the PCB document with a scope that targets that component.

Parameters List - presents a list of all parameters currently defined for the component in terms of:
- Visible - use this option to determine the visibility of the parameter's value in the workspace. Note that this does not relate to the visibility of the parameter's Name, which can be determined for a standard (non-rule) parameter only in the Parameter Properties dialog.
- Name - the name of the parameter. For a rule-type parameter, this entry will be locked as Rule.
- Value - the value of the parameter. For a rule-type parameter, the entry will reflect the rule type along with a listing of its defined constraints.
- Type - the type of parameter, which determines the valid entries that can be used for its value. Available types are: STRING, BOOLEAN, INTEGER, and FLOAT. For a rule-type parameter, this entry is always STRING.

A standard parameter (non-rule) can be modified with respect to any of these attributes directly in the grid. However, attempting to change a locked Name and/or Value attribute will raise an error and you will need to press Esc to abandon such changes.

A parameter added as a rule cannot be edited directly in the grid with respect to its Name, Value, or Type. Its Name and Type are set to Rule and STRING respectively and are always un-editable. Its Value can only be edited by changing the constraints of the rule. To do this, select and edit the parameter then click the Edit Rules Button in the Parameter Properties dialog. This will open the Edit PCB Rule (From Schematic) dialog in which the changes to the constraints can be made.

Add - click this button to add a new parameter to the list. The Parameter Properties dialog will open. Use this to define the parameter, especially its Name, Value, Type, and whether or not its value is to be visible in the workspace.
Remove - click this button to delete the selected parameter(s) from the list of parameters.
Edit - click this button to open the Parameter Properties dialog to modify the currently selected parameter.
Add as Rule - click this button to add a new design rule directive parameter to the list. The Parameter Properties dialog will open, but this time will contain the Edit Rule Values button, which, in turn, opens the Choose Design Rule Type dialog in which you can choose and subsequently define the constraints of the required rule type.

Right-click Menu

The Parameters List right-click menu offers the following commands:

All On - use this command to quickly enable the Visible option for all parameters in the list.
All Off - use this command to quickly disable the Visible option for all parameters in the list.
Selected On - use this command to quickly enable the Visible option for all currently selected parameters in the list.
Selected Off - use this command to quickly disable the Visible option for all currently selected parameters in the list.
Add - use this command to add a new standard (non-rule) parameter to the list.
Remove - use this command to remove the currently selected parameter(s) in the list.
Edit - use this command to edit the currently selected parameter in the list.
Select All - use this command to quickly select all parameters in the list.
Select None - use this command to quickly deselect all parameters in the list.

Models

Use this region of the dialog to manage linked Footprint (PCB 2D/3D Component) models, i.e. models used to represent the component in the PCB domain.

Model links are typically defined when creating the component in the Schematic Library and using the standalone or Integrated Libraries approach to component management. They can, however, be added/edited/removed after the component is placed on a schematic sheet. Vault components - defined in and placed from the Altium Content Vault - also reference PCB 2D/3D Component models, but these are defined somewhat differently, and by Altium directly.

Multiple PCB 2D/3D Component models can be defined for a component but only one is set as the current model.

Models List - presents a list of all model links currently defined for the component in terms of:
- Name - the name of the model as defined in the source PCB Library (or PCB Component Item in the Altium Content Vault). Where multiple model links have been defined, use the field's associated drop-down to choose the current model.
- Type - the type of model link. For a model representative of the component in the PCB domain, this is Footprint. In truth, a defined model can consist of both 2D footprint AND 3D body information. So, while the type is Footprint, think of it more as a 2D/3D Component model.
- Description - the description for the model as defined in the source PCB library (or PCB Component Item in the Altium Content Vault).
- Vault - this field is applicable to a component placed from the Altium Content Vault only. It reflects the vault from which the component was sourced and, therefore, the entry will appear as Altium Content Vault.
- Item Revision - this field is applicable to a component placed from the Altium Content Vault only. It presents the full Item Revision ID for the referenced model (which specific revision of which specific PCB Component Item is being referenced).
- Revision Status - this field is applicable to a component placed from the Altium Content Vault only. It reflects the status of the revision of the model item currently being used. If it is the latest revision of the parent PCB Component Item, the entry will be Up to date. If a later revision is available in the vault, the entry will flag this and appear as Out of date.
Add - click this button to add a new model link. The PCB Model dialog will open, with which you can configure the link to a PCB 2D/3D Component model used to represent the component in the PCB domain. Controls are provided to specify the model and where to find it, and also to configure the mapping between pads of the footprint and pins of the schematic symbol.
Remove - click this button to remove the current model link. If multiple model links have been defined, ensure the correct one for removal is chosen from the drop-down associated to the Name field.
Edit - click this button to edit the model link for the current model. If multiple model links have been defined, ensure the correct one for editing is chosen from the drop-down associated to the Name field. The PCB Model dialog will open, with which you can make any changes.

Commands for adding, editing or removing a model link are also available from the Models List's right-click context menu.

If a component has been placed from the Altium Content Vault, the Models region, for the most part, provides read-only information on the referenced PCB 2D/3D Component model(s). The Add and Remove buttons will be unavailable. If multiple models are referenced, the drop-down associated with the Name field will be available for switching the current model used. While it is not possible to edit a referenced model, it is possible to view information about the model. The Edit button is replaced with a Show button. Click this to access a read-only variant of the PCB Model dialog.

Additional Controls

Edit Pins - click this button to open the Component Pin Editor dialog, with which you can edit the properties of the component's pins non-graphically and in a single, convenient location.

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