Sunstone PCB123 Design Software

Sunstone PCB123 Design Software

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Introduction

  • Overview
  • Getting Started

User Guides

  • Schematic User Guide
  • Layout User Guide

Reference

  • Schematic Reference
  • Layout Reference
  • Shortcuts
  • Key Assignments
  • Keyboard Shortcuts
  • Ultralib Parts Definitions

Troubleshooting

  • Known Issues

Schematic Reference

Main Menu

When in schematic view, the following menu bar is displayed.

Menu bar

If you do not have a design open, only the File, View, PCB123, and Help menu items are available.

File menu

File menu

New

The File > New command is one method of creating a new PCB design. It will invoke the Board Configuration Dialog to allow you to set board parameters or load a netlist unless you have checked the Do Not Show button in the Board Configuration dialog in which case a blank design is created.

Open…

The File > Open command invokes a standard Windows file dialog that allows you to browse to and select one or more PCB123 design files. You can select multiple designs to open by holding down the Shift or Ctrl key while clicking on files. If you select multiple design files, each one will be opened in its own window.

Close

The File > Close command closes the currently active design. If the design has been modified, you will first be prompted to save your changes.

Save

The File > Save command writes a copy of the currently active design to disk using the same filename the design was opened with. If it is a new design that hasn’t been previously saved, then you will be prompted for a filename to save as (see below).

Save As…

The File > Save As command prompts you for a filename using the standard Window file dialog. This will write a copy of the currently active design to disk under the name supplied. If the file exists, you will be prompted to overwrite the existing file.

The entire state of your design is saved to disk with the exception of DRC markers and the local footprint cache. All display settings are saved in the file so the next time the file is opened it will appear the same as when it was saved.

Backup Now

The File > Backup Now command initiates an immediate backup of the currently active design.

Normally, in the course of design, PCB123 automatically saves a backup of all open designs once every ten minutes. It saves them to the Backup subdirectory using the name of the design and appending “_BACKUPn” where n is from 1 to 5, 1 being the most recent backup.

Print

Schematic print dialog box

The File > Print command invokes a schematic print dialog box.

From the Schematic print command, you can print the current page or all schematic pages in your design. You can specify who to fit or scale your output, and you can specify color printing options.

Print Setup

The File > Print Setup command invokes the standard Windows print setup dialog and is used to set print defaults for the above print command.

Exit

The File > Exit command exits the PCB123 program. You will be prompted to save any modified documents that you may have open.

Edit menu

Edit menu

Undo

The Edit > Undo command undoes the last change to currently active design. Virtually all changes to the design are recorded and can be undone in reverse order. There is no limit to the size of the undo buffer other than memory limitations.

What constitutes a change for purposes of undo is operation dependent. In many cases an entire group of changes will be undone with a single undo command. For instance, selecting undo after an autoroute will undo the entire autoroute results, not just the last connection the autorouter completed.

When a change is undone, that change will be added to the Redo buffer in case you change your mind and want to redo it again. See below.

Redo

The Edit > Redo command redoes the last undo operation. Repeated undo operations are stored to the redo buffer so you can redo a whole series of undo operations.

Cut

The Edit > Cut command deletes the currently selected set of objects and places them into the paste buffer. There is only one paste buffer so only the last cut operation is available for paste.

See the Paste command for more information.

Copy

The Edit > Copy command copies the currently selected set of objects into the paste buffer. There is only one paste buffer so only the last copy operation is available for paste.

See the Paste command below for more information.

Paste

The Edit > Paste command makes a copy of the objects in the paste buffer and inserts them into the currently active design.

First, any components in the paste buffer are added to the design by assigning them a new reference designator that does not conflict with one already in the design. Their alpha-prefix is retained.

Next, any complete routes or connections that start and end at pins that are also in the paste buffer will be added to the design. They will retail their original net name with a unique numerical suffix.

Lastly, all text and non-net-attributed board outlines will be copied without change. Net-attributed board outlines will either inherit a cloned net name or retain their original net names depending on whether their original net names were cloned during the paste operation.

After all objects are created, they will be in a selected state attached to the cursor ready to be placed.

Delete

The Edit > Delete command deletes all selected objects from the currently active design.

The delete operation can later be undone.

Properties

The Edit > Properties command is context sensitive. If you have nothing selected it invokes the Board Configuration Dialog. If you have one or more objects selected, then you will get a property page for each class of object selected.

See Object Property Pages for more information.

Insert menu

Top-level Insert menu

Top-level insert menu

Insert Port submenu

Insert Port submenu

Add Page

The Insert > Add Page command inserts a new, blank schematic page for use in your design.

Often, designers will find it helpful to break the schematic into multiple pages organized by function. The network connections between these pages are accomplished using port connectors. The entire schematic network is then made available to the layout page for physical design.

Add Part

The Insert > Add Part command displays the Select Part dialog box, allowing you to search for, preview and select the part you need from the schematic parts taxonomy.

Add Analog Ground Port

The Insert > Add Port > Analog Ground command provides you quick and easy access to a predefined analog ground symbol.

By selecting the Analog Ground Port, your cursor moves into parts placement mode with an analog ground pin ready to be placed.

Add Digital Ground Port

The Insert > Add Port > Ground command provides you quick and easy access to a predefined digital ground symbol.

By selecting the Digital Ground Port, your cursor moves into parts placement mode with a digital ground pin ready to be placed.

Add Voltage Port

The Insert > Add Port > Voltage command provides you quick and easy access to a predefined voltage port symbol.

By selecting the Voltage Port, your cursor moves into parts placement mode with a voltage port ready to be placed.

Add Global Net

The Insert > Add Port > Global Net command provides you quick and easy access to a predefined global net symbol.

By selecting the Global Net, your cursor moves into parts placement mode with a voltage port ready to be placed.

Global nets serve to connect to the net with the same net name across the entire set of schematic pages.

Add Off-Page Port

The Insert > Add Port > Off-page Port command provides you quick and easy access to a predefined off page port symbol.

By selecting the Off-page Port, your cursor moves into parts placement mode with an off-page connector ready to be placed.

Off-Page connectors are similar in function to global nets.

Add Line

The Insert > Add Line command allows you to add line objects to the currently active design schematic by first defining one endpoint, then the other.

Add Arc

The Insert > Add Arc command allows you to add arc objects to the currently active design or footprint by first defining one endpoint, then the other, and then adjusting the radius.

Arcs have definite width and are always chords of a perfect circle. They cannot be elliptical.

Add Polyline

The Insert > Add Polyline command allows you to add a poly-line object to the currently active design.

A polyline is a continuous series of line segments. They have a physical width and may be net attributed. In most cases polylines are not net attributed as they are widely used for nomenclature such as component outlines and title blocks.

Once you enter Add Polyline mode, a series of straight line segments will be connected between each successive left-mouse click. Double click on the last point to terminate the polyline definition process.

Add Rectangle

The Insert > Add Rectangle command allows you to begin digitizing corners of rectangular board outlines.

As you add a rectangle, you will be prompted to digitize two opposite corner points. The rectangle will determine its width and length from these two points.

Add Polygon

The Insert >Add Polygon command allows you to begin digitizing corners of polygon and polylines.

A polyline is a continuous series of line segments. They have a physical width and may be net attributed. In most cases polylines are not net attributed as they are widely used for nomenclature such as component outlines and title blocks.

A polygon is a closed 2-D surface. They do not have width. What you draw is the absolute edge of the board outline. They can be convex or concave but should not self-intersect.

See the Board outline Context Pane and the Board outline Property Page for more information.

Add Text

The Insert > Add Text command allows you to add rendered text “strings” to the currently active design or footprint. When you first select this command you will be prompted for the string to add with the Add Text Dialog.

Currently, only the ANSI character set is supported. Extended ASCII characters are not rendered but are stored in the string.

There is only one font available for text strings because the characters must be stroked and there is no reliable way to convert a TrueType font into a series of strokes that can be added to the board. This may change in the future.

Add Image

You can add an image for any reason necessary to clarify your project, or if you want to change the logo in the title block. This is done in the schematic page.

View menu

Top-level View Menu

Top-level View menu

View/Toolbars Submenu

Toolbars Submenu

View/Zoom Submenu

View/Zoom Submenu

View Standard Toolbar

The Toolbars > Standard Toolbar command toggles the visibility of the Standard Toolbar.

View Add Object Toolbar

The Toolbars > Add Object Toolbar command toggles the visibility of the Add Object Toolbar.

View Zoom Toolbar

The Toolbars > Zoom Toolbar command toggles the visibility of the Zoom Toolbar.

Zoom Submenu

The Toolbars > Zoom Toolbar command toggles the visibility of the Zoom Toolbar.

Zoom In

The Zoom > Zoom In command increases the magnification of the display. If this command was invoked through the menu then the view center remains unchanged. If this command was invoked with the PgUp key then the view center will be where the cursor was when the command was invoked.

Zoom Out

The Zoom > Zoom Out command decreases the magnification of the display. If this command was invoked through the menu then the view center remains unchanged. If this command was invoked with the PgDn key then the view center will be where the cursor was when the command was invoked.

Zoom All

The Zoom > Zoom All command sets the screen magnification such that all objects fit on, and are centered on the screen.

Pan Up

The Zoom > Pan Up command moves the view center up nearly one full screen height.

Pan Left

The Zoom > Pan Left command moves the view center to the left nearly one full screen width.

Pan Right

The Zoom > Pan Right command moves the view center to the right nearly one full screen width.

Pan Down

The Zoom > Pan Down command moves the view center down nearly one full screen height.

Redraw

The Zoom > Redraw command repaints the screen.

Tools menu

Top-level ToolsMenu

Top-level Tools menu

Tools/Netlist Submenu

Netlist Submenu

Symbol Editor…

The Tools > Symbol Editor… command will present the user with the Symbol Editor dialog box, ready to create a new symbol from scratch. The function of the symbol editor is discussed elsewhere in this manual.

Manage Parts…

The Tools > Manage Parts… command will present the user with the Define Part dialog box. From here, the user can create parts, review or edit the contents of parts, and delete parts as needed.

Generate Netlist from Schematic…

The Tools > Generate Netlist from Schematic command will create a netlist file of your schematics’ electrical network. The user will be presented with a Windows standard file save dialog box, allowing the user to specify the location for the netlist file to be output.

PCB123 menu

Top Level PCB123 menu

Top Level PCB123 menu

MY Account…

The PCB123 > My Account command will invoke a browser session to your account status page at Sunstone.com. Once you’ve logged in, you can view your personal account settings including: your default user preferences (shipping address, carrier, payment method, etc.); personal profile information (name, company, email, etc.); and recent order activity including current status for any orders in process.

PCB123 Website…

The PCB123 > PCB123 Website command will invoke a browser session at www.sunstone.com

Report a Bug…

The PCB123 > Report a Bug command will invoke a browser session and take you to the Contact Us page for technical support on the www.sunstone.com website. From here you can report the bug details. Customer Service will acknowledge receipt of your bug report, and follow up with you as necessary.

Window menu

Top Level Window menu

Cascade

The Window > Cascade command will rearrange open design windows into a cascading pattern.

Tile Horizontally

The Window > Tile Horizontally command will rearrange open design windows into a horizontal tiled pattern.

Tile Vertically

The Window > Tile Vertically command will rearrange open design windows into a vertical tiled pattern.

Arrange Icons

The Window > Arrange Icons command will move any iconized design files into an orderly row across the bottom of the PCB123 editing pane background.

← Layout User GuideLayout Reference →
  • Main Menu
  • File menu
    • New
    • Open…
    • Close
    • Save
    • Save As…
    • Backup Now
    • Print
    • Print Setup
    • Exit
  • Edit menu
    • Undo
    • Redo
    • Cut
    • Copy
    • Paste
    • Delete
    • Properties
  • Insert menu
    • Add Page
    • Add Part
    • Add Analog Ground Port
    • Add Digital Ground Port
    • Add Voltage Port
    • Add Global Net
    • Add Off-Page Port
    • Add Line
    • Add Arc
    • Add Polyline
    • Add Rectangle
    • Add Polygon
    • Add Text
    • Add Image
  • View menu
    • View Standard Toolbar
    • View Add Object Toolbar
    • View Zoom Toolbar
    • Zoom Submenu
    • Zoom In
    • Zoom Out
    • Zoom All
    • Pan Up
    • Pan Left
    • Pan Right
    • Pan Down
    • Redraw
  • Tools menu
    • Symbol Editor…
    • Manage Parts…
    • Generate Netlist from Schematic…
  • PCB123 menu
    • MY Account…
    • PCB123 Website…
    • Report a Bug…
  • Window menu
    • Cascade
    • Tile Horizontally
    • Tile Vertically
    • Arrange Icons
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