Why do I need to draw the same symbol N times?

On 23.09.2016 06:32, Zoltán Kócsi wrote:

More often than not the same chip is available in different packages,

quite often with different number of pins and the packages with fewer

pins omit some of the lesser used signals.

 

Currently, you need to create a different symbol for every package: if

you have a chip that comes in 5 different packages, with a few pin

differences, you need a symbol drawn for ABC1234-SOIC, ABC1234-BGA,

ABC1234-TSOP and so on. It's the same damn chip, just on some packages

some pins are missing.

 

I wonder if I'm alone with the wish of having just one symbol, with

every possible signal drawn. Then, when it gets placed to the schematic

with a package selected, the not bonded pins grey out and don't allow

wires to be connected to them?

 

You dont need to redraw the symbol. You just create a new component and

add the symbol + all the packages that work with this symbol at the same

component, then connect them correctly. This works, even if some

packages have more gnd/shield pins, cause every package is connected

separately.

Look at the attached sample. I got one symbol and 5 different packages

for the same symbol.

But currently (7.x), if the symbol differs slightly betweeen packages,

you have to copy/make a new symbol, and add/remove pins. Sometimes it

would have been nice if unconnected pins at the symbol were hidden at

the schematics, if they are not user/connected to the chosen package.

Attachments:

Quote:

You dont need to redraw the symbol. You just create a new component

and

add the symbol + all the packages that work with this symbol at the

same

component, then connect them correctly. This works, even if some

packages have more gnd/shield pins, cause every package is connected

separately.

That won't work if one or more of the package variants has less pins than

the symbol.

It would help if the Table of Contents view of the library allowed copying

a symbol, so that you can draw the most extensive symbol for the component,

copy it, delete some pins from the copy (repeat for all variants).

The way I work around this is by drawing the symbol, saving the library and

exiting the library editor, then opening the library in a plain text

editor, find the symbol you just added, then copy/paste it (between ), with a modified name for the copied

symbol. Then reopen the library editor, edit the copied symbol and delete

the pins not used in that variant.

--

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Quote:

It would help if the Table of Contents view of the library allowed

copying a symbol, so that you can draw the most extensive symbol for the

component, copy it, delete some pins from the copy (repeat for all

variants).

It does... Right click on the symbol you want to copy and select

"Duplicate". It then asks you to enter a new name for the duplicate and

you're done.

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rachaelp wrote on Fri, 23 September 2016 10:45

Stoneshop wrote on Fri, 23 September 2016 08:31

It would help if the Table of Contents view of the library allowed

copying a symbol, so that you can draw the most extensive symbol for

the component, copy it, delete some pins from the copy (repeat for all

variants).

 

It does... Right click on the symbol you want to copy and select

"Duplicate". It then asks you to enter a new name for the duplicate and

you're done.

Not in my version (7.3.0 standard). You can duplicate devices and packages,

but not symbols.

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Stoneshop wrote on Fri, 23 September 2016 09:54

Not in my version (7.3.0 standard). You can duplicate devices and

packages, but not symbols.

Yes they added a lot of new features to the library manager throughout the

7.x releases and I can't remember where that was added. If it's an issue

for you at least you have the option of going to a newer release as you

have a v7 license.

Best Regards,

Rachael

--

Web access to CadSoft support forums at www.eaglecentral.ca.  Where the CadSoft EAGLE community meets.

Stoneshop wrote on Fri, 23 September 2016 09:54

Not in my version (7.3.0 standard). You can duplicate devices and

packages, but not symbols.

Yes they added a lot of new features to the library manager throughout the

7.x releases and I can't remember where that was added. If it's an issue

for you at least you have the option of going to a newer release as you

have a v7 license.

Best Regards,

Rachael

--

Web access to CadSoft support forums at www.eaglecentral.ca.  Where the CadSoft EAGLE community meets.