Module 3: Schematic Editor Basics
Module 3: Schematic Editor Basics
3.1 Schematic Editor basics .................................................................. 3-1
3.1.1 View Commands ............................................................................................3-2
3.2 Schematic graphical objects ........................................................... 3-4
3.2.1 General...........................................................................................................3-4
3.2.2 Drawing schematic graphical objects............................................................. 3-4
3.3 Schematic electrical objects............................................................ 3-9
3.3.1 General...........................................................................................................3-9
3.3.2 Summary of Electrical Objects .......................................................................3-9
3.3.3 Exercise – Schematic graphical objects.......................................................3-19
3.3.4 Exercise – Schematic electrical objects .......................................................3-19
3.3.5 Favorites Panel ............................................................................................3-19
3.3.6 Snippets Panel .............................................................................................3-20
3.3.7 Clipboard panel ............................................................................................3-20
3.3.8 Selection.......................................................................................................3-21
3.3.9 Masking ........................................................................................................3-23
3.3.10 Other mouse actions ....................................................................................3-24
3.3.11 Multiple objects at the same location ...........................................................3-24
3.3.12 Smart Paste..................................................................................................3-24
3.3.13 Modifying Polylines.......................................................................................3-26
3.3.14 Font Management ........................................................................................3-27
3.3.15 Exercises – Schematic Editor basics ...........................................................3-27
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Module Seq = 3
3.1 Schematic Editor basics
The Schematic Editor opens when you open an existing schematic document or create a new
one. This editor makes use of all the workspace features in the Altium Designer environment.
This includes multiple toolbars, resource editing, right-click menu, shortcut keys and Tool Tips.
Figure 1. Schematic Editor Workspace
In this section, we will explore the basics of working in the Schematic Editor.
• If not already open, open the following project: 4 Port Serial Interface.PrjPcb,
found in the \Altium Designer Summer 09\Examples\Reference Designs\4
Port Serial Interface folder (as shown above in Figure 1), and then open the
schematic sheet, ISA Bus and Address Decoding.SchDoc by double-clicking on the
document name in the Projects panel.
Module 3: Schematic Editor Basics 3 - 1
3.1.1 View Commands
The View commands can be accessed from the View menu and are listed below.
Command Toolbar Shortcut Key Description
Fit Document VD Display entire document
Fit All Objects
VF Fits all objects in the current document window
Area
VA Display a rectangular area of document by
selecting diagonal vertices of the rectangle
Around Point VP Display a rectangular area of document by
selecting the centre and one vertex of the
rectangle
Selected
Objects
VE Fits all selected objects in the current
document window
50% V5 Set display magnification to 50%
100% V1 Set display magnification to 100%
200% V2 Set display magnification to 200%
400% V4 Set display magnification to 400%
Zoom In
VI Zoom In around current cursor position
Zoom Out
VO Zoom Out around current cursor position
Pan VN Re-centre the screen around current cursor
position
Refresh VR Update (redraw) the screen display
Table 1. View command summary
While executing a command (when a crosshair is attached to the cursor), auto panning becomes
active by touching any edge of the Design Window. Press the
SHIFT key while auto panning to
increase the panning speed. Auto panning speed is configured in the Auto Pan Options section
of the Graphical Editing page in the Preferences dialog (Tools » Schematic Preferences).
Auto panning can also be turned off here.
Note : The auto pan options apply in both the schematic and the schematic library editors.
Since you work at a much higher zoom level in the library editor window area, you may find
that auto panning moves the view too quickly. If this is the case you may prefer to disable auto
panning and pan with the right mouse button (refer to 3.1.1.2).
Module 3: Schematic Editor Basics 3 - 2
The following shortcut keys provide a useful alternative for manipulating the view of the
workspace. These shortcut keys can be used while executing commands.
Keystroke Function
END Redraws the view
PAGE DOWN Zoom out (holds the current cursor position)
PAGE UP Zoom in (holds the current cursor position)
CTRL+PAGE DOWN View Document
HOME View pan (pan to centre the current cursor position)
SPACEBAR Stops screen redraw
ARROW KEYS Moves the cursor by one snap grid point in direction of the arrow
SHIFT+ARROW KEY Moves the cursor by 10 snap grid points in the direction of the
arrow
Table 2. Shortcut keys for view manipulation
3.1.1.1 Using the mouse wheel to pan & zoom
The mouse wheel can also be used to pan and zoom when in a design document.
Panning
Roll the mouse wheel upwards to pan upwards, and downwards to pan downwards.
Press SHIFT and roll the mouse wheel downwards to pan to the right.
Press SHIFT and roll the mouse wheel upwards to pan to the left.
Zoom In
Press CTRL and roll the mouse wheel upwards to zoom in.
Zoom Out
Press CTRL and roll the mouse wheel downwards to zoom out.
3.1.1.2 Using the right mouse button to pan
Click and hold down the right mouse button (RMB) and move the cursor to pan in a design
document. The hand-shaped cursor indicates you are in panning mode. Release the right mouse
button to stop panning.
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