Group function in DesignSpark Version 3.0

Contributed by Brom

Information type: Video

Keywords: associate, Desig, Group, layout, nest, pcb, rats, Spark

Theme: DesignSpark PCB

Overview

Short video highlighting the new "Group" function in DesignSpark Version 3.0

1402 views
2 comments

Details

Group allows the user the associate sections of designs in the schematic and to be able to perform group commands on the subsection as a whole. The Group function is of particular value in more complex designs with many components. A critical input stage may require that it's discrete components are kept close together in the PCB phase. Where PCB translations are performed with the option to manually arrange the components, the GROUP function allows you to quickly identify and move all associated component together maintaining all "rats" nest connections.

Video demo of the GROUP Function

Comments

Boss

United Kingdom

22 weeks ago

Brom, I have tried this out and it is very useful for the purpose shown of identifying the group of components for pcb layout.

One shortcoming is once you have grouped components you cannot highlight one component and do a quick copy & paste! The individual component does become highlighted, but all (or most?) of the grouped items gets copy & pasted!

So my suggestion is don't group components until the schematic is close to completion.

Boss

United Kingdom

22 weeks ago

Very useful feature.

Having just laid out 8 opamps and associated components this would have been very useful!

Even simple grouping with decoupling capacitors will be useful. I shall definately try out next time.

Thanks for the tutorial.

About the author

Brom: Professional Engineer with 16+ years experience in the semiconductor industry. Love the outdoors, playing the guitar, tinkering with my VW Camper and making things light up!

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