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Update symbol from library not working

bdc66a938f164d

I have a symbol drawn in `/path/to/symbol.dra` and the corresponding `/path/to/symbol.psm` file. This symbol was included in my `/path/to/main.mcm` design earlier. Now I modified `symbol.dra` and also the corresponding `symbol.psm`. I want this change to be updated in all instances of this symbol in `main.mcm`. I went to `Place/Update symbols` but it does not work.

If I do `Place/Manually/Advanced settings/List construction` and uncheck `database` and check `library`, Allegro finds `symbol` but with the old design. If I copy-paste `/path/to/symbol.psm`  into `/path/to/symbol_deleteme.psm`, now this new symbol is found by Allegro and it has the modifications. Why does it fail if I don't change the name?

Parents
  • DavidJHutchins
    0

    Can you include the contents of the 'refresh.log' file?

  • bdc66a938f164d
    0 in reply to DavidJHutchins

    Here the steps I performed 10 minutes ago, just to double check.

    1. Open `component_A.dra` and make some change.
    2. Go to "File/Save", Allegro says:
        ```
        Loading axlcore.cxt 
        Opening existing design...
        Performing a partial design check before saving.
        Writing design to disk.
        'component_A.dra' saved to disk.
        Symbol 'component_A.psm' created.
        ```
    3. Open `project.mcm`.
    4. Go to "Place/Update symbols...", select "Package symbols", and click "Refresh". The symbol is not updated. This is the content of `refresh.log`:
        ```
        Tue Sep 30 09:30:16 2025                Page     1


         
        Update Symbols/Modules Logfile
            Tue Sep 30 09:30:16 2025

        ------ Module Refresh Messages ------

        SUMMARY:    Updated 0 out of 0 modules

        ------ End Module Messages     ------



        (---------------------------------------------------------------------)
        (                                                                     )
        (    Refresh Symbol                                                   )
        (                                                                     )
        (    Drawing          : project.mcm                            )
        (    Software Version : 24.1P001                                      )
        (    Date/Time        : Tue Sep 30 09:30:16 2025                      )
        (                                                                     )
        (---------------------------------------------------------------------)


        Tue Sep 30 09:30:16 2025                Page     1


        ------ Symbol Refresh Directives ------

        Input design  = 'C:/foo/bar/project/project.mcm'
        Output design = ''

        Update mechanical symbols              = 'NO'
        Update format symbols                  = 'NO'
        Update package symbols                 = 'YES'
        Update shape/flash symbols             = 'NO'
        Update symbol padstacks                = 'NO'
        Preserve padstacks replaced on pins    = 'NO'
        Reset symbol text and size locations   = 'NO'
        Reset Pin Escapes (fanouts)            = 'NO'
        Ripup Etch                             = 'NO'
        Reset custom drill data                = 'NO'


        ------ Library Paths ------
        PSMPATH =  . 
                   symbols 
                   .. 
                   ../symbols 
                   c:/cadence/spb_24.1/share/local/pcb/symbols 
                   c:/cadence/spb_24.1/share/pcb/pcb_lib/symbols 
                   c:/cadence/spb_24.1/share/pcb/allegrolib/symbols 

        PADPATH =  . 
                   symbols 
                   .. 
                   ../symbols 
                   c:/cadence/spb_24.1/share/local/pcb/padstacks 
                   c:/cadence/spb_24.1/share/pcb/pcb_lib/symbols 
                   c:/cadence/spb_24.1/share/pcb/allegrolib/symbols 


        ------ Symbol Refresh Messages ------

        'component_B'  symbol refreshed successfully.

        'component_A'  symbol starting to refresh:
             ERROR(SPMHNI-271): 1 pins found in library symbol, but missing from the symbol in the physical design. They are:
                    4



        ----- Symbol Update Summary ----

        Updated symbols: 1 out 2
            Design updated.
        ```
    5. Go to "Place/Manually...", in the tab "Advanced Settings" I check "Library" and uncheck "Database".
    6. Go to the tab "Placement List" and select "Package symbols", but "component_A" is not there.
    7. Manually rename `component_A.psm` to `component_A_renamed.psm`.
    8. Go again to "Place/Manually..." and now "component_A_renamed" is there.

  • JCTEYSSIER0
    0 in reply to bdc66a938f164d

    Seem there is a mismatch between pin number of component from schematic (or netlist) and pcb sumbol so it cna not be used. Correct schematic or pcb footprint is order to have same pin numbers in both side

  • bdc66a938f164d
    0 in reply to JCTEYSSIER0

    If I have to add an extra pin, is deleting and re-placing all the instances of this component the way it is supposed to be done?

Reply
  • bdc66a938f164d
    0 in reply to JCTEYSSIER0

    If I have to add an extra pin, is deleting and re-placing all the instances of this component the way it is supposed to be done?

Children
  • JCTEYSSIER0
    0 in reply to bdc66a938f164d

    Seems something is not understood.

    A pcb footrpint have a definiton. Say for exemple SO14

    A schematic symbol have a defintion. Say for exemple 7400 and is linked to SO14 footprint.

    If pins are defined 1-14 on schematic side then the relted footprint shall use 1-14 for pin numbers. No less, no more.

    Yo can not use a 1-16 pin footprint inked to 1-14 schematic symbol.

    If footprint is already used for an other schematic symbol sucessfully, then do not chagne it: it will not work anymore with this one.

    If schemaic symbol have diffrent pin numbering, then you have to use  footpint with the new pin numbering (and maybe create it)

    Tip: if you have a pcb footprint (the symbol, not associated to a component) placed on pcb side and change the pin definition, you have to update it BEFORE reading the netlist so at reading time it will be ok. If not updated, while reading netlist the tool see pin definiton from schematic different from footprint aleady present and can not associate.

  • bdc66a938f164d
    0 in reply to JCTEYSSIER0

    Unfortunately I don't have a schematic. I don't find any schematic creation tool in my Allegro APD. Also, all tutorials I see online they just design the board without schematic (which I find cumbersome and weird but as of now I am assuming it is the way this tool is supposed to be used).

    PS: I have experience with other PCB software, but not with APD.

  • DavidJHutchins
    0 in reply to bdc66a938f164d

    I think this is the same issue as your 'Add footprint' posting...

    your library location `/path/to' is not shown in the entries for PSMPATH or PADPATH

  • bdc66a938f164d
    0 in reply to DavidJHutchins

    I fixed that. In that case a simple renaming of the file would also not work as I understand.

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