Allegro - Tip of the week: Changing active/alternate layers by using function keys

Here’s a handy tip to add a shortcut that will make it faster to scroll through subclasses.

If you want to increment or decrement the active layer of your design, add the following definitions to the command window:

funckey + subclass -+
(Use of the “+” character to increment the active subclass)

funckey - subclass --
( Use of the “-“ character to decrement the active subclass)

If instead of modifying the active subclass, you want to alter the alternate subclass, add these:

funckey a+ altsubclass -+
(Use of the “a+” combination of characters to increment the alternate subclass)

funckey a- altsubclass --
(use of the “a-” combination of characters to decrement the alternate subclass)

You can also directly define a hotkey to select a specific layer. For example, if you want the number one to switch the active subclass to TOP, paste this in your command-line window:

funckey 1 options subclass TOP

Use any number and assign it to any layer name:

funckey 2 options subclass SIGNAL_2

funckey 3 options subclass SIGNAL_3

...

funckey 8 options subclass BOTTOM

Note that the class must be correctly set for the function key to operate correctly. In other words, if there is no “TOP” subclass in the selected class, pressing 1 will result in an error.

Finally, another method to change the active subclass is by using the right-click (see the following image):

Right-click and go to Quick Utilities > Change Active Subclass.

Team PCBTech

Cadence Design Systems