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  3. What is the best PCB Editor Command?

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What is the best PCB Editor Command?

John T
John T 20 days ago

You may already know how to type function commands directly into the PCB Editor Command panel. This can be a great time saver and performance boost.  

We have compiled a list of some of our engineers' favorite commands which we recommend.

Let us know what your favorite commands are?

Any questions, recommendations or other commands you think are more helpful?

So far we gathered the following:

Command                     Explanation

filemgr                              Opens the file explorer in the current design directory

reopen                              Reopens the current design to remove unsaved changes

done                                 Closes current active command

 

record                               Initiates the recording of a script under a specified name

stop                                  Halts the recording of scripts or macros and closes the .scr file

replay                               Executes a specified script; prompts for a script filename if none is provided

 

enved                               Opens the User Preferences Editor UI – normally located in the Setup menu

cns cmmodes                   Opens the Constraints Analysis Modes UI

design compare               Opens design comparison ui ( xml netlist version)

 

set                                    Display a list of all currently defined variables for the session

funckey                            Opens a list of all currently defined Alias Keys and Function Shortcut Keys

(up arrow key)                  Recall the previous command – consecutive use possible

 

Any more?! Comments or questions appreciated... 

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  • John T
    John T 15 days ago in reply to DavidJHutchins

    Yes this is great - thanks David!

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  • John T
    John T 15 days ago in reply to Robert Finley

    Hi Robert, I tested this and once the spin command is active, it is possible to use the "angle" command to set a specific value, example: "angle 22.5". This will rotate the symbol to the value specified. 

    In sequence, as commands, this could look as follows:

    spin

    ix 0

    angle n

    It is possible to set function keys for each of these. Or else once the spin command is already active, subsequent symbols can be selected and the angle command can be used to set each to the desired angle individually.

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  • excellon1
    excellon1 15 days ago

    Hi John,

    I think most users would avoid the command line but opt for using the commands within macros or hot keys. For commands using the command line only the ones I use from time to time would be.

    CL2S = Cline to shape. "Very powerful skill app that converts clines to shapes" Really useful for creating etch for RF based circuits such as transmission lines etc.

    Etch Length = This command is used with add connect. It displays the length of the etch as you route clines in.

    Specctra out = Invokes the PCB Router

    Getting back to automation. One great way to use commands is with hot keys, but perhaps a less known method is to use strokes instead. Basically Strokes are graphical lines that a user draws in on the canvas using the right mouse button. These graphical entities map to commands. So that strokes work better there is a Setting that needs to be set first. Under user preferences look for no_dragpopup and check the box.

    To see what the current strokes are go to Utilities > Stroke Editor. There are some defaults and each one is mapped to a command. One of the defaults is Zoom. On the canvas with a board loaded try draw a Z using the right mouse button by holding down the button. That invokes the Zoom in. Its faster than a hot key as you don't have to leave the mouse. You just use the right button to draw something to invoke the command. "may take a little practice to get used to it.

    Anyway back to commands. One common command is add connect so as to route clines. One could easily add a Stroke to do this. I use a back slash type line to do this, like \ . So in the stroke editor add a new Stroke graphic and associate the command     generaledit; add connect; Toggle; etch length;  with it. Save the stroke file.

    In the pcb editor hold down the right mouse button and draw the stroke. If it works correctly you can left click and start adding in your new cline. If one does not like having the physical etch length showing up then just remove the etch length command from the stroke.

    From my experience when one gets used to using strokes general things such as adding etch etc become seriously fast.

    Best Regards.

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  • Robert Finley
    Robert Finley 15 days ago in reply to John T

    Ugh.  iangle is useful but maybe I tried Angle capitalized once and moved on.  You can imagine if that worked.  O_o

    Many thanks!

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  • ltoohey
    ltoohey 14 days ago

    Maybe a little off topic but...
    XKeys programmable keypad works good for many of the common commands and especially functions within commands.
    I use it for all of the snap pick to functions.

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