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Difficulty updating pin count on existing schematic/pcb

DrLightning
I'm using OrCAD Capture 16.3 and OrCAD PCB.

I created my schematic and then created the PCB with the capture "create netlist" command. I later learned about mechanical vs connection pins.

1) I modified my footprint by deleting the pin name text on two pins. Mouseover confirms these two RJ45 board stakes are now each "Mechanical Pin".

2) I modified my symbol in capture, and updated my schematic. Now the pins don't show in the schematic.

3) Just for giggles, I ran the capture's "create netlist" again, leaving unchecked the "Create or Update PCB Editor Board" box. (more on that in P.S.)

4) From PCB Editor, I try to Place->Update Symbols, but I still get an error that the symbol and [part] don't have matching pins.

What am I missing? How do I complete this change to the symbol of changing two pins from connect to mechanical?

Thanks.

P.S. I tried checking that "Create or Update PCB Editor Board" box and it did not "update" my PCB. It clobbered it! So I had to rebuild it from scratch. Fortunately I wasn't far down the road. So my immediately problem became moot. Nevertheless, I'd still like to know how to do this for next time. Same goes for correcting wiring on the schematic and then seeing the ratsnest on the PCB update accordingly.
  • jch teyssier

     You can not update symbol because it would be mismatched with the netlist.

    You can not update the netlist because it would be mismatched with actual symbol .

     

    Right?

     1) remove symbol from brd so it is forget. Import your netlist and place the component. (mu favorite, remenber coordonates/totaio/mirror if you wish it to be at same place)

    2) create other symbol with other name and use it: since the name is not the same it would be read from library. 

     

    Jean-Charles 

  • DrLightning
    Thanks for your help, Jean-Charles.

    Please note that, being an expert programmer and user interface designer for 30 years, I've already determined that OrCAD PCB has one of the worst user interfaces I've ever encountered. With that said, this solution is horrible. (I'm blaming OrCAD, not you!) I'm hoping the product isn't quite that bad, and that there is an update procedure that does not require 1) re-placement of the part and the associated positioning and mirror memory requirement, and 2) changing of the name to cause the sucker to work.

    With any luck at all, there's someone else out there that knows an easier way. After all, updating *anything* on a symbol, including changing the pin count, should not require such drastic measures.

    In addition, please note that I did try the File->Import command and didn't get anywhere. I forget at this point the details. I could have been stopped by one of the other factors (having not chosen a different symbol name). Can you please confirm that File->Import is the correct "import"?

    Thanks again, sincerely.
  • jch teyssier

     Well, allegro is driven by netlist. So it is regular to not be able to modify something if the result is not correct with the netlist. I prefer ths behavior to some behavoir "user frendly" but so dangerous...(some tools let user do what they want, really all, even if result is WRONG)

    Now, i agree that this point (and several more!!!) can (should?) be improved.

    Actually, no choice: the better for me is to  remove the identified component before importing up to date netlist and put it in place after that.

    In case of one connector, this is not a big job.

    In case of multiple component to replace, it can be interesting to export placement to text file (File->Export->Placement), remove the components to update, import netlist and re-import placement file.

    To import netlist, yes File->Import->Netlist (i do not have the tool here, i write this path from memory) is the correct way.

    You have to choose the netlist type (cadence or other), have a look to options... and go ahead

    Hope this help you,

     

    Jean-Charles 

  • Ejlersen

    Hi

    Before trying to update the board with a netlist you could do a File->Export->Placement

    then import the netlist and notice that some components may get ripped off du to inconsistency

    after fixing the issue do a file->import->placement and everything should be fine.

    Best regards

    Ole

  • redwire

    DrLightning said:
    Please note that, being an expert programmer and user interface designer for 30 years, I've already determined that OrCAD PCB has one of the worst user interfaces I've ever encountered.

     

    It's a good thing you prefaced your reply with your skills before you went about bashing the tool with which you need help.

    I would suspect that a skilled UI designer/expert programmer would be able to contrive an excellent workaround.

    Personally? I find the UI simple, fast, intuitive.  Maybe it's the 33 years of programming experience I have? :)

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