Applied Parameters: Target=DeviceSheetSymbol
Summary
This command is used to quickly 'convert' an existing device sheet into a schematic sheet. Device sheets enable functional sub-circuits to be captured and reused across designs. However, there may be a need to modify an existing sub-circuit for a particular design. Rather than modifying the device sheet itself, this command provides the ability to take a copy of the device sheet, making its circuitry available on a standard schematic sheet. This allows the designer to modify the local copy in-line with requirements for their current design, and safe in the knowledge that the original device sheet remains untouched.
Access
This command is accessed in the Schematic Editor, with the required device sheet symbol selected, by choosing the Edit » Refactor » Convert Selected Device Sheet To Schematic Sheet command from the main menus.
Use
First, ensure that a device sheet symbol that references the device sheet that you wish to 'convert', is selected in the design workspace.
After launching the command, the Convert Device Sheet to Schematic Sheet dialog will appear. Use this dialog to choose the target location in which to store the newly-created schematic sheet, and also the scope of the conversion – whether to update the current device sheet symbol, or all relevant device sheet symbols in the active project.
The default Target Schematic Sheet Location is the directory in which the active project resides. The sheet is named using the device sheet symbol's File Name. Click the button to the right of the location field to access the Open dialog, in which to change where, and under what name, the schematic is to be saved (if required).
Upon clicking OK, each affected device sheet symbol (in accordance with defined scope of the operation) will be converted to a sheet symbol, and a copy of the device sheet will be stored locally as a standard (unprotected) sheet in the nominated location. The sheet symbol will reference this local sheet. Recompile the project (if you did not already opt to do so through the dialog) to have the new schematic sheet appear in the Projects panel.
Tips
- Unlike traditional cut and paste, refactoring maintains the Unique Identifiers of the sub-circuits (including sheet symbols and device sheet symbols), ensuring that sub-circuits in the design are always linked to their physical instances in the PCB domain.
- Properties of the original device sheet symbol will be inherited by the sheet symbol.
