Configuring Schematic Port Object Properties in Altium NEXUS

This document is no longer available beyond version 4. Information can now be found here: Port Properties for version 5

Applies to NEXUS Client version: 4

This documentation page references Altium NEXUS/NEXUS Client (part of the deployed NEXUS solution), which has been discontinued. All your PCB design, data management and collaboration needs can now be delivered by Altium Designer (with Altium Designer Enterprise Subscription) and a connected Altium 365 Workspace. Check out the FAQs page for more information.

 

Parent page: Port

Schematic Editor object properties are definable options that specify the visual style, content and behavior of the placed object. The property settings for each type of object are defined in two different ways:

  • Pre-placement settings – most Port object properties, or those that can logically be pre-defined, are available as editable default settings on the Schematic - Defaults page of the Preferences dialog (accessed from the  button at the top-right of the design space). Select the object in the Primitive List to reveal its options on the right.

  • Post-placement settings – all Port object properties are available for editing in the Port dialog and the Properties panel when a placed Port is selected in the design space.

               

If the Double Click Runs Interactive Properties option is disabled (default) on the Schematic - Graphical Editing page of the Preferences dialog, when the primitive is double-clicked or you right-click on a selected primitive then choose Properties, the dialog will open. When the Double Click Runs Interactive Properties option is enabled, the Properties panel will open. 
While the options are the same in the dialog and the panel, the order and placement of the options may differ slightly. 
In the below properties listing, options that are not available as default settings in the Preferences dialog are noted as "Properties panel only".

General Tab

Location (Properties panel only)

  • (X/Y) 
    • X (first field) - the current X (horizontal) coordinate of the reference point of the object, relative to the current design space origin. Edit to change the X position of the object. The value can be entered in either metric or imperial; include the units when entering a value whose units are not the current default. 
    • Y (second field) - The current Y (vertical) coordinate of the reference point of the object, relative to the current origin. Edit to change the Y position of the object. The value can be entered in either metric or imperial; include the units when entering a value whose units are not the current default. 

Properties

  • Name - the name of the port.
  • I/O Type - defines the electrical properties of the port. Select an option from the drop-down list. 
This setting does not influence the connectivity of the circuit, however, it is considered during the running of an electrical rules check, which can be set to detect incompatible port directions.
  • Harness Type - use the drop-down to select the type of harness.
  • Cross Ref - this field displays cross-reference values that are applied to the port. 
The cross-reference capabilities are available when the Schematic.UseAutomaticCrossReferences option is enabled in the Advanced Settings dialog.
  • Width - can be edited.
  • Height - can be edited.
  • Font - use the controls to select the desired font, font size, color, and attributes to bold, italicize, etc., if desired.
  • Alignment - click the desired alignment setting.
  • Border - use the drop-down to select the default from the available choices. Click on the colored box to access a drop-down from which you can select the default color.
  • Fill - click on the color box to access a drop-down from which you can select the default color.

General (Net)

Displays the properties of the nets assigned to the port. Update as needed.

The Power Net and High Speed fields become available after a directive has been added to the object.

Parameters (Net)

  • Selection buttons - click the desired objects to display in the grid.  
  • Add - use the drop-down to add the desired object(s) then define the values.
The Add button becomes available after a directive has been added to the object.

Parameters Tab

Parameters

Use this region to manage parameters attached to the currently selected port object. 

  • Grid - lists the Name and Value of the parameters currently defined for the port. You can edit the fields directly if desired. Use  and  to show/hide the parameter. Use the lock icon to lock/unlock the selected parameter.
  • Font Settings - click to open a menu to define the font. 
  • Other - click to open a drop-down to change additional options:
    • Show Parameter Name - enable to show the name of the parameter.
    • Allow Synchronization with Database - enable to synchronize with the database.
    • X/Y - enter the X and Y coordinates.
    • Rotation - use the drop-down to select the rotation. 
    • Autoposition - check to enable auto-positioning.
  • Add - click to add a parameter. Use  to delete a selected entry from the table.
Note that the Cross Reference feature identifies the locations of interconnected Ports and positional grid references for interconnected off sheet connectors. For both types of schematic connection objects, the existing Reports » Port Cross Reference » Add To Project command adds a cross-reference parameter based on the target sheet name and a positional grid reference.
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