PlacePin

Created: June 08, 2017 | Updated: January 29, 2019 | Applies to versions: 18.0, 18.1, 19.0, 19.1, 20.0, 20.1 and 20.2

Parent page: Schematic Commands

The following pre-packaged resource, derived from this base command, is available:

Place Pin

Applied Parameters: None

Summary

This command is used to place a Pin object onto the active document. A pin is an electrical design primitive. Pins give a component (part) its electrical properties and define the connection points on the part for the incoming and outgoing signals.

For detailed information about this object type, see Pin.

Access

Pins are available for placement in the Schematic Library Editor only, by:

Choosing Place » Pin from the main menus.
Locating and using the Pin command () on the Active Bar.
Clicking the button on the Utility Tools drop-down () of the Utilities toolbar.
Right-clicking in the workspace and choosing Place » Pin from the context menu.

Use

New pins are added to the component that is currently visible in the Schematic Library Editor. Select the required component in the SCH Library panel.

Launch the command using a method of access described above. Note that the floating pin is held by the electrical end, which must be positioned away from the component body. Only one end of the pin is electrical, and it is always this end the pin is held by.
Since there is often numerous pins on a component, it is more efficient to edit the properties of each pin as they are being placed. To do this, press Tab while the pin is floating on the cursor. This gives access access to the Properties panel, from where properties for the pin can be changed on-the-fly.

Pressing Tab pauses placement, allowing you to interact with the panel (or other area of the software) directly. To resume, click the pause symbol that appears over the workspace.

Edit the pin properties as required, typically this will include at least the Name, Designator and Electrical Type.
Press the Spacebar to rotate the pin if required. Rotation is counterclockwise in steps of 90 degrees.
Position the pin, then click or press Enter to place the pin in the Library Editor workspace.
Continue to place pins, or right-click or press Esc to terminate pin placement.

Tips

Create the Library component near the origin (center) of the Library Editor sheet, which is marked by dark cross-hair lines. Typically a pin or the corner of the component body is placed at the sheet origin.
The pin number (Designator) must be defined, as this is what is used to establish the connectivity. The Electrical Type is also important as this is used in the Schematic Editor for the Electrical Rules Check (ERC).
For information on how a placed pin object can be modified graphically, directly in the workspace, see Graphical Editing.
While attributes can be modified during placement (Tab to bring up the Properties panel), bear in mind that these will become the default settings for further placement unless the Permanent option on the Schematic - Defaults page of the Preferences dialog is enabled. When this option is enabled, changes made will affect only the object being placed and subsequent objects placed during the same placement session.