PlaceCurrentComponent

Applied Parameters: None

Summary

This command is used to place the component that is currently selected in the Libraries panel, onto the active document (schematic or PCB).

Access

The command is accessed by right-clicking in the Components, Models, or Supplier Links regions of the Libraries panel, and choosing the Place command from the context menu.

Use

After launching the command, the cursor will change to a cross-hair and an outline of the component (symbol or footprint, as applicable to the target document) will appear floating on the cursor. Simply move the component to the required position in the workspace and click, or press Enter, to place it.

Continue placing further instances of the same component, or right-click, or press Esc, to exit placement mode.

Additional actions that can be performed during placement – while the component is still floating on the cursor – are:

• Press the Tab key to access an associated properties dialog, from where properties for the component can be changed on-the-fly.
• Press the Alt key to constrain the direction of movement to the horizontal or vertical axis, depending on the initial direction of movement.
• Press the Spacebar to rotate the component anti-clockwise or Shift+Spacebar for clockwise rotation. Rotation is in steps of 90°.
• Press the X or Y keys to mirror the component along the X-axis or Y-axis respectively.

Tips

1. When placing multiple instances of the same component (or multiple parts of the same component), it is advisable to set the designator of the first component instance (first part) before placing it (press the Tab key during placement to edit the object's properties). By doing this, the designator will automatically increment as each subsequent component instance is placed.
2. The current component can also be placed by clicking the Place button, at the top-right of the Libraries panel.
3. The current component can also be placed directly from the Libraries panel by dragging and dropping onto the active document. Bear in mind however, that this is single shot placement.