ConfigureColorOverride

Created: February 29, 2016 | Updated: March 06, 2024 | Applies to versions: 16.0, 16.1, 17.0 and 17.1

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

Applied Parameters: ColorOverrideActive=TOGGLE

Summary

This command is used to visually toggle the Net Color Override feature on or off. This feature affords you even greater control over the highlighting of nets on your PCB documents, using your own overriding color scheme. Instead of purely having a net object colored using its respective layer color, you can assign to use a specific alternative color. Add to this a range of preconfigured color override patterns, and you have a powerful tool in your PCB visualization arsenal.

Access

This command can be accessed from the PCB Editor by:

Choosing the View » Net Color Override command, from the main menus.
Using the F5 keyboard shortcut.

Use

After launching the command, the Net Color Override feature will be either deactivated or activated, depending on whether it is currently active or not.

Use of this command does not toggle the enabled state for a net with respect to color override, rather it is simply a global visual toggle for the workspace.

Tips

The actual colors for the nets are assigned from the PCB panel, with its browsing mode set to Nets. You can assign a color to an individual net, multiple selected nets, or to all nets in one or more selected net classes. Simply make your selection accordingly – either in the Net Classes or Nets regions of the panel – and then right-click and choose the Change Net Color command from the context menu. Use the Choose Color dialog to select the color you wish to use.
The feature is also enabled/disabled for an individual net, multiple selected nets, or all nets in one or more selected net classes, from the PCB panel. Simply make your selection accordingly – either in the Net Classes or Nets regions of the panel – and then right-click and choose either the Display Color Override » Selected On or Display Color Override » Selected Off command from the context menu, as appropriate. For individual nets you can also just click inside the associated checkbox, in the far left field for a net.
Having assigned the override colors to your nets, you can also choose how that new net highlight coloring will be used. The net highlighting is governed by a specified Base Pattern. There are six such patterns to choose from, defined on the PCB Editor – Board Insight Color Overrides page of the Preferences dialog (DXP » Preferences).
Net highlighting can be pushed from the PCB to the source schematics, and vice versa. When synchronizing the source schematics with the target PCB design, net color highlighting changes are implemented through the applicable Engineering Change Order (ECO). Differences are detected by including the Changed Net Colors comparison type, on the Comparator tab of the Options for Project dialog. Modifications are included in an ECO by including the Change Net Colors modification action, on the ECO Generation tab of that same dialog.