NetClasses

Created: July 27, 2015 | Updated: July 12, 2018 | Applies to versions: 15.1, 16.0, 16.1, 17.0, 17.1, 18.0, 18.1, 19.0, 19.1 and 20.0

Parent page: PCB Commands

The following pre-packaged resources, derived from this base command, are available:

Create Net Class from Selected Nets

Applied Parameters: Object=Net|ContextObject=Net|Action=CreateFromSelectedNets

Summary

This command is used to create a new Net Class from two or more selected Nets in the design workspace. A Net Class is a logical collection of Nets that can be used as the basis for creating a targeted design rule.

Access

With the required nets (or rather objects in those nets) selected in the workspace, this command can be accessed from the PCB Editor by:

Choosing the Design » Netlist » Create NetClass from Selected Nets command from the main menus.
Right-clicking over one of the net objects in the selection, and choosing the Net Actions » Create NetClass from Selected Nets command from the context menu.

Use

First, ensure that objects associated with the required nets are selected in the main design workspace.

After launching the command, the Object Class Name dialog will open. Use this to specify the required name for the new Net Class. After clicking OK, the Net Class will be created and the selected nets will be added as members.

You can verify creation from:

The PCB panel, when configured in its Nets mode - the new class will be evident in the Net Classes region. Click on the class's entry to browse the member nets in the Nets region of the panel.
The Object Class Explorer dialog - the new class will be evident under the Net Classes folder. Click on the entry to browse the member nets in the Members region of the dialog.

Tips

The easiest and quickest way to select nets (or rather the objects thereof) in the design workspace is to use the PCB panel configured in its Nets mode. Choose <All Nets> in the Net Classes region then select the required net(s) in the Nets region. Filtering is applied to the design workspace, leaving just those electrical objects associated with the chosen net(s) selected (make sure the Select option is enable on the panel and also that the highlighting mode is either set to Mask or Dim). This makes it especially easier to distinguish the objects if using the right-click method of access.

Add Selected Nets to Net Class

Applied Parameters: Object=Net|ContextObject=Net|Action=AddSelectedNetsToNetClass

Summary

This command is used to add one or more selected nets to an existing Net Class. A Net Class is a logical collection of Nets that can be used as the basis for creating a targeted design rule.

Access

With the required nets (or rather objects in those nets) selected in the workspace, this command can be accessed from the PCB Editor by:

Choosing the Design » Netlist » Add Selected Net to NetClass command from the main menus (or Add Selected Nets to NetClass command if more than one Net is selected).
Right-clicking over one of the net objects in the selection then choosing the Net Actions » Add Selected Net to NetClass command from the context menu (or Add Selected Nets to NetClass command if more than one Net is selected).

Use

First, ensure that objects associated with the required nets are selected in the main design workspace.

After launching the command, the Choose Net Class dialog will open. This dialog lists all of the existing Net Classes. Select the target class then click OK. The Net(s) will be added as members of that class.

You can verify the addition from:

The PCB panel when configured in its Nets mode - click on the applicable class's entry in the Net Classes region to browse the member nets in the Nets region of the panel.
The Object Class Explorer dialog - click on the entry for the applicable class under the Net Classes folder to browse the member nets in the Members region of the dialog.

Tips

The easiest and quickest way to select nets (or rather the objects thereof) in the design workspace is to use the PCB panel, configured in its Nets mode. Choose <All Nets> in the Net Classes region then select the required net(s) in the Nets region. Filtering is applied to the design workspace, leaving just those electrical objects associated with the chosen net(s) selected (make sure the Select option is enable on the panel and also that the highlighting mode is either set to Mask or Dim). This makes it especially easier to distinguish the objects if using the right-click method of access.

Remove Selected Nets from Net Class

Applied Parameters: Object=Net|ContextObject=Net|Action=RemoveSelectedNetsFromNetClass

Summary

This command is used to remove one or more selected nets from an existing Net Class. A Net Class is a logical collection of Nets that can be used as the basis for creating a targeted design rule.

Access

With the required nets (or rather objects in those nets) selected in the workspace, this command can be accessed from the PCB Editor by:

Choosing the Design » Netlist » Remove Selected Net From NetClass command from the main menus (or Remove Selected Nets From NetClass command if more than one Net is selected).
Right-clicking over one of the net objects in the selection then choosing the Net Actions » Remove Selected Net From NetClass command from the context menu (or Remove Selected Nets From NetClass command if more than one Net is selected).

Use

First, ensure that objects associated with the required nets are selected in the main design workspace.

After launching the command, the Choose Net Class dialog will open. This dialog lists all of the existing Net Classes. Select the target class then click OK. The Net(s) will be removed as members from that class.

You can verify the removal from:

The PCB panel when configured in its Nets mode - click on the applicable class's entry in the Net Classes region to browse the member nets in the Nets region of the panel.
The Object Class Explorer dialog - click on the entry for the applicable class under the Net Classes folder to browse the member nets in the Members region of the dialog.

Tips

The easiest and quickest way to select nets (or rather the objects thereof) in the design workspace is to use the PCB panel configured in its Nets mode. Choose <All Nets> in the Net Classes region then select the required net(s) in the Nets region. Filtering is applied to the design workspace, leaving just those electrical objects associated with the chosen net(s) selected (make sure the Select option is enable on the panel and also that the highlighting mode is either set to Mask or Dim). This makes it especially easier to distinguish the objects if using the right-click method of access.