ManageUnions

Applied Parameters: Action=CreateUnion

Summary

This command is used to create a union from the currently selected design objects. A union is a collection of objects that have been grouped together. When grouped as a union, you are able to quickly select/deselect all union members, move them all when a single member of the union is moved, and scale all members in a single action.

Access

With the required design objects selected in the main workspace, this command can be accessed from the PCB Editor by:

• Choosing the Tools » Convert » Create Union from selected objects command from the main menus.
• Right-clicking in the design workspace and choosing the Unions » Create Union from selected objects command from the context menu.
• Clicking the  button on the Alignment Tools drop-down () of the Utilities toolbar.

Use

First, ensure that the design objects that you wish to make part of the union, are selected in the main design workspace.

After launching the command, a union will be created, with the selected objects as its members. An information dialog will confirm how many objects were added to the union.

Tips

1. Browse defined unions through the PCB panel, when configured in Unions mode. From there, you can give unions meaningful names, browse membership, quickly filter to see where in the design a union and its members are, and access union-related commands.

Applied Parameters: ContextSensitive=True|Action=BreakUnion

Summary

This command is used to remove one or more member objects from the currently selected union. A union is a collection of objects that have been grouped together. When grouped as a union, you are able to quickly select/deselect all union members, move them all when a single member of the union is moved, and scale all members in a single action.

Access

With at least one of the member objects of the required union selected in the main workspace, this command can be accessed from the PCB Editor by:

• Choosing the Tools » Convert » Break objects from Union command from the main menus.
• Right-clicking in the design workspace and choosing the Unions » Break objects from Union command from the context menu.
• Clicking the  button on the Alignment Tools drop-down () of the Utilities toolbar.

Use

First, ensure that at least one member object for the union you wish to manage the membership for, is selected in the main design workspace.

After launching the command, the Confirm Break Objects Union dialog will appear. Use this dialog to determine which objects to remove from the union (and conversely, which objects to keep as part of that union). After clicking OK, the union's object membership will be updated accordingly.

Tips

1. Browse defined unions through the PCB panel, when configured in Unions mode. From there, you can give unions meaningful names, browse membership, quickly filter to see where in the design a union and its members are, and access union-related commands.

Applied Parameters: Action=BreakAllUnions

Summary

This command is used to break (dissolve) all unions defined for the current PCB document. A union is a collection of objects that have been grouped together. When grouped as a union, you are able to quickly select/deselect all union members, move them all when a single member of the union is moved, and scale all members in a single action.

Access

This command is accessed from the PCB Editor by choosing the Tools » Convert » Break all objects Unions command from the main menus.

Use

After launching the command, all unions in the design will be dissolved, with none of the former member objects remaining grouped together. An information dialog will confirm how many objects were removed, and from how many unions.

Tips

1. Browse defined unions through the PCB panel, when configured in Unions mode. From there, you can give unions meaningful names, browse membership, quickly filter to see where in the design a union and its members are, and access union-related commands.

Applied Parameters: ContextSensitive=True|Action=ScaleUnion

Summary

This command is used to resize the member objects of the chosen union. A union is a collection of objects that have been grouped together. When grouped as a union, you are able to quickly select/deselect all union members, move them all when a single member of the union is moved, and scale all members in a single action.

Access

This command is accessed from the PCB Editor by right-clicking over a member object in the required union (selected or not), and choosing the Unions » Resize Union command from the context menu.

Use

After launching the command, the cursor will change to a cross-hair and you will be prompted to choose an object. Simply position the cursor over an object in the required union and click, or press Enter. Editing handles will appear at the corners of a non-visual bounding rectangle, bounding the member objects of the union. Use a handle to resize the member objects in both horizontal and vertical planes simultaneously.

Continue resizing the member objects of other unions, or right-click, or press Esc, to exit.

Tips

1. If a member object in a union cannot be scaled, for example a component, you will be alerted to this fact, and the resize operation will not proceed.
2. Browse defined unions through the PCB panel, when configured in Unions mode. From there, you can give unions meaningful names, browse membership, quickly filter to see where in the design a union and its members are, and access union-related commands.