Applied Parameters: Action=FindSimilarUnderCursor
Summary
This command is used to access the Find Similar Objects dialog, in which you can set up search criteria for the Find Similar Objects (FSO) process. This process uses the attributes of the object under the cursor as a reference for finding several other objects with similar characteristics. This provides a fast, efficient method with which to select multiple similar objects for simultaneous editing.
Access
This command is accessed from the PCB Editor and PCB Library Editor by right-clicking over a placed design object and choosing the Find Similar Objects command from the context menu.
Use
First, position the cursor over the required object in the main design workspace that are similar objects you wish to find.
After launching the command, the Find Similar Objects dialog will open.
The dialog has three columns; the first (left) column lists the object's parameters, the second (middle) column lists the parameter's current value, and the third (right) column is used to specify how that parameter should be used to select additional objects. By default, the Object Kind parameter will be set to Same, with all other parameters set to Any. This basically means 'find all objects of the same kind, regardless of other parameteric values'. Make changes to narrow the search as required.
To search for objects with different values, enter the search pattern into the attribute value column directly; the '*' character can be used as a wildcard for finding any group of characters – i.e. C* will find C1, C2, C20, C397, Cap5, etc. Edits made to the attribute value in the dialog will not alter the attributes of the reference object.
Below the three columns are a number of options that can be set according to the desired operation once the find is executed. To select objects according to filter settings in the Find Similar Objects dialog, ensure the Select Matched option is enabled before clicking OK to execute the find. Also take note of the Clear Existing option and ensure it is enabled unless cumulative selection is required.
Having found the group of objects required, simultaneous property-editing of multiple objects can be performed using the relevant List panel.
Tips
- Use the Apply button to test and fine tune search criteria to yield the desired results without closing the dialog.
- If the highlighting method in the dialog has been set to Mask, adjust the level of masking applied to objects not falling under the scope of the active filter by using the Masked Objects slider bar in the Mask and Dim Settings section on the View Options tab of the View Configuration panel. If the highlighting method in the dialog has been set to Dim, adjust the level of dimming applied to objects not falling under the scope of the active filter by using the Dimmed Objects slider bar in the Mask and Dim Settings section of the same panel.
- The current filtering can be quickly cleared using the Shift+C keyboard shortcut.