Simple Altium problem with net names is driving me crazy - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ErnieEngineer
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 08:58:31 pm
content: hi,All I want is for my Nets to actually connect the parts, as shown in the schematic. What the heck is going on? Please look at the attached project. The redesigned_switchboard_C.SchDoc is the file I am working with. Not trying to become an Altium expert, just want to get this simple project done! Thanks!

author: armandas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 09:24:03 pm
content: The pins on your parts are backwards. The arrows indicate the connection point. I re-connected the base for you.

author: santiniuk
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 09:25:33 pm
content: Hi.It looks like you have created the schematic symbols with the active end of the pins the wrong way round. The pins should have the small 4 dots at the end of the pin on the outside of the symbol. Then use the wire command to place wire connections and link components. You will see the cursor turn to a red snap at the end of the pin.Try dragging a component, relay 5 for example. The wires should remain connected. As it stands you have no electrical connection.You will see round junction dots on connection points where you mid join on a wire.Good luck !Edit - Post above added while I was replying.

author: armandas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 09:32:51 pm
content: On a somewhat unrelated note, that schematic is the worst thing I have ever seen. Firstly, try to re-use components provided by Altium. Instead of drawing a horrible diode, you should copy one from the standard library. Same for bipolar transistors, connectors etc.Hereis a video that explains the basics of component creation.Secondly, you need to learn about reference designators.Hereis a good starting point.

author: ErnieEngineer
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 09:49:33 pm
content: Thanks for the quick reply! I agree, my schematic is horrible, and the BJT and diode is beyond ugly. The reason I made my own, instead of reusing altium symbols, is because I count figure out how to copy components to my library, or map the pins. Do they call their transistor pins E, B, C for example?I am rotating the pins in my library right now. How do I get the updated parts to appear in my schematic?

author: armandas
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2014, 10:06:21 pm
content: The simplest way to copy a schematic symbol is to place a component onto a schematic sheet, select it and then hit Ctrl+C to copy it. Then go to your library and in the SCH Library panel right-click inside the component list and select paste. Edit the pins as necessary by double-clicking on the pin. You can have several transistor symbols with differently numbered pins, if necessary.The above copying method also works for PCB symbols.A quick productivity hint: select all the pins on one side, start dragging them and press X on the keyboard. Now you have half the pins flipped in one go.To update the schematics, use Tools > Update from Libraries utility.