Chapter XI: MENU SUMMARY

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The Edit Menu

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Figure 11.2

This menu provides all of the basic commands for creating, deleting, and modifying circuitry. Many special objects that do not appear in the component menu on the left can be created with these commands.

New Facet Instance

This command allows the creation of an instance of a facet. A dialog box will be presented to choose the desired facet, after which you can click in the editing window to create the instance.

New Analog Part

Figure 11.13
This command creates a schematic component from the submenu list. Many of these components use values which you will be asked to provide. For example, if you choose the Resistor, a dialog box will request a resistance value to display on that component.

New SPICE Part

Figure 11.14
This command creates a SPICE simulation component from the submenu list. Many of these components use SPICE deck fragments which you will be asked to provide.

New Pure-Layer Node

This command allows the creation of a piece of pure geometry. Pure-layer nodes exist for the purpose of creating unusual layout geometries such as pads or analog circuits. After choosing a node with this command, select a position in the editing window for the node. Initially, pure-layer nodes are square. Other rectangular geometries can be specified with the Size command below. Nonrectangular geometries can be created by using the Polygon Edit command below.

New Special Object

Figure 11.15
This command allows the creation of certain special components.

Text is a free-floating piece of text. After clicking to place the text, you will be prompted for the message.
Facet Center is a fiduciary mark that, when placed in a facet, defines the center of that facet. This information is used by the editor when creating or moving instances of that facet. Note that once placed, this object can only be selected by using the special select button.
DRC Exclusion is a node that marks an area to be ignored by the Dracula design-rule checker. See the DRC command in the Tools menu for more on the Dracula interface.



Duplicate

This command creates a copy of the currently highlighted objects. You can press the button and drag an outline of the duplicated objects to their new location before releasing to create them.

Array...

This command creates multiple copies of the currently highlighted component. A dialog is presented in which the X and Y repeat factors can be specified. Also, alternate rows and columns can be flipped or staggered, and spacing can be specified either by the overlap distance of edges or by the distance between centers. If array indices are requested, they appear on each component.
Figure 6.2

Spread...

This command causes the circuitry surrounding the currently highlighted component to be pushed in one of four directions. A dialog is presented for the selection of the direction and the distance to spread (negative distances compact).
Figure 6.3

Insert Break in Arc

This command causes the currently selected arc to have a break-point inserted. Press the button and move the cursor to see where the break will be inserted. Release the button to insert at that location. A break point consists of two pin-nodes, one connected to each half of the arc, and another arc connecting them that runs perpendicular to the original arc. Thus, the break point allows either half of the wire to be moved laterally, while keeping the parts connected. Inserting two break points allows an arc to form a "U".



Erase

This command deletes the currently highlighted objects. Use Undo to restore deleted objects. Note that when a component is erased, all connecting wires and exported ports are also erased.

Erase and Reconnect

This command deletes the currently highlighted component and reconnects the two wires that formerly attached to the component. If there are not two wires on the component, no deletion is done.



Undo

This command reverses the last command made to Electric. This will affect ANY command, not just those that change circuitry. Repeated issuing of this command undoes farther back up to a limit of about 30 commands.

Redo

This command redoes changes that were undone by the Undo command. Repeated issuing of this command redoes farther up to the last change made.



Rotate

Figure 11.33
This command rotates the currently highlighted component. A submenu allows you to rotate in any of the Manhattan orientations, or provide an arbitrary rotation amount.

Mirror

Figure 11.32
This command flips the currently highlighted component about its horizontal or vertical centerline, according to the submenu.

Size

This command alters the size of the currently highlighted component. The corner farthest from the cursor is anchored and the corner closest to the cursor is pulled to the location of the cursor.



Polygon Edit

This command allows the currently highlighted component to be redefined with a polygonal outline. It only works on certain components for which the polygonal information has meaning. MOS transistors use this information as the centerline of the gate in a serpentine description. Pure-layer nodes use this information to describe their outline. Finally, some primitives from the Artwork technology can use this information to describe their shape. Once this command is issued, the buttons are redefined to apply specifically to polygon editing. The selection button selects and moves a point on the path, and the creation button creates a new point. Also, the Erase, Rotate, and Mirror commands of this menu change meaning when editing polygons. Use the Get Info command of the Info menu to see polygon coordinates. To terminate polygon editing, this menu entry changes to Exit Polygon Edit which, when reissued, restores the commands and mouse buttons.

Select All

This command highlights every node and arc in the current facet.

Change...

This command causes the selected components or wires to be changed to a different type. A dialog is presented that allows selection of the new type and permits the change to affect either the currently highlighted objects, all similar objects in the current facet, or all similar objects everywhere in the library.
Figure 6.4

Text Edit

Figure 11.16
This command offers text editing functions for use when the window is a text editor rather than a circuit editor. They work with a scrap, which is a temporary buffer.
Cut This command copies the currently selected text to the scrap, and then deletes that text. On the Macintosh and on Windows, this command also works for text that is selected in the messages window.
Copy This command copies the currently selected text to the scrap. On the Macintosh and on Windows, this command also works for text that is selected in the messages window. The Macintosh can also use this command to copy graphics for subsequent pasting into other applications.
Paste This command copies the text in the scrap back to the currently selected location. On the Macintosh and on Windows, this command also works in the messages window.
Find This command searches for text. You will be prompted for the string to find.

Artwork Color...

This command causes the highlighted node or arc to be given a specific color and/or pattern. You can set individual bits in the pattern or choose from a set of predefined patterns along the top. The object must be a primitive from the Artwork technology for this command to work. Another way to examine the color of the currently highlighted node or arc is to use the Get Info command of the Info menu.
Figure 7.6


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