eCADSTAR Schematic Editor Overview

When you open a schematic sheet in eCADSTAR Schematic Editor, it is displayed as shown below.

Figure 1: eCADSTAR Schematic Editor with a Sheet Displayed

The eCADSTAR Schematic Editor Interface

  • File Tab: operations on files and general settings for the application are provided.
  • Ribbon: the ribbon is a layered element consisting of tabs, groups and controls.
  • Ribbon Tab: a selectable tab within the ribbon that contains tools relevant to particular kinds of task or object, such as File, Component or Sheet.
  • Quick Access Toolbar: frequently-used command buttons are provided, such as Undo, Redo, Display All and Zoom. You can customize the contents of the Quick Access toolbar to add tools that are available on ribbon tabs, or other tools that are unavailable by default.
  • Properties Panel: you can display and edit properties of selected items in panels that you can dock or rearrange. When you add a part or symbol, the library search is also presented in a panel.
  • Canvas: the canvas is the working area for entering schematics. Each schematic sheet is presented on a separate tab.
  • Status Bar: the status bar contains frequently-required information and settings, including grid controls and object filters. Object filters control which object types are selectable on the canvas, for example Net Object, Component Pin or Main Object.
  • Output Panel: displays useful messages, errors and warnings that relate to the operation of the Schematic Editor.
  • Design Tree: indicates the structure of the schematic design, and the blocks used in the design hierarchy.

Tooltips

Tooltips provide extra information when you hover over items on the ribbon or fields in dialogs.

Figure 2: Tooltips

Help

Operation manuals for eCADSTAR are not provided as printed media; they are only available as Online Help. Dialogs include a Help (?) symbol that, if clicked, takes you to the relevant part of the Help information, as shown below.

Figure 3: Help

Selection with the Mouse

Selection works in the same way throughout eCADSTAR.

Figure 4: Selection with the Mouse

Stroke Commands

You can perform some viewing operations using the stroke commands shown below, so you do not have to move the cursor away from the canvas. To enter a stroke command, hold down the right mouse button and drag.

Figure 5: Stroke Commands

You now understand the basic operation of eCADSTAR Schematic Editor. In the next topic, you will create your own design.

Next topic: Task 1: Specifying Product and Application Settings