Generate Child Board

The Generate Child Board command allows you to create child board data from a board block that you create on the canvas. Board blocks are created using one of the following commands.

Execute the Generate Child Board command by clicking Board Block > Board Block > Generate Child Board on the eCADSTAR PCB Editor ribbon, and then selecting a board block on the canvas. You can select and deselect items that are output by using the Shift and Ctrl keys. This command is available only in 2D View mode.

Command dialog

From parent to child

Value	Description
Move	Existing data within the block definition is moved to [Name].pdes, where [Name] is the name of the block definition. This data is deleted from the parent board. Dividing the data in this way allows you to work collaboratively on a design. If the child design is subsequently changed, you can update the block in the parent design using the Update Board Block command, as follows. Note In the parent design, Canvas View Settings dialog, Board Block section, select Detail, rather than Simple. The contents of the board block are displayed on the canvas. In the parent design, execute the Update Board Block command to add any changes that are made in the child design. For example, if the following items are changed in the child design, then the board block in the parent design is updated as shown below. To fully integrate an updated block back into the parent design, execute the Expand Board command in this design. In the Expand Board dialog, select OFF for all settings. Select the block, and then click Execute. The updated block is integrated into the design. After a block is expanded into the parent board, you can update it with new design data as follows. In the parent design, Canvas View Settings dialog, Board Block section, select Detail. Select the Board Block. In the Properties Panel, set Fixed to OFF. In the File Path box, browse to the .pdes file to change the block data to and click Save. Execute the Update Board Block command. The board block image is updated to reflect this change.
Copy	Existing data within the block definition is copied to [Name].pdes, where [Name] is the name of the block definition. Items in the specified block definition are added into the child design. This data remains in the parent board. The block data that is generated can then be used in other designs. Note If you execute the Update Board Block command, then note the following if you then execute the Expand Board command: in the Expand Board dialog, set Delete matching component to ON. If this is not done, then duplicate components are created with a suffix of '_1' in the parent design.

Value

Description

Move

Existing data within the block definition is moved to [Name].pdes, where [Name] is the name of the block definition. This data is deleted from the parent board. Dividing the data in this way allows you to work collaboratively on a design. If the child design is subsequently changed, you can update the block in the parent design using the Update Board Block command, as follows.

Note
In the parent design, Canvas View Settings dialog, Board Block section, select Detail, rather than Simple. The contents of the board block are displayed on the canvas.

In the parent design, execute the Update Board Block command to add any changes that are made in the child design. For example, if the following items are changed in the child design, then the board block in the parent design is updated as shown below.

To fully integrate an updated block back into the parent design, execute the Expand Board command in this design.

In the Expand Board dialog, select OFF for all settings.
Select the block, and then click Execute. The updated block is integrated into the design.

After a block is expanded into the parent board, you can update it with new design data as follows.

In the parent design, Canvas View Settings dialog, Board Block section, select Detail.
Select the Board Block.
In the Properties Panel, set Fixed to OFF.
In the File Path box, browse to the .pdes file to change the block data to and click Save.
Execute the Update Board Block command. The board block image is updated to reflect this change.

Copy

Existing data within the block definition is copied to [Name].pdes, where [Name] is the name of the block definition. Items in the specified block definition are added into the child design. This data remains in the parent board. The block data that is generated can then be used in other designs.

Note
If you execute the Update Board Block command, then note the following if you then execute the Expand Board command: in the Expand Board dialog, set Delete matching component to ON. If this is not done, then duplicate components are created with a suffix of '_1' in the parent design.

Redivide

Value	Description
Update	The layout of the child board is overwritten with changes made in the main board.
Add	All items in the board block area are added to the child board. This creates an exact copy of the board block on the child board. If used incorrectly, components may be duplicated and DRC errors may be created on tracks.

Generate hierarchy connector

Value	Description
ON	A hierarchy connector is generated in the board block being selected. It is not generated in a power net or ground net. Note If a net overlaps the boundary, then a "dot" of track is placed on it. These can be moved around the boundary of the board block.
OFF	A hierarchy connector is not generated in the board block being selected.

Value	Description
Execute	A child board is created by dividing the board data. The Generate Child Board dialog remains open. The .pdes file associated with the child board is created on disk. The name and location of this file is specified when you create the board block. See Creating a Board Block
Exit	Closes the Generate Child Board dialog without creating a child board.

Related Topics
Generating a Child Board
Creating a Board Block
Using Board Blocks in eCADSTAR PCB Editor: