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. There are two different types of tooltips in the eCADSTAR applications:

  • Quick Tooltips on the ribbon, providing the name of the item and a brief description of what the button does or launches.
  • Help Tooltips in dialogs, providing an extract from the Help relating to the item, field or button, as a brief description of what the item, field or button does (where available).

Figure 2: Quick tooltips on the ribbon

Figure 3: Help tooltips for items, fields or buttons.

Help

Manuals for how to operate eCADSTAR and its functions are not provided as printed media; they are only available as Online Help.
The Online Help can be accessed at any time by clicking on the Help icon displayed ( or ) in the top right corner of the Application, Command dialog or Dialog. Alternatively, it can be accessed by pressing the F1 key or from the File tab, select Help.

On startup, the Help page displayed will be relevant to the current application / command / dialog.

Figure 4: Applications and Command dialogs include a Help symbol that, if clicked, takes you to the relevant part of the Online Help

Figure 5: Dialogs include a Help symbol that, if clicked, takes you to the relevant part of the Online Help

Assist Menu

The Assist Menu provides a shortcut to commands relating directly to the area/object selected. Open the Assist menu for an object or area within the workspace by clicking the right mouse button either in a specific area or on a specific object.

Figure 6: Examples of Assist Menus

Selection with the Cursor

Selection with the cursor works slightly differently depending on the eCADSTAR application. As a general rule:

  • Select a single object by left clicking once on the object
  • Select multiple objects by holding down the CTRL key while left clicking on the multiple objects
  • Select all objects within a frame drawn by holding down the left mouse button and dragging across the objects required
  • Select the whole component by holding down the SHIFT key while left clicking anywhere on the component.

Figure 7: Selection with the Cursor

Stroke Commands

Stroke commands allow you manipulate the view of the canvas without moving the cursor away from the canvas. Alternatively, the Zoom buttons on the ribbon can be used.

Figure 8: Zoom buttons on the View Ribbon

To enter a stroke command, hold down the right mouse button and drag the cursor in the direction / pattern required, as per the diagram below.

Figure 9: Stroke Commands

Adjust Pan Step and Zoom Ratio in: File > Configuration > Product Settings: Canvas Operation.

Shortcut keys

Shortcut keys allow you activate commands quickly without moving the cursor away from the canvas

Alternatively, the buttons on the ribbon or the Assist Menu can be used.

Figure 10: Stroke Commands

Shortcut keys can be fully customized and shared:

  • Add shortcut keys for other commands
  • Edit key for commands
  • Delete shortcut keys not required
  • Save and load the shortcut key list.

Access the shortcut keys list in: File > Configuration > Shortcut Key Settings

Training Files

The training library that is required in this course is automatically installed onto your machine when you use the installer.

 

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