Use this option to add an attribute to items in the design.
Note: this is different to an Attribute Position in that the Attribute is the name and the Attribute Position will be it’s located.
Shortcuts
Default Keys: None
Default Menu: Insert
Command: Insert Attribute
Locating this option
Available from: Insert menu > Insert Attribute option
Using Insert Attribute
There are 2 ways of using this option. Either pre-select the items that you want to add the attribute to, or deselect everything to enter a mode whereby you can pick the items after using the dialog.
When the option is run you are presented with the following dialog:
If you pre-selected some items, their type is shown in the title bar of the dialog.
Add Attribute To
This is only available if no item was pre-selected prior to entering the dialog. Use it to choose what type of item you will be adding the attribute to. This helps restrict the attribute names list to only appropriate names and tells the system what type of items can be picked when adding the attributes later.
Attribute Name
Type the name of the attribute you wish to add, or use the drop down list to select an attribute name that already exists in the design.
Usage
When a new attribute name is supplied, use this drop down list to select the required usage. The usage list will be restricted to those appropriate to either the pre-selected items or the chosen item types. For existing attribute names the usage shows the value already assigned to it and cannot be changed.
Attribute Value
If you have selected a system attribute name this will show its
current value, otherwise you can type in the value you wish to give your
attribute. You can also select the
You can also substitute other attribute values or names into your attribute to display a value comprised of several attributes. Use the Substitute Attribute button to paste an attribute name into the value in such a way that it will be replaced with its attribute value when your attribute is added to the design.
The following dialog will be presented to allow you to choose the attribute you want substituted.
Choose the attribute from the list and press OK to have its name pasted into the value field, encapsulated with the correct substitution character.
Visible Attribute Value
Check this option to indicate that you wish the attribute to be displayed in the design by creating an attribute position.
Use Defaults
Keep this box checked to use the default style, etc. as defined on the Attribute Defaults tab. Note that you can define specific defaults for each different Attribute Name. Unchecking the box allows you to set the values to use for the Attribute Position you are about to add.
Placing the attribute
Press OK to start adding the attribute. If items were pre-selected, you will be
able to use the mouse to place an attribute on each item. If nothing was pre-selected, you will be prompted to
select each item in turn to add the attribute to. In both cases use the Escape key to finish adding and re-enter
the dialog.
Special Note About Pin attributes on a Schematic Symbol Pin
You can assign a Net Attribute to a Schematic Symbol pin. However, for this feature to be available, the pin must already on a net. This would have been assigned using the Add To Net option.
Related Topics
System Attributes | Insert Attribute Position | Technology - Attribute Names | Add To Net