Use this to change a component in a PCB or Schematics design to use an alternate part from the same part family in the Parts Libraries.
If you want to change the component to a part that is not in the same part family, use the Change Part option.
If you only want to change the component to use a different footprint from the same part, use Component Properties.
Locating this option
Available from: Properties option Component tab > Alternate button
How To Use An Alternate Part
Select the Component that you wish to change. From the Component Properties tab, select the Alternate button next to the current Part Family name. The following dialog will be displayed:
Part Family
Shows which family of parts the part being edited belongs to.
Part
This listbox contains the alternative part names in the family. Select the one required. The number of pins on the selected part is displayed in the Pins box.
Description
This shows the description of the chosen part.
Footprint
Only used for PCB designs. This shows the alternative footprints that the chosen part can use. Select the footprint required.
Keep attributes styles
Check this box if you do not want the attribute styles reset to their values in the footprint in the library.
Keep attributes positions
Check this box if you do not want the attribute positions reset to their values in the footprint in the library.
Keep local attribute values
Check this box if you want all attributes you have added to the component to be retained.
This variant only
Check this box if you want to change the footprint on just this variant and not in any others applicable.
Replace nets assigned to ungated pins
Only used in Schematic designs. Check this box to reset the pins on the component that are not on gates, to be on the nets on the pin definitions in the part in the library. Leave unchecked to keep the component’s ungated pins on the nets already assigned to them in the design.
Preview
Use this to optionally display what the component will look like when using the alternative part.
Performing The Change
Press OK when you have selected the new part in the dialog. You will be returned to the properties dialog where you can change other properties of the component.
Connected Components
If your component was connected, you would normally change it to a component with the same number of pins in order to not affect the nets. The connections or tracks will be attached to the pads with the matching pin name in the new part.
If you choose a part with more pads, the extra pads will remain unconnected in the design. If you choose a part with less pads than on the component, any connection to a pad that does not exist on the new part will be removed, and any track in the same situation will be disconnected and left dangling for you to sort out in the design later.
For schematic components, as well as pins being matched up, gates are matched so that if you replace a four gate component with a single gate part, only pins on the first gate of the original component will retain their connectivity. All connections to pins on unmatched gates will be disconnected and left for you to sort out later.
Related Topics
Change Part | Library Folders | PCB Footprint Library | Parts Library | Properties - Component | Reload From Library