Documentation

Latch Mode

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Latch mode is a mode of operation available for some functions enabling them to be latched on, ready to be used repeatedly or to be applied repeatedly to subsequently selected item(s) in the design.

Activating Latch mode

It is activated by selecting the option without any item in the design selected.

For example, the Duplicate command can be selected from the menu without anything in the design selected. This option is then considered ‘latched’ and can then be applied to an item or items in the design to duplicate them.

A option remains latched until it is exited, either explicitly using the Esc key, or implicitly by selecting another option.

Using Latch Mode

A latched option is indicated visually in several ways;

  • The status bar will continually display the command name, e.g. Duplicate.

  • The option’s toolbar and menu icons (if displayed) will remain depressed.

  • The cursor will change to reflect the latched option (if modal cursors are enabled),

    e.g. For Duplicate the cursor will change to

As some options are, by default, only available from a Shortcut Menu once an appropriate item has already been selected it is necessary to make the option available elsewhere before it can be latched. This may be achieved by adding the option to a Toolbar or by defining a Shortcut Key for it.

Some latched commands offer an Apply To All option on the context menu. This will apply the option to every suitable item in the design.

Defining The Selection Origin

When the Move, Rotate or Mirror options are latched down, you can redefine the point to use as the items origin. For example, if you have defined the origin of a component at its centre, but wish to rotate it about the first pad position.

To do this, right click and use the Use Selection Origin option from the shortcut menu. A origin symbol will be displayed on the cursor for you to place. Whilst placing it, right click again to enable the Snap To Item option if you want the origin to snap to the nearest point on the design item it is dropped over. Once the origin has been placed you can right click and use Place Selection Origin to reposition it.

With a selection origin defined in latch mode, the operation will use it for rotate or mirror, and when items are selected to move, the origin is also moved and its position is gridded and shown on the status bar.

Duplicate | Mirror | Move | Rotate | Select Mode

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