This dialog lists all the attribute names used in the design. You can define attribute names using this dialog, before you use them. Many different design items can have attributes, including components, pins and nets. An attribute is an attribute name plus a text string value.
Shortcuts
Menu: Setup
Default Keys: T
Command: Technology
Locating this option
Available from: Setup menu > Technology option > Naming - Attribute Names page
How to use Attribute Names
Navigation
The buttons to the right side of the dialog are used to navigate the grid, the general common buttons are detailed on the Technology Navigation page.
Using the editing pane
Name
An attribute must have a Name which must be unique within the Attribute Names. Whenever the Attribute Name is used, it is identified by this name.
There are a number of special attribute names
which are defined and known by the system. These have names enclosed in angled brackets
(e.g.
Used
An Attribute Name which is used somewhere in the design is indicated by a ‘Y’ in the first column of the dialog. The attribute name could be used many times throughout the design. It may be difficult to identify all of the places it is used. The Used check box in the edit pane will also be selected to indicate it is used.
Attribute Properties
Usage
You must also specify the Usage for the Attribute Name. This is used to restrict where you are allowed to use the Attribute Name. This can be useful in preventing mistakes. The possible usage values are:
- Any Item, this Attribute Name can be used anywhere.
- Part, can only be used on Parts & Components.
- Design, can only be used on the Design.
- Net, can only be used on Nets and Net Classes.
- Pad, can only be used on Component Pads or Pins and on Pins in the Part Editor.
An attribute name has a number of properties, which define how an attribute should be used.
Context
The context will often be All Designs. However, it is sometimes useful to be able to define a Schematic or PCB only Attribute Name which is ignored during Synchronise Designs.
A used Attribute Name cannot be deleted and its Usage and Context status cannot be changed, as this would affect the integrity of the design. The Only Show Used Entries check box in the bottom left of the dialog, allows you to reduce the list to just those which are used.
Validation
The Validation string defines the format that the attribute value should match (see Wildcards). Attribute Validation of values can be checked using Design Rule Check, and are checked on entry in some dialogs.
Show Name & Show Value
When the attribute is displayed on the design, you can choose to show, just the name, just the value (the default), or both (name=value).
Use as ToolTip
The value of an attribute can be used as part of the Tooltip on the item it is on.
Use as Hyperlink
The value of an attribute can be used as a Hyperlink to execute an external file or program.
Back Annotate
For attributes which have a Context of All Designs, the value is usually driven from the Schematic design. However, an attribute can be marked as one to Back Annotate. This means that value changes in the PCB are back annotated to the schematic.
Copied
Uncheck this box if you do not want the attribute to be copied when a design item is copied. You would therefore need to explicitly add the attribute to each item. It is recommended that you leave attributes marked as copied unless you have a good reason not to.
Variant
Uncheck this box if you do not want the attribute to be used in a Variant. With this switch unchecked, attributes cannot be Variant specific. It does not apply if the attribute has already been used with a different value to that of other variants.
If used, the Design Properties dialog will show the row for this attribute greyed out.
Part Technology Specific Properties
Two additional fields are available when editing a Part Technology within the Parts Editor:
Default for new Part
When editing a part technology, you can define an attribute as a Default for new Parts. This allows you to define a set of attributes which should be defined for every part, these attributes will appear, ready for a value, in the Part Editor for each new part.
Default No Override
When editing a part technology, you can define the Default No Override state for new values added to a part using that attribute name. This allows you to define which set of attributes contain library information that should not be changed on an individual component in a PCB or Schematic design. This is just a default, once you have added the attribute to a part its No Override state can be changed.
Related Topics
Technology Overview | Insert Attribute | System Defined Attribute Names | Properties | Translate to PCB | Synchronise Designs | Using Dialog Grids