Use this to swap the positions of two components in a PCB design or two gates or connector pins in a Schematic design.
Shortcuts
Default Keys: None
Default Menu: Utilities
Command: Swap Component Positions
Locating this option
Available from: Utilities menu > Swap Component Positions option
Shortcut menu options
- Swap Routed Components enables or disables the swapping of components that contain routed pins. If enabled, the track segment attached to any pads will be unrouted before a position swap is performed.
- Keep Existing Rotation enables or disables the swapping of components whilst keeping their original rotation. If enabled, allows you to swap component positions whilst keeping the component’s original rotation. If disabled, components will swap and reposition their rotation to that of the component that used to be positioned here.
How To Swap The Positions Of Two Components
First select the Swap Component Positions option on the Utility menu, or use one of the above mentioned shortcuts. **Note If two components are already pre-selected their positions will be swapped as a single shot operation, and the interactive mode will not be entered.
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Use the shortcut menu to select the options that you would like to have whilst performing the component swap.
If only one component is pre-selected, it will be taken as the first component to swap and you will enter the interactive operation at step 3 to select the second component.
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Choose the first component.
Use the mouse to move the cursor over the components in the design. Notice that components that can be moved are drawn in the select colour whilst the cursor is over them. The name of the selected component is reported on the status bar. Routed Components will not be selected if the Swap Routed Components option is disabled.
If the component you want is underneath the currently selected one you can select it by using the Select Next or Select Previous command on a key. When the correct component is selected click on the selected component that you wish to swap.
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Choose the second component.
Move the cursor over the other components in the design. Notice that the components are drawn in the select colour whilst the cursor is over them. The name of the selected component to swap position with is reported on the status bar. Again Select Next assigned to a key can be used to change the component you are over. Click on the selected component to choose the second component for the swap.
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As soon as two components are chosen their positions are swapped, including rotation and side. If the components are different sizes, their positions are swapped such that their centres are as close as possible but with their positions still on the component grid.
If either components are locked you will be asked to confirm the swap. If swapping their positions results in a DRC error, and online DRC is enabled, you will be warned and asked if you want to accept the swap. Both components are then deselected ready for repeating step 1.