The Design Browser is displayed as a configurable Dockable Window containing a list of all the currently open PCB and Schematic designs, technologies and profiles. For a Schematic, a tree diagram of all its constituent pages is also shown. The name of the design/page whose view is currently active in the main window is shown in bold typeface. Schematic pages that are not open as a view in the main design window are indicated by a dimmed page icon.
Shortcuts
Default Keys: D
Default Menu: View
Command: Design Browser
Locating this option
Available from: View menu > Dockable Windows > Design Browser option
The Design Browser Window
As well as being a visual guide the Design Browser is fully functional and provides access to a range of design level operations via its shortcut menu.
Using the Design Browser
From the View menu, select Dockable Windows > Design Browser to toggle visibility of the Design Browser window. It is also available on a default shortcut key and by right clicking on the framework and selecting the option from the context menu.
- Double-click on a PCB design to make that the active view within the main design window.
- Double-click on a Schematic design or one of its pages to make that the active view within the main design window.
- Double-click on an already active Schematic to hide/show its pages.
- Double-click on a unopened Schematic page to open it.
- Click on any design or page to make that the currently selected Design Browser item.
- Right click anywhere in the Design Browser window to display its shortcut menu which provides a set of design/page level commands applicable to the currently selected item. These include Close, New, Delete and Rename operations. Use Show Page Numbers to toggle between displaying the page number in brackets at the end of schematic page names.
Using Drag and Drop to move sheets
If you are using multiple pages or hierarchy in your Schematic design, you can drag and drop a design within the list presented to change the order.
Once a design has been dragged into a new position, you can right click at the top design level and select the Reorder Tree option from the context menu.
Using the Design Browser to insert a new Schematic Page
Within the Design Browser window:
- Select the Schematic design (or one of its pages) to which the new page is to be added
- Right click and select New Page from the shortcut menu.
- The new page will appear in the browser window but will not be opened in the main window. Type the name of the new page if you wish to change the default and then either press the Enter key or click in the browser window somewhere other than on the page name.
The new page may now be opened in the main window by clicking on its icon in the browser window.
Using the Design Browser to delete a Schematic Page
Within the Design Browser window:
- Select the Schematic page to be deleted.
- Right click and select Delete Page from the shortcut menu. A warning that a page is about to be deleted will be displayed (unless disabled). Click OK to confirm.
- The deleted page will disappear from the browser window. If the page is open in the main window it will be closed.
Notes:
- It is not possible to delete the page from a single page schematic.
- If the deleted page was the only one from the Schematic open in the main window, another page will automatically open.
- It is not possible to delete a page using the Delete key
- It is not possible to delete a page if it is part of a Block Instance, deleting the Block Instance will automatically delete the page