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Window descriptions

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The following is an exhaustive set of descriptions for the window types you may encounter using Capture. Each description is listed alphabetically, using the window title.

Browse window

The browse window displays the results of a browse of parts, nets, hierarchical ports, off-page connectors, DRC markers, and bookmarks.

When you browse a design or library, you can sort the results using the buttons at the top of the browse window. Each type of object offers a different set of buttons. When you click on one of these buttons, Capture alphabetically sorts the selection by the value of the corresponding property. To view a specific object, double-click on the item in the browse window. To add, delete, or change properties, select objects in the browse window, and then choose the Properties command from the Edit menu.

Parts

Reference	Order by the part reference.
Value	Order by the part value. If the part has no alias, this column is identical to Source Part.
Source Part	Order by the source part. If the part is an alias, this column shows the original part.
Source Library	Order by the source library. This column shows the path and library where the part exists.
Page	Order by the schematic page the part is on.
Schematic	Order by the schematic folder the part is in.

Nets

Name	Order by the net alias name.
Net Name	Order by the net name.
Page	Order by the schematic page the net is on.
Schematic	Order by the schematic folder the net is in.

Hierarchical ports

Port Name	Order by the hierarchical port name.
Port Type	Order by the hierarchical port type.
Page	Order by the schematic page the hierarchical port is on.
Schematic	Order by the schematic folder the hierarchical port is in.

Off-page connectors

Off-Page Name	Order by the off-page connector name.
Page	Order by the schematic page the off-page connector is on.
Schematic	Order by the schematic folder the off-page connector is in.

Bookmarks

Bookmark Name	Order by the bookmark name.
Page	Order by the schematic page the bookmark is on.
Schematic	Order by the schematic folder the bookmark is in.

DRC markers

DRC Error	Order by the DRC error message text. This is the text that appears in the session log, the DRC report, and the View DRC Marker dialog box.
DRC Detail	Order by the object generating the error.
DRC Location	Order by the absolute location of the error.
Page	Order by the schematic page the DRC marker is on.

Session frame window

The session frame contains the following components:

• session log
• project manager
• browse window
• schematic page editor
• part editor

As with other true Windows applications, each of these components can be reduced to an icon (minimized), opened (maximized), and resized. For more information on using Windows applications, see your Windows documentation.

Session log window

The session log contains a record of events that occur during the current session of Capture. This window has a ruler with adjustable tabs, so you can format the way the information in the session log appears. This formatting only applies to the session log. It doesn't affect the way reports are formatted in other applications. You can set the session log ruler measurements to appear in U.S. or metric units by using the appropriate setting in the Regional Settings of your Control Panel.

The session log also includes results and messages from Capture utilities found on the Tools menu. If Capture reports an error or warning in the session log, you can get specific help on it by double-clicking on the message. In this case, Capture opens the file that contains the error and places the cursor at the location of the error. These files include netlists, CDS.LIB, HDL.VAR, and VHDL/Verilog models.

The session log is replaced every time you start Capture, so it is initially empty. You can clear the session log at any time by choosing Clear Session Log (ALT, E, S) from the Edit menu, or pressing CTRL+DEL.

You can minimize the session log by pressing CTRL+F4, or by choosing the Close button in the upper-right corner of the session log window. To open the session log, choose Session Log (ALT, W, 1) from the Window menu. The session log records utility results and error messages even while it is minimized.

You can save the session log as an ASCII text file, and you can copy text from the session log onto the Clipboard. You cannot load a saved session log into Capture, and you cannot cut or paste text in the session log.

Part editor window

You edit parts and symbols in the part editor window. This window has two view splitters. The splitter at the upper right divides the view horizontally. The splitter at the lower left divides the view vertically. Each view has its own scroll bars, so you can view separate areas on the same part.

You can create parts up to 32 by 32 inches.

Part View

You edit parts in this view.

Package View

You see the entire package in this view. You cannot edit parts in this view, but you can select parts to edit. This view has no view splitters.

The part editor tool palette is unavailable in this view.

Property Editor window

The property editor window appears when you select some combination of parts, nets, pins, title blocks, aliases and globals in the schematic page editor, and then choose Properties from the Edit menu or choose Edit Properties from the pop-up menu. You can use the property editor window to edit part, net, pin, title block, global, port, and alias properties. The property editor displays all library definitions, instance properties, and occurrence properties for an object.

New Property

Displays the Add New Property dialog box, depending on the property editor orientation, to add a new property column or row. To add the property to an object, you must enter a property value for a given object.

Apply

Applies the changes in the property editor to the schematic page. The Apply button does not dismiss the property editor. You can also apply the changes to the schematic page by closing the property editor.

Display

Displays the Display Properties dialog box to set the display option of the selected property and its value. You cannot display properties of an occurrence property using the Display Properties dialog box.

Delete Property

Deletes the editable property from the selected object or objects. (Properties that are not editable appear in italics.) If you select all of a property's cells and click the Delete Property button, the property will be removed from the selected objects but will remain in the filter. This is indicated by the hash marks that appear in the cell.

Filter by

Specifies a filter by which to view the objects. Use the property editor filter to constrain the available properties. For example, the Capture filter displays common schematic capture properties available to most parts, while the Cadence-Allegro filter displays properties needed to send a design to PCB Editor. You can view all the properties available on the objects in the property editor by selecting the <Current properties> filter from the drop-down list.

Parts

Displays the parts of the selected objects. The Parts tab includes hierarchical blocks.

Schematic Nets

Displays the schematic nets of the selected objects. This tab includes constituent nets within buses.

Pins

Displays the pins of the selected objects. This tab includes hierarchical pins in hierarchical blocks.

Title Blocks

Displays the title blocks of the selected objects.

With the Title Blocks tab selected, you can add a property to the Title Block instance on a schematic page that will display the full hierarchical path to the schematic.

Globals

Displays selected globals for simultaneous editing of multiple names.

Ports

Displays source symbol, source library, and type of port. Provides for simultaneous editing of multiple ports.

Aliases

Displays color, font, name, and rotation of net aliases. Use the Aliases tab to edit multiple aliases at one time.

Rows and columns

Each row displays an instance or an occurrence of an object. Instance rows appear with a white background. Occurrences appear in yellow below their associated instance row. Occurrence rows automatically appear when one or more of the occurrence property values are different from the instance property values.

Each column is a placeholder that you can use to add properties. The cells in the property editor show the property values for each instance or occurrence. A cell with hash marks in indicates that the property does not exist on the object that the cell represents. You can add a value by clicking inside the cell, typing the value, and pressing ENTER or clicking the Apply button. A property value in italics is a read only property cannot be edited.

• • To the right or left in the Property Editor window to scroll horizontally.
  • Up or down in the Property Editor window to scroll vertically.
    
    

Short-cut keys

The following short-cut keys apply to the Property Editor:

Operation/command	Short-cut key
Undo	CTRL+Z
Copy	CTRL+C
Paste	CTRL+V
Cut	CTRL+X
Find	CTRL+F
Move to first cell in column	PageUp/CTRL+<Up-Arrow>
Move to last cell in column	PageDown/CTRL+<Down-Arrow>
Move to first cell in row	CTRL+<Left-Arrow>
Move to last cell in row	CTRL+<Right-Arrow>
Undo Edit (within a cell)	Esc
Select	SHIFT+<Arrow key>
Move to top left cell in spreadsheet	CTRL+Home
Move to bottom right cell in spreadsheet	CTRL+End
Select cell contents	CTRL+F2
Close spreadsheet	CTRL+F4

Project manager window

The project manager appears in the Capture session frame whenever you open or create a project. Use the project manager to collect and organize all the resources you need for your project throughout the design flow. These resources include schematic design files, part libraries, netlists, VHDL models, simulation models, timing files, stimulus files, and any other related information.

The project manager provides two views of a project. If you choose the File tab, you see a complete list of all project resources and files, organized in folders. If you choose the Hierarchy tab, you see the hierarchy view, which displays the hierarchical relationship among the various design modules. A design module is a structural block, typically represented as a distinct hierarchical entity, that defines the functionality of a particular portion of your design. A design module in Capture can be either a VHDL model or a schematic folder.

Each project may contain one design. This design may consist of any number of schematic folders, schematic pages, or VHDL models, but must have a single root module. The root module is the module that is defined as the top-level entity for the design. That is, all other modules in the design are referenced within the root module.

Within the project manager, you can expand or collapse the structure you are viewing by clicking on the plus sign or minus sign to the left of a folder. A plus sign indicates that the folder has contents that are not currently visible; a minus sign indicates that the folder is open and its contents are visible, listed below the folder. When you double-click on a schematic folder, Capture displays the schematic pages within that folder. If the folder is a VHDL model, Capture displays each defined entity in that model. When you double-click on a schematic page or a VHDL entity, you open that object in an appropriate editor. For example, double-clicking on a VHDL entity opens the VHDL model file at the location of that entity definition in Capture's VHDL editor.

Each project you open has its own project manager window. You can move or copy folders or files between projects by dragging them from one project manager window to another (as well as from the Windows Explorer). If you close a project manager window, you close the project.

File tab

The file tab shows all the files included in the project. These files may include VHDL models, netlists, schematic pages, simulation models, stimulus files, or any other files that contain information related to the project. The file view is organized in folders, each of which contains certain types of project files.

Hierarchy tab

The Hierarchy tab shows the hierarchical relationship among the various modules of the design.

Each instantiation of a particular module appears in the hierarchy view as part of a hierarchical "tree". The hierarchical view of the design is derived from the files that exist in the Design Resources folder.

Schematic page editor window

You edit schematic pages in the schematic page editor window. This window has two view splitters. The splitter at the upper right divides the view horizontally. The splitter at the lower left divides the view vertically. Each view has its own scroll bars, so you can view separate areas on the same page.

• • To the right or left in the schematic page editor to scroll horizontally.
  • Up or down in the schematic page editor to scroll vertically.

Text editor window

Use the text editor to create or edit text files such as VHDL or Verilog files and simulation models. You can set syntax for VHDL and Verilog to appear in different colors in the Text Editor tab in the Preferences dialog box.

You can open the text editor by choosing Open from the File menu, by selecting a text file in the project manager and choosing Edit from the pop-up menu, or by dragging the file from the Explorer into the session frame. You can only open ASCII text files using the text editor.

The text editor has the following features:

Help

Help Topics

F1

Saving and Printing

Save	CTRL+S
Print	CTRL+P

Editing text

Join Line	ALT+J
Split Line	ALT+S
Copy	CTRL+C
Paste	CTRL+V
Cut	CTRL+X
Cut line to clipboard	CTRL+Y
Undo	CTRL+Z
Redo	CTRL+A
Delete	DELETE
Toggle insert/overwrite mode	INSERT

Searches

Search Forward	CTRL+F
Search Backward	CTRL+SHIFT+F

Blocks and marks

Select up one line	SHIFT+UP ARROW
Select down one line	SHIFT+DOWN ARROW
Select left one character	SHIFT+LEFT ARROW
Select right one character	SHIFT+RIGHT ARROW
Select left one word	CTRL+SHIFT+LEFT ARROW
Select right one word	CTRL+SHIFT+RIGHT ARROW
Select to end of line	SHIFT+END
Select to end of file	CTRL+SHIFT+END
Select to beginning of line	SHIFT+HOME
Select to beginning of file	CTRL+SHIFT+HOME
Select one page down	SHIFT+PAGE DOWN
Select to end of file	CTRL+SHIFT+PAGE DOWN
Select one page up	SHIFT+PAGE UP
Select to beginning of file	CTRL+SHIFT+PAGE UP

Cursor control

Move cursor up one line	UP ARROW
Move cursor down one line	DOWN ARROW
Move cursor left one character	LEFT ARROW
Move cursor right one character	RIGHT ARROW
Move cursor left one word	CTRL+LEFT ARROW
Move cursor right one word	CTRL+RIGHT ARROW
Move cursor to end of line	END
Move cursor to beginning of line	HOME
Page up	PAGE UP
Page down	PAGE DOWN
Move cursor to beginning of file	CTRL+HOME
Move cursor to beginning of file	CTRL+PAGE UP
Move cursor to end of file	CTRL+END
Move cursor to end of file	CTRL+PAGE DOWN

Pop-up menu

A pop-up menu is available in the text editor window. Click the right mouse button to bring up the pop-up menu. The following commands are available in this menu:

• Cut command
• Copy command
• Paste command
• Delete command
• Select All command
• Undo command
• Find command

Browse Spreadsheet editor window

You use the Browse spreadsheet editor to perform the following tasks:

• Create a new property
• Copy a value from one property to another property
• Remove a user-defined property
• Replace property values

You can display the Browse spreadsheet editor from the project manager, schematic page editor, or the part editor.

From the project manager - Select the schematic design and select the Browse command from the Edit menu. You can select a component from the resulting popup menu. To display the Browse spreadsheet editor, select the component and click Properties from the Edit menu. You can change the properties of the following components from the Browse spreadsheet editor.

• Parts (including hierarchical blocks)
• Nets (including constituent nets within a bus) occurrences
• Flat Netlist
• Hierarchical ports
• Off-page connectors
• Title blocks
• Bookmarks
• DRC markers

From schematic page editor - Select the schematic page in the project manager and select the Browse command from the Edit menu. You can select a component from the resulting popup menu. To display the Browse spreadsheet editor, select the component and click Properties from the Edit menu. You can change the properties of the following components from the Browse spreadsheet editor.

• Parts (including hierarchical blocks)
• Nets (including constituent nets within a bus) occurrences
• Hierarchical ports
• Off-page connectors
• Title blocks
• Bookmarks
• DRC markers

From the part editor (while in Part View) - You can edit the following properties from the Browse spreadsheet editor:

• Pin properties

The Browse spreadsheet editor browses the entire design for the objects you select, then displays their properties. Each property appears as a column heading in the spreadsheet. Each row is an object located by the editor.

It is important to note that, in the Browse spreadsheet editor you can edit only occurrences. The only exception being in the part editor, where you can only edit instances. To edit instance properties, you must use the property editor.

Command Window

OrCAD Capture includes a scripting functionality that allows you to execute a Capture command through a command prompt in the Capture command window.

Every user action performed in Capture is logged in the form of a command. This command that logged is registered with a TCL interpreter. When the command is played back, Capture uses the TCL interpreter to retrieve the command and execute it in the resident application. However, this process is completely abstracted from the Capture. This makes logging and replaying of a set of commands an intuitive and simple task.

To execute a command, you type the command at the command prompt and press Enter.

Also, if you perform an operation in the Capture interface, the associated command is registered with the TCL interpreter and the command is logged in the Command window.

Finally, every command that is registered with the interpreter is logged in a captcl file. You can then use this file to re-run a complete set of commands. You can do this from the Capture command window or from the Operating System command prompt by passing the script name (including location) as an argument to capture.

Project Manager folders

The project manager is a tool that allows you to collect and organize all the resources you need for your project throughout the design flow. These resources include schematic pages, part libraries, and netlists, and may also include VHDL models, simulation models, timing files, stimulus files, and other related information.

When the project is first created, the project manager creates a design file with the same name as the project. It also creates a schematic folder within the design file, and a schematic page within the folder. You can create a new design to replace the design created by the project manager

Folder	Description
Design Cache	A local library contained in each project that contains all the parts and symbols used in the design.
Library	Lists the library files and related files included in the current project. These files include library (*.OLB) files, simulation and synthesis (*.VHD) files, *.STL files, and *.SML files.
Outputs	Stores output files generated by Capture tools, such as Create Netlist, Design Rules Check, Cross reference reports, Bill of Materials, Export Properties, and Generate Part etc.
Referenced Projects	Stores any projects referenced from within the current project.

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