You can associate data and information to objects using attributes. For example, you can add attributes to symbols to store the price of a component and the manufacturer's code so you can include this information directly in the component list.

Attributes are characterized by a name, a category and a value. There are two types of attributes:

  • Internal attributes. Internal attributes can be associated with any object. The value of an internal attribute cannot be displayed directly in a drawing.

  • Graphic attributes. Graphic attributes are objects of type Attribute and can only be associated with the following object types: group, symbol, sheet. Graphic attributes can be used to display the value of internal attributes. See To display the internal attributes of symbols in the drawing.

Internal attribute categories

For each internal attribute, the category to which it belongs must be indicated. The following categories are predefined:

  • OBJECT

    The attributes associated with all objects belong to this category. The attributes listed in the following table are inserted in this category:

    ObjName

    You can specify the name to be assigned to the object. The object name can be used to identify the object. The name must contain only alphanumeric characters and must begin with an alphabetic character.

    ObjID

    You can specify an identification code for the object. This value is used for object shape selection. The ObjID must contain only alphanumeric characters and must begin with an alphabetic character.

    ObjInfo

    You can enter a short description of the object. The message is shown in the status bar when the mouse cursor is over the object.

    ObjTip

    You can enter a brief information about the object. The tip is shown when the mouse cursor is on the object.

    ObjLib

    Contains the name of the library from which the symbol was loaded.

    ObjRun

    Contains the name of the procedure that activates the dynamic functions of the object. See To create dynamic symbols.

    ObjDoc

    You can enter a reference to an object information page. You can specify an Internet address or the name of a file. See To add documentation to symbols.

  • SHAPE

    For groups of objects, symbols and devices it is possible to set the parameters relating to the different shapes of the object. If the symbol contains several shapes, the attributes belonging to this category allow you to set parameters for the different shapes of the object. For example, for a switch you can define two different shapes: one represents the switch in the on position and the other in the off position. See To create multiform symbols.

  • SPICE

    Attributes belonging to this category contain a description of the component in the format required by the simulator. If the component has a setup procedure or technical information, you can activate it by clicking on the buttons: Info and Setup. See To create components ready for simulation.

  • DEVICE

    Attributes in this category are added to symbols and devices by the library manager. They contain some information about the component.

  • PACKAGE

    Attributes in this category are generated by the library manager when a device is placed on the PCB. They contain some information about the component.

To change the internal attributes of an object

  1. Select the object and open the attributes window in one of the following ways:

    • Press the key combination ALT+A.

    • Click the button in the toolbar.

    • Activate the context menu with the right mouse button and choose the Attributes command.

  2. The Object Attributes dialog box opens.

SuggerimentoTip:

For symbols and object groupings, attributes are also listed in the Attributes tab of the object's properties dialog box.

To view the internal attributes of symbols

Unlike graphical attributes, internal attributes cannot be displayed directly in the drawing. To display the value of an internal attribute in the drawing, it is necessary to add, in the symbol, a graphic attribute that includes a field code that refers to the internal attribute. See To display the internal attributes of the symbols in the drawing.

See also