Allegro®

Free Physical Viewer

Product Version 15.7
July 2006
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 Allegro Free Physical Viewer

Contents
blank waived drcs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Menu Path . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
color . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Syntax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Dialog Boxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
color priority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Priority Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Defining Color Priority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
dehilight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Options Tab for the dehilight Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
exit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
grid toggle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
hilight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
open . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Menu Path . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Syntax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Print Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
plot setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Plot Setup Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
rats all . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
rats component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

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Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
rats net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
redisplay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
script . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Scripting Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
show element . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Dialog Boxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
show measure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Measure Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
show property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Show Property Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
show waived drcs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Menu Path . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Drawing Options Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
unrats all . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
unrats component . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
unrats net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
viewlog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Select File to View Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
zoom center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
zoom fit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
zoom in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

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zoom out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
zoom points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
zoom previous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
zoom world . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

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1
Allegro Free Physical Viewer

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blank waived drcs

blank waived drcs

The blank waived drcs command lets you suppress waived DRC error markers from
displaying on the board. This command is the opposite of the show waived drcs
command.

For more information on waiving DRCs, see show waived drcs, and the Creating Design
Rules user guide in your documentation set.

Menu Path
Display – Waive DRCs – Blank

Procedure

Concealing Waived DRC Error Markers in the Design

➤ Run the blank waived drcs command.

The waived DRC error markers disappear from the board.

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color

color
Syntax | Dialog Boxes | Procedures | Examples

Controls the following aspects of design display:

■ Colors for:
❑ Subclasses
❑ Grids*
❑ Ratsnest lines*
❑ Design window background*
❑ Highlighted objects during interactive commands*
■ Visibility of classes and subclasses*

* You can set and change these items using command arguments or using the Color and
Visibility dialog box.

Because you can set the colors and visibility for each subclass of your design with this
command, you can also use the color command to view all the classes and subclasses, and
the groups under which they are located.

Lastly, the tool provides a global color palette, which you can modify and save as a local or
database (design-specific) palette with the color command.

For more details on customizing colors used in your design, see Getting Started in the user
guide of your documentation set.

Menu Path

Display – Color/Visibility

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color

Syntax
color [-gridcolor | -ratscolor | -highlightcolor | -permcolor “<color_number>”]
[-background “<RGB_value>”] [-group “<group_name>”] [-globvis “{off | on}”]
[-vis “{<class_name> | <class/subclass_name>}”] [-invis “{<class_name> |
<class/subclass_name>}”] [-toggle “<class_name> | <class/subclass_name>}”]
[-help]

-gridcolor “<color_number>” Sets the color of the grids in the design

window. Choose the color from the current
palette.
This argument is the same as the Grids field
in the Display section of the Color and
Visibility dialog box. (Group is set to Display.)
-ratscolor “<color_number>” Sets the color of the ratsnest lines. Choose
the color from the current palette.
This argument is the same as the Ratsnest
field in the Display section of the Color and
Visibility dialog box. (Group is set to Display.)
-highlightcolor Sets the color of objects that are temporarily
“<color_number>” highlighted during an interactive command,
such as copy or move. Choose the color from
the current palette.
This argument is the same as the Temporary
highlight field in the Display section of the
Color and Visibility dialog box. (Group is set to
Display.)
-permcolor “<color_number>” Sets the permanent highlight color, the color
of objects when you run the hilight
command. Choose the color from the current
palette.
This argument is the same as the Permanent
highlight field in the Display section of the
Color and Visibility dialog box. (Group is set to
Display.)

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-background “<RGB_value>” Sets the color of the design window’s

background. The RGB value is the 8-bit
representation of a color value, ranging from 0
to 255. For example:
■ 0xff0000 is red.
■ 0xffffff is white.
■ 0x000000 is black.
This argument is the same as the
Background field in the Display section of
the Color and Visibility dialog box. (Group is
set to Display.)
-group “<group_name>” Opens the Color and Visibility dialog box, with
the Group field set to the specified group
name.
-globvis “{off | on}” Controls visibility for all subclasses.
This argument is the same as the Global
visibility field in the Color and Visibility dialog
box.
-vis “{<class_name> | <class/ Enables visibility for an entire class or
subclass_name>}” subclass.
This argument is the same as enabling the
check box for a class or subclass in the Color
and Visibility dialog box.
-invis “{<class_name> | <class/ Makes the specified class or subclass
subclass_name>}” invisible.
This argument is the same as disabling the
check box for a class or subclass in the Color
and Visibility dialog box.
-toggle “{<class_name> | <class/ Reverses the current visibility for the specified
subclass_name>}” subclass. If the subclass is visible, this
command makes it invisible. If the subclass is
invisible, this command makes it visible.
This argument is the same as clicking the
check box for a class or subclass in the Color
and Visibility dialog box.
-help Displays command syntax in the console.

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color

Dialog Boxes

Color and Visibility Dialog Box

Use this dialog box to control the colors and the visibility of the various classes and
subclasses in the tool. You can also manage the colors of the design window’s display: grids,
ratsnest lines, highlighted elements, the background, and the brightness of active elements
during interactive commands.
Note: If you set the color_lastgroup environment variable, the Color and Visibility dialog
box appears with the Group field selection that you last used. If you do not set this
environment variable, the Color/Visibility dialog box appears with the current active layer in
the Options panel displayed in the Group field.

Group Specifies the group that you want to view.

See the Getting Started with Physical Design user guide in
your documentation set for the list of all classes and
subclasses under each group.
Global visibility Controls the visibility of all subclasses.
Click the box to the left of a subclass’ color to change that
individual element’s visibility.
Running the -globvis argument with the color command
performs the same function.
Classes For all but the Display group, classes appear horizontally as
column headings. The check box indicates whether the class is
visible (selected) or invisible (deselected). By default, classes
are visible.
Running the -vis, -invis, or -toggle argument with the
color command performs the same function.
Subclasses For all but the Display group, subclasses appear vertically
below each class name.
The check box indicates whether the subclass is visible
(selected) or invisible (deselected). By default, subclasses are
visible. Running the -vis, -invis, or -toggle argument
with the color command performs the same function.
The color box indicates the color of the object in the subclass.
The default is pink.

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Display The following six fields appear when you set Group to
Display. They control the appearance of features of the design
window.
Grids Specifies the color of the grids. The default is white.
Running the -gridcolor argument with the color
command performs the same function.
Ratsnest Specifies the color of ratsnest lines. The default is pink.
Running the -ratscolor argument with the color
command performs the same function.
Temporary highlight Specifies the color of objects that are temporarily highlighted
during an interactive command, such as copy or move. The
default is white.
Running the -highlightcolor argument with the color
command performs the same function.
Waived DRC Specifies the color of waived DRC error markers. The default is
yellow. The text within the marker retains the color setting for
DRC error markers specified in Group: Stack-Up.
Permanent highlight Specifies the color of objects when you run the hilight
command. The default is white.
Running the -permcolor argument with the color
command performs the same function.
Background Specifies the color of the design window’s background. The
default is black.
Running the -background argument with the color
command performs the same function.
Shadow mode These settings appear when you set Group to Display. They
allow you to highlight individual objects without affecting the
visibility of that object’s entire subclass.
The shadow command performs the same function.
On/Off Activates and deactivates Shadow
mode, which darkens the colors of
objects and elements of your design.
Use this with the hilight command.
Brightness Specifies the percentage of brightness
applied to colors when Shadow mode
is set to On. The default is 50%.

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Dim active layer Applies the Brightness percentage to

the colors of objects in the active layer,
darkening the colors so that the
highlighted objects stand out more.
Palette Displays the color palette you want to use. By default, the
palette saved with the design appears. For a new design, the
global palette appears.
These are the options in the Palette field’s menu:
Read Database Displays the database palette—that is,
the color settings last saved with this
design.
Read Global Displays the global palette provided by
the tool.
Read Local Displays the color settings in the local
palette.
Write Local Saves the current colors to the local
palette, automatically stored in the
lallegro.col file.
Modify Opens the Color Editor, where you can change a color element
in a palette. For details, see Color Editor Dialog Box below.
Apply Applies color and visibility changes you have made to the
current design. The dialog box remains open so you can
continue modifying different classes and subclasses.
Reset Resets color changes you have made to the previous color.

Color Editor Dialog Box

Use this dialog box to set specific shades and hues of color for your color palette or for the
design window’s background.

After moving the control on the vertical sliding bar for luminosity away from the extremes of
white or black, you can move the crosshair around the spectrum. All the fields in the dialog
box reflect the correct number for the color in the crosshair. You can also type values in the
fields to choose a color.

Color | Solid Displays the resulting color.

Hue Represents the selected color’s hue.

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Sat Represents the selected color’s saturation.

Lum Represents the selected color’s luminosity.
Red Represents the amount of red in the selected color.
Green Represents the amount of green in the selected color.
Blue Represents the amount of blue in the selected color.

Procedures

Displaying Groups of Classes and Subclasses

1. Run the color command.
The Color and Visibility dialog box appears. For details, see the Color and Visibility
Dialog Box.
2. From the Group list, choose a group. The associated classes and subclasses appear.
Note: The Display group does not have classes and subclasses associated with it.

Assigning Colors to Subclasses

1. Run the color command.
The Color and Visibility dialog box appears. For details, see the Color and Visibility
Dialog Box.
2. From the Group list, choose the group containing the subclass whose color you want to
change.
3. In the Palette section of the dialog box, click one of the color boxes. This is the first click
identified in the Assigning Colors figure in the next step. It is the new color you are
assigning to a subclass.
4. Click the color box next to the subclass whose color you want to change. This is the
second click identified in Figure 1-1. The color box for the subclass changes to the color
you selected from the Palette.
For example, if Group is set to Stack-Up, you might want to change the color of the etch
on the top layer. Click the color box for TOP ETCH.

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Figure 1-1 Assigning Colors

Second click

First click

5. Click Apply to update the drawing and continue changing colors.

6. When you are done making changes in this dialog box, click OK to save changes and
close the dialog box.
The Options tab displays the color assigned to a subclass in a box next to the name of
the subclass.

Assigning Colors to Non-Class Design Elements

You can control the color of design elements in two ways:

■ Using the Color and Visibility dialog box, described here.
■ Running the color command with one of these arguments: -gridcolor,
-ratscolor, -highlightcolor, or -permcolor. See “Syntax” on page 10 for
details.

To change the color of grids, ratsnest lines, and highlighting using the user interface:
1. Run the color command.
The Color and Visibility dialog box appears. For details, see Color and Visibility Dialog
Box.
2. From the Group list, choose Display.

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3. In the Palette section of the dialog box, click one of the color boxes. This is the first click
identified in the Assigning Colors figure in the previous section. It is the new color you
want to assign.
4. In the Display section, click the color box next to the item (Grids, Ratsnest, Temporary
highlight, Permanent highlight, or Waived DRC) whose color you want to change.
This is the second click, similar to the one shown in the Assigning Colors figure.
The color box for this item changes to the color you selected from the Palette.
5. Click Apply to update the drawing and continue changing colors.
6. When you are done making changes in this dialog box, click OK to save changes and
close the dialog box.

Changing the Background Color

You can change the background color of the design window in two ways:
■ Using the Color and Visibility dialog box and Color Editor, described here.
■ Running the color command with the -background argument. See Syntax for details.

To change the background color using the user interface:

1. Run the color command.
The Color and Visibility dialog box appears. For details, see Color and Visibility Dialog
Box.
2. From the Group list, choose Display.
3. In the Display section, click the Background color box.
4. In the Color Editor, set the color you want for the background and then click OK. For
details, see Color Editor Dialog Box.
The color next to the Background box in the Color and Visibility dialog box changes as
does the color of the design window’s background.
5. In the Color and Visibility dialog box, click OK.

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Controlling Class and Subclass Visibility

You can control the visibility of classes and subclasses in two ways:
■ Using the Color and Visibility dialog box, described here.
■ Running the color command with one of the visibility arguments: -globvis, -vis,
-invis, or -toggle. See Syntax for details.

To control class and subclass visibility using the user interface:

1. Run the color command.
The Color and Visibility dialog box appears. For details, see Color and Visibility Dialog
Box.
2. From the Group list, choose a group.
The classes and subclasses associated with that group appear in the dialog box.
3. Do any of the following, keeping in mind that each setting overrides the previously listed
setting. Refer to Figure 1-2 for the location of fields and check boxes.
❑ To make all classes and subclasses visible or invisible, make a selection from the
Global visibility field in the top right corner of the dialog box.
❑ To control class visibility, click the check box under the appropriate class name. All
the subclasses in that class become visible.
❑ To control the visibility of individual subclasses, click the associated check box.

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Figure 1-2 Controlling Visibility

Global visibility selector

Classes in the
Manufacturing group

Visible subclass in Manufacturing class

4. Click Apply to update the drawing and continue changing colors.

Note: If objects that should be visible are not, check the Priority dialog box by running
the color priority command. The check box for that color may be disabled.
5. When you are done making changes in this dialog box, click OK to save changes and
close the dialog box.

Modifying a Color Element

1. Run the color command.
The Color and Visibility dialog box appears. For details, see Color and Visibility Dialog
Box.
2. In the Palette section of the dialog box, click the color box for the color you want to
change.
3. Click Modify.
4. In the Color Editor, choose a new color. For details, see Color Editor Dialog Box.
5. Click OK. The color box in the Color and Visibility dialog box changes to the new color.

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6. Click Apply in the Color and Visibility dialog box to update the design with your color
change.
7. If you want to save this color change for future use, continue with Saving the Modified
Color Palette below.

Saving the Modified Color Palette

After modifying the color palette (see the previous instructions, Modifying a Color Element),
you can save the palette for use with other designs and for future use with the current design.
Note: A local palette is not specific to a design; it can be read into any other design. A design-
specific color scheme is a database palette. A database palette is any set of colors saved with
the design.

Saving a local palette

1. Open the Palette field’s menu after making your color changes.
2. Choose Write Local.
The current color selections are saved as your local palette. By default, local color
selections are saved in a file, lallegro.col, in the pcbenv subdirectory of your home
directory.
Note: Do not change the name or location of lallegro.col.

Saving a database palette

1. Make sure you clicked Apply in the Color and Visibility dialog box after making your color
changes.
2. Run the save or save_as command and save the current design. The design is saved
with the current (database) palette.
Note: The database palette remains current until you apply a different color palette to
the design. For example, if you apply the global palette to your design and save the
design, the database palette then matches the global palette.

Using Shadow Mode

Refer to the shadow command.

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Removing an Existing Placement Evaluator Display from View

1. Choose Display – Color/Visibility (color command) to display the Color and Visibility
dialog box.
2. Choose Analysis from the Group field.
3. In the Global Visibility field, choose All Invisible to turn off all subclasses.
–or–
Clear the All check box.
4. Click Apply to change the visibility settings in the design.

Displaying just the Ratsnest Histogram

1. Choose Display – Color/Visibility (color command) to display the Color and Visibility
dialog box.
2. Choose Analysis from the Group field.
3. Turn on only the ANL_RAT_HISTOGRAM subclass.
4. Click Apply to change the visibility settings in the design.

Displaying just the Router Color Map Relating to Vertical Layers

1. Choose Display – Color/Visibility (color command) to display the Color and Visibility
dialog box.
2. Choose Analysis from the Group field.
3. Turn on only those subclasses beginning with ANL_V_.
4. Click Apply to change the visibility settings in the design.

Displaying just the Router Color Map Relating to Horizontal Layers

1. Run color to display the Color and Visibility dialog box.
2. Choose Analysis from the Group field.
3. Turn on only those subclasses beginning with ANL_H_.
4. Click Apply to change the visibility settings in the design.

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Displaying just the Router Color Map Relating to Overflow Areas

1. Run color to display the Color and Visibility dialog box.
2. Choose Analysis from the Group field.
3. Turn on only the following subclasses:
❑ ANL_H_100_COLORMAP
❑ ANL_V_100_COLORMAP
❑ ANL_VIA _100_COLORMAP

Examples
This example changes the color of ratsnest lines:
color -ratscolor “20”

The next example sets global visibility to off. Nothing appears in the design window.
color -globvis “off”

The next example sets the background color of the design to turquoise:
color -background 0x00ffff

This example sets the ASSEMBLY_NOTES subclass of the BOARD GEOMETRY class
visible:
color -vis “BOARD GEOMETRY/ASSEMBLY_NOTES”

The final example changes the visibility of the OUTLINE subclass of the BOARD
GEOMETRY class. If visibility for this subclass is enabled, this command disables it—and
vice versa.
color -toggle “OUTLINE”

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color priority

color priority
Dialog Box | Procedure

Assigns the order in which colors are displayed on top of each other in the active design for
easier recognition. Also controls the visibility of a color. Use this command after assigning
colors to subclasses with the color command.

For more details on assigning a display priority to colors, see Getting Started in the user
guide.

Menu Path

Display – Color Priority

Priority Dialog Box

Use this dialog box to control the order in which colors appear in your design. For example,
when you look at the design, the color at the top of the list appears on top of the color that
appears second in the list. You can also turn off the display of a color.

On Click to display all colors that appear in your design.

Off Click to hide all colors that appear in your design.

Defining Color Priority

1. Run the color priority command.
The Priority dialog box appears.
The color with the highest priority appears at the top of the color panel. All elements of
that color appear on top of other elements in the drawing.
2. Click the color box of the color (not the check box) you want to move in the priority list.
This is the first click identified in the Assigning Color Priority figure in the next step, in this
case, white.
3. Click the color box (not the check box) of the color that occupies the position to which
you want to move the selected color. This is the second click identified in Figure 1-3, in
this case, blue.

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color priority

Figure 1-3 Assigning Color Priority

Second click

First click

The first color you selected moves to the new location. The previous color for that position
moves down one level. Figure 1-4 shows the new order in the example: white is listed
first and blue has moved to the second position. All other colors shift down.

Figure 1-4 Result of Assigning Color Priority

4. If you want to prevent a subclass of objects from appearing, click the check box next to
its color.
Note: This visibility check box takes precedence over visibility you set with the color
command.
5. Click OK.

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dehilight

dehilight
Options Tab | Procedure

Lets you deselect elements to be displayed in the permanent highlight color with the highlight
pattern.

Menu Path
Display – Dehighlight

Options Tab for the dehilight Command

A Find Filter tab displays with selections for symbols, functions, nets, pins, and DRC markers.
Choose elements for dehighlighting by clicking or by name, using the name search fields in
the find filter dialog box.

An Options tab displays that shows you the Class and Subclass of the element that you have
chosen for dehighlighting, as well as the color that is assigned to it. It also provides these
buttons so that you can dehilight a whole group of elements at the same time:
■ Nets
■ Symbols
■ Functions
■ Pins

Procedure

Dehighlighting Design Objects

1. Run the dehilight command.
The Find Filter appears, listing the valid objects for the active command.
2. Click on a highlighted object
or
Hold down the left mouse button to define an area that contains the design objects, then
release the button.
The highlight color disappears from the chosen object(s).

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exit

exit
Saves the active layout, exits, and returns to the host operating system. The command
displays a browser window asking for a name under which to save the active layout. The
default is the name of the active layout. If you do not enter a name but click OK, the command
displays a dialog box asking whether you want to overwrite the existing layout and exits. If you
enter a new name, the command writes the layout to that filename and exits.

Menu Path
File –Exit

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grid toggle

grid toggle
The grid toggle command turns on/turns off the grid display in your user interface.

This command is not available in Allegro PCB SI or AP SI.

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hilight

hilight
Procedure

Lets you choose the following elements for highlighting.

■ Symbols
■ Functions
■ Nets
■ Pins
■ DRC error markers

The elements are displayed in the permanent highlight color with the highlight pattern. The
highlight pattern is an alternating checkerboard of the element’s color and the selected
permanent highlight color. Elements highlighted with the Display – Highlight command stay
highlighted until you choose Display – Dehighlight to turn off the highlighting.

Menu Path

Display – Highlight

Procedure

Highlighting Elements
1. Run hilight.
The Find Filter or the Visibility dialog box display, depending on which one you choose
before you run hilight.

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hilight

The Find Filter lists the objects that you can highlight for this command. The Options tab
shows the colors that you can use to highlight a design object. The current highlight color
appears in the PERM HIGHLIGHT field.
By default, the Options tab contains 24 colors. To change any of these colors, run the
color command, described in the Allegro PCB and Package Physical Layout
Command Reference. You want to modify a color element.

Current highlight color

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2. Make sure that the available selections in the Find Filter include the design object that
you want to highlight.
To deselect any checked objects, click the check box.
3. Click the highlight color in the Options tab that you want to assign.
The color in the PERM HIGHLIGHT fields changes to the color you selected.
4. Click on the design objects in the design window.
–or–
Hold down the left mouse button to define an area that contains the design objects, then
release the button.
The object(s) is highlighted with the color that you selected in the Options tab.

This procedure changes the color only of the design object that you selected. It does not
change the color of all instances of that type of object.

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open

open
Syntax | Examples | Dialog Box | Procedure

Opens an existing design file in the current directory. You are prompted to save or discard
changes in the current open file. A file browser lets you search for the specified design file if
you do not provide a file name. A list of your most recently used (MRU) files. is available. See
opencd.

No warning occurs if you are switching your design from the tier where it was last saved to
another tier. To display the warning, set the db_tier_nomsg environment variable using the
Setup – User Preferences – Drawing (enved) menu command.

Co-Design Environment

When you open a new .sip or .mcm design, and an existing drawing that has co-design dies
with unsaved changes is open, you are asked whether you want to save the design. If you
choose to save the changes, then the File - Save command is invoked to save the data. If you
choose to discard the changes, then any temporary Open Access (OA) library/cell/views
containing unsaved data are deleted before the new design is opened.

Menu Path
File – Open

Syntax
You can run the open command from the console window prompt. The syntax is:
open [<design to open>]

If you do not provide the <design to open> argument, a browser window opens in the
current directory.

Examples
open master.brd

The master.brd file opens in the current directory.

open \boards\master.brd

The master.brd file, located in the boards directory in the current directory, opens.

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Dialog Box
The Open dialog box is a standard file browser. Two buttons appear below the Help button.
The left button lets you display a text preview of the current design; the right button lets you
display the graphics preview of the design. The preview area appears on the right side of the
list box.

Procedure

Opening an Existing File

1. Run the open command.
The file opens in the current directory. If you do not provide a design to open
argument, the Open dialog box opens in the current directory.
2. Choose a file from the list.
You can also enter the file name in the File name field.
3. Click the left button below the Help button to display a text preview of the specified file.
The preview area appears on the right side of the File name list.
4. Click the right button below the Help button to display the graphics preview of the
specified file.
5. Click Open to open the file.

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plot

plot
Dialog Box | Procedure

The plot command lets you preview a plot as it will look when printed. When you choose
plot preview, the user interface changes to preview the active design as it will plot based
on the setup parameters in the Plot Setup dialog box and/or the Windows Print Setup
dialog box.

Important
Windows and Unix operating systems handle plotting differently. See the sections
on plotting that are appropriate to the operating system you use.

On Unix operating systems, successful plotting involves correct set-up and the creation of IPF
and control files, as well as the .cdsplotinit plotter configuration file, which lists
available printers/plotters. The .cdsplotinit file must reside in <install_path>/
tools/plot, the current working directory, or your home directory. See Preparing
Manufacturing Data in the user guide of your documentation set.

On Unix, Allegro PCB Editor and Allegro Package Designer recognize the Vectorize text
setting on the Plot Setup dialog box, available with the plot setup command, to permit
direct plotting of nonvectorized text with the File – Plot command.

Menu Path

File – Plot

Print Dialog Box

The plot command on Windows runs the standard Windows Print dialog box.

On Unix, the plot command runs the Plot dialog box, that contains the following controls:

Print To File Indicates the plot file is to be sent to the named file.

Printer Name Indicates the name of the plotter the plot file is to be sent to.

Pen Numbers Displays the Plot Preference dialog box for assigning colors to
pens.

Cancel Ignores input and closes the dialog box.

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OK Creates the plot and closes the dialog box.

Procedures

Plotting Prerequisites on a Unix Workstation

To run the plot command, a plotter configuration file named .cdsplotinit must reside in
<install_path>/tools/plot, the current working directory, or your home directory.

If a .cdsplotinit file resides in multiple locations, the program looks down each path in
turn and adds any new information or replace any old information as it is found.

The .cdsplotinit file contains information vital to the operation of the allegro_plot
program such as:
■ the name of the output device,
■ the output format to be used for the device,
■ the paper sizes available for the device,
■ the maximum number of pages allowed on the device,
■ the Unix commands for spooling jobs to the queue,
■ checking the jobs in the queue
■ removing jobs from the queue on the device
■ other device specific information

The following is a sample .cdsplotinit file entry:

bos1|Apple LaserWriter II NT/NTX: \
:manufacturer=Apple Computer: \
:spool=lpr -Pbos1: \
:query=lpq -Pbos1: \
:remove=lprm -Pbos1 $3: \
:type=postscript1: \
:maximumPages#30: \
:resolution#300: \
:paperSize="A" 2400 3150 75 75: \
:paperSize="A4" 2332 3360 60 60:

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For detailed information on setting up the .cdsplotinit file, refer to the Plotter
Configuration User Guide, available on SourceLink.

Plotting Your Design on Unix

1. Before running plot, you must set up your plotting parameters as described in the
procedure section of plot setup. You must also have created a plotter configuration
file, as described in the section above.
2. When setup is complete, run the plot command to display the Plot dialog box.
3. To direct output to a file, choose Print to file. To write the design to the current working
directory, enter only a filename. To direct the design file to another location, enter the full
path.
–or–
To direct output to a plotter, choose Printer name and choose the printer name from the
drop-down menu.
4. If necessary, click Pen Numbers to make color-to-pen assignments in the Plot
Preference dialog box.
5. For each pen assignment you want to change, highlight the pen number and enter a new
number.
Each number corresponds to a pen on your plotter. You assign each color in the palette
to a corresponding pen number. If there are more colors in your drawing than there are
pens in your plotter, assign more than one color to each pen. You should not have a
number on your palette higher than the pen numbers in your plotter.
6. Click OK to close the dialog box.
7. In the Plot Setup dialog box, click OK to print or create the design file.

Plotting Your Design on Windows

You can preview your plot on Windows before producing it.

1. Run the plot command to display the Print dialog box.
2. Choose the print resolution in the Print quality field.
If you want to direct output to a file, check Print to file. To write the design to the current
working directory, enter only a filename. To direct the design file to another location, enter
the full path.

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3. If necessary, click Setup to set additional printing options in the Windows Print
Manager dialog box.
4. Click OK to print or create the design file.

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plot setup

plot setup
Dialog Box | Procedure

The plot setup command lets you set parameters for plotting a design. (See plot for
additional details on plotting.) Although plotting procedures vary according to the operating
system you are running, the procedure for plot setup is the same for Unix and Windows.

Menu Path

File – Plot Setup

Plot Setup Dialog Box

Note: The .ini file retains parameters set in the Plot Setup dialog box. Therefore, they
remain in effect for every database you open until you change the parameters.

General Tab

Plot scaling Fit to page: Indicates the plot file is to be scaled to fit the entire
plotted page.

Scaling factor: Indicates the scale of the finished plot.

Default line weight: Converts any zero width line to a width

proportional to the setting. Aids in displaying very thin lines on
high-resolution output.

Plot orientation Auto center: Centers the design on the plot page. This control
automatically invokes when you choose the Fit to page setting.

Mirror: Flips the design end-for-end about the Y axis. Useful for
viewing top and/or bottom layers.

Plot method Color: Directs the output to print in color. Color is determined by
the method specific to the platform you are using. On Unix, color
is read from a user-supplied stipples file
(allegro_plot_param.stipples); if a stipples file is not
found, plotter color defaults are used. On Windows, color
selection is determined by setting in the Color and Visibility
dialog box.

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Black and white: Directs the output to print in black and white.

Plot contents Screen contents: Prints/plots the contents of what is currently

displayed in the design area of the user interface.

Sheet contents: Prints/plots the extents of all currently-visible

graphics within the design (not the drawing extents).

IPF setup Vectorize text: Specifies that text output to the IPF file is broken
into line vectors. The environment variable
PLOT_VECTORIZE_TEXT determines whether the Vectorize
text option is enabled or disabled by default.

Width: specifies the width for simulating the text characters. The
width used is established with the environment variable
PLOT_VECTEXT_WIDTH. The default is 0.

When Vectorize text is enabled, and a negative value is entered

in the Width field, any other width setting of 0 or greater causes
photoplot widths to be ignored, and all text is uniformly stroked
with the same specified width. The Vectorize text and Width
settings apply as specified when the create plot command
executes.

Environment variables are the initial default settings for the Plot
Setup dialog box. If you modify the settings in the dialog box, the
new settings override any environment variable settings that you
may have specified. When you exit, the current dialog box
settings are saved in the .ini file. These .ini file settings are
then used in the next session, and again override any specified
environment variable settings.

If you modify the environment variable settings after changing

settings in the Plot Setup dialog box, these new environment
variable settings are not used. You must delete the .ini file,
and then the new environment variable settings take effect.

You can set environment variables using procedures, based on

the platform you are running. You can also set these environment
variables using Setup – User Preferences – Plot.

OK Saves the settings and closes the dialog box.

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Cancel Closes the dialog box without saving the settings.

Windows Tab

Only appears on the Windows platform. The .ini file retains all settings between sessions.

Non-vectorized Text Control

Non-Vectorized Text Choose to generate plot files with true font text , which lets you
generate PDF-format plot output with searchable text.

Font Specifies a font to use; defaults to Courier.

Font Height Enter a percentage scaling factor for the character height to
closely match font text with that of the normal vectorized text
display/plot.

Font Width Enter a percentage scaling factor for the character width to
closely match font text with that of the normal vectorized text
display/plot.

View Available Fonts Click to review the available text fonts for the plot device.

Margin Control

Margin Width Specify the desired margin width in user units. The default
equates to 0.25 inches, or 0.0 if the noplotmargins
environment variable is set.

OK Saves the settings and closes the dialog box.

Cancel Closes the dialog box without saving the settings.

Procedure

Setting Parameters for Plotting a Design

1. Adjust the visibility of the display layer and the view (zoom) level.
2. Run plot setup to display the Plot Setup dialog box.

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3. Set plot parameters as described in the section above. Parameters that you set in Plot
Setup are retained in the .ini file. Therefore, they remain in effect for every database
you open until you change the parameters.
4. Click OK to save the settings.

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rats all

rats all
The rats all command displays all existing ratsnest lines in your design.

To control the way in which the ratsnest lines are displayed, use them with the following
commands:

color Controls the color of ratsnest lines.

color priority Prioritizes color and sets visibility according to color.

To display ratsnest lines as straight or jogged lines, set the ratsnest geometry in the Display
tab of the Drawing Options dialog box (status).

Menu Path

Display – Show Rats– All

Procedure

Displaying All Existing Ratsnest Lines in Your Design

➤ Run rats all.
All ratsnest lines in the design are displayed.

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rats component

rats component
Displays existing ratsnest lines attached to component pins.

To control the way in which the ratsnest lines are displayed, use them with the following
commands:

color Controls the color of ratsnest lines.

color priority Prioritizes color and sets visibility according to color.

To display ratsnest lines as straight or jogged lines, set the ratsnest geometry in the Display
tab of the Drawing Options dialog box (status).

Menu Path

Display – Show Rats– Component

Procedure

Displaying Existing Ratsnest Lines Attached to Component Pins

1. Run rats component.
2. Choose a component.
Ratsnest lines to pins on the components that you choose are displayed.

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rats net

rats net
Displays existing ratsnest lines attached to pins on a net.

To control the way in which the ratsnest lines are displayed, use them with the following
commands:

color Controls the color of ratsnest lines.

color priority Prioritizes color and sets visibility according to color.

To display ratsnest lines as straight or jogged lines, set the ratsnest geometry in the Display
tab of the Drawing Options dialog box (status).

Menu Path

Display – Show Rats– Net

Procedure

Displaying Existing Ratsnest Lines Attached to Pins on a Net

1. Run rats net.
2. Choose a net.
Ratsnest lines to pins on the nets that you choose are displayed.

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redisplay

redisplay
Updates and redraws the current design window. Similar to redraw.

Menu Path

View – Refresh

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script

script
Dialog Box | Procedures

The script command records a series of actions. It creates a text file containing the
commands that you execute and adds a .scr extension to the file name. You can use scripts
to perform global tasks such as setting up dialog box options, adding objects to multiple
databases at the same location, and duplicating drawings. Using the interactive version of the
script command that displays the Scripting dialog box, you can also replay the script.

A macro is a script that lets you automate a series of point selections and replay them,
starting at another coordinate. When you replay a macro, Allegro PCB Editor prompts you for
a starting point (origin). The macro places the point selections you recorded relative to this
starting point. This is useful in performing operations that you need to repeat on a board/
design drawing, such as repeating complex geometric operations.

The current settings in your design are recorded in the script or macro. To display the script
with different settings, you must change them as part of the script.

Environment Variables

To keep the Scripting dialog box open, set the script_keepformopen environment
variable using Setup – User Preferences and selecting UI from the Categories frame.
When you set this variable, the dialog box does not close when you click the Replay button.
To specify a script to run on startup, set the script_startup environment variable using
Setup – User Preferences and selecting UI from the Categories frame.

Scripting in Allegro Package Designer XL and SiP Digital Architect/SiP Layout

For information on scripting in Allegro Package Designer XL and SiP Digital Architect/SiP
Layout, see Generating a Co-Design Die in the Placing the Elements User Guide.

Menu Path

File – Script

Scripting Dialog Box

Script File

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Name Specifies the name of the file in which you record your actions.
Allegro PCB Editor adds the .scr extension to the file name.
Browse Displays the script file data browser that lets you choose a
script file to replay.
Library Displays the script file data browser that lets you choose a
script file to replay. Opens to your script path location.
Generate Displays a file browser from which you can choose a .jrl file
to convert into a script without having to leave the current
environment. To process the journal file and reconstruct the
appropriate script outside of Allegro PCB Editor, run:
j2script <source_jrl_file> <target_allegro_script>
Record/Replay
Macro record mode Specifies whether or not you record as a macro. When
replaying, a macro requires a starting point.
Record Starts recording your actions.
Stop Stops recording your actions or replaying a script.
Replay Starts replaying a macro or script.
Cancel Closes the dialog box.
Help Displays the Help window.

Procedures

Creating a Script
1. Run the script command.
The Scripting dialog box appears.
2. In the Name text box, enter a name for the script.
3. Click Record.
The Scripting dialog box disappears.
4. Perform the tasks that you want the script to run.
The name of the file and the Rec status appears in the Status window.
5. Run script again, then click Stop in the Scripting dialog box.

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Creating a Macro
1. Run the script command.
The Scripting dialog box appears.
2. In the Name text box, enter a name for the macro.
3. Click Macro Record Mode.
4. Click Record.
The Scripting dialog box disappears.
5. Perform the tasks that you want the macro to run.
The name of the file and the Rec status appears in the Status window.
6. Run script again, then click Stop in the Scripting dialog box.

Replaying a Script
1. Run the script command.
The Scripting dialog box appears.
2. In the Name text box, enter the name of the script that you want to replay.
If necessary, use the Browse button to locate the correct file.
3. Click Replay.
The script replays.

Replaying a Macro
1. Run the script command.
The Scripting dialog box appears.
2. In the Name text box, enter the name of the macro that you want to replay.
If necessary, use the Browse button to locate the correct file.
3. Click Replay.
The script replays.

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Converting a .jrl File to a Script

1. Run the script command.
The Scripting dialog box appears.
2. Click Generate.
A file browser appears.
3. Choose a journal file to convert, which then creates a file of the same name with .scr
appended to it in the same directory as the source journal file. Once Allegro PCB Editor
generates the file, its name populates the Name text box.
4. Repeat for as many journal files as you want to convert.

Recording/Replaying Padstack Scripts

You can automate the process of entering padstack data by creating a script that lets you
record the entries that you make in the Padstack Designer dialog box. To define new
padstacks that share similar padstack specifications, you can replay the script file and edit the
new padstacks as necessary.

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show element

show element
Dialog Box | Procedure

The show element command lets you list the attributes of a graphic object. It displays all
values relevant to the object, such as its graphic coordinates, segment coordinates (for lines,
connect lines, rectangles, and shapes), segment length, center and radius (for arcs), symbol
type and reference designator (for package symbols), attached properties.

The show element command shows the schedule for user schedule nets.

Menu Path

Display – Element

Dialog Boxes

Show Element Dialog Box

The Show Element dialog box is a text box. It contains the following controls:

File – Save As Saves the information in a text file. When you issue this
command, Allegro PCB Editor and Allegro Package Designer
prompts you for a file name and appends the .txt extension.

File – Print Prints the contents of the window on either UNIX or Windows
systems. Use the User Preferences Editor dialog box to set the
print_unix_command environment variable governing UNIX
printing or the print_nt_extension environment variable
governing Windows printing.

File – Stick Makes the window remain on screen until you close the window,
or the program terminates. Use this option to compare
information between two windows. For example, you may use
show element to obtain information about two design objects
and use File – Stick to compare the contents of each window.

You can click on the x y coordinates in the Show Element dialog box and zoom center on the
location in the Design window.

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To be able to search a text file when you use the File – File Viewer, File – Viewlog, or
Display – Element menu commands, be sure to set the allegro_html environment
variable by choosing Setup – User Preferences – Ui.

To be able to access a web link as the value of a property, be sure to set the allegro_html
environment variable by choosing Setup – User Preferences – Ui. For additional
information on storing web links as the value of a property, see Creating Design Rules in
the user guide of your product documentation.

Find By Name/Property

Use this dialog box to set up search criteria so you can find object types quickly.

Object Type Defines the object type you want to select.

Available Objects Lists all the available objects in the design.

Name Filter Lets you narrow the object list of names by typing in names,
parts of names, and using wildcards.

Value Filter Lets you narrow the object list of values by typing in values, parts
of values, and using wildcards.

All -> Lets you move all the Available Objects into the Selected
Object list.

<-All Lets you move all the Selected Objects into the Available
Object list.

Selected Objects Lists all the objects you chose.

Double clicking an object in either the Available Object list or the Selected Object list
results in the object moving to the other column.

When you click Apply, the Show Element dialog box appears and the Find by Name/Property
dialog box remains open. When you click OK, the objects are found but the Find by Name/
Property dialog box closes.

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Procedures

Displaying Design Attributes for an Object

This procedure lets you display object attributes. You can also find instances of inherited
properties on parent and child objects using this method. This depends on where you start to
search for inherited properties. If you add the FIXED property to a net and, by inheritance, to
its associated pin, only the first instance of the inherited property (attached to the pin) is
printed. Since the attachment does not exist on the pin, it is reported as being inherited from
the net.
1. Run the show element command.
2. In the Find filter, choose the design objects you want to display.
3. Position the cursor over an object and click to select.
The object is highlighted and the Show Element dialog box appears. It contains all values
relevant to the object you picked.
4. Choose additional objects for display or click right and choose Done from the pop-up
menu.
Note: You can print a listing of the highlighted design object or you can save the listing
to a file.

Finding an Object by its Property

1. Run the show element command.
2. Click More in the Find Filter.
The Find by Name/Property dialog box appears.
3. Choose the property from the Available Properties list box.
The property appears in the Name field.
4. To display all objects that have the chosen property, click Apply.
A Show Element dialog box appears, listing all objects to which the chosen property
currently is attached.
Any objects on the design that have the chosen property are highlighted. If there are no
such objects, a message is displayed in the command console:
No instances of <property_name> found.

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5. To display attributes for the chosen object, click Show.

The Find by Property Show dialog box appears.

Finding an Object by its Name

1. Click the arrow next to the drop-down list box at the bottom of the Find Filter.
2. Choose the type of object from the list.
3. Enter the name of the object in the Name field to the right of the drop-down list box.
4. Click Enter.
The Show Element dialog box appears and the object on the design is highlighted.

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show measure

show measure
Dialog Box | Procedure

The show measure command lets you calculate the distance between two user-defined
points on your design and displays the following information:
■ Distance
■ Total distance
■ Manhattan distance
■ Change along the x-axis
■ Change along the y-axis

Menu Path

Display – Measure

Measure Dialog Box

Dist Displays the distance between two markers shown on the

elements you picked.

Total Dist Displays the accumulated total of all values displayed in the Dist
field since you chose the second element or since you last
chosen Next from the pop-up.

Manhattan Dist. Displays the absolute sum of the x-distance and the y-distance
between two markers. This is always a positive value

Dx Displays the absolute x-distance (horizontal) between two

markers.

Dy Displays the absolute y-distance (vertical) between two markers.

Note: Manhattan Dist = Dx + Dy

Width Displays the width of line segments along a connect line.

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If you have a connection path joining two elements, the following options appear on the
Measure dialog box:

Etch/Conductor Dist Displays the distance along the center lines of the connect lines
connecting the two elements.

Total Etch/Conductor Displays the accumulated connection path length from the first
selection you made.

Via Count Displays the number of vias on the path joining the last two points
you picked.

Air Gap Displays the minimum distance between the two elements you
picked. If either element is a DRC marker, NCDrill figure, or a
point not on any element, then a message displays indicating
that no Air Gap was measured. A similar message displays if
both picks are on the same etch/conductor type element.

On Subclass Displays the subclass that is common to both elements, if they

have one. This field does not display if there is no common
subclass.

Procedure
1. Run show measure.
2. Adjust the Find Filter to choose specific design elements,.
3. Position the cursor and click to highlight the first element.
The Measure dialog box displays and identifies the element and its location.
4. Position the cursor and click to highlight the second element.
The Measure dialog box is updated with the second element and its location, and
displays the distance between the two points you chose.
The following temporary markers on each element appear:
❑ A cross indicates the center of a pad or the vertex of a connect line or filled
rectangle.
❑ A square at the nearest grid point identifies all other picks.
If you pick two different elements and an air gap has been defined between them, a line
showing the air gap between the nearest points on the two elements is displayed.

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The command finds the connecting path, if it exists, between the two elements you pick,
highlights it, and displays the distance in the Dist field of the Measure dialog box. If more
than one connecting path joins the two elements, one of them is found and highlighted.

a. To measure any other path, indicate it by picking intermediate points along it and
read the Total Dist field of the Measure dialog box.
5. When you are finished, click right to display the pop-up menu, and choose Done.

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show property

show property
Dialog Box | Procedure

The show property command identifies the properties in your current design in the Show
Property dialog box. You can list all design elements assigned to a property/value or view a
property definition.

For more details about properties, see the Creating Design Rules user guide in your
product documentation.

Menu Path

Display – Property

Show Property Dialog Box

Use this dialog box to find elements with a specific property/value or view the definition of a
property.

Information Tab

Available Properties Displays a list of all Allegro PCB Editor and Allegro Package
Designer properties. Click a property to choose it. The property
name appears in the Name field.
Filter Limits the properties you want displayed in the Available
Properties list.
Name Searches for the property name entered in this field.
Value Searches for the property value entered in this field. A property
must be defined in the Name field before this field is active.
Type Indicates the property type after you have chosen a property.
Sort By Sorts elements in one of the following ways:
Element (Default) Lists properties by design
element.
Property Lists design elements by property.

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Show Val Displays a list of all the elements that have the chosen
property/value. The list appears sorted in a separate window
that remains open until you close it.
Show Def Displays the definition of the chosen property, which appears in
a separate window that remains open until you close it.
Reset Clears the fields and resets to the defaults.

Graphics Tab

Available Properties Displays a list of all Allegro PCB Editor and Allegro Package
Designer properties. Click on a property to choose it.
Filter Limits the properties on display in the Available Properties list.
Selected Properties Displays the name of the property for which to create text.
Subclass Identifies the manufacturing subclass on which to create text
for the chosen properties.
Text Block Specifies the size of the text.
Property Name If chosen, property text includes both property name and
value.
Reset Clears the fields and resets to the defaults.
Create Click to create text for properties listed in Available
Properties.
Delete Deletes all text on the subclass.

Procedures

Finding elements with a specific property/value

1. Choose Display – Property (show property command).
The Show Property dialog box appears.
2. Click the Information tab.
3. Choose a property from the Available Properties list.
–or–
Enter a property name in the Name field.

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You can enter the property name in uppercase or lowercase.

Note: You can click Filter to limit the listed properties. By default, all properties
appear.
4. If needed, enter a property value in the Value field.
5. If needed, change the Sort by method.
6. Click Show Val for a list of elements that have the property—and its value, if specified.
–or–
Click Show Def for a definition of the property.
The Show window appears.
7. Click OK to close the Show Property dialog box.
To allow you to view property information while using other commands, the Show window
does not disappear when you close the main Show Property dialog box. Close the Show
window when you are done.

Graphically displaying properties

1. Choose Display – Property (show property command).
The Show Property dialog box appears.
2. Click the Graphics tab.
3. Choose a property from the Available Properties list, moving it to the Selected
Properties section, which displays the name of the property for which to create text.
4. Choose a manufacturing subclass on which to create text for the chosen properties in
the Subclass field. If you specify a user-defined subclass to which to add properties, you
must define them up prior to instantiating any properties using Setup – Subclasses.
5. Choose a value in the Text Block field, to specify the size of the text.
6. Enable the Property Name field to allow property text to include both the property name
and value.
7. Click Create to create text. The status bar in the dialog box shows the number of text
instances added.
8. Click OK to close the dialog box.
9. Choose Display – Color Visibility or click the color icon in the tool bar to display the
Color and Visibility dialog box.

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10. In the Package Geometry section, click the ASSEMBLY TOP and BOTTOM subclasses
to display them.
11. Set the Global Visibility to All Invisible.
12. Click Yes in the confirmer that appears.
13. Set Group to Manufacturing and click any user-defined subclasses to display them;
otherwise, Allegro PCB Editor adds the text instances to the PROPERTIES subclass by
default.
14. Click Apply on the Color and Visibility dialog box.
15. Click the Show Element icon. Set the Find Filter to All Off and enable Text.
16. Window select to zoom in. The elements with the property name and value text appear.

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show waived drcs

show waived drcs

The show waived drcs command lets you display all waived DRC error markers on the
board. This command is the opposite of the blank waived drcs command.

For more information on waiving DRC errors, see blank waived drcs and Waiving
Design Rule Check Errors in your product documentation.

Menu Path
Display – Waive DRCs – Show

Procedure

Showing Waived DRC Error Markers in the Design

Note: This command displays waived DRC errors that already exist in the design but are
invisible, but will not waive DRC errors.
➤ Run the show waived drcs command. The waived DRC error markers appear on the
board.

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status

status
Dialog Box

The status command lets you establish the operating characteristics for the active design
in either layout or symbol mode.

Menu Path

Setup – Drawing Options

Drawing Options Dialog Box

Status Tab

In the layout mode, you can use the Status tab to verify the current state of dynamic shapes
and DRCs and update them if they are out of date. An out of date dynamic shape is one for
which the Dynamic Copper Fill mode has been set to Rough or Disabled on the Global
Dynamic Shape Parameters dialog box (non-Smooth Dynamic Copper Fill mode).

When dynamic shapes are out of date, changing the dynamic copper fill mode on the Status
tab produces the following behaviors:

Changing fill mode from and using this button produces this result
Disabled to Rough OK no update of dynamic shapes
changes fill mode in Global
Dynamic Shape Parameters dialog
box to Rough
Disabled to Smooth OK no update of dynamic shapes
changes fill mode in Global
Dynamic Shape Parameters dialog
box to Smooth
Rough to Smooth OK no update of dynamic shapes
changes fill mode in Global
Dynamic Shape Parameters dialog
box to Smooth

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Changing fill mode from and using this button produces this result
any selection/no selection Update to Smooth updates dynamic shapes to Smooth
changes fill mode in Global
Dynamic Shape Parameters dialog
box to Smooth

You can also assess the number of unplaced symbols or unrouted nets. In the symbol mode,
you can view the number of connect and mechanical pins in the design.

Connect pins Displays the number of connect pins in the design. (symbol
mode only).

Mechanical pins Displays the number of mechanical pins in the design. (symbol
mode only).

Unplaced symbols Displays the number of <unplaced symbols>/<total

symbols> in the design. A green color box means all symbols
are placed; yellow, some placed; and red, none placed. (layout
mode only). Clicking the color box produces the Unplaced
Symbol Availability Check report that lists the availability of
unplaced symbols and their location on disk.

Unrouted nets Displays the number of <unrouted or partially

nets>/<total nets> in the design. A green color box
means all symbols are placed; yellow, some placed; and red,
none placed. (layout mode only).

Isolated shapes Displays the number of shapes on nets without connections,

known as isolated shapes. Isolated shapes may occur during
voiding, or when you add shapes to nets without pins or vias to
which to connect. A green color box means no shapes are
isolated; yellow, some shapes remain isolated. Clicking the color
box produces a report summarizing the data.

Unassigned shapes Displays the number of copper shapes unassigned to a net. A

green color box means no shapes are unassigned; yellow, some
shapes remain unassigned. Clicking the color box produces a
report summarizing the data. Clicking on the hyperlinked x/y
coordinates in the report brings you to that shape location in the
design.

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Out of date shapes Displays the number of <non-Smooth dynamic shapes>/

<total dynamic shapes> in layout mode only.

A red color box indicates the Dynamic Copper Fill mode for all
dynamic shapes has been set to Rough or Disabled on the
Global Dynamic Shape Parameters dialog box, making all
dynamic shapes out of date (non-Smooth Dynamic Copper
Fill mode) as a result. Out of date dynamic shapes prevent
artwork output.

A yellow color box indicates a portion of all dynamic shapes are

out of date in the design.

A green color box indicates the Dynamic Copper Fill mode for
all dynamic shapes has been set to Smooth, making all dynamic
shapes up-to-date (Dynamic Copper Fill mode set to
Smooth).

Clicking the color box produces a report, sorted by layer,

showing the status of each dynamic shape on the board as
follows:

Smooth: ready for artwork

Out of date: update required

No Etch: shape has no etch, possibly due to a route keepout.

Delete the dynamic shape or add etch to produce artwork.

DRC errors Indicates whether DRC markers are up-to-date. The status can
be UP TO DATE.

A red color box indicates DRC is out of date or Batch DRC is

required.

A yellow color box indicates DRC is up to date, but DRC errors

exist.

A green color box indicates DRC is up to date and no DRC errors

exist.

Waived DRC errors Displays the count of waived DRC errors that exist in the design.
Waived DRC errors are never considered out-of-date.

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A green color box indicates there are no waived DRC errors

present in the design.

A yellow color box indicates there are waived DRC errors.

Refresh button Click to display the most recent status for symbols, nets,
and shapes.

DRC Controls

On-Line DRC Specifies whether you run DRC online (On) or in batch mode
(Off). Default is On. You should leave DRC mode on so that as
you change the design, you get immediate feedback about
design rule violations. For better performance, turn it off, but you
should run a batch DRC update before manufacturing the board.

Default Symbol Height Indicates the default height of a symbol on the design if you did
not specify the height when you created the symbol. Use this
value to check package-to-package/part-to-part and package-to-
keepout/part-to-keepout DRC. Defaults to 150 Mils.

Update DRC button Click to display the total number of errors. It is only enabled when
online DRC is enabled.

Shapes (Dynamic Copper Pour)

Fill Mode Controls automatic voiding and edge smoothing for all
dynamically filled shapes. Use this field to change the dynamic
copper fill mode while you are evaluating the status of dynamic
shapes without opening the Global Dynamic Shape
Parameters dialog box. The setting you choose here then
defaults to the Global Dynamic Shape Parameters dialog box.

Smooth: Choose to automatically void and run DRC on all

dynamically filled shapes and produce artwork quality output.

Rough: Select to see connectivity without full edge smoothing

and thermal hookups in a fast fill mode to obtain true clearances
around objects and resolve intersections with other voids.
Artwork quality results and artwork are not created.

Disabled: Select to globally defer dynamically filling all dynamic

shapes you subsequently create or modify to speed

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performance. Use this option to edit etch for medium to large

ECOs, manual ECOs or to run batch programs such as netin,
glossing, testprep add/replace vias, for example. Shapes
created under this global setting are not voided, and DRC does
not run. They are marked out of date to be filled later. Artwork
cannot be produced.

Update to Smooth Click this button to automatically void and run DRC on all
dynamically filled shapes, making all dynamic shapes up-to-date
(Dynamic Copper Fill mode set to Smooth) and produce
artwork quality output (regardless of whether you chose Rough
or Disabled in the Fill Mode field above). Changes the current
Dynamic Copper Fill mode on the Global Dynamic Shape
Parameters dialog box to Smooth.

To cancel dynamic filling of complex shapes for a large design,

you can use the Esc key to stop the process, which leaves the
shapes out of date. If several shapes are in the midst of
dynamically filling when you invoke the Esc key:

Shapes already dynamically filled remain completed.

Shapes in the process of dynamically filling remain unfilled and

marked out of date.

Shapes whose dynamic fill is yet to be updated remain filled but

marked out of date.

Display Tab

Connect Point Size Specifies the size of a connect point in user units. The default is
10. Cpoint sizes should be set high enough to be easily seen in
a drawing. The appropriate setting (for visibility) depends on the
line width in your design.

Etch/conductor lines that extend outside groups may sometimes

have to be connected to new or existing etch/conductor. Because
groups may have properties, for example FIXED, that cannot be
modified when connections are made to objects outside the
group, connection points (cpoints) are created when a
connection line (cline) outside a group connects to a cline in a
group.

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The cpoint is created so that the original cline remains unaltered

in the group. (Normally, the new cline would merge with the
existing one, thus changing aspects of the group.) Cpoint
functionality can minimize lost information that is often the result
of merged, overlapped, and/or deleted clines. You cannot add
cpoints through an interactive command or manipulate them, nor
can you select them using Display – Element (show element
command).

Cpoints display as diamonds on the cline’s subclass in plotting

but not in the output of artwork.

Figure 1-5 Cpoint on Two Clines

Cline in group A Cpoint Cline outside group A

DRC Marker Size Determines the size, in user-defined units, of the DRC markers
that appear in a design. The default is 25.

Rat T (Virtual pin) size Allows you to control the graphical size of a Rat T.

Max Rband Count Specifies an upper limit on the number of lines drawn during
editing sessions. You should not have to change this value with
modern graphic cards. The default is 500.

Ratsnest Geometry Displays a pop-up menu that lets you choose the shape of the
ratsnest lines. The default is Jogged.

Ratsnest Points Displays a pop-up menu that lets you choose the closest
distance on a line (Closest endpoint) or between two pins (Pin
to pin). The default is Closest endpoint.

Enhanced Display Modes

Display Plated Holes Displays plated drill holes in your design. Unchecked by default,
because plating hole visibility often is not required due to the
volume of entities and supporting geometries such as etch layer
pads.

Display Non-Plated Holes

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Displays non-plated drill holes in your design. You may want to

make non-plated holes visible during placement and routing
because they have no padstacks associated with them on etch
layers and are normally invisible. As a result, they may lack
proper keepout areas to guide you. Unchecked by default.

Filled Pads Controls onscreen design display and fills pins. Unchecked by
default. Leaving pads unfilled can improve display performance.

Cline Endcaps Controls onscreen design display and rounds line vertices to
more closely approximate artwork.

Thermal Pads Displays thermal pads when you have a negative plane.
Unchecked by default.

Bus Rats Displays the middle portion of ratsnest lines with the same
BUS_NAME property so that they appear to be merged into a
thick line. Unchecked by default.

Grids Displays the grid. Checked by default.

Waived DRCs Displays waived DRCs. Disabled by default.

Text Tab

Justification Indicates the anchor point within text that you add to the layout.
The anchor location determines how the text appears in the text
block. The default is Left.

Parameter Block Defines the size and spacing of the text you add to the design.
Using the define text command, you can define up to 16 text
blocks. The default is 1.

Text Marker Size Determines the size, in user units, of the displayed text markers.
These markers indicate locations for text that will be entered
later. The default is 50.

Refdes Specifies the text size for reference designators in the

Allegro PCB SI layout

Room Name Specifies the text size of room names in the Allegro PCB
SI layout.

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Notes Determines the text size of notes in the Allegro PCB SI

layout.

Line Lock Tab

Use this tab to specify the default values when you add lines.

Lock Direction Displays a pop-up menu that lets you specify the direction of
lines that you add to a drawing. The options are Off, 45, and 90.
The default is Off.

Lock Mode Specifies the type of segments to use when adding lines or
connect lines. The options are Line and Arc. The default is Line.

Minimum Radius Determines the minimum radius allowed for an arc. The default
is 0.

Fixed 45 Length Specifies the length, in user units, of 45-degree segments. By

default, this is unchecked. If checked, the default is 25.

Fixed Radius Specifies the radius, in user-defined units, of arcs. By default,

this is unchecked. If checked, the default is 25.

Tangent Specifies whether tangent lines are locked. If checked, arcs

construct tangent to lines. By default, this is checked.

Symbol Tab

Use this tab to specify the default values used when you place symbols.

Angle Specifies the default angle that is used to place symbols. You can
enter an angle with up to three decimal places, or you can display
a pop-up menu and choose one of the available angles. The
default is 0.

Mirror Lets you mirror symbols that you add to a drawing. By default,
this is not checked.

Drawing size Displays the Drawing Parameters dialog box.

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unrats all

unrats all
The unrats all command hides all ratsnest lines in your design.

Menu Path

Display – Blank Rats – All

Procedure

Hiding Ratsnest Lines

1. Run unrats all.
All ratsnest lines in the design disappear.
2. Run View – Refresh to clean up the appearance of your design.

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unrats component

unrats component
Hides visible ratsnest lines to pins on an individual component or a group of components in
a design. Click to select the components or select the appropriate symbol name or symbol
list from the Find by Name section of the Find filter.

Menu Path

Display – Blank Rats – Component

Procedure

Hiding Ratsnest Lines to Pins on Components

1. Run unrats component.
2. All ratsnest lines to pins on the components that you select disappear.

Optionally, you can extend your selection by clicking right and choosing Refdes List or
Refdes Name from the pop-up menu.

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unrats net

unrats net
Hides visible ratsnest lines to pins on an individual net or a group of nets in a design. To select
the nets to be invisible, select the pins on the appropriate net or select the appropriate net
name or net list from the Find by Name section of the Find filter.

Menu Path

Display – Blank Rats – Net

Procedure

Hiding Ratsnest Lines to Pins on Nets

Hides visible ratsnest lines to pins on an individual net or a group of nets in a design. To select
the nets to be invisible, select the pins on the appropriate net or select the appropriate net
name or net list from the Find by Name section of the Find filter.
1. Run unrats net.
2. All ratsnest lines to pins on the nets that you select are removed.
Optionally, you can extend your selection by Net by clicking right and choosing Net List
or Net Name from the pop-up menu.

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viewlog

viewlog
Dialog Box | Procedures

The viewlog (also viewlog -last) command lets you view log files created by an
automatic process, such as AutoRoute, NC Drill, and Silkscreen. The windows in which log
files appear contain menu controls that let you save and print the logs.

You can click on the x y coordinates in the Viewlog dialog box and zoom center on the location
in the Design window.

To be able to search a text file when you use the File – File Viewer, File – Viewlog, or
Display – Element menu commands, be sure to set the allegro_html environment
variable by choosing Setup – User Preferences – Ui.

Select File to View Dialog Box

The log file viewer contains the following menu bar options:

File – Save As Saves the information in a text file. When you issue this
command, you are prompted for a file name and the.txt
extension appends.

File – Print Prints the contents of the window on either UNIX or Windows
systems. Use the User Preferences Editor dialog box to set the
print_unix_command environment variable governing Unix
printing or the print_nt_extension environment variable
governing Windows printing. See the Getting Started with
Physical Design user guide in your documentation set for more
information.

File – Stick Makes the window remain on screen until you close the window,
or the program terminates. Use this option to compare
information between two windows. For example, you may use
show element to obtain information about two design objects
and use File – Stick to compare the contents of each window.

Close Dismisses the window.

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viewlog

Procedures

Viewing Log Files Without Specifying File Name

1. Type viewlog.
A file browser appears
2. Choose the log file you want to view and click Open.
The log file viewer window displays the selected file.
3. Click on the x y coordinates in the Viewlog dialog box and zoom center on the location
in the Design window.

Viewing Log Files Specifying File Name

1. Type viewlog followed by the name of the file you want to view.
The log file viewer window displays the specified file.
2. Click on the x y coordinates in the Viewlog dialog box and zoom center on the location
in the Design window.

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zoom center

zoom center
The zoom center command moves the indicated point in the drawing into the center of the
window display.

Menu Path

View – Zoom Center

Procedure

Centering a Design Window About a Specific Point

Use one of these methods:

➤ Run zoom center, then click the location you want to be the center of the new display.

Use dynamic zooming by way of the middle mouse button. For details on dynamic zooming,
see the Getting Started with Physical Design user guide in your documentation set.

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zoom fit

zoom fit
The zoom fit command fits your entire layout in the design window. In APD, the command
focuses around ASSEMBLY_TOP/ASSEMBLY_BOTTOM shapes if there is no package
substrate outline or if there are no keepouts in the design.

Menu Path

View – Zoom Fit

Procedure

Fitting Your Layout in the Design Window

Use one of these methods:

➤ Type zoom fit at the console window prompt.

–or–

Press F9.

–or–

Use dynamic zooming by way of the middle mouse button. For details on dynamic
zooming, see the Getting Started with Physical Design user guide in your
documentation set.
A full view of the design, excluding legends and borders, is displayed in the Design
window.

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zoom in

zoom in
The zoom in command magnifies your view by a factor of two. You can continue to zoom in
on a design by repeating this command.

Menu Path

View – Zoom In

Procedure

Magnifying Your View

Type zoom in at the console window prompt.

–or–

Press F10.

–or–

Draw the Zoom stroke (z) with the mouse. )

–or–

Use dynamic zooming by way of the middle mouse button. For details on dynamic zooming,
see the Getting Started with Physical Design user guide in your documentation set.

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zoom out

zoom out
The zoom out command halves the magnification of your layout.

You can continue to zoom out on a design by repeating this command.

Menu Path

View – Zoom Out

Procedure

Reducing the Magnification of Your Layout

Type zoom out at the console window prompt.

–or–

Press F11.

–or–

Use dynamic zooming by way of the middle mouse button. For details on dynamic zooming,
see the Getting Started with Physical Design user guide in your documentation set.

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zoom points

zoom points
The zoom points command lets you define an area of your layout to zoom in on (magnify).

Menu Path

View – Zoom By Points

Procedure

Zooming in on a Specific Area of Your Design

Use one of these methods:

1. Type zoom points at the console window prompt.

–or–

Press F8.

–or–

Draw the Zoom stroke (z) with the mouse.

–or–

Use dynamic zooming by way of the middle mouse button. For details on dynamic
zooming, see the Getting Started with Physical Design user guide in your
documentation set.
2. Click in the layout to anchor the start coordinate.
3. Move the mouse pointer over the layout to define the zoom boundary.
A bounding box expands as you move the mouse.
4. Click again to define the end coordinate.
The selected area expands into view.

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zoom previous

zoom previous
The zoom previous command lets you to zoom back from the current window extents to
the prior view.

Menu Path

View – Zoom Previous

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zoom world

zoom world
The zoom world command reduces the magnification of your design so you can view your
entire drawing.

Menu Path

View – Zoom World

Procedure
To zoom out to a full view of your design, use one of the following methods:
1. Run the zoom world command.

or

Draw the Zoom-In stroke (z) with the mouse.

or

Use dynamic zooming by way of the middle mouse button. (For details on dynamic
zooming, see the Getting Started with Physical Design user guide in your
documentation set..

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zoom world

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