Hierarchical Projects

The recommended method way of organizing complex schematic based hierarchical designs is to organize the schematics via a symbol file.

1 Create and name a symbol file with the main name of the project. e.g. PhaseLockedLoop.

2 Create symbols or copy symbols into this file all the schematic symbols associated with the project, e.g. phase detector, loop filter, error amp etc.

3 Place all schematics for a project in one directory, along with the symbol file e.g. \PhaseLockedLoop.

This method will allow project copies to be made with minimal effort, via:

Locating Schematics to Symbols - Relative paths

If the explicit path of the schematic attached to the Symbol is not found, the path relative to the top level schematic is used. This makes it easier to move sets of schematics of a project.

All Symbols With All Schematic Files Copied

A symbol file copy can be achieved either by using the relevant buttons in symbol manager, blue "Sy" button or right clicking on a symbol folder and using the "Copy and Paste Symbol File" menu. A dialog will allow selection of the new directory for the symbol file. Pasting will perform three main actions.

1 All symbols in the existing file will be copied and a new file created saved in the new directory.

2 All schematics attached to the symbols will be copied and placed in the new directory.

3 The paths of all schematics attached to the symbols will be automatically changed the new directory path.

This procedure eliminates the requirement to manually set each symbol's attached schematic to the new path as would otherwise be required if a simple schematic copy was performed.

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