User Interface

The composition of the SchematicEditor is very similar to the user interface of the LayoutEditor offering outstanding usability as well as high productivity. This is achieved by an extensive use of shortcuts and mouse buttons/keys combination together with clear visibility of these combinations. The most important handling functions like zooming and scrolling are integrated in each feature and need not to be called separately. Context menus are available for most parts of the user interface by a right mouse click. The three button wheel mouse is recommended for a effective use, but it is also possible to use any feature with a touch pad or one button mouse.

The user interface of the SchematicEditor is highly adjustable. The default appearance (shown below) only includes most important parts. Further tool bars can be added on demand via the main menu or via a right click in the empty area of the menu bar/tool bar.

The parts of the user interface are described next, starting with the most important part of the user interface, the main sheet area:

Sheet Area

The schematic or symbol is displayed here. The mouse function depends on the activated mode. But three basic features are always active:

• mouse right click: The main menu is opened by a right click in the drawing.
• mouse right hold and move to scroll.
• Use the mouse-wheel to zoom in/out. A fine zoom is achieved, if the mouse wheel is used together with the Shift key, and a very fine zoom with the Control key.

Components Library

All opened component libraries are displayed in this subwindow. Via the button in the top you can choose one library and all relating components (= devices) will be shown in the list below. The tool buttons located between the library button and the component list are used to manage the libraries as well as its components. These features are also accessible via the context menu of the components list. Further functions of the component list are:

• mouse left click choose a component to be place in a schematic.
• mouse shift left click or mouse mid click to show component infos.
• mouse shift ctrl left click to edit component properties.
• mouse rightright click to show a context menu. Via the context menu you can do all relevant library modifications

Mouse Help

The mouse help sub window shows the occupancy of all mouse buttons. The window is display by default in the lower left of the user interface. If the sub window is closed, you can reopen it by a right click in an empty part of the tool bar or menu bar and activate Mouse Help in the list of available windows/tool bars.

Tool Buttons

Most functions are available direct via a tool button. Help on the individual buttons is accessible through the What's This function (Shift+F1).The visibility of the different toolbars can adjusted via a right click on a free place in the dockarea. After program start, the last setup is recovered.

Shortcuts

Some schematic features can also be accessed via shortcuts. A list of all shortkeys can be found here. With the CapsLock key you can display all available shortcuts on the associated tool buttons.

Versions/Installation

The SchematicEditor is included with all versions of the LayoutEditor. To open the SchematicEditor press the SchematicEditor button within the LayoutEditor (in the toolbar or in the utilities menu). Or start the LayoutEditor with the option --schematic to start with the schematic window. Also a direct open link to the SchematicEditor may be installed with the LayoutEditor. The SchematicEditor is free to use without any limitation. It is available with any LayoutEditor version.