Any way to Tidy schematic in multisim?

[Dalmation]

Hello,

I use multisim simply to draw my schematic for exporting to ultiboard (I never use the simulation features).

Anyway- sometimes there are so many wires on the circuit- its really messy.

Is there an option to autoplace or tidy the components/wires so it looks like something you could print out and refer to?

Also on a similar issue- in ultiboard- is there a simpler way of adding a net? I would like to be able to just click on a pin, then another and have a net appear between them- like in multisim!! Just to be clear- I know how to draw a trace, but I want to create a net or add to a net for autorouting later.

If I can figure this out- I can just graw my circuits directly in ultiboard.

If there isnt an answer- is there another NI product for drawing circuits?

Thanks in advance.

-Dalmation.

ps here is an example of my messy schematics 🙂

[lacy]

1. As far as Multisim and tidyness. You can run wires to a bus connection. This comes in handy when there are lots of address and data lines.

2 Yes there is a simple way of adding nets in Ultiboard. Goto Net List Editor. Click Add Net. Label your net to whatever you desire. Just down below that there are a group of tabs. Click the one label PINS. After that Click the arrow below the ADD button on the right. Now you only have to go to the Board window and click on what pins you want in that net. They will then appear in the little white window to show you that they have been added. Be advised that you will not see the ratsnest on the Board View until you are finished selecting nets and press the OK button.

[kittmaster]

the then you can back annotate from ultiboard to MS and it will update the multisim connections for you.

Message Edited by kittmaster on 08-03-2007 10:16 PM

[Dalmation]

The netlist editor is what I have issue with- Its okay for 1 or 2 nets, but to add something like a 32 pin IC becomes incredibly tedious.

Is there really no way to just add the nets in the same way as multisim- that sounds mad to me?

Thanks again.

-Dalmation

[lacy]

You are wanting a way to draw nets where you could just draw the net with the pointer on screen just like Multisim does its wiring. Sorry if I misunderstood before, but I got it now. I am not sure that this is possible. This may have to be a feature request. If it is possible and someone knows how this can be accomplished please let the forum know, because I would be interested in that myself.

Have a Nice Day.

[lacy]

One option that I have tried, but in my opinion is a pain in the kester is to use the follow-me trace routing option. In this way you could draw your traces directly. The only drawback is that you wouldn't have a net list and the autorouter wouln't work without a net list. Also, backannote to Multisim would also not work. This method would cough up a bunch or DRC errors, because without a net list, Ultiboard considers the pins unused even though the are routed. I don't know how this would effect the manufacturing output files.

Other than drawing lines and shapes, the follow-me router is the only other direct draw commands I can find.

Have a Nice Day.

[kittmaster]

The problem is your trying to work a problem backwards. Circuit board design starts at the top of the pyramid and needs to work its way down. Your are trying to do trace work and do things backwards. You should seriously get your multisim schematic capture to 100% first. Create your netlist, and then do ultiboard work.

You are really doing double and second guess work by doing it this way.

I would seriously consider using the bus commands as mentioned or use Heirchial symbols for interpin connections.

I think once you get better as MS, the better your UB project will turn out.

[lacy]

I would have to agree with Kittmaster. It is a world of a lot easier wiring in Multisim and tranfering to Ultiboard. That is why we have software in the first place so we won't have to manually do things. Multisim is fairly easy to learn but not master. Other than NI I don't think no one can say they have mastered it. I haven't and I have been using it since Version 4 and I still find something I don't know about and have to learn. It is one of those deals that the more you use it, the easier it gets and soon you will be wiring circuits like it was second nature and making them look a professional.

[Dalmation]

But you cant add all devices in multisim (by package). It wants you to draw a circuit with components it recognises.

I still cant add a surface mount LED for example.

My last project took me days to get right in MS and UltiBoard- then I had to change my plan and replace 2x SOIC32 chips with four 2x8 pin headers.

Ideally- I could just delete the 2 chips, draw new nets with point&click (10 minute job)

But no- for EACH pin...

- I have to go to the net editor menu

-pick a pad with the wand-

-give the net a new name (like I care what its called)

-Tell it what pins I want to connect to

-Pull my hair out when it says "that pin is already assigned to a net" AAAARRRRGGGHHH I KNOW-JUST CONNECT IT!!

-Find the 'already assigned net' and connect it from there instead.

I wish they would give you the option to do it the easy way instead of presuming everything went perfect in multisim.

Any chance of adding it to the feature requests?

Thanks again.

PS its refreshing to see a Technical help forum that actually gets looked at (and contributed to) by the company concerned. Check out Cypress Semiconductors help forum- hundreds of questions posted- NOT ONE ANSWERED!!! Not kiddin- What a joke- you can write whatever abuse you want though (to vent frustration) cos its NEVER read by the admin/moderators! 🙂

[kittmaster]

Well to partially answer your comments:

The surface mount led thing is easy, most are the same footprint as a R1206 case size. You can just use that instead of having it as an LED. With something that small, you really don't need silk to show it except for maybe the + symbol for the anode.

If there is a package that is not in MS......CREATE IT!

You don't have to have the spice model for the part, MS supports 'layout' only. I've had to create MANY parts I use that are not in the database. I've created motherboard to wireless gateways to simple amplifiers.......there is NFW I'd go through the method you have discribed. While sounding condescending, you have to put a better effort to fully understanding Multisim......I know its a real PITA sometimes, but really there is nothing that it can't do one you are comfortable with it.

I've been using it all night and just realized there is no 9 position sip.......created a new layout part in 45 seconds, forward annotated my new netlist, created the physical footprint in UB (about 3 minutes > 10 pin SIP standard 100 mil pitch)> updated netlist in UB and bingo I was in the process of rerouting my board........all within 5 minutes.......seriously its THAT easy.....;)

Just got get the MS down and you'll never pull another hair out of your head......unless the autorouter does finish.....;)

Your right about the support here, they do try very hard to fix all the issues with the support, but they are VERY SLOW to release the fixes. I've personally been to there training and headquarters when they were EWB in Montreal and I can tell you, the techs are almost completely disconnected from the designers.......they have to consistant "wait and see" or submit issues and wait for a response. That may have changed since NI took over, but still semi annual fixes and releases are just to damn slow for any real impact to maintain customer satisfaction.

Ask yourself......what if MS, or linux only updated every six months.......you know the end of that movie......LOL