So I have a 66 POS connector that I've created. It will be used for 16 ethernet twisted pairs. I need to label (and display in the actual schematic) the signal at each pin. For example, pin one needs Tx16+ displayed, and pin 2 needs Tx16- displayed. I assigned the mnemonic attribute to each pin, thinking I could right click on the symbol, click edit attributes, and assign the value Tx16+ to mnemonic 1 (for pin one).
It lets me edit the "Value" field for mnemonic 1 to display Tx16+...but when I hit OK and look on my schematic, TX16+ is not displayed. I've tried updating the symbol, and that doesn't help. What's worse, is that I go back to edit attributes again and that field I edited for "Value" to Tx16+ is now blank again! What am I doing wrong?
Thanks!
How are you planning on using that 66 pin connector? Is there one giant symbol with all of the connections, one symbol per ethernet cable, or one symbol per pin?
One giant symbol with all of the connections (as it really is one giant connector on an ethernet switch). It will have all the RJ45 connections broke out on individual cables going to a bunch of different equipment, on an equipment rack.
Yeah, I put a check mark next to the mnemonic for each circuit. That let me place the mnemonic place holder next to each pin. The problem came when I tried to assign a value to that mnemonic.
But I figured it out. It turns out you need to go to "Edit terminals" in the schematic (on the connector) and enter the mnemonic value there. THAT will display it on the actual schematic. If you edit the values for the mnemonic under "Edit attributes", which it will let you do, it won't be displayed on the schematic. And it will delete what you entered once you hit "OK".
So I'm learning. It's sometimes a painful process, but I'm sure I'll eventually be fully proficient (I'm determined to be!).
Thanks anyway. I very much appreciate the help!
Is this the correct/standard use for the mnemonic attribute? Or should I have used the "Utilization" attribute for labeling the signals?
That is one of the major strengths of this program. You can do about anything how it works for you. I personally put that type of information as dumb text in whatever symbol I am going to use, or if it makes sense, the group value for the circuit, or even the terminal number if the part doesn't have actual numbers.
Assigning manually in the mnemonic works just fine, but you will have to do that manually for every other time you need to use that part, unless you copy and paste it, or make a macro for it. So far, I have not used utilization or mnemonic in any of my symbols.
The important thing is making symbols that work with your parts.
That's what I figured. In my case, I'm flipping pins and signals all over, just for this schematic. So I made a generic 66 POS connector symbol with no labels that can easily be dropped into any future schematic, with the Mnemonics attached to pins. This way I can change the value of the Mnemonic to display whatever signal will be at that pin, now and for any future use of that symbol.
I hope our discussion here will someday help other beginner users. This board has already given me a LOT of good information.