Chapter XI: MENU SUMMARY

plug

8: The Info Menu

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Figure 11.8

This menu provides a collection of information gathering facilities. The most useful is Get Info which describes the currently highlighted object. Other informational commands exist to describe the circuit. Help... and Tutorial functions are available. Also, default node and arc creation information can be set.

Get Info [2-4]   [6-10]   [2-5]   [5-3]   [3-6]   [6-8]

This command presents a dialog that shows information and allows modification of the currently highlighted node, arc, port, or text.

When a single node is highlighted, this command presents the dialog shown here. Note that complex nodes have the "Expanded" option but cannot have their sizes changed. Primitive nodes can have their size altered. The "Name" field is simply a documenting message that is displayed on the node. If you uncheck the "Easy to Select" button, you will have to use the special select button to select it in the future. The list of connections at the bottom shows all ports and gives details about them when they are highlighted, connected, or exported. By selecting a "Connected at" line, that arc is highlighted, and the "See Arc" button switches you to the "Get Info" dialog for that arc.
Figure 2.1

When a single arc is highlighted, this command presents the dialog shown here. All of the options in the Arc menu may be set here. The "Name" field defines a network name for this arc and all others electrically connected to it. You can highlight the nodes on either end of the arc with the "See" buttons, and get information about them with the "Info" buttons. If you uncheck the "Easy to Select" button, you will have to use the special select button to select it in the future.
Figure 2.2

When two objects are highlighted with selection and toggle select buttons, this command reports the distance between their centers.

When an exported port's name is highlighted, this command presents the dialog shown here. The characteristics of the port can be set; the size of the port name can be set; and the location of the port name relative to the port center can be set.
Figure 3.3

When special pieces of text are highlighted, this command presents a customized dialog for that value. For example, when the resistance value on a resistor is selected, this dialog is used.
Figure 6.7

When any other text is highlighted, this command presents the dialog shown here. The size of the text can be set; and the location of the text relative to its grab-point can be set.
Figure 6.6



Describe this Facet [3-7]

This command displays information about the facet in the current window.

Describe all Facets [3-7]

This command displays a list of all facets in the current library, with their creation and modification dates shown.

Describe all Facets to File... [3-7]

This command creates a disk file with a list of all facets in the current library, with their creation and modification dates shown. The information in this file is tab-separated, for ease of reading into spreadsheets.

List Facet Instances [3-7]

This command displays a list of facet instances contained in the current facet.

List Facet Usage [3-7]

This command displays a list of places where the current facet exists as an instance.

Show Facets Graphically [3-7]

This command displays a graph showing the hierarchy of facets in the current library. The graph is actually a new facet that contains Artwork components. Thus, it will be stored with the library and may be edited, printed, etc.



List Exported Ports [3-7]

This command lists the exported ports in the current facet.

Show Exported Ports [3-7]

This command shows all exported ports in the current facet (drawing a line from the port to the edge of the display). The display of port location is temporary, and goes away when the facet is redrawn.

List Networks [6-9]

This command lists the named networks in the current facet. Networks can be given names by selecting an arc on the network, using the Get Info command above, and filling in the "Name" field.

List Connections on Network [6-9]

This command lists the active components connected to the current network. The current network is the collection of nodes and arcs connected to the currently highlighted objects. If a node is highlighted that has multiple networks on it, the particular port that is highlighted on the node determines the network.

List Ports on Network [3-7]   [6-9]

This command lists the exported ports on the current network.



Describe Current Technology [7-1]

This command displays information about the current environment of design.

List Tools [9-1]

This command lists all of the tools, showing which ones are active.



Help... [1-10]

This command provides information about the use of Electric. A dialog helps to select the subject.

Tutorial [1-10]

This command loads a tutorial package that provides some examples of use.

See Manual

This command displays the user's manual in a browser.



New Node Options... [6-2]

This command presents a dialog that allows default settings to be established for the creation of new nodes. Default sizes may be set for each primitive node. The check box "Disallow modification of locked primitives" applies only to primitive node instances in "array" technologies and prevents fixed circuitry from being altered. The check box "Move after Duplicate" allows duplicated objects to be interactively positioned. The check box "Duplicate/Array/Extract copies ports" causes all operations that copy nodes to copy their exported ports as well. This includes the Duplicate and Array commands of the Edit menu and the Extract Facet Instance command of the Facets menu. Finally, it is possible to set a default orientation of all new nodes.

Figure 6.1

New Arc Options... [5-5]

This command presents a dialog that allows default settings to be established for the creation of new arcs. Specific arc types may be given default constraint settings, default widths, and default angle increments. It is also possible to set an overriding constraint set for all new arcs.
Figure 5.4



Variables... [6-12]

This command allows the internals of the Electric database to be examined and modified. It is not recommended for general use, and the description here is not complete enough for those unfamiliar with Electric's internals. For documentation on Electric internals, contact Static Free Software.
Figure 11.37
The Electric database is constructed from objects that have attributes on them. Although only six of the most common objects appear at the top of this dialog, all objects are accessable through this command. The six commonly used objects are the Currently Highlighted node or arc, the Current Facet, the Current Cell, the Current Library, the Current Technology, and the Current Aid. Both the name and type of the currently selected object are listed. The middle section of the dialog shows the attributes on the currently selected object. The attribute that is selected has its value shown in the bottom section of the dialog. Some additional factors pertaining to the selected attribute are also indicated (whether the attribute is displayable, temporary, is an array, or is code). By using the "Examine Attribute" button, the selected attribute becomes the current object, and its attributes are then available for examination. The "New Attribute" checkbox allows creation of a new attribute on the current object. Any change (such as the creation of a new attribute or the setting of an attribute value) will not take effect unless the "Set Attribute" button is used. The "Delete Attribute" button only works for those attributes that are created by the "New Attribute" option.

Option Saving... [6-3]

This command requests that certain Options be saved with the current library. An example of the usefulness of this is when a library of standard cells, designed for the Silicon Compiler, wants to store Silicon Compiler options in it so that the user of the library can have the proper options set.
Figure 6.11

Measure Distance [4-7]

This command allows you to measure the distance between any two points on the display. After issuing it, click in the circuit to set the "starting point". Then click repeatedly in the circuit to define the "ending point" and see the measured distance. To change the starting point, type "x". To end distance measurement, type "Enter".

User Interface

Figure 11.44
The subcommands of this command control various aspects of the user interface.

Rename Object... [3-1] This allows anything in the system to be renamed (libraries, cells, ports, networks, technologies, primitive nodes, arcs, etc).
Quick Key Options... [1-9] This allows you to rebind the quick keys (the keys that invoke menu entries).
Set Paths... This lets you examine and modify the current directory in which library files can be found.
Show Cursor Coordinates [4-7] This causes the cursor coordinates to be continuously displayed in the status area (they are shown where the Technology and Lambda information used to be).
Playback Log File... [6-13] This replays a session log file, which is useful for recreating lost circuitry after a crash. Since Electric can usually detect when a crash has occurred, you should not normally need to issue this command.

Check and Repair Library [6-13]

This command examines the database for inconsistencies and repairs them whenever possible. Given that Electric is a stable, working program, this command should not uncover any problems. If, however, the system is acting strangely, try saving your library and running this.


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