Grid layout algorithm properties

When the Grid schematic layout algorithm is chosen in the Layout Task drop-down list, clicking the Layout Algorithm Properties button on the Schematic Editor toolbar opens its associated properties dialog box as follows:

The parameter values are those either specified by default by Schematics or specifically set as the default for the schematic diagram template related to the active diagram using the Schematic Dataset Editor Layouts tab for this schematic diagram template.

Grid parameters

The Grid parameters define the grid.

• The Origin X parameter determines the horizontal coordinate for the origin of the grid. By default, the Origin X value is 0 unless another value is set for the diagram template related to the active schematic diagram.
• The Origin Y parameter determines the vertical coordinate for the origin of the grid. By default, the Origin Y value is 0 unless another value is set for the diagram template related to the active schematic diagram.
• The X step parameter determines the horizontal step for the grid—the width of each grid cell. By default, the X step value is 2 unless another value is set for the diagram template related to the active schematic diagram.
• The Y step parameter determines the vertical step for the grid—the height of each grid cell. By default, the Y step value is 2 unless another value is set for the diagram template related to the active schematic diagram.

The X step and Y step units depend on the Absolute units check box.

The figures below show the results of different X step and Y step parameters while the Absolute units check box is unchecked. Figure 1.1 represents the initial diagram.

When executing the Grid layout algorithm with a value of 1 for both the X step and Y step parameters, the diagram appears as shown in figure 1.2. When the X step value is increased (X step = 2), the schematic features in the diagram are displayed as shown in figure 1.3. Figure 1.4 shows the result after executing the Grid layout algorithm with a value of 2 for both the X step and Y step parameters.

Absolute units check box

By default, the values of the X step and Y step parameters are interpreted as absolute units determined by the coordinate system specified on the XY Coordinate System tab of the Schematic Diagram Properties dialog box (Absolute units checked). Uncheck the Absolute units check box if you want these parameter values to be interpreted as relative units to the average of the current symbol sizes used to represent the schematic nodes in the diagram. In this case, when the X step parameter value is 2, the width of the grid cells corresponds to the average size of two symbols placed side by side.

Note:

Specifying parameters in relative units is easier than in absolute units but has real meaning only when there is a reference scale for the diagram.

Restore Defaults button

Click the Restore Defaults button to reset all the Grid parameters to their default values. The restored values are those either specified by default by Schematics or specifically set as the default for the schematic diagram template related to the active diagram using the Schematic Dataset Editor Layouts tab for this schematic diagram template.