Components are stored in three different database levels:

  • The Master Database stores the components as originally shipped with Multisim. To ensure integrity of information, these cannot be edited.
  • The Corporate Database stores components selected and possibly modified or created by an individual user or company/institution. These remain available to any other selected users.
  • The User Database stores components modified, imported or created by you. These are available only to you.
  • A Manufacturer Database stores components provided by a specific manufacturer. To ensure integrity of information, these cannot be edited.

    The default location for Manufacturer Databases is C:\Users\Public\Documents\National Instruments\Circuit Design Suite <version>\Manufacturer Databases\.

The User Database and the Corporate Database are empty when you first use Multisim. You can use the User Database to store frequently used components or components you create using component editing.

The Corporate Database is primarily intended for companies, institutions or individuals who work on projects where components with specific attributes are shared within a group or project.

If you modify a component, thereby creating your own version, you must store it in either the User Database or Corporate Database. You cannot modify the Master Database or a Manufacturer Database.

You can build a circuit that contains components from any or all of the available databases.

  You can view and change the Master, Corporate and User database locations from the Paths tab of the Global Options dialog box.