This section describes how to set up Electrical Rule Check (ERC) options.

Complete the following steps to set up the ERC options:

  1. Select Tools»Electrical rules check to display the Electrical Rules Check dialog box and click on the ERC options tab.
  2. In the Scope box, select one of:
    • Active Sheet—Runs the ERC only on the page displayed. When selected, you can also select:
      • Follow nets on the active sheet to other sheets checkbox—Checks connections from nets on the active sheet, to components connected to them on other sheets.
      • Do full ERC check on sheets touching checked nets checkbox—Checks all connections on the associated multi-page, hierarchical block or subcircuit. Becomes active when Follow nets on the active sheet to other sheets is selected.

          When either of the above are selected, the ERC checks across multi-pages and down the hierarchy (into subcircuits and hierarchical blocks). It does not go upwards. For example, if you run an ERC from a subcircuit that has multi-pages and subcircuits attached to it, the ERC will not check the subcircuit's parent sheet. To check the parent sheet, it must be the active sheet.

    • Entire design—Runs the ERC on all subcircuits, hierarchical blocks and multi-pages associated with the current design.
  3. In the Report also box, select the following as desired:
    • Unconnected pins—Checks for pins that are not connected to anything.
    • Excluded pins—Checks pins that have been excluded from ERC in the Pins tab of the component's properties dialog box.
  4. In the ERC marker box, select the following as desired:
    • Clear ERC markers—Clears existing ERC markers (red circles indicating errors and warnings) from the workspace before running the ERC.
    • Create ERC markers—Places red circles indicating errors and warnings on the workspace after running the ERC.
  5. In the Output box, select one of:
    • Results tab—Displays ERC results in the Results tab of the Spreadsheet View. Select Clear results, to clear any previous messages from the Results tab before a new ERC is run.
    • File—The results are saved in the file path and name that you enter in the File field.
    • List view—The results display in the ERC Report dialog box.