Complete the following steps to add a net:

  1. Select Tools»Netlist editor and click the Pins tab.
  2. Click New. The Add Net dialog box displays.
  3. Enter a name and click OK. The new net name displays in the Net list.

    When the lamp is lit (that is, light green in color) this indicates that there are no pins connected to the net. The list of pins is blank because the new net has no pins connected. See below to add pins to a net.

Complete the following steps to add a pin to a new or previously existing net:

  1. Select Tools»Netlist editor and click the Pins tab.
  2. Select the desired net from the Net drop-down list.

      You can also select the net by clicking on the Add a pin button to the right of the drop-down list and then clicking on one of the pins from that net in the workspace. To do this, pins must already be connected to the net.

  3. Select the net’s Topology:
    • Shortest—When connections are made, the shortest distance possible is maintained. The order for the connection is not considered.
    • Daisy chain—The connection between pins is based on the order in which the pins are selected. The connection distance between pins is not considered.
    • Star—Pins are connected with a reference point, which is the first selected pin. Other pins are connected to the reference source only. The effect is like a star, with connections radiating out to other pins. Orders in which the pins are selected or the distance between pins are not considered. If the first pin is deleted from the net, the pin below the reference point becomes the source.

        The remainder of this section uses the example shown in the figure below. The parts shown are not connected to any net.

  4. Click the Add pins button in the Pins tab and click the desired pin in the workspace. Continue until all pins for the net are listed in the Pins tab.

    As shown in the figure below, as pins are clicked, they are highlighted on the workspace (1). At the same time, their identifiers appear in the Pins tab (2).

    Or

    1. Click Add. The Add Pins to the Net dialog box displays.
    2. Highlight the pins to be added and click Add. The dialog box closes and the Netlist Editor dialog box shows the added pins in the list of pads for the displayed net.
  5. Optionally select Include net in single-pin check during Connectivity Check.
  6. Click OK in the Netlist Editor dialog box. The dialog box closes and the net information is incorporated into the design, including its ratsnest and force vectors.

Complete the following steps to change a net’s topology:

  1. Select Tools»Netlist editor and select the net from the Net drop-down list in the Netlist Editor dialog box.
  2. Select either Shortest, Daisy chain or Star in the Topology area and click OK. The ratsnest placement on the workspace changes to reflect the new topology.
    • Shortest—When connections are made, the shortest distance possible is maintained. The order for the connection is not considered. Refer to the figure below for an example.

    • Daisy chain—The connection between pins is based on the order in which the pins are selected. The connection distance between pins is not considered. Refer to the figure below for an example.

    • Star—Pins are connected with a reference point, which is the first selected pin. Other pins are connected to the reference source only. The effect is like a star, with connections radiating out to other pins. Orders in which the pins are selected or the distance between pins are not considered. If the first pin is deleted from the net, the pin below the reference point becomes the source. Refer to the figure below for an example.