Using Custom Layout Plugins for Schematic Generation

The Capital Schematic Generator enables you to use extensibility to define your own custom layout rules for devices and functions, as well as additional pin list objects such as splices, inline connectors, and connectors which are not connected to a device.

While several layout options are provided as standard, there is sometimes a need for greater control over component placement on designs. The use of the extensibility functionality allows you to create plugins giving full granular control on device/pin, function/port and pin list objects positioning on your generated diagrams.

Prerequisites

• Capital Schematic Generator license.

• Capital Integration Server.

• Your previously created custom layout plugins. Information on creating plugins is contained in the PluginDevelopment.pdf document located in the doc\plugin folder of your Capital software installation.

Procedure

1. If custom layout settings are applied, the prototype will be ignored. To select or modify plugin controls, click the Custom Layout Settings button on the New Generated Diagrams

Dialog Box dialog box, Layout Styling tab.

2. In the Custom Layout Setting dialog, select the custom layout plugin you wish to apply and click OK.

Results

Your custom layout settings are applied to the prototype. The plugin controls the layout for devices and their pins, and pin list objects only. The remaining objects are laid out by the schematic generator.

Note

For functional designs unspecified objects will remain unplaced.

Plugin settings, either inherited schematic generator settings, or plugin specific settings are displayed as specified by the plugin.

Examples

A sample plugin is also provided with the installation demonstrating additional controls plugin developers may wish to make available to their end users. Generating a diagram using the schematic generator horizontal flow places the device with the most used pins on the left of the diagram. Other components, pins and conductors on the diagram flow horizontally (left to right) in the layout.

Using the custom sample plugin provided splices are horizontally staggered, inlines are positioned to reduce cross overs where possible. Additionally connectors without a device are positioned either at the bottom left or bottom right of the diagram, depending on their connected pin locations to reduce graphical wire length, as shown below.

Parent Topic:

Capital Schematic Generator for Logic Designer

Capital Logic Designer User Guide, 2512

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