Simple Circuit + Automatic Wiring
January 2021
In this chapter we'll look at using "automatic wires", and again, as with most features in Circuit, using automatic wires is entirely optional - you may draw lines on the sheet to connect up your circuit in freehand, however, this feature is quite a time saver!
With the knowledge gained from the previous chapters we should now be able to start a new project, add a sheet to it and then create symbols and place them on that sheet.
Create Symbols
So, let's start by preparing some symbols on a sheet, we're keeping this real simple, no $device attributes, just basic symbols for a battery, push-button switch and a lamp...
Hints/Reminders
to see the Grid hit F2
to add connection points use the Node Toolbar...
to create a symbol (without saving it to a library) select all items required for the symbol with the lasoo, and then hit ALT+M
to break a symbol in order to edit it, first select it, then hit ALT+B
to add text to a Node, select it with a double-click, OR select it with a single-click then hit CTRL+T
to adjust the Text position around the Node use the values of offsetX and offsetY (where X is ---> and Y is top down)
to change the color of the selection high-light go to Display > Set Color > On Selection and use the Color Picker Dialog...
Wiring Up
Now at this juncture we could simply use the Line tool to draw in freehand what would appear to be wires connecting up our symbols...
Which may be fine, however we could instead let Circuit place wires for us, and here is how.
Firstly delete all the freehand lines you just drew to get back to our symbols alone.
Now select the Node toolbar, and choose the "SouthEast" node...
Now place that node above the push-button (13) connection point, for example...
Now using the other nodes, NorthEast, NorthWest and SouthWest, create a pattern around the symbols to display as shown...
Finally, hit CTRL+W (or use the Circuit > Wire Now menu item)...
The advantage now is that if we move a symbol and its connection points, we can re-wire instantly using the Wire Now command...
Hit CTRL+W after the move...
Other Automatic Wire Features
Automatic wiring can be set to work continuously whilst you are adding and moving connection points, to enable this check the feature on the menu Circuit > Auto Wire (or hit F8 to toggle this feature on and off)...
After placing a connection point, you can be guided when moving it into position, this feature is enable from the menu item of Display > Wire Guides...
Note: Wire Guides will work for any Node Type (these include Connection Point, T Point, Terminal, Plug, Socket, Interruption Point).
Tip: With any connection node type, once it has been selected, you can change it's orientation simply by pressing SHIFT + Arrow Key...
In use, place any connection node, then select it with a single click, then either drag it around with the mouse or use the keyboard UP, DN, LF or RT keys to position...
Converting Lines to Wires
If you did happen to start out your schematic by drawing lines to connect nodes, you could actually convert them to "smart wires".
To do this, select the line, then right-click and choose Properties... then select Style, and with the options dialogue choose "8 - auto wire"... press [Apply] to complete as required...
The line will now be evaluated as a smart wire.
Delete All Wires
To remove all wires, ensure Auto Wire is turned Off, then choose Circuit > Delete Wires or hit CTRL_DEL...
You can use this feature to determine what wires are actually wires and not just freehand Lines. Hit CTRL+W to redraw actual wires.
From this you can also see that if you converted a Line to wire and it doesn't connect anywhere - it will simply be deleted.
And Here's Why We Autowire
Of course, the push-button should have been in the branch above the lamp (so the feed is into 13 and out of 14).
So let's select the push-button, and then scoot it across with the right arrow key...
Stop once in position...
And finally, hit CTRL+W to update the wiring...
That's all for using the automatic wiring feature for now.