Creating File-Based Design Rules

atarget.gif (1372 bytes) This task shows you how to create a file containing design rules for routing schematic cable automatically. Users can then access and select this file through the Tools->Options menu.
The segregation code file is a text file that defines specific rules for automatic routing. When creating this file please note the following:
  • Each line corresponds to the segregation code of one or more cables
  • The format of the file is as follows:

S_2 : S_1.

Where S_2 is the segregation code of the cable to route and S_1 is the segregation code of cables that can share the same cableway.  You can list more segregation codes after the colon, but these must be separated with semi colons and the last one must end with a period:

S_2 : S_1.
S_1 : S_2; S_3; S_4.

In the example above, the rule states: you can route S_2 cable in a cableway that already contains segregation code S_1 cable, and you can route S_1 cable in a cableway that already contains cables with segregation codes S_2, S_3, and/or S_4.  You cannot, however, route in reverse; that is, route S_4 or S_3 cable in a cableway that currently contains segregation code S_1 cable.

ascenari.gif (1364 bytes) 1. Create a text file - with Notepad or another text editor - and enter values for the new rule or rules using the format described above and substituting S_1, S_2, etc., with the code used at your site.
2. Copy this file to a location where the users can access it through the Browse option on the Tools->Options menu.