01 - Managing Constraints in Capture

To specify constraints, you can use the existing mode to manage a subset of constraints using the property editor.

The Constraint Manager-enabled mode is optional. You can enable this mode at any phase of the PCB design flow and on any of the following:

• New schematic design
• Existing schematic design
• Existing schematic design with PCB layout

Constraint Manager-Enabled Mode in Capture

Before you use Constraint Manager to manage constraints in your design, you need to understand the following:

• What is Capture-Constraint Manager Flow?
• How to enable Constraint Manager in Capture

What is Capture-Constraint Manager Flow?

In the Capture-Constraint Manager flow, Constraint Manager is used to define, manage, and assign constraints on the Capture schematic.

The recommended sequence of tasks to manage design constraints using Constraint Manager is:

1. Complete the logical design.
2. Add electrical constraints in Constraint Manager.
3. Create or update the PCB layout.
4. Update electrical, physical, and spacing constraints in the PCB layout.
5. Run the PCB – Update Layout and PCB – Update Schematic commands to synchronize constraints.

You can now specify the physical and spacing constraints in Constraint Manager in Capture.

Note: You should avoid simultaneous editing of design objects, such as nets, while assigning and modifying constraints.

How to enable Constraint Manager in Capture

To use the Capture-Constraint Manager flow, you need to enable Constraint Manager. To do so:

1. Back up your design.

     Ensure that the schematic design and PCB layout are synchronized.

2. Select PCB – Constraint Manager or click the Constraint Manager icon in the PCB toolbar.
3. Use the options in the Migrate Constraints dialog box to transfer constraints as required.

    After you enable a design for Constraint Manager, it cannot be changed back to a non-Constraint Manager-enabled design.