Placing Symbols

Symbols are the circuit elements you place on the canvas. Each one is self-describing: it carries its own SLiCAP metadata (device prefix, node names and order, model name, parameter names, a description and a documentation link), so the netlister and the Properties dialog need nothing else.

Opening the place dialog

Choose Place ‣ Symbol… (shortcut S).

The Place Symbol dialog

Fig. 31 The Place Symbol dialog: pick a symbol from the list; its description is shown below the preview.

  1. Select a symbol from the list — a preview and its description appear.

  2. Click OK (or double-click the symbol).

  3. Move the mouse onto the canvas and click to drop the symbol.

  4. Keep clicking to place more copies of the same symbol; press Esc to stop.

Built-in symbols

Symbol

Prefix

Description

Resistor

R

Resistor (nonzero resistance); variant R0 allows zero resistance.

Capacitor

C

Capacitor.

Inductor

L

Inductor.

Voltage source

V

Independent voltage source.

Current source

I

Independent current source.

VCVS / VCCS

E / G

Voltage-controlled voltage / current source.

CCVS / CCCS

H / F

Current-controlled voltage / current source.

Nullor

N

The SLiCAP nullor (ideal amplifier element).

Transformer

T

Ideal transformer.

Gyrator

W

Gyrator.

Coupling factor

K

Mutual-inductance coupling factor.

Ground

GND

Reference node (net 0).

Port

PORT

Named hierarchical / global connection.

Orienting a symbol

Open a placed component’s Properties dialog (double-click it) to set its rotation (0/90/180/270°) and horizontal or vertical mirroring. See Component Properties.

Unconnected-pin markers

A freshly placed symbol shows a small grey square on each pin. These markers tell you which terminals are not yet wired; each one disappears as soon as a wire (or another pin) connects to that pin. Their size and colour are set under Preferences ‣ Wire handles / connections.

Parameter defaults

When a non-subcircuit symbol is placed, its value parameter and any reference designator fields are pre-filled with ? as a reminder that they must be set before the netlist is valid. All other parameters (initial conditions, statistical attributes, etc.) start empty and are omitted from the netlist until you fill them in.

Double-click the component to open the Properties dialog and replace the ? placeholders with real values.

Note

Subcircuit / hierarchical blocks (prefix X) never receive the ? default because their parameters may be optional or auto-filled by the parent hierarchy.