Multisim 10 - Setting different Reference Designator Offsets

[caligirl626]

Using Multisim 10 now.  Need to know how to set different reference designator offsets for different components.  I tried the offset setting in the Tools>>Rename/Renumber Components>>Setup feature, but that changes ALL components by the entered offset.  I want for example, the Resistors to start at R200, the Caps to start at C100, ICs to start at U10 and so on.  Currently, if I enter an offset of say 100, EVERY component's designator starts at 100.  I need this feature since I'm continuing an existing and very large (non Multisim) schematic design.   Can someone please advise?  Thank you guys.

[Tayyab_R]

Hi caligirl626,

My suggestion would be that you can select all the parts of the same type like say resistors at the same time and then go to Tools -> Renumber Footprints and there you can check the checkbox which says "Change selected components only". You can select components more easily from the spreadsheet view by sorting them first and then selecting all of the same type.

Hope this helps.

[caligirl626]

Thanks Tayyab for your response. 

Isn't Tools>>Renumber Footprints an UltiBoard feature?   I need to set a Reference Designator range for certain components in MultiSim.  You see, I have an existing design on paper.  The design I'm working on is "continuing" the existing design.  So my resistors need to be renumbered to start at R150, my caps at C100, ICs at U10 and so on.  Help!

[Tayyab_R · Accepted solution]

Hi caligirl626,

Sorry about the misunderstanding. I thought you were trying to do this in Ultiboard. In Multisim 10, I was able to get the result which you are looking for by going to Tools -> Rename / Renumber Components and then for example you want to set the values for resistors only, you can lock everything else so that the value does not change for them. There is a column called Locked so you can just click there to lock or unlock something. Then you can go to Setup and enter the required offset for the specific type and then just renumber and ok.

Take a look at the attached screen shot.

[caligirl626]

Outstanding!  That solves this issue.  On a side note, the "Rename Component Reference Designators" window has an "Unlock All" button.  I needed to "Lock All" the designators (helpful when you have hundreds of parts).  This button is curiously not available.  HOWEVER, by selecting all the components I want to lock, and changing just one to "Locked", locks all of the selected components.  Nice feature.  Hope this helps someone else as well.

Thanks again Tayyab!!

~Tina