footprint problems and exporting as older version

[bartgrefte]

I'm having some trouble with footprints. Let's start with that I am unable to find a suitable footprint for this type of potentiometer: https://www.futurlec.com/Potentiometers/TRIM470Kpr.shtml

In addition to that: I've got some momentary switches in the circuit (SPST_NO_SB) but for some reason, the "edit footprint" button is nowhere to be found when wanting to add a footprint for those buttons. The same with a SPDT switch, although with that one, the footprint is set to "SPDT", but no option to change that. The momentary switches have no footprint at all.

And last but not least: How does Multisim handle on-page connectors when transfering to Ultiboard? Do I have to make actual connections before the transer?

As for saving the circuit: Why isn't there an option to export/save the circuit for older Multisim versions? There have been questions about that for years, but still no option to save for older versions. Whats up with that?

[SolomanAzizi]

Hi Bartgrefle,

Thanks for posting your query to the forums. It should be noted that not all components have a footprint, however we can always assign a footprint to virtual component. There is a knowledge base article which goes through the steps in detail and can be found here:

http://digital.ni.com/public.nsf/allkb/364FC33F1DB69255862571B800632DC4

Another option is to look at third party databases to find footprints for components. There is another forum post which goes into this in depth. It can be found here:

https://forums.ni.com/t5/Circuit-Design-Suite/Where-Can-I-Find-Components-And-Footprints-Not-Include...

Regarding the on page connectors, if you have a complete and wired circuit in Multisim and transfer to Ultiboard, then those connections will follow through into Ultiboard. If you would not prefer this you can simply delete the wires and un-connected components will appear in Ultiboard.

Regarding saving Multisim circuits to previous versions, as you mentioend it is currently not possible. However you can bring this point forward in the idea exchange:

http://forums.ni.com/t5/NI-Idea-Exchange/ct-p/ideas

Please let me know if you have further questions.

Best Regards,

Soloman

[bartgrefte]

"It should be noted that not all components have a footprint"

As for the potentiometer, I eventually managed to find a footprint in the database. Turned out I could not find one because I had two filters in place: the number of pins (=3) and SMT/TH (=TH). The 2nd specification is not entered with lot's of footprints, which is why I could not find footprints for potentiometers.

Stil leaves the problem of the switches, where I cannot add a footprint at all. See attachments for the lack of an "add footprint" button, can't even add one through the spreadsheet view (components tab). Any idea why that button is missing?

"Regarding the on page connectors, if you have a complete and wired circuit in Multisim and transfer to Ultiboard, then those connections will follow through into Ultiboard."

Okay, just attempted a transfer even though not all components have footprints (see above) and the on-page connections seem to have been transfered as well 🙂