ZenitCapture UsersGuide 19

ZenitCapture User’s Manual
ZenitCapture 1.9
www.zenitpcb.com
ZenitCapture Schematic is easy to learn and fast to use. Schematic designs can be
created quickly using the easy-feature toolset available.
No frills, only what you need to develop\draw a good schematic capture.
A schematic is a sketch of an electrical logic. It contains the electrical connection
between component symbols by the use of signal wires. A schematic in ZenitCapture can
have several pages and can be lead to a layout by a Netlist File (ASCII).
Doc. Version 1.0
1
Copyright 2007,2015 Stortini Mirko Bruno.
This software is provided as-is, without any expressed or implied warranty.

In no event will the author be held liable for any consequences/damages arising from the
use of this software.
This program and the accompanied libraries are FREEWARE.
It may contain bugs, so use of this tool is at your own risk.
You can use it for personal, business, educational or any other need of yours, subject to
the following restrictions:
1. You may not re-distribute this program without contacting the author and
getting his consent.You may not charge any fee or re-distribution fee for it.
2. This notice may not be removed or altered from any distribution.
3. No form of decompilation / reverse engineering / disassembling parts or whole
of the software may be done.
4. You may not misrepresent the origin of the software/artwork.
If you are distributing the package and library, the files must be clearly indicated that they
are part of ZenitPCB Layout software by Stortini Mirko Bruno.
2
General index
Overview of ZenitCapture....................................................................................................................6
Pan & Zoom.........................................................................................................................................7
ToolBar.................................................................................................................................................8
Main.................................................................................................................................................8
Sheet Property.................................................................................................................................8
Part Tools.........................................................................................................................................8
Utility...............................................................................................................................................8
Wire Tools........................................................................................................................................9
Add Elements...................................................................................................................................9
Shape Property.................................................................................................................................9
Select Elements...............................................................................................................................9
Menus.................................................................................................................................................10
File.................................................................................................................................................10
View...............................................................................................................................................10
Select Elements..............................................................................................................................11
Setup..............................................................................................................................................11
Part.................................................................................................................................................12
Add................................................................................................................................................12
Explorer Overview.............................................................................................................................13
Elements Overview............................................................................................................................14
Schematic design option.....................................................................................................................15
Sheet Tab ......................................................................................................................................15
Symbol Tab ...................................................................................................................................16
Item Color .....................................................................................................................................16
System Directory...........................................................................................................................16
Schematic Elements............................................................................................................................17
Parts...............................................................................................................................................18
IEEE Symbols ..............................................................................................................................18
Field Text ......................................................................................................................................18
Text ...............................................................................................................................................18
Shape.............................................................................................................................................18
Signal Reference............................................................................................................................19
Global Symbol...............................................................................................................................19
Wire Connection............................................................................................................................20
3
Bus.................................................................................................................................................22
Drawing a design................................................................................................................................23
Place Project Fields.......................................................................................................................23
Import Global Symbols & Signal Reference.................................................................................23
Place parts into your design...........................................................................................................24
Part Property..................................................................................................................................26
Part Included..................................................................................................................................28
Wire up your design.......................................................................................................................29
Wiring with Signal Reference.......................................................................................................29
Working with Buses.......................................................................................................................30
Bus Property.................................................................................................................................30
Final Bus Wiring ..........................................................................................................................31
Insert Texts & Shape......................................................................................................................31
To insert text :...............................................................................................................................31
Insert Shape :................................................................................................................................31
Copy (Move) Elements..................................................................................................................33
Copy (Move) Elements between sheets.......................................................................................33
Save Selected Circuit.....................................................................................................................34
Import Saved (Reuse) Circuit........................................................................................................34
Part Attribute Manager.......................................................................................................................35
Report Output.....................................................................................................................................36
Custom Report...............................................................................................................................36
General Report...............................................................................................................................37
Part Reports...................................................................................................................................37
Net Reports....................................................................................................................................37
Translating the Schematic to PCB......................................................................................................38
Third Party Netlist..............................................................................................................................38
Cross Probe With ZenitPCB...............................................................................................................39
4
Overview of ZenitCapture
Selection Toolbar Sheets Toolbar Utility &Shape Toolbar Add Toolbar

Main Toolbar Part Toolbar Wiring Toolbar
Workspace
Explorer Bar
Property Overview Status Bar
5
Pan & Zoom
Press Down and Pan
Wheel rolled forwards Wheel rolled backwards

= Zoom In = Zoom Out
Press Down to
select Elements
6
ToolBar
Main
Exit | Open | Close Project | Save | Save As | Load Color | Print | Preview
Fit to Workspace
Set Grid
Sheet Property
Select\Show Sheet Page | Sheet Properties
Part Tools
Add Parts from Library | Jump to next selected part
Move | Copy | Rotate | Delete
Rename Reference | Part Array

Align Parts | Package Part Gate
Utility
Part Attribute Grid (Modify Attribute) | Report ASCII (Export Part List & BOM)
ZenitParts (Create symbol and Parts)
7
Wire Tools
Place Wire Connection | Bus Shape
Place Signal Reference
Place Global Signal
Add Elements
IEEE | Field Text | Text Create Shape Line | Polyline | Rectangle | Circle
Rotate Shape
Mirror Shape Vertically
Mirror Shape Horizontally
Shape Property
Set Shape Draw Layer | Default Shape Width
Select Elements
Active Selection of :
Parts | Part Properties | Texts | Shapes | Wires \ Buses
8
Menus
File
New Schematic Project (Use Seeder File)

Open Existing Project
Save Schematic Project
Save As… Project
Export ZenitPCB Netlist
Export ASCII General Reports
Project Overview
Print Setup
Print Schematic
Exit from ZenitCapture
View
Fit to Workspace Size (e.g. A4 or A3 size)
View Project Explorer Dialog Bar
Part Viever Grid
Open a Spreadsheet with all part Attibutes

Overview for Parts and Wire (only read)
Schematic ERC Check
Show\Hide Toolbar
9
Select Elements
Active Selection for :
Parts
Part Properties
Texts
Shapes
Wires \ Buses
Setup
Set Project Grid
Sheet Properties
Not implemented yet

Import Signal Reference from lib.
Import Global Net From Library
Update Part Library :

➢ If you want to update \ reload library parts, after a new part creation
(with ZenitParts)
Update all Part Symbols From Library
➢ On ZenitCapture, the symbols are stored inside the project database , so if
you have changed some symbols with ZenitParts, you have to use this
command to update the symbols. ZenitCapture will ask you to close the
project to update.
Update all Global Symbol from Library
➢ like command “Update all Part Symbols From Library” you can update new
global symbols.
Update all Signal Reference from Library
➢ like command “Update all Part Symbols From Library” you can update new
Signal Reference symbols.
10
Part
Place Part to workspace from library
Move Part, shortcut key F2

Rotate Part, shortcut key F3
Copy Part, the reference name will be incremented
Rename the Reference name

Row & Column part Array
Automatically Rename Reference name on sheet
Delete selected part
Pakage Parts :
Compact the gates present in the project for a

specific part, to obtain the correct footprint.
e.g.
two symbol 4517 → into one SO-16
Add
Add net wire, to start connection
Open & Place the Signal Reference key “O”

Open & Place the Global Net key “G”
Insert a IEEE symbol

Insert a Field text (e.g. Drawing Name)
Insert Text
Import a saved portion of a schematic circuit
11
Explorer Overview Parts, Nets and Signal Reference
Document Parts like :

Resistors ,Diodes, Labels,
Plastic Enclosure etc...
Footprints
Part Included :
e.g. Part BOPLA EG1030L include:
Screws, Labels for the plastic enclosure.
12
Elements Overview
When you select a part or a wire net, you can, immediately, see the most important
property of the selected item.
This dialog box is read only.
Part Property Net Property
13
Schematic design option
When you create a new Schematic ( File → New) , the program use the template
“seed.zsc” under “SeedCapture” folder.
Now is possible to set the “Default Option” :
Sheet Tab
Sheets : Project Text Fields to place on Workspace

- Create - Modify - Delete by Button : “Place Field Text”
Workspace Size
Library where are saved all symbols like: Choose Border Sheet symbol
Borders, Offpages or Globals
14
Symbol Tab
Set the default text Height and Width of IEEE & Fields Elements.
Set the default width of the wires.
Item Color
Set all color layers, of the elements, background and highlights.
You can create your own color setting and save it on the "Setting" Folder.
System Directory
 Part Library : Schematic Part Folder
 Symbol Library : Schematic Symbol Folder
 Decal Library : PCB Footprint Folder
 Datasheet : Datasheet linked into parts
 Setting Directory : Folder for Colors Padstack file and so on…
 Project Directory : Projects Start Folder “File → Open”
 Seed Directory : Template file “seed.zsc” that ZenitCapture use for a new
schematic.
15
Schematic Elements
Text
Parts Shape
TIP- You can filter this elements by toolbar
"Select Elements", so for example, if you Wires
exclude Button Text, you can no longer select Buses
the text elements.
Part Properties
e.g. PartName
Value
Note
16
Parts
Parts usually correspond to physical objects—gates, chips, connectors, and so on,that
come in packages.
Think of these packages (footprint on pcb), as physical parts and the parts you place on a
schematic page as logical parts. Physical parts, comprise more than one logical part.
MultiGate symbols will be packaged to pcb, by "Package Parts" command.
On parts element you can store all information, like Number Code, cost, datasheet and so
on. That info will be exported to an ASCII files, like BOM and Part List.
Part Property Overview image.
IEEE Symbols
You can put this symbols into your schematic and modify them.
Field Text
General text that store some info, common to all sheets, like Drawing Name, Drawing
Number, Author and so on.
Text
Text is used to annotate design informations. Do not confuse
the text tool with the label text, such as wire text or part
property, which produces electrically active net names or part
informations.
Shape
Shape tool is used to insert Line, polyline, rectangle and
circle. Don’t confuse the polyline, with wire tool :-)
17
Signal Reference
Use this command to place an Signal Reference connector, which connects to the same
page or another page in the schematic folder.
You can import, into the schematic design, signal references, by “Import Signal Reference
on project” dialog box.
The Global Signal is available for selection when you
press the RMB (Right Mouse Button) Popup Menu→Add→Signal Ref. or by shortcut key
“O”.
Practical and comfortable, the

"Signal Reference Result" dialog,
looks for other Signal Reference
of the same net.
Global Symbol
Adding single terminal symbols to represent global items
such a VCC and Ground.
The name of the symbol that you add, becomes the Signal name
of any connection attached to the symbol.
Tip: You can also terminate a connection at a Global Signal symbol

within Add Wire. The Global Signal is available, when you press the
RMB Popup menu→Add→Global Net or by shortcut key “G”.
To create a new Symbol, you have to start ZenitParts then select a

symbol library (e.g. SYMBOL.ZSY) then NEW, fill Symbol
Name & Description and select “GLOBAL TYPE” from
combobox.
After putting the graphic, select the pin and with the key
RMB select "Net Name", which will be the name for future
wire attached to the pin.
18
Wire Connection
In ZenitCapture, you can establish connectivity with wires or Buses.
If you place a wire on another wire and they form a "T" intersection,
a junction is placed where they cross.
If they simply cross at 90 degrees, they are not electrically connected
unless you place a junction at the intersection manually.
If you close a wire on a pin (part, signal ref, Global signal), on the pin concerned, will no
more display the symbol unconnected "X".
You can also use a Signal Reference to connect a signal from
one area of your schematic page to another. For example,
suppose you have placed a part on your schematic page and
you want to connect it to another part, at the opposite corner
of the schematic page. Instead of drawing a wire from the first part to the second part, you
can place signal reference connected to both parts.
Video : Find Signal Reference Net
Is possible to rename the net wire, change the color and
the line width.
Video : Wiring Net
19
In addition, you can also enter a note, on a
portion of the net, for example, how much
current flows at that node.
TIP: Is better to place this info, into one net
branch, where there is attached a pin. So is
possible to have a pin reference, on the
report.
You can report this wire notes by :
File→ Reports→ Wire Note.
TIP:
Avoid to connect the wire directly on the pin.
There is no guarantee of connection...
NOT CORRECT CORRECT
20
Bus
Buses can be used to indicate a large number of connections.
To help you draw a bus the repeat options are present.
Once a bus acquires a valid name, e.g. DATA[0-7], this bus
name, defines the signals that you can use and connect, to
pins.
For example, the alias RA[0:3] defines a four-signal bus that
connects the four bus signals RA[0], RA[1], RA[2], and RA[3]
to the individual wires named RA0, RA1, RA2, and RA3.
Setting a bus as Restrictive, only allows the

signals listed under the Bus Signal list and
Net Signal list, to be connected to the bus.
Non-restrictive buses allow any signal to be
connect to it, including unnamed signals.
If you connect an unnamed net to a
restrictive bus, you will be shown the
Choose Bus Net Dialog and asked to
choose a new signal name for the net from
the list of signals defined on the bus. If you
close this dialog without choosing a signal,
the net will not be connected to the bus.
If you mark a bus as restrictive all the nets currently connected to the bus that are not
defined in the Signals list will be disconnected automatically when the change is applied.
21
Drawing a design
Designs are created from elements such as wires, bus, text and so on and from imported
parts , such as resistors , diodes, etc.
Place Project Fields
To complete the sheet drawing info, you can insert some field text
such as Autor - Drawing Name - Drawing Number and so on…
These texts will be shown on all sheet pages.
Import Global Symbols & Signal Reference
Now you have to import into schematic design, global net (GND,VCC….) and signal
reference symbols, from symbol library.
Signal Reference :
• Use the command on “Setup” menu : Import Signal Reference on project”
Global Net :
• Use the command on “Setup” menu : Import Global Net on project”
TIP- You can setup the seeder to store the prefered Global symbol and Signal Reference,
so,when you’ll create a new schematic, this elements are inside project.
22
Place parts into your design
1. Use the Button “Place Part” on the on the toolbar “Part Tool” to browse
and select the library parts that you need for your design.
Place Part Dialog
2. Select the appropriate library for example

“PIC_8BIT.ZPR”
3. To help on your search, you can use the

Part Filter, which is divided into four items :
• PART NAME
• SMD (show only smd parts)
• PTH (pth through hole) (show only PTH parts)
• MIXED (SMD & PTH)
• DOC
4. Click on the “Place” button to place the part into

workspace
5. You place the symbol by clicking the location of where

you wish to place the symbol. You can rotate the part by
using the menu dialogue or by F3 shortcut key.
6. Once you have finished placing part of that type,

press ESC key to end.
23
TIP - You can move a part’s text fields around. Select directly the part text, and then you
can drag it or move and rotate with the shortcut key F2-F3.
TIP - Generally ZenitCapture use the same shortcut key for the same command.
For example :
•
•
F2 is used for move elements (part, text, shape, bus)
• F3 is used for rotate elements (part, text, shape, bus)
• F4 is used to drag segment
• F6 is used for copy some elements.
24
Part Property
Double-click the part, or RMB and choose “Properties...”
Part Property
n. Gates on Part Footprint available
Footprint Total Pins
Pins Property List
Part Property
Symbol Library
User Attribute List
Import Part Included

For Screw,Label,heat sink and so on...
Exclude part from all

ASCII reports Show\Hide
Property Text
Exclude part from all
Netlists
25
On Part property you could

use Note to add some info,
and will be showed into
project.
Is possible to show\Hide
this property on Item
Visibility
On Part Library you could set the datasheet to every

part, so if you want to show it , select the part then
RMB and choose Datasheet.
TIP – If you want to insert one datasheet into part (or other info), that part don't have, you
have to open ZenitParts,then, search the part on the libraries and on part property,
add the datasheet path.
After that ,on ZenitCapture select the part, and reload the part property, by RMB
"Update Part Data".
Video : Update Part
26
Part Included
Useful feature is part included.
Inside a part you can include other parts, typically document parts (labels, screw,heat
sink,and so on.). This parts will be exported on reports, on Report Output form, by "Part
Included Export" button.
All this Parts Inside Plastic Box Part.
On Part Included Description, you can find the “owner” part (in brackets).
27
Wire up your design

1. Use the wire tool, which is the yellow line on the toolbar, or
“w” shortkey.
The cursor will change to indicate the command wire.
2. Move the mouse over the part pin and a new

cursor will be shown, to indicate that you are on a pin.
3. Click on pin, end start to wiring. Every time you click with the left
mouse button you will place a corner in your wire.
4. With the RMB is possible to change the

wiring angle.
To end wiring,you have to reach a part or global pin or a bus and LMB (Left Mouse Button)
to complete.
Wiring with Signal Reference

If you want to use a Signal Reference, before you begin wiring, you must place the signal
reference and then start wiring.
28
Working with Buses

Buses can be used to handle a large number of connections.
To create a bus, first draw the bus near where you wish to connect
it. To finish the line, press the ESC key.
Then with double click or RMB→”Properties” and open Bus
Properties DialogBox. Now is possible to rename the bus name end
set some property, like line width and font type.
Bus Property
Bus Name
Line Property Bus Name Property
Auto Generate
Bus Name
Bus Net Name

List
Single Net Name

List
If set, is possible to
select only nets
inside bus & nets
list.
Draw a wire from the connection point to the bus and when
click into bus line.
In the pop-up dialog box you can define name of the new net
or connect wire to one of existing nets, showed on list.
If you choose, for example net name “B0”, on the next click
for a new connection, the system presents, the net name
next on the list (“B1”).
29
Final Bus Wiring
Video : Create a Bus
Insert Texts & Shape

You may add the following elements: text, lines, rectangles, polyline and circle. All these
objects will be ignored by electrical point of view.
To insert text :
1. RMB and select Add -->Text
◦ or Select “Add Text” from toolbar
◦ or press key “T”
2. Insert Text
3. Set Height, width and style
4. Choose own layer.
5. Click on workspace to place the text
Insert Shape :
First of all set the correct layer on “Shape property”
toolbar (from 1 to 4), then the line width, then start
shape (Line. Polyline, Rectangle and Circle)
30
If you want to insert an arc select the segment to modify and RMB → Arc and drag to
obtain the arc.
Fill Shape Dash Line Insert Segment

Dash Line
Video : Working with Shapes
31
Copy (Move) Elements
Is possible to copy elements (parts,wires,shapes,texts) .

The new elements will be placed on the new clicked position.
Parts Reference, of the new parts will be renumber .
Copy (Move) Elements between sheets
When you have selected and copied (move) the

elements, go to sheet's combobox and select the sheet,
then place the elements.
Video : Move Circuit from Sheets
32
Save Selected Circuit
With Version 1.9 you can export (save) a

portion of circuit and you could import this
circuit on another project.
1. Select the circuit to be exported
2. RMB and “Save Selected Circuit”
3. Choose the circuit name
4. Choose the directory and Save
Import Saved (Reuse) Circuit
1. Select Menu Add

2. Select “Circuit” and choose the path
3. Select the file where was stored the circuit
4. Open and place into workspace
All part reference will be automatically renumber.

Nets with “NET$” will be renamed, however nets with a user name(e.g. clock) will be
maintained.
Video : Import Circuit
33
Part Attribute Manager
With part attribute manager, you have access to all part information from a single
spreadsheet, avoiding tedious single part modifications.
On spreadsheet is possible to show\hide all attribute, sort columns and filter rows.
After an attribute modification, the cell will change the color until
you save data, with command “Save All Data” or “Save Row”.
Show\Hide Columns and col. Width
Report how many Part are selected Cell Status Read Only or Editable
Is possible to find on workspace project, the selected rows (parts) by Tool → Select on
Schematic. Then Close the “Part Attribute” form and use the command “Jump to next part
selected”.
Video : Part Attribute Overview

Video : Part Attribute Save Data
34
Report Output
Custom Report
When you have completed the project, you need to export schematic data to the
manufacturer. So you can export Part List and Bill of Material of the project, into an ASCII
file.
Sort Bill of Material Report
Choose Text Data Delimiter
Choose Report Type
Report column structure

| Part Property| Header Text | n.Char
Generate the
report
Save the report

into ASCII file
Insert an Header text on the report

Video : Part List Output
Video : Bill of Material Output
35
General Report
Under File → Reports you can find a
General text report with the project
general informations.
Part Reports
• Part Pins Not connected to Net
• Global Pins on Parts
◦ Useful to check global nets on project and global on parts
• Part Usage
◦ Part Library Name and Decal Library Name
• Nets On Parts Pin
◦ Show all pins net name
Net Reports
• Wire Note (Text Note inside wire branch)
36
Translating the Schematic to PCB
The final process before starting on the PCB design itself is to translate the Schematic
design into the PCB design environment. When you are in a position where you wish to
go-ahead with this translation you should,first of all ,use “Package Parts” and than you
should use the command “Netlist PCB”, that export an ASCII netlist to the PCB.
Third Party Netlist

If you want to complete the project with an external pcb tool, you can export a third party
netlist. With “File” → “Netlist to PCB” → “Other Netlist” is possible to export :
➢ Netlist Intergraph
➢ Netlist Telesis
➢ Netlist RINF
➢ Netlist PADS®
Depending on the type of netlist, you can choose to export, or the part name or the
Footprint (Decal)
Part Name : Decal :

Example...
\MICRO_RENR52129\ \IC3\ \SSOP20T\ \IC3\
Pay Attention !!
A lot ot PCB Layout don't want parts and Decal with character, like: "." point , " " space ,
";" semicolon. In general is better to use this kind of syntax :
e.g. RES_SMD_0805 or RES-SMD-0805 without space, and so on...
Error on a OrCAD® Layout import
37
Cross Probe With ZenitPCB
With version 1.9, is possible to cross probe from schematic to pcb.

You have to select portion of circuit or single parts and then, with RBM choose
“Select on PCB” is possible to select the component (footprint) on ZenitPCB.
Video : CrossProbe
38

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ZenitCapture User’s Manual

Doc. Version 1.0

Copyright 2007,2015 Stortini Mirko Bruno.

This software is provided as-is, without any expressed or implied warranty.

Selection Toolbar Sheets Toolbar Utility &Shape Toolbar Add Toolbar

Property Overview Status Bar

Pan & Zoom

Press Down and Pan

Wheel rolled forwards Wheel rolled backwards

Add Parts from Library | Jump to next selected part

Move | Copy | Rotate | Delete

Rename Reference | Part Array

ZenitParts (Create symbol and Parts)

Place Wire Connection | Bus Shape

Place Signal Reference

Place Global Signal

Mirror Shape Vertically

Mirror Shape Horizontally

Set Shape Draw Layer | Default Shape Width

New Schematic Project (Use Seeder File)

Export ZenitPCB Netlist

Export ASCII General Reports

Exit from ZenitCapture

Fit to Workspace Size (e.g. A4 or A3 size)

View Project Explorer Dialog Bar

Part Viever Grid

Open a Spreadsheet with all part Attibutes

Schematic ERC Check

Set Project Grid

Not implemented yet

Update Part Library :

Place Part to workspace from library

Move Part, shortcut key F2

Rename the Reference name

Automatically Rename Reference name on sheet

Delete selected part

Compact the gates present in the project for a

two symbol 4517 → into one SO-16

Add net wire, to start connection

Open & Place the Signal Reference key “O”

Insert a IEEE symbol

Import a saved portion of a schematic circuit

Explorer Overview Parts, Nets and Signal Reference

Document Parts like :

Part Property Net Property

Schematic design option

Now is possible to set the “Default Option” :

Sheets : Project Text Fields to place on Workspace

Practical and comfortable, the

Tip: You can also terminate a connection at a Global Signal symbol

To create a new Symbol, you have to start ZenitParts then select a

a junction is placed where they cross.

If they simply cross at 90 degrees, they are not electrically connected

unless you place a junction at the intersection manually.

more display the symbol unconnected "X".

You can also use a Signal Reference to connect a signal from

one area of your schematic page to another. For example,

suppose you have placed a part on your schematic page and

you want to connect it to another part, at the opposite corner

can place signal reference connected to both parts.

Video : Find Signal Reference Net

Is possible to rename the net wire, change the color and

the line width.