When you go through File > New > Library..., you create a new library file, which then opens in the Component Library Editor for editing. This is the beginning (start point) of the library editor.

Creating a new component (Integrated Library, Schematic Library, PCB Library, Pad Via Library)

Integrated Library (.IntLib) This is a comprehensive library that combines both schematic symbols and PCB footprints of components in a single file. It contains complete information about a component - both how it appears on the schematic and how it should be placed on the printed circuit board. This is the most convenient format for distributing ready-made components, as everything necessary is contained in one file.

Schematic Library (.SchLib) This is a library of schematic symbols only. It contains graphical representations of components for circuit diagrams - how they look on the schematic, their pins, names, and electrical properties. It does not contain information about physical dimensions or placement on the printed circuit board. Used for drawing circuit diagrams.

PCB Library (.PcbLib) This is a library of footprints only (physical footprints) for printed circuit boards. It contains physical dimensions of components, contact pad layouts, package outlines, and soldering information. It does not contain schematic symbols. Used when routing printed circuit boards.

Pad Via Library (.PadViaLib) This is a specialized library of contact pads and vias. It contains various types and sizes of contact pads that can be used when creating footprints in PCB Library. These are basic elements for building more complex footprints.

Relationship between them:

Integrated Library = Schematic Library + PCB Library

Pad Via Library is used as "building blocks" for PCB Library

Creating a new library (Integrated Library, Schematic Library, PCB Library, Pad Via Library) means creating a new document/file that will be opened in the Editor for adding components, drawing symbols, creating footprints, setting up parameters.

Creating an integrated library

Process of Creating an Integrated Library

Step 1: Create New Integrated Library

Go to File > New > Library > Integrated Library.
This creates a new .IntLib project that will contain all your components.

When you create a new Integrated Library project, you initially see "No Documents Added" status.


This means: The Integrated Library project (.LibPkg) has been created as a container, No actual library documents have been added to the project yet, The library is empty and cannot be compiled until documents are added.

Step 2: Add Schematic Library

Right-click on the Integrated Library project in the Projects panel and select Add New to Project > Schematic Library. This creates a .SchLib file where you'll design schematic symbols.

Step 3: Add PCB Library

Similarly, right-click and select Add New to Project > PCB Library. This creates a .PcbLib file where you'll design footprints.

Step 4: Create Schematic Symbols

Open the Schematic Library (.SchLib) and create component symbols by: Drawing the component outline using lines and rectangles, Adding pins with proper electrical types (input, output, power, etc.), Setting component designator and comment fields, Defining component parameters and properties

Step 5: Create PCB Footprints

Open the PCB Library (.PcbLib) and create footprints by: Placing pads according to component datasheet specifications, Drawing component outline and courtyard, Adding silkscreen markings, Setting 3D body information if available

Step 6: Link Symbols to Footprints

In the Schematic Library, link each symbol to its corresponding footprint by setting the "Footprint" parameter to match the footprint name in the PCB Library.

Step 7: Compile the Library

Right-click on the Integrated Library project and select "Compile Integrated Library". This combines all schematic symbols and footprints into a single .IntLib file.

Step 8: Validate and Test

Check for compilation errors, test the library by placing components in a test project, and verify that all links between symbols and footprints work correctly. The result is a single .IntLib file containing complete, ready-to-use components with both schematic symbols and PCB footprints.

Main Interface Areas:

1. Library Panel (left side)

"SCH Library" - displays the list of components in the library

Design Item ID - unique component identifier (currently "Component_1")

Description - component description

Control buttons: Place, Add, Delete, Edit

2. Workspace (center)

Grid for drawing component symbols

Coordinate system (X=900mil Y=0mil Grid:100mil)

Here schematic symbols are drawn using lines, rectangles, circles, and pins

3. Properties Panel (right side)

"Components - Properties" - settings for selected component parameters

Here electrical and physical characteristics are defined

4. Models Panel (bottom)

"Editor" with columns: Model, Type, Location, Description

Shows linked models (3D models, SPICE models, simulation models)

Buttons: Add Footprint, Remove, Edit...

Functional Capabilities:

Symbol Creation:

Drawing geometric shapes (lines, rectangles, circles)

Adding pins with type configuration (Input, Output, Power, etc.)

Placing text (designator, comment, parameters)

Component Management:

Adding new components to the library

Editing existing symbols

Deleting components

Model Linking:

Adding footprints (Add Footprint)

Connecting 3D models

Configuring simulation models

Main Interface Areas:

1. Control Panel (left side)

Mask Section: Dropdown menu with mask types for working with different elements, Apply, Clear, Magnify - buttons for applying, clearing, and magnifying.

Selection Tools: Normal - working mode, Select, Zoom, Clear Existing - selection and navigation tools

Footprints Management: Name, Pads, Primitives - columns with footprint information, PCBCOMPONENT_1 - current footprint (0 pads, 0 primitives), Add, Delete, Edit - footprint management buttons

2. Footprint Primitives:

Type, Name, X-Size, Y-Size, Layer - primitive properties

Here all footprint elements are displayed (contact pads, lines, text)

3. Other Section:

Black area - likely additional tools or preview

Workspace (center): Coordinate System:

X: 415,000 dx: 50415,000 mil

Y: 180,000 dy: 50180,000 mil

Top Layer active, with settings Snap: 5mil Footprint Snap: 8mil

Grid System:

Grid: 5mil with snap (Hotspot Snap)

Grid for precise element placement

Layer Panel (bottom):

Color indicators for different PCB layers:

LS (Layer Set)

Top Layer (red)

Bottom Layer (blue)

Mechanical 1 (pink)

Top Overlay, Bottom Overlay (yellow/green)

Top Paste, Bottom Paste (red)

Top Solder, Bottom Solder (purple)

Drill Guide (brown)

Keep-Out Layer (pink)

Functional Capabilities:

Footprint Creation:

Placing contact pads of different types and sizes

Drawing component outlines

Adding silkscreen markings

Setting up restriction areas (keepout)

Precise Positioning:

Coordinate snap with mil/mm accuracy

Different grid types for precision

Magnetic snap to reference points

Multi-layer Work:

Working with different PCB layers simultaneously

Visual representation of each layer with its own color

Ability to enable/disable layer visibility

This editor allows creating a complete footprint ready for PCB manufacturing with all necessary technological layers.

Main Interface Sections:

.1. General Section (basic parameters):

Name: c152n76 - pad template name

Description: field for describing the pad's purpose

Pad Type: choice between SMT (surface mount) and Through hole

2. Hole Information:

Hole Size: 30mil - hole diameter for through-hole components

Tolerance: N/A - allowable size deviations

Hole Type: Round - hole shape (round, oval, square)

Length, Rotation, Plated - additional hole parameters

3. Paste Mask (solder paste):

Manual Expansion: manual expansion settings

Fields for precise control of solder paste application

Tip: hint about entering values in mm or %

4. Solder Mask:

Manual Expansion: solder mask opening settings

Top/Bottom: 0mil - opening sizes for top/bottom

Tented - mask "tenting" option

Solder mask from the hole edge - mask from hole edge

5. Size and Shape:

Offset From Hole Center (X/Y): 0mil - offset from hole center

Mode: Simple - pad formation mode

6. Attributes on Layer: Table with settings for different layers:

Shape: Round - pad shape

X Size/Y Size: 60mil - pad dimensions

Corner Radius: 50% - corner rounding radius

7. Thermal Relief:

From Rule, Connect Style - connection rules to polygons

Air Gap, Conductors, Width, Angle - thermal relief parameters

Pad Via Library Panel (right side):

Display Units: Imperial - measurement units

Type, Template Name, Description - list of ready templates

Quick access to standard pad library

Practical Applications:

Creating Standardized Pads:

Developing typical pads for different packages

Setting up manufacturing technological parameters

Ensuring compliance with IPC standards

Soldering Quality Control:

Precise solder paste setup for optimal soldering

Heat dissipation management through thermal reliefs

Solder mask control for quality manufacturing

This editor ensures creation of professional, technologically correct contact pads considering all requirements of modern PCB manufacturing.

New Component

Component Library List

Remove Component

Copy Component

Move Component

New Part

Remove Part

Find Component

Parameter Manager

Model Manager

XSpice Model Wizard

Update Schematics

Update Parameters From Database

Generate SimModel Files

Library Splitter Wizard

SVN Database Library Maker

Configure Pin Swapping

IEEE Symbols (with Pin submenu)

Pin

Text String

Text Frame

Various drawing primitives for component symbols (Arc, Full Circle, Elliptical Arc, Ellipse, Line, Rectangle, Round Rectangle, Polygon, Bezier)

In the Reports menu:

Component Library Report

Component Rule Check

In the File menu:

Compile Integrated Library

The Sch Lib Standard tab contains the standard properties for schematic libraries, including basic component parameters and display behavior settings.

The Utilities section offers auxiliary tools and utilities for library management, along with service functions for validation and verification tasks.

The Mode tab provides access to editor working modes, allowing you to configure the current editing mode and adjust tool behavior options.

Navigation settings control document navigation parameters, including zooming and panning controls, as well as grid and coordinate display options.

Window title bar context menu

Close 'SCH Library' - close the schema library

Allow Dock - allow the panel to be docked

Context menu on the bottom panel (SCH Library tab)

Close 'SCH Library' - close the schema library

Allow Dock - allow the panel to be docked

Undo - undo the action

Cut (Ctrl+X) - cut

Copy (Ctrl+C) - copy

Paste (Ctrl+V) - paste

Delete - delete

Select All - select all

Select all (Ctrl+A) - select all

Update Schematic Sheets

Model Manager - model manager

Copy (Ctrl+C) - copy

Cut (Ctrl+X) - cut

Paste (Ctrl+V) - paste

Delete (Del) - delete

Context menu in the editor workspace (empty area)

Select all (Ctrl+A) - select all

Update Schematic Sheets

Model Manager - model manager

Copy (Ctrl+C) - copy

Cut (Ctrl+X) - cut

Paste (Ctrl+V) - paste

Delete (Del) - delete

The dialog provides three zoom options: "Do Not Change Zoom Between Components" maintains the current zoom level when switching components, "Remember Last Zoom For Each Component" saves individual zoom settings for each component, and "Center Each Component In Editor" which is currently selected and automatically centers and fits each component in the editor view when selected.

On the right side, there's a "Zoom Precision" slider control that allows you to adjust the precision or sensitivity of the zoom functionality. This dialog helps customize how the editor handles component display and zoom behavior for better workflow efficiency when working with multiple components in a schematic library.

Find Similar Objects - find similar objects

Clear Filter (Shift+C) - clear the filter

Place - (Submenu: IEEE Symbols, Pin, Arc, Full Circle, Elliptical Arc, Ellipse, Line, Rectangle, Round Rectangle, Polygon, Bezier, Text String, Text Frame, Graphic)

Tools - tools (Submenu: New Component, Remove Component, First Component, Next Component, Previous Component, Last Component, New Part, Remove Part)

View - view (Submenu: Fit All Objects, Fit Document, Area, Around Point, Zoom in, Zoom Out, Zoom Last)

Cut (Ctrl+X) - cut

Copy (Ctrl+C) - copy

Paste (Ctrl+V) - paste

Preferences

Supplier Links - links to suppliers

Close Current - close the current one

Close All Documents - close all documents

Save - save

Split Vertical - split vertically

Split Horizontal - split horizontally

Tile All - arrange in tiles

Merge All - merge everything

Open In New Window - open in a new window

Close Schlib1.SchLib - close a specific library

Close Schematic Library Documents - close the schematic library documents

Close All Documents - close all documents

Split Vertical - split vertically

Split Horizontal - split horizontally

Tile All - arrange in tiles

Merge All

Open In New Window - open in a new window

Add - add (Submenu: Footprint, Pin Info, PCB3D, Simulation, Ibis Model, Signal Integrity)

Remove (Ctrl+D) - delete

Edit (Ctrl+E) - edit

Model Manager (Ctrl+M) - model manager

Refresh Preview (F5) - refresh the preview