How Proteus Library Update 12 Can Boost Your Productivity and Quality in Electronic Projects
Proteus Library Update 12: What's New and How to Install It
If you are an engineering student or a professional who works with electronic circuits and PCB design, you might have heard of Proteus. Proteus is a powerful software that allows you to design, simulate, and test electronic circuits and PCBs on your computer. It has a large library of components, modules, and models that you can use for your projects.
Proteus Library Update 12
In this article, we will introduce you to Proteus Library Update 12, which is the latest version of the software that has been released recently. We will show you what are the new features and improvements that this update brings, and how you can download and install it on your computer. We will also show you how to use some of the new features and tools that this update offers, such as Zone Inspector, Library Part Property Editing, Design Walk, Pre-Production Check, Multi-Board Project Notes, and new library modules. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of Proteus Library Update 12 and how you can use it for your electronic projects.
Introduction
What is Proteus and why is it useful for engineering students and professionals?
Proteus is a software suite that consists of two main components: Proteus ISIS (Integrated Schematic Input System) and Proteus ARES (Advanced Routing and Editing Software). Proteus ISIS allows you to create schematic diagrams of electronic circuits using a graphical user interface. You can drag and drop components from the library, connect them with wires, add labels, annotations, test points, etc. You can also simulate your circuit using various models and analyses, such as DC analysis, AC analysis, transient analysis, frequency response analysis, etc. You can also debug your circuit using virtual instruments such as oscilloscope, multimeter, logic analyzer, etc.
Proteus ARES allows you to design PCB layouts from your schematic diagrams. You can import your schematic from Proteus ISIS or create a new one from scratch. You can place components on the board, route traces manually or automatically, add copper pours, vias, pads, holes, etc. You can also check your design for errors using design rule check (DRC), electrical rule check (ERC), clearance check, etc. You can also generate various outputs from your design such as Gerber files, drill files, netlist files, bill of materials (BOM), etc.
Proteus is useful for engineering students and professionals because it enables them to design and test electronic circuits and PCBs without having to build physical prototypes. This saves time, money, and resources. It also helps them to learn about electronic principles and concepts in a practical way. It also helps them to improve their skills and creativity in electronic design.
What are the new features and improvements in Proteus Library Update 12?
Proteus Library Update 12 is the latest version of the software that has been released in September 2021. It has many new features and improvements that make it more powerful and user-friendly than before. Some of these features are:
Zone Inspector: A new tool for power plane analysis and management.
Library Part Property Editing: A new feature for library management.
Design Walk: A new feature for schematic navigation.
Pre-Production Check: An improved feature for output generation.
Multi-Board Project Notes: A new feature for reporting module.
New library modules: Arduino boards (UNO V2.0 , Mega V2.0 , Nano V2.0 , Pro Mini V2.0 , Due V2.0), GSM module V2.0 , GPS module V2.0 , Flex sensor V2.0 , Vibration sensor V2.0 , NudMCU V2.0 , Solar Panel V2.0 , etc.
We will explain each of these features in more detail in the following sections.
How to download and install Proteus Library Update 12?
To download and install Proteus Library Update 12 on your computer, you need to follow these steps:
Go to https://www.labcenter.com/downloads/ (the official website of Proteus) and click on "Download Now" button under "Proteus Design Suite".
You will be redirected to a page where you need to fill in some details such as your name, email address, country code, phone number etc., then click on "Submit" button.
You will receive an email with a link to download the software installer file (ProteusSetup.exe).
Click on the link or copy it into your browser address bar and download the file.
Run the file (ProteusSetup.exe) on your computer and follow the instructions on the screen.
Select "Full Installation" option when prompted.
Select "I accept" option when prompted with license agreement.
Select "Next" option when prompted with installation folder.
Select "Install" option when prompted with installation confirmation.
Wait until the installation process is completed.
Select "Finish" option when prompted with installation completion.
Congratulations! You have successfully installed Proteus Library Update 12 on your computer.
Zone Inspector: A new tool for power plane analysis and management
What is Zone Inspector and how does it work?
Zone Inspector is a new tool that has been introduced in Proteus Library Update 12 for power plane analysis and management. Power planes are regions on PCB layers that are filled with copper to provide power supply to components on the board. Power planes can improve signal integrity, reduce noise interference, and increase current carrying capacity. However, power planes can also introduce challenges such as heat dissipation, voltage drop, and plane splitting. Therefore, it is important to analyze and manage power planes effectively during PCB design.
Zone Inspector is a tool that allows you to easily locate layout. You can also view the plane configuration at a glance, such as layer, net name, shape, area, etc. You can also filter the view by layer and sort the data by various criteria. You can also edit the plane settings and set the draw order of the planes. Zone Inspector works together with the PCB Layout module and the 3D Viewer module to provide you with a comprehensive view of your power planes.
How to use Zone Inspector to locate, tag, view, filter, edit, and draw power planes?
To use Zone Inspector to locate, tag, view, filter, edit, and draw power planes on your PCB layout, you need to follow these steps:
Open your PCB layout in Proteus ARES.
Select "Tools" menu and then select "Zone Inspector" option. Alternatively, you can press Ctrl+Z shortcut key.
A new window will open on the right side of the screen showing the Zone Inspector tool.
To locate and tag power planes on your PCB layout, you can use one of the following methods:
Method 1: Select "Auto Tag All" button on the top of the Zone Inspector window. This will automatically detect and tag all power planes on your PCB layout.
Method 2: Select "Auto Tag Layer" button on the top of the Zone Inspector window. This will automatically detect and tag all power planes on the current layer of your PCB layout.
Method 3: Select "Manual Tag" button on the top of the Zone Inspector window. This will allow you to manually select and tag power planes on your PCB layout using your mouse cursor.
To view the plane configuration at a glance, you can look at the table below the buttons on the Zone Inspector window. This table shows various information about each power plane such as layer, net name, shape, area, etc.
To filter the view by layer, you can use the drop-down menu on the bottom left corner of the Zone Inspector window. This will allow you to select a specific layer and show only the power planes on that layer.
To sort the data by various criteria, you can click on the column headers of the table on the Zone Inspector window. This will allow you to sort the data by layer, net name, shape, area, etc.
To edit the plane settings, you can double-click on any row of the table on the Zone Inspector window. This will open a new window where you can change various settings of the selected power plane such as net name, shape type, clearance value, etc.
To set the draw order of the planes, you can use the up and down arrows on the right side of each row of the table on the Zone Inspector window. This will allow you to move the selected power plane up or down in the draw order. The draw order determines which power plane is drawn on top of another when they overlap.
You can also use the PCB Layout module and the 3D Viewer module to see the effects of your changes on the power planes. You can switch between these modules using the tabs on the bottom left corner of the screen.
What are the benefits of using Zone Inspector for PCB design?
Using Zone Inspector for PCB design has many benefits such as:
It helps you to identify and manage power planes easily and quickly.
It helps you to optimize your power plane configuration for better performance and efficiency.
It helps you to avoid errors and conflicts in your power plane design.
It helps you to visualize your power plane design in 2D and 3D views.
What is Library Part Property Editing and how does it work?
Library Part Property Editing is a new feature that has been introduced in Proteus Library Update 12 for library management. Library parts are the components and modules that you can use for your schematic and PCB design. Library parts have various properties such as name, description, footprint, symbol, model, etc. Library Part Property Editing allows you to edit the properties of library parts in a simple spreadsheet view. You can also use the Manage Changes dialogue to apply the changes to the master libraries and any given project.
How to use Library Part Property Editing to edit properties of library parts in a spreadsheet view?
To use Library Part Property Editing to edit properties of library parts in a spreadsheet view, you need to follow these steps:
Open your schematic or PCB layout in Proteus ISIS or Proteus ARES.
Select "Tools" menu and then select "Library Part Property Editing" option. Alternatively, you can press Ctrl+L shortcut key.
A new window will open on the right side of the screen showing the Library Part Property Editing tool.
To select the library parts that you want to edit, you can use one of the following methods:
Method 1: Select "All Parts" button on the top of the Library Part Property Editing window. This will select all library parts in your project.
Method 2: Select "Selected Parts" button on the top of the Library Part Property Editing window. This will select only the library parts that you have selected on your schematic or PCB layout using your mouse cursor.
Method 3: Select "Filter Parts" button on the top of the Library Part Property Editing window. This will allow you to filter and select library parts based on various criteria such as name, description, footprint, symbol, model, etc.
To edit the properties of the selected library parts, you can look at the table below the buttons on the Library Part Property Editing window. This table shows various properties of each library part such as name, description, footprint, symbol, model, etc. You can double-click on any cell of the table and change its value as needed.
To apply the changes to the master libraries and any given project, you can use the Manage Changes dialogue. To open this dialogue, you can select "Tools" menu and then select "Manage Changes" option. Alternatively, you can press Ctrl+M shortcut key. This dialogue will show you a list of changes that you have made to the library parts and allow you to apply them as needed.
What are the benefits of using Library Part Property Editing for library management?
Using Library Part Property Editing for library management has many benefits such as:
It helps you to edit the properties of library parts easily and quickly.
It helps you to keep your library parts consistent and updated.
It helps you to avoid errors and conflicts in your library part design.
It helps you to customize your library parts according to your needs and preferences.
What is Design Walk and how does it work?
Design Walk is a new feature that has been introduced in Proteus Library Update 12 for schematic navigation. Design Walk allows you to follow a net through multiple sheets on the schematic. A net is a connection of wires and pins that carry a signal or power. Design Walk helps you to trace the path of a net and see how it connects different components and modules on your schematic. Design Walk works together with the Design Explorer module to provide you with more detailed net analysis.
How to use Design Walk to follow a net through multiple sheets on the schematic?
To use Design Walk to follow a net through multiple sheets on the schematic, you need to follow these steps:
Open your schematic in Proteus ISIS.
Select a net that you want to follow by right-clicking on a wire or pin that belongs to that net.
Select "Design Walk" option from the context menu that appears.
A new window will open on the right side of the screen showing the Design Walk tool.
To follow the net through multiple sheets on the schematic, you can use one of the following methods:
Method 1: Use the PGUP and PG DOWN keyboard commands to cycle through the sheets on the schematic with the specified net tagged on each sheet.
Method 2: Right-click on the wire or pin again and select "Design Walk" option from the context menu. This will show you a list of target sheets where the net appears. You can select any target sheet from the list and jump to that sheet with the net tagged.
To stop following the net, you can press Esc key or close the Design Walk window.
How to use Design Explorer module for more detailed net analysis?
To use Design Explorer module for more detailed net analysis, you need to follow these steps:
Open your schematic in Proteus ISIS.
Select a net that you want to analyze by right-clicking on a wire or pin that belongs to that net.
Select "Design Explorer" option from the context menu that appears.
A new window will open on the bottom of the screen showing the Design Explorer module.
To analyze the net in more detail, you can use various tabs and options on the Design Explorer module such as:
Netlist tab: This tab shows you a list of all components and modules that are connected to the selected net.
Signal tab: This tab shows you various signal properties of the selected net such as voltage, current, power, frequency, etc.
Analysis tab: This tab allows you to perform various analyses on the selected net such as DC analysis, AC analysis, transient analysis, frequency response analysis, etc.
Simulation tab: This tab allows you to simulate your circuit using various models and analyses, such as DC analysis, AC analysis, transient analysis, frequency response analysis, etc.
Debug tab: This tab allows you to debug your circuit using virtual instruments such as oscilloscope, multimeter, logic analyzer, etc.
What are the benefits of using Design Walk for schematic navigation?
Using Design Walk for schematic navigation has many benefits such as:
It helps you to follow a net through multiple sheets on the schematic easily and quickly.
It helps you to understand how a net connects different components and modules on your schematic.
It helps you to avoid errors and conflicts in your net design.
It helps you to analyze your net in more detail using Design Explorer module.
What is Pre-Production Check and how does it work?
Pre-Production Check is a feature that has been improved in Proteus Library Update 12 for output generation. Pre-Production Check allows you to check your design for errors before generating various outputs from your design such as Gerber files, drill files, netlist files, bill of materials (BOM), etc. Pre-Production Check performs various checks on your design such as design rule check (DRC), electrical rule check (ERC), clearance check, etc. Pre-Production Check helps you to ensure that your design meets the specifications and requirements of your manufacturer and customer.
How to use Pre-Production Check to check your design for errors before generating outputs?
To use Pre-Production Check to check your design for errors before generating outputs, you need to follow these steps:
Open your schematic or PCB layout in Proteus ISIS or Proteus ARES.
Select "Tools" menu and then select "Pre-Production Check" option. Alternatively, you can press Ctrl+P shortcut key.
A new window will open on the right side of the screen showing the Pre-Production Check tool.
To select the checks that you want to perform on your design, you can use the checkboxes on the top of the Pre-Production Check window. You can select or deselect any check as needed. Some of the checks are:
DRC: This check verifies that your design meets the physical rules such as trace width, trace spacing, via size, etc.
ERC: This check verifies that your design meets the electrical rules such as pin type, pin connection, power supply, etc.
Clearance: This check verifies that your design has enough clearance between components and modules on the board.
Netlist: This check verifies that your design has a valid netlist file that matches your schematic.
BOM: This check verifies that your design has a valid bill of materials file that lists all components and modules on the board.
To run the checks on your design, you can select "Run" button on the bottom of the Pre-Production Check window. This will start the checking process and show you a list of errors and warnings if any.
To correct the errors and warnings, you can double-click on any item on the list and jump to the location where the error or warning occurs. You can then edit your design accordingly and rerun the checks until no errors or warnings remain.
To generate outputs from your design, you can select "Generate Outputs" button on the bottom of the Pre-Production Check window. This will open a new window where you can select various outputs that you want to generate such as Gerber files, drill files, netlist files, bill of materials (BOM), etc. You can also specify various settings and options for each output as needed.
What are the benefits of using Pre-Production Check for output generation?
Using Pre-Production Check for output generation has many benefits such as:
It helps you to check your design for errors before generating outputs easily and quickly.
It helps you to ensure that your design meets the specifications and requirements of your manufacturer and customer.
It helps you to avoid errors and conflicts in your output files.
It helps you to generate outputs from your design in a simple and convenient way.
What is Multi-Board Project Notes and how does it work?
Multi-Board Project Notes is a new feature that has been introduced in Proteus Lib