Calculate pin swaps to unscramble netlines quickly

Netline Optimizer calculates where netlines cross each other,

then moves nets to different pins on the schematic to resolve any crossover

How does it work?

1. Select the pins or traces that you want to swap.

2. Calculate Pin Swaps.

3. Swap the Nets on the Schematic.

4. Forward Annotate.

5. Done!

Netline Optimizer can also be used on traces to resolve pin swaps of partially routed nets:

It works with any part, anywhere on the board, as long as nets can be moved to different pins and the design will be functionally correct. Pins & parts do not need to be defined as swappable.




What’s the catch?

There is no catch. It really works. There are only a few rules that need to be followed to make it work correctly:

– The PCB designer has to know what pins and nets are swappable. The designer selects nets that are swappable before executing the ‘Get Selected PCB Pins and Calculate Net Pin Swaps’ function.

– In the schematic, the affected component must have net segments on the symbol pins that will be swapped, and then an off- or on-page connector symbol on the net segments. 

– Also in the schematic, there should not be any secondary component, like a series resistor or capacitor, attached directly to the net segment that is attached to a pin on the primary affected component. The secondary components should only be connected to the primary component by way of a separate net segment and off- or on-page connector symbol. 

That’s it. This tool works by figuring out how to move nets to different pins on the affected part, then changing net names on the pins of that part in the schematic.