Selecting an alternate footprint

You can use the Select Footprint dialog box (accessed by choosing the Footprint button in the Edit Component dialog box) to change a component’s footprint. When you do so, the previous footprint becomes an alternate, which is then listed in the Footprint Selection dialog box for that component. You can use the Alternate Footprint command (on the pop-up menu) to select alternate footprints for components on the board. You may want to select an alternate footprint for a component if you are changing component technology. For example, you may want to replace a through-hole part with an SMT part.

To change a component’s footprint

1 Choose the component toolbar button.

2 Double-click on a component. The Edit Component dialog box appears.

3 Choose the Footprint button. The Select Footprint dialog box appears.

In the Libraries list, select the library from which you want to select a footprint. Choose the Add button to locate the library, if necessary.

5 In the Footprints list, select a footprint. The footprint  appears in the preview window.

6 Choose the OK button twice to close the dialog boxes.

The footprint for the component is replaced. The alternate footprint is now available for selection in the Footprint Selection dialog box, as explained previously.

To select an alternate footprint

1 Choose the component toolbar button.

2 Select a component.

3 From the pop-up menu, choose Alternate Footprint. The Footprint Selection dialog box appears.

4 Select the desired alternate footprint and choose the OK button.