10 Helpful Xpedition Designer Scripts

Script 0 - Add_Menu.vbs

This is a basic script that provides an example of how to add a menu to the Xpedition Designer GUI.

Scripts 1, 2, and 3 - Open_PRJ_Folder.vbs, Open_PCB_Folder.vbs, and Open_ODBC.vbs

Open_PRJ_Folder.vbs opens a Windows file explorer to the PRJ or schematic folder. Open_PCB_Folder.vbs opens a Windows file explorer to the PCB folder. These are common folders for outputs and are a hassle to open, hopefully this scripts provided a shortcut.

Open_ODBC.vbs opens the ODBC executable. Many users encounter problems with Databook by not having a data source setup properly. This script hopefully points users in the right direction.

Script 4 - Export_BOM.vbs

This script provides an example of launching the Part Lister through a script. The script then provides examples of what can be done with the Part Lister output in Excel's automation.

Script 5 - Export_Symbols.efm

This form provides a quick method of exporting a schematics symbols. I find it incredibly helpful while building a Central Library from an inherited design. 

Script 6 - Link_and_port_name_on_off.vbs

Display Control is great at turning property names on and off. When it comes to turning names of components on and off, I could not find an easy way. Sometimes it is helpful to have link names on to aid in interpreting cross referencing. After a successful cross reference, a user might want to turn them all off. This script ought to help in this batch toggling of names for ports and links.

Script 7 - RefDes_table.efm

This script will provide a table to identify last used and missing reference designators. The script provides functionality to format the table. A txt report of the table is also generated.

Script 8 - Resize_Property_wcolor_and_rename.efm

This script is helpful in batch modifications of the schematic. It can aid in changing font style, font color, and resizing font in properties, net labels, pin numbers, and pin labels. It also provides a way to delete and rename properties across a schematic. I have primarily used this script to help cleanup translated schematics.

Script 9 - Add_PNN.vbs

Net labels are interesting in that they only have a block level label. Unlike a property like Ref Designator that can have instance and block values, we are stuck with one label despite the the possibility of the block being repeated several times. This limitation can make navigating hierarchy very difficult and confusing.

For each net label inside hierarchy, this script will add a symbol with a physical net name property that is near that label. This helps in exporting PDFs with the physical net name included. The script also creates several reports. The Phy_out.txt can be used as a look up table in other scripts that require the physical net name to be used. Hopefully this script will encourage the use of hierarchy.

Script 10 - Net_name_and_label_report.vbs

This script was made in response to a user that had copied a net while the label of that net was turned off. The copy created an unintentional short in the design. This script can be used to find nets that have not been named and nets that do not have a label visible.