Planar Metal Editor Dialog Box

The Planar Metal Editor dialog box is opened when you click on the Add Planar or Edit button (when a planar metal type is selected) in the Metal Types dialog box or the Metal Library dialog box. When this dialog box is invoked from the Metal Types dialog box it allows you to define a new planar metal or edit an existing planar metal for your project. When this dialog box is invoked from the Metal Library dialog box, it allows you to define a new planar metal or edit a planar metal for your local or global library.

Select From Library: Click on this button to select a metal from a metal library to add to your project. This opens the Metal Library dialog box which allows you to select a planar metal from your library.

Name: Enter a name for the planar metal in the Name text entry box. This field is optional. If you do not enter a name, a default name is automatically assigned.

Model: Select the loss mode you wish to use for this planar metal from this drop list. For help deciding which type of loss model to use, see Selecting the best loss model for planar metal loss. The attribute entry boxes change depending on the type of planar metal loss model selected. Follow the links below for a definition of each planar metal type and an explanation of its properties.

Fields in which you may enter a variable instead of a constant value are identified with a drop down list, an example of which is pictured below. The list includes the entry <Add Variable> in addition to any existing parameters. Selecting <Add Variable> from the list opens the Add/Edit Variable dialog box to allow you to create the variable. If an existing variable is entered, then the entry <Edit Variable> appears in the list. Selecting this entry opens the Add/Edit Variable dialog box to allow you to edit the presently selected variable.

Note that directly typing in the name of a variable which is not yet defined, instead of selecting <Add Variable> from the drop list, also causes the Add/Edit Variable dialog box to appear when this dialog box is closed so that you can define the new variable.

Once you have defined one or more planar metal types, you can use them in your circuit. See How do I define metal loss?

Pattern: Use the arrow buttons to step through the available display patterns you may assign to this metal. This pattern is used to identify this metal when it is used in your circuit.