Marty, you can use the Footprint Editor on the Panel Layout Toolbar Misc. Panel Tools flyout, and create connectivity with your existing "dumb" footprints as they exist right now. You don't actually have to edit your existing footprints and add the P_TAG1. What ACE will do is merge one of the blocks from the Panel folder (i.e. wd_ptag_addattr_comp.dwg for components or wd_ptag_addattr_trm.dwg for terminals) as needed to create a "smart" footprint on the fly. Of course you can create or modify your existing footprints using the Black Box Builder to add more attributes, but the quick and dirty way allows you to use existing footprints. In advanced class I also teach how to make footprints that carry wire number, wire layer, and even connection information that depicts where the other end of the wire connects. I will attach a sample terminal block done this way. It happens to be an Entrelec M4/6 6mm series terminal. You simply have to add the proper attributes to carry that data. In this case the attributes that make it work are WIRENO01 and WIRENO02. But again, ACE will allow you to use "dumb" footprints as long as you enter the MFG and CAT in the Footprint Database and enter the path to your existing footprint.
Doug McAlexander
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