topic Re: Cannot move components in layout in EAGLE Forum

Cannot move components in layout

Anonymous — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 22:48:02 GMT

I drew a schematic and now I am attempting layout. Some parts I am able to move, but one I cannot move onto the board area, and another I moved onto the board but now it won't move any more.

(I'm using Eagle 9.3.0 with Windows 10)

Re: Cannot move components in layout

rachaelATWH4 — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 07:18:04 GMT

Is it giving you a license restriction error? If so, make sure your board size is within the limits of your license. Also make sure your board is entirely within the upper right quadrant and is located such that the bottom left corner of the smallest rectangle which would contain your board (in case it's not a rectangular board) has it's bottom left corner at the origin (0 0).

If you are not getting a licensing error, it's possible you have accidentally locked some parts. If you look at their origin handles, are they + or x in shape? If they are an x then the part is locked. If so then select the lock tool and with shift held click on the parts and you should see the origin handle change to +.

Best Regards,

Rachael

Re: Cannot move components in layout

Anonymous — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 15:52:00 GMT

There is no license problem. I have a small, only 5 components, design that easily fits within the free version board. I have gotten all the components into the board area, but I have to click repeatedly on a component before I can get a hold of it to move it. And just this morning when I opened my design I find that now the components aren't shown on the layout, only the signal lines (the connections I designed, not air wires) and pads are visible.

A screenshot is attached

Re: Cannot move components in layout

rachaelATWH4 — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 16:03:02 GMT

It looks like you haven't got all the layers you need turned on. If you open the display dialog by clicking on it's icon in the left toolbar:

Then in there make sure you enable the tPlace, tNames, and tOrigins layers, and then you should be able to see and move everything on the top layer. If you have bottom layer components do the same for bPlace, bNames and bOrigins.

I suspect your initial issue is down to using parts from the standard library with inconsistent origin position and not knowing you need to click near the origin to pick them up. I only use parts libraries I have created myself and I deliberately place the origin at the exact centre of the footprint to prevent this very issue.

You may also want to take a look at the Select Factor and Catch Factor settings in Options->Set...->Misc as these dictate how large an area is given for grabbing a part around it's origin.

Best Regards,

Rachael

Best Regards

Re: Cannot move components in layout

The_Oz — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 20:48:30 GMT

This helped with my solution. remember to click on the origin to move a grouped component. i.e. the cross hair.