[BUG?!?] Can't replace symbol or package

[max.CSS]

When using the REPLACE tool, only devices are listed.
To replace a package only or symbol only, one must first delete the old and then add a new one.

I should be given the same options when replacing, as I get when adding a new device.

[jorge_garcia]

Hi @max.CSS,

I hope you're doing well. If you want to change the package of a given component to another variant use the PACKAGE command, instead of replace. If you are going to switch the schematic symbol then you should probably changed the device as well so I don't quite see the use case there.

Let me know if there's anything else I can do for you.

Best Regards,

[max.CSS]

I'm not sure you have understood me right.

I have a device containing only one package, nothing else in it.
To add this package to my board I use the ADD COMPONENT icon and are given a list with all devices in my libraries. Both devices containing Symbol & Packages, devices containing ONLY packages and devices containing ONLY symbols.

So I add a device containing ONLY one package.

Now I want to change that device to another device containing ONLY a package. But the REPLACE DEVICE icon this time ONLY shows devices containing BOTH a symbol AND a package. This isn't consistent with the ADD COMPONENT icon. So the only way to replace a package from a device containing ONLY a package is to first delete the device and then use the ADD COMPONENT icon again to select the new device (containing ONLY a package). I'm not changing the package to another package within the same device.

If you can't see any use case for this, please consider these:
- Logos etched into the copper.
- Revision information etched into the copper.
- Stop masks forming logos.
- Fiducial markings etched into the copper.
- Silk mask logos.

Basically everything where you want to add a stop mask or etching to the board that has nothing to do with a device (component).

I hope this is more clear now.

[jorge_garcia]

Hi @max.CSS,

Thanks you for the clarification. I think it's important to be clear on the fact that what the ADD command shows is dependent on the editor you are in. In the schematic editor, the ADD dialog will only show Devices. Now devices will usually have a symbol and a package however it's possible to have _EXTERNAL_ devices which only have symbols. In the schematic editor, you will never see just packages, and all Devices must have symbols.

On the board editor, the ADD command will only show you packages. So depending on where you execute the REPLACE the command will behave differently. So for the use cases you are referring to you would ADD packages on the Layout editor, if you try from the schematic you will fail.

Additionally, the REPLACE command will only work in a limited number of cases. The main requirements is that the number of pads(pins) matches between the current component and the new one. If there is no match then you will have to delete the old part and put in the new one.

Please let me know if there's anything else I can do for you.

Best Regards,

[Anonymous]

I have to say, as a new user this is pretty frustrating: I created a somewhat complex diagram, but happened to use ngspice-simulation capacitors (which apparently have no packages associated with them).

So, I now realize I need to replace them with proper packages (after having spent several hours trying to figure out why they didn't show up on the board layout).

But, now I have to delete all resistors and capacitors and recreate all the connections and values (13 of my 19 objects). Again, frustrating from a new user perspective all around.

[jorge_garcia]

Hi @Anonymous,

I hope you're doing well. The replace command should work in this scenario because you are changing two port devices for other two port devices. You can find your resistors, capacitors and inductors in the rcl library that comes with EAGLE.

Please let me know if there's anything else I can do for you.

Best Regards,