Module update after creation and port direction

[oleksandr_velihorskyi]

I'm going to use the modules in Autodesk Fusion 360 for several MOSFET gate drivers. I have already realized, that unfortunately a lot of useful functions are missed, e.g. multi-cahnnel design, replication of PCB for the module for other module instances (like "Copy Room Format" in Altium), etc. But it looks like I can't even find the most basic features, such as changing the size of the module in Schematic, or moving the port. When I have drawn the rectangle and placed ports, I can't change it, right? I only found the solution - to delete the module and redesign it from scratch, but it is not something I would use in future... Are there any modification possibilities AFTER the module and ports are associated, components on PCB are placed and traces routed? 

And another question - "port direction" dropdown menu, during the port insertion. Is it only for the visualization, or it has some other meaning (e.g., checking the net propagation, I/O errors etc.)? Can the direction be changed AFTER the module completed (see previous question)?

[jorge_garcia · Accepted solution]

Hi @oleksandr_velihorskyi,

I hope you're doing well. So to start, modules are not equivalent to Rooms in Altium, so the comparison falls apart right there.

With that said, it is possible to modify the modules but it's not easy to do. Here's the process:

1) Select the command you want INFO, MOVE, DELETE, Etc.
2) Hold the Ctrl (CMD) key and left click at the point where the port meets the module. The location is very difficult to hit and we have an open ticket to improve it.

The "port direction" is used for Electrical Rule checking, namely I/O errors in your example. Direction can be changed after module creation using the INFO command on the port following the above process.

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

Best Regards,

[oleksandr_velihorskyi]

Dear @jorge_garcia ,

thank you very much, it works! Not so intuitive, but I have changed the shape of the module in Schematic Editor, as well as moved ports.

As for comparison with Altium - sure, "Module" is not the same as the rooms. However, in my opinion (taking into account my starter experience in Fusion 360) now it is the closest option for the design of repeated parts, such as gate drivers for power semiconductors or multiple measurement channels. In such tasks, it is useful to have a tool for the copying of existing circuits in the Schematic editor several times, and the possibility of copying PCB design several times in PCB. Sure, Design Blocks potentially can be a better solution, but as far as I know, in Fusion there is no such function as "create Design Block", right? By the way, when will such an option be available in Fusion 360?

If you have any other hints for such a task (multi-channel design), such as videos/tutorials - please share them, it will be very useful for me. Unfortunately, on the Internet and YouTube, I can find a lot of videos for the beginner level (such as the creation of a simple design based on a 555 timer) that definitely very useful for beginners. At the same time, I feel a lack of additional materials for more complex designs, such as multi-sheet and multi-cahnnel designs, power electronic boards with complex rules/classes (high voltage and different clearance distances, polygons instead of traces) etc.

[jorge_garcia]

Hi @oleksandr_velihorskyi,

For multi-channel where you want to preserve the layout Designblocks would be the way, however we are working on an improved version for Fusion. In the meantime, you can use the Insert Electronic Design funtionality. This will allow you to bring in a piece of circuitry and its corresponding layout. It's flat, so no hierarchy but the layout is preserved.

This is an area where we intend to make some major improvements.

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

Best Regards,

[oleksandr_velihorskyi]

Dear @jorge_garcia ,

thank you for your comment, I'm looking forward to the new features. By the way, I'd appreciate the links (YouTube videos, tutorials, blog posts) for more complex design examples, implemented in Eagle, described in my previous message. In my opinion, it will be very useful, even for beginners, to see the potential horizons of the software. 

[jorge_garcia]

Hi @oleksandr_velihorskyi,

That is definitely something to improve on, more advanced tutorials. I'll see what I can do about remedying that situation. 

Is there any specific features, besides hierarchy that you would like some content on? I can check what we have.

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

Best Regards,

[oleksandr_velihorskyi]

Dear @jorge_garcia ,

thank you for your reply. As for useful more "complex" I'd like to see examples/tutorials covering: 

1. Circuits that are based on hierarchy principles and repeated circuits, including PCB design of such circuits.

2. Complex rules, especially suitable for power electronics boards, when there are a lot of voltage levels and rules for clearance between traces/polygons are quite complex. E.g., multilevel inverters or similar.

3. Routing based on polygons (also suitable for power electronics boards). I know that Fusion has a "rank" from 1 to 6 for polygons, but some tips for polygons modifications or creation will be useful (e.g., combining several polygons, highlighting polygons, etc.). 

[jorge_garcia]

Hi @oleksandr_velihorskyi,

I hope you're doing well. Thank you for the suggestions, I've made a note of these for future tutorials.

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

Best Regards,

[kb9ydn]

Bumping this for exposure.  Working with modules is still quite awful.  Renaming ports doesn't seem to work at all.  You have to delete and replace them.  This needs help.