About ports
Ports export nets from a module to the higher-level schematic and define connection points for wiring signals. Modules organize hierarchical schematics by creating sub-designs on separate sheets.
Ports and Port Instances
Each port belongs to a Module. When you add a port to a module, a corresponding Port Instance is created on every instance of that module in the schematic.
- Port — defines the name and direction of the connection. The direction controls signal flow for the Electrical Rule Check (ERC): io, nc, in, out, oc, pwr, pas, or hiz.
- Port Instance — the object you select and interact with in the canvas. Changes to a Port Instance — including side, position, and direction — apply to all instances of the module.
Working with Port Instances
Port Instances behave like other selectable objects in the schematic:
- Inspector — select a Port Instance to view and edit its properties in the Inspector panel.
- Context menu — right-click a Port Instance to access Move, Delete, Mirror, and Rotate actions, as well as Properties.
- Direct drag — drag a Port Instance to reposition it without invoking a command.
- Design Manager — Port Instances appear as items under their module in the Components view.
- Selection Filter — use the Selection Filter panel to filter by Port Instance type.
Copy and paste do not apply to Port Instances. To add a port, use the Add Port command.