CircuitWorks Component Library: What You Need to Know About the .epub File Format
What is Circuitworks Component Library.epub?
If you are working with electrical and mechanical design data, you might have encountered a file with the extension .epub. This is not an e-book file, but a special format used by CircuitWorks, a SOLIDWORKS add-in that enables you to import and export ECAD (electronic computer-aided design) data. CircuitWorks Component Library.epub is a file that contains a collection of SOLIDWORKS part models that represent components in the ECAD data. In this article, you will learn more about this file format, how it works, how to use it, and what benefits it offers for your design process.
Circuitworks Component Library.epub
How Circuitworks Component Library works
CircuitWorks Component Library stores SOLIDWORKS part models that represent components in the ECAD data. When you open an ECAD file in CircuitWorks, CircuitWorks checks the library for existing SOLIDWORKS models for each component in the ECAD data. If a model exists, CircuitWorks inserts the model when building the assembly. If a model does not exist, CircuitWorks creates a new component model using the footprint and height information in the ECAD file and adds it to the library. When CircuitWorks is first installed, the Component Library contains only a few sample models. As the library grows, CircuitWorks can reuse more models and therefore build assemblies more quickly. The CircuitWorks tree shows components without an existing model with an icon.
You can define how CircuitWorks determines if a component exists in the library from the CircuitWorks Options - Library dialog box. You can select what database CircuitWorks uses for the library from the CircuitWorks Options - Database dialog box. You can define how CircuitWorks names SOLIDWORKS models from the CircuitWorks Options - Models dialog box.
How to use Circuitworks Component Library
How to open an ECAD file in CircuitWorks
To import ECAD data and build a SOLIDWORKS assembly using CircuitWorks, follow these steps:
In SOLIDWORKS, click Tools > Add-Ins and select CircuitWorks.
In the CircuitWorks task pane, click Open ECAD File.
Browse to the location of the ECAD file and click Open.
In the Import Options dialog box, select the options you want and click OK.
CircuitWorks reads the ECAD data and displays it in the CircuitWorks tree.
To build the SOLIDWORKS assembly, click Build Model.
CircuitWorks creates a new assembly document and inserts the component models from the library or creates new ones if needed.
You can view and edit the assembly as you would any other SOLIDWORKS assembly.
How to view and manage the component models
To access the CircuitWorks Component Library, click Tools > CircuitWorks > Component Library. The CircuitWorks Component Library dialog box appears, where you can view and manage the component models that CircuitWorks has built. The dialog box has three main areas:
The left pane shows a list of components in the library, with columns for the ECAD Component Name, ECAD Part Number, and Device Class. You can add, remove, or reorder columns as you wish. You can also filter the list by custom properties or search for a component by name.
The right pane shows a preview of the selected component model, along with its properties and dimensions. You can zoom, pan, or rotate the model using the mouse or toolbar buttons. You can also edit the properties or dimensions of the component from this pane.
The bottom pane shows a list of ECAD files that use the selected component model. You can double-click on an ECAD file to open it in CircuitWorks.
How to edit, delete, and add components
You can edit the properties of a component in the Component Library by selecting it in the left pane and clicking Edit Properties in the right pane. You can change the ECAD Component Name, ECAD Part Number, Device Class, Height, Description, or any custom property. You can also change the dimensions of the component by entering new values in the right pane or dragging the handles on the preview. To save your changes, click Apply or OK.
You can delete a component from the Component Library by selecting it in the left pane and clicking Delete. A confirmation dialog box appears, where you can choose to delete only the library entry or also the SOLIDWORKS model file. If you delete only the library entry, you can still use the SOLIDWORKS model file for other purposes. If you delete both, you will lose the model permanently.
You can add a new component to the Component Library by clicking New. A blank component model is created with default properties and dimensions. You can edit them as described above. Alternatively, you can use the CircuitWorks Library Component Wizard to select SOLIDWORKS components to add to the library and to set them up for use with CircuitWorks. To access the wizard, click Tools > CircuitWorks > Library Component Wizard.
How to search, filter, and sort components
To make it easier to locate library components, you can search for a component model by name using the search filter above the preview or by using the Find in Component Library dialog box. To access the dialog box, click Edit > Find. You can enter a full or partial name and specify whether to match case or whole words. You can also use wildcards (*) to represent any number of characters.
You can also filter the component list to only display components that have specific properties. To do this, click Add Filter above the left pane and select a property from the drop-down list. Then enter a value or select one from another drop-down list. You can add multiple filters and combine them with logical operators (AND, OR, NOT). To remove a filter, click X next to it.
You can sort the component list by any column by clicking on its header. A small arrow indicates whether the sorting is ascending or descending. You can change the order by clicking again on the header.
How to associate and disassociate components with SOLIDWORKS models
You can associate and disassociate CircuitWorks tree components with SOLIDWORKS part or assembly files. This allows you to use existing SOLIDWORKS models for ECAD components or create new ones from scratch. To associate a CircuitWorks tree component with a SOLIDWORKS model, follow these steps:
Select Associate with SOLIDWORKS Model.
Browse to the location of the SOLIDWORKS model file and click Open.
CircuitWorks adds the model to the Component Library and associates it with the component. The icon in the tree changes to indicate the association.
To disassociate a CircuitWorks tree component from a SOLIDWORKS model, follow these steps:
In CircuitWorks, right-click on a component in the tree that has an associated model.
Select Disassociate from SOLIDWORKS Model.
CircuitWorks removes the association and creates a new component model using the ECAD data. The icon in the tree changes to indicate the absence of an association.
Benefits of using Circuitworks Component Library
Using CircuitWorks Component Library has many benefits for your electrical and mechanical design collaboration. Here are some of them:
You can save time and effort by reusing existing SOLIDWORKS models for ECAD components instead of creating new ones every time.
You can ensure consistency and accuracy by using the same models for different ECAD files or projects.
You can customize and enhance the component models by editing their properties, dimensions, features, or mates in SOLIDWORKS.
You can easily find and organize the component models by using the search, filter, and sort functions in the Component Library.
You can leverage the power and functionality of SOLIDWORKS for your ECAD data by associating and disassociating components with SOLIDWORKS models.
Conclusion
CircuitWorks Component Library.epub is a file format that contains a collection of SOLIDWORKS part models that represent components in the ECAD data. It is used by CircuitWorks, a SOLIDWORKS add-in that enables you to import and export ECAD data. By using CircuitWorks Component Library, you can save time, ensure consistency, customize models, find components, and leverage SOLIDWORKS for your electrical and mechanical design collaboration. If you want to learn more about CircuitWorks and how it can help you with your design process, you can visit the official website or contact us for a free demo.
FAQs
What is ECAD data?ECAD data is electronic computer-aided design data that contains information about the layout, components, connections, and properties of an electronic circuit board.
What file formats can CircuitWorks import and export?CircuitWorks can import and export various file formats such as IDF (.emn, .emp), ProStep EDMD (.idx), PADS ASCII (.asc), ODB++ (.tgz), IPC-2581 (.xml), GenCAD (.cad), DXF (.dxf), DWG (.dwg), and more.
How can I access CircuitWorks?CircuitWorks is available as a SOLIDWORKS add-in for SOLIDWORKS Premium and SOLIDWORKS Professional users. You can activate it by clicking Tools > Add-Ins and selecting CircuitWorks.
How can I update CircuitWorks?CircuitWorks is updated automatically when you update SOLIDWORKS. You can check for updates by clicking Help > Check for Updates in SOLIDWORKS.
How can I get help with CircuitWorks?You can get help with CircuitWorks by clicking Help > CircuitWorks Help in SOLIDWORKS or by visiting the online help page. You can also contact our support team or join our user community for more assistance.
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