From

Imaginatio
n
Ramos / Christ

To
Invention
Basics of Electronics
Fabrication
Fall 2009 ELEC 61 Mt
SAC

Introduction
The fabrication of a Printed Circuit Board or PCB involves few but very in-depth steps. Being
familiar with the entire process provides very important skills for use in the electronics industry. The
goal of the lessons provided is to help understand the process from the drawing of a schematic to
building a Bill of Materials or BOM to ordering parts and creation of the PCB itself by utilizing
National Instruments Multisim and Ultiboard software.

What is MultiSim?
Multisim is a schematic capture and simulation program designed to be easy to use for the
electronics industry and is a wonderful learning tool for students interested in electronics. With
interactive simulation, Multisim helps students grasp schematic and design concepts with more ease.
Capturing, analyzing, and simulating circuits are made easy with Multisim. The software even includes a
virtual 3D breadboard to simulate the real circuit without the necessity of components or the breadboard
itself which in the long run can save time, money, and the stress of obtaining and connecting
components.

Why learn Multisim?

Multisim is one of many programs used to create schematics and designs for use in the
electronics industry. Most schematic and design programs are very similar being separated by small
features or even just the layout of the user interface. With its user-friendly design and multiple tools for
simulation Multisim provides an excellent tool for learning core skills required in the fabrication
process.

What is a schematic?
A schematic is the base diagram in the design of a circuit. Schematics display which components
will be used, how they are connected, and specific information regarding complex components such as
integrated circuits (ICs). Learning to read and draw schematics is a crucial skill when going into the
electronics industry. Every journey begins with a first step and with electronic circuits it begins at the
schematic.

Getting familiar with Multisim

The first step in learning any new software whether its for personal, educational, or professional
use is to familiarize with the software and the features that will be needed. This section covers just that;
important drop down menus, toolbar icons, and brief explanations of their contents.
This is the File menu; it is used to open and save files and is also the starting
point of creating a new schematic. The menu functions almost exactly like
every other application used in a PC environment with a few exceptions:
Open Samples: Selecting this option opens a menu that contains a list of prebuilt circuits that can be used as examples on how schematics might look.
Close/Close All: Normally applications will only have Close which will
close the project youre working on but not close the application itself. Close
All is a command that will close all Multisim projects that are currently
open. Any project open that has been modified will prompt an option to save
when the Close All command is trying to close it.
Save/Save As/Save all: Much like other applications Save will save the
project with the current name and Save As will give an option to save the
project under a different name. Save All works similar to Close All except
that instead of trying to close all open projects, it will save them all under their current name. Exercise
caution when using this command because it will save all changes to all projects that are open.
New/Open/Save/Close Project: Works the same as their counterparts with the exception that instead of
working with a single schematic, a project can contain multiple schematics, designs, and much more.
Print/Print Preview/Print Options: This area is to cover just what it says, printing. Once again, almost
identical functions as any other application. One thing to note is that in engineering and electronics
printing is often referred to as Plotting.
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Recent Designs/Projects: Inside these menu strips youll find files that have recently been opened for
fast and easy access to schematics or projects that you might have been working on from day to day.
Exit: Just like every application in the world. Exit will close the entire program. Any unsaved changes
will prompt a save window before Multisim completely closes down.
Much like the File menu, the Edit menu functions very similar to edit
menus in other applications.
Undo/Redo: Undo is used to undo a change that was just made. Conversely,
if the Undo command was used and the change turns out to be acceptable,
the Redo command will change things back to how they were before the
Undo command was used.
Cut/Copy/Paste/Delete/Select All: Used the same as in other applications,
these commands allow parts of the schematic to be cut, copied, pasted, etc.
Delete Multi-Page: Most schematics are composed of multiple pages to
create an entire circuit. This option is used to delete entire pages of a circuit.
Find: Used to find parts, nets, and other things contained in a schematic.
Graphic Annotation: This option provides multiple options that can change
the graphic styles used for annotation, or notes, that will be placed on a
schematic. Text combined with a pointing arrow is an example of a graphic
annotation.
Order: Occasionally parts or other things might overlap and the order menu
is used to bring them forward or move them back. An example would be to look down on a stack of
papers. The Bring to Front command would take the selected item and bring it towards you while
Send to Back would do the opposite and move it away.
Assign to Layer: This command is used to send items to an annotation layer.

Layer settings: Used to add and remove necessary or unwanted layers. Layers are drawing planes that
are used to separate portions of a drawing or in this case, a schematic. Typically, layers are separated to
make viewing specific parts easier. For example, components may be on one layer of a schematic and
the nets that connect them may be on another. If both of these types of parts are on separate layers we
can choose to view the drawing as a whole, components only, or nets only.
Orientation: This menu strip contains commands to rotate or flip selected parts of your schematic.
Title Block Position/Edit Symbol/Title Block: A title block is a template used for an individual or a
company to make printed schematics uniform to each other in respects to naming, numbering, etc. These
commands are used to manipulate the schematics title block.
Font: Just like in word processor programs, allows selecting desired fonts for text.
Comment: If there are any comments on the schematic this option is used to edit those comments.
Forms/Questions: A very handy tool in Multisim is the Forms/Questions command. This command
allows schematics to be e-mailed through the program and also contains a text box in which messages
may be attached to the schematic enabling students to send a schematic to a teacher or an employee to a
supervisor with any necessary questions or comments.
Properties: The properties command is used to display the selected items characteristics ranging from
labels to things like individual component information in the User Fields section.

The View drop down menu is very simple and almost self-explanatory.
Again, most commands in this menu work similar to other
applications.
Full Screen: Expands a schematic view to fit the entire screen.
Parent Sheet: When dealing with subcircuits this command will go to
the top of the circuit hierarchy. When dealing with subcircuits of a
subcircuit, it will go up one step in the hierarchy.
Zooming options: Use these to zoom in, out, to a selected area, or to
have the schematic fit the page.
Zoom to Magnification: Used to zoom to a specific ratio. For
example 100% or even 33%
Zoom Selection: When an item is selected, this command will zoom
in on that item to fit the entire window.
Show Grid/Border/Page Bounds: These commands are toggled to
either show or hide the schematics grid, its borders, and the page boundaries, respectively.
Ruler Bars: Used to toggle the showing or hiding of the ruler bars.
Status Bar: Used to show or hide the status bar at the bottom of the screen.
Design Toolbox: Shows or hides the design toolbox which is used to manage elements of the schematic.
Spreadsheet View: Shows or hides the spreadsheet view which allows fast viewing and editing of
properties including component details such as footprints, labeling, attributes and more.
Circuit Description Box: Use this command to enter comments about the schematic.
Toolbars: This menu strip allows control over which toolbars are shown or hidden making the user
interface completely customizable.
Show Comment/Probe: Shows or hides information about selected comments.
Grapher: Shows or hides a graph with info on a simulation of your circuit.
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The Place menu is where most of the schematic will come

from. Commands from this menu are used to insert
components, wiring, and more.
Component: Clicking here will bring up the component
dialogue box, where a specific part can be found and
selected to add into the circuit.
Junction/Wire: Used to place wires or wire junctions. Not
quite necessary as placing wires can be done by clicking
one pin on a component then clicking on another pin of a
component. One way of adding a junction is to click the
pin of a component then clicking on an existing wire.
Bus: Used to place a bus. Buses are used to simplify
wiring by carrying multiple nets.
Connectors: Used to place various connectors such as
Off-page connectors into the schematic which are used for multi-page schematics.
Hierarchical Block commands: Allows creating or loading circuits from a file in order to be displayed
in a condensed, simplified form.
Subcircuits: Similar to Hierarchical blocks with the exception of showing only the most necessary pins.
Multi-Page: Adds a new blank page to the schematic allowing more room for circuitry.
Merge Bus: Used to merge two buses together.
Bus Vector Connect: Used to connect a multi-pin component to a bus.
Comment/Text/Graphics: Used to add in comments, various text like notes, or simple graphics such as
lines or rectangles onto a schematic.
Title Block: Used to add in a title block to the schematic. Generally electronics companies have a set
template for title blocks to make all schematics uniform in displaying the company name, designer, etc.
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Place Ladder Rungs: Used to create and simulate Programmable Logic Controllers or PLCs
One of the very useful features of Multisim is the ability for the
program to simulate a circuit. The Simulate drop down menu is where
to find the controls for this feature.
Run/Pause/Stop: In other words, controls starting, pausing, and
stopping of the circuits simulation.
Instruments: Under the Instruments menu strip is where simulated
devices can be placed onto the schematic; devices such as Digital
Multi-Meters (DMMs), Oscilloscopes, etc.
Interactive Simulation Settings: Used to change the settings of
instruments that are based on transient analysis. I.E. oscilloscopes.
Digital Simulation Settings: Allows choosing between accuracy and
speed of a digital circuits simulation.
Analyses: The large group of different types of analyses that Multisim
can provide based on simulation of a circuit.
Postprocessor: Once one or more simulations have been run on a
circuit the postprocessor can be used to combine the analysis results of those simulations.
Simulation Error Log: Used to show or hide the log of events that occurred during circuit simulations
XSPICE Command Line Interface: Opens a terminal in which XSpice Commands can be inputted.
Load/Save Simulation Settings: If specific settings can be used for multiple circuit projects, they can
be saved and loaded for reuse later using these commands.
Auto Fault Option: The auto fault option is also a handy feature in Multisim as you can set random
components in a circuit to fail in order to simulate how the circuit might work if something were to fail.
VHDL Simulation: Runs MultiVHDL simulation software.
Dynamic Probe Properties: Allows customization of Dynamic Measurement Probes.
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Reverse Probe Direction: Reverses a placed probes polarity.

Clear Instrument Data: Placed instruments maintain their data throughout simulations. Use this
command to clear that data to simulate a fresh test.
Use Tolerances: Toggles tolerance of components on or off. Having this option turned off will simulate
a perfect circuit. Generally its good practice to simulate circuits with tolerances on as it may help
determine if higher quality components are required; such as low tolerance resistors.
Multisim includes design software called Ultiboard which
is used to turn a schematic into an actual PCB design.
Transfer to Ultiboard 10: Used to transfer a schematic
into a design with Ultiboard version 10 or higher.
Transfer to Ultiboard 9 or earlier: Used with older
versions of Ultiboard.
Export to PCB Layout: This option is used to transfer a
Multisim schematic to design software other than Ultiboard. Many design software programs are
available and not all companies use Ultiboard so this feature becomes useful when dealing with others.
Forward Annotate to Ultiboard 10: If changes are made to a Multisim schematic this option allows
the changes to that schematic in its corresponding Ultiboard file.
Backannotate from Ultiboard: Similar to forward annotating, except that it is from Ultiboard to
Multisim instead of Multisim to Ultiboard.
Forward Annotate to Ultiboard 9 or earlier: This Command is the same as annotating to Ultiboard
10, only with an earlier version of Ultiboard.
Highlight Selection in Ultiboard: If the file corresponding to the Multisim schematic is open in
Ultiboard, this command allows selecting components in Ultiboard that are selected in Multisim.
Export Netlist: Exports a designs net list which can be reviewed later. The exported file can be
opened in any text editor.
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Depending on the purpose of a schematic the Tools menu might be

used as much as the Place menu. Under this menu is where
components are created and the database managed. An established
company will generally have a database set up with components that
they use but an individual user will have to create their own database of
components.
Component Wizard: The component wizard is where part models are
created for simulation and/or footprints.
Database: The database menu strip is where components that have
already been created can be reviewed and edited or even to add a new
component that is on an existing schematic.
Circuit Wizards: This menu strip contains wizards to help create
specific circuits such as amplifiers, band reject filters, etc.
Rename/Renumber Components: Allows components reference designators to be renumbered.
Replace Components: Used to replace a selected component with another.
Update Circuit Components: Components on circuit schematics drawn on earlier versions of Multisim
can be updated using this command.
Update HB/SC Symbols: Used to update HB/SC symbols from older versions of Multisim.
Electrical Rules Check: Used to create reports of electrical connection errors; similar to the spellcheck command available on most word processors.
Clear ERC Markers: Clears previous Electrical Rules Check markers.
Toggle NC Marker: Places a No Connection (NC) marker to a pin meaning that nothing will be
connected to that pin and prevents connecting wires to the pin.
Symbol Editor: Used to edit or create the component symbols of parts.

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Title Block Editor: Creating or editing title blocks is done here. This can also be accessed by right
clicking an existing title block and clicking on Edit Symbol/Title Block.
Description Box Editor: Opens a text editor to create or edit the description of a circuit.
Capture Screen Area: Similar to using the Print Screen button on a keyboard, this command will
capture a schematic into the systems clipboard then manipulated using any picture editing software.
Show Breadboard: Opens the 3D virtual breadboard. Components and devices placed in the schematic
will be copied and will be available to place on the breadboard.
Online Design Resources: Opens a web browser to explore various components available online.
Education Web Page: Opens a web browser to National Instruments education web page.
The Reports menu contains all the tools needed to print detailed reports for
things such as a Bill of Materials (BOM), or specifics about components.
Bill of Materials: Used to generate a BOM that lists components used in
the design and summarizes how many of which components are required
and displays essential information such as component costs, vendors, etc.
Component Detail Report: Produces a report containing all information contained in the database
about a selected component.
Netlist Report: Provides a report for all connectivity information of all components in the circuit.
Cross Reference Report: Produces a report of the active circuits components in detail.
Schematic Statistics: Produces a report of quantities of real and virtual components, nets, etc.
Spare Gates Report: Produces a report of unused sections in multi-section components.

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The Options menu set is where to go to customize the look, settings, and
other various options of the Multisim interface.
Global Preferences: Used to change the settings of things such as where
the databases are saved, auto-save timing, and other various options.
Sheet Properties: Used to change options specific to the sheet. Various
options such as which font(s) to use, sheet size, and other properties relevant to the sheet are edited here.
The options set here may also be set to be the default settings for all future schematic sheets.
Global Restrictions: Used to restrict the functionality of Multisim such as limiting if components can
be edited, instruments placed, or even database access for all users.
Circuit Restrictions: Used to restrict options on the current sheet only. Circuit restriction settings are
similar to global restrictions but will only affect that specific sheet and have a few added options such as
making the sheet read-only or hiding component values.
Simplified Version: Simplifies the interface by hiding complex functions, instruments, analyses, etc.
Customize User Interface: Allows the interface to be customized by changing settings such as toolbars,
windows, and even keyboard shortcuts based on personal preferences.
Inputting commands isnt limited to just the drop down menus; almost all commands can be
found on the toolbars. Commands not shown on the standard toolbars may be available but hidden.
Understanding the toolbar system is crucial for saving time and understanding keyboard hotkeys can
save even more time. Shown here is an example of a toolbar:

Notice that many of the icons contained in the toolbar are similar to those found in the drop
down menus. In this particular case, commands from the File and Edit menus are shown. Hovering
the mouse over a specific icon will show which command will be executed by clicking it. The message
box may also show the keyboard shortcut associated with the command, in this case Ctrl and N.

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Reading a
As mentioned earlier,

Schematic
a schematic is the base layout

of a circuit that displays components that will be used, their pin layouts, connections to those
components, and other important information. The ability to read and draw schematics is crucial in the
electronics industry because it is the first step in the fabrication process. In this lesson, key points in

reading a schematic will be discussed.

Shown above is an example of a schematic. The circuit shown is a DC to DC BUK converter. Its
purpose is to receive a large range of direct current voltage and efficiently output a set amount of direct
current voltage. This particular circuit has many common elements seen in a Multisim schematic that
will be discussed; things such as wiring junctions, component labels, virtual and real components, and
more.

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Wiring and junctions

The red lines strewn about the schematic are called Nets. Nets are the display of how
components are connected to each other. They can be long, short, have multiple turns, etc. that may
change with the actual PCB layout. The important thing about the nets is that they connect the correct
pins from one component to another. Occasionally two or more nets may meet and form what is called a
Junction. Junctions are used when multiple components can share the same net, such as a net going to
a grounding pin. Forming junctions can save space when designing a PCB and therefore save money and
make the board smaller.

Recognizing a junction
The vast majority, if not all, schematic drawing software represents a
net junction with a small dot on the line representing the net. Notice in
the picture to the left above the R2 there is a dot indicating a junction
has been made. To the left of that junction, two nets cross but DO NOT
have a dot, meaning that they do not form a junction. In the picture
shown below and left, the difference is shown closer in and highlighted.
Some designers and software display intersecting non-junction wires as
a line crossing another line but forming a semi-circle near the point
where they would meet on the schematic.
(Shown on right) This has the same meaning as
two lines that cross without the junction dot.

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Reference designators and component values

Reference designators and component values are essentially which part goes where during
the assembly portion of building an electronic circuit. Without the reference designators
populating, or adding parts to the PCB, would be a very tedious and not-so-fun guessing
game to play. In the example shown to the left, there are three things to note. First is the black zigzag
line, second is the R1 and third, the 1k with the Greek letter Omega. The black zigzag line is the
schematic symbol for a resistor. It states that this particular component is in fact, a resistor. The second
note, R1 is the reference designator for the component. It states that this was the first resistor added to
the schematic. Reference designators generally use the first letter of the component or initials of the
component along with a number representing when it was added. For example a capacitor may be
labeled C2 a Light Emitting Diode LED3. The third note (1k and Omega), indicate the components
value, if any. In this case, the component is a resistor with 1,000 Ohms of resistance (The 1k meaning
1,000 and the Omega being the electronics term for Ohms.

Power sources
Power sources are outside sources that provide voltage in, whether theyre Alternating Current
(AC) or Direct Current (DC), and include Ground (GND) connections. Alternating current almost
always comes from a wall socket and direct current may come from an alternating current source that
passes through a transformer or from something similar to a battery. Digital circuits always use direct
current. The ground, simply put, is the reference point of a circuit from which all voltages are measured
and is almost always 0 volts or the negative side of battery operated equipment.

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(Left to right) Schematic Symbols for GND, DC, AC

Components with and without a model or footprint.

Components that do not have a model or footprint are black. Components that do have a footprint are
blue.

Has a model.

Does not have a model

Multi-page schematics
It is very common for complex circuits to contain many components and be drawn on multiple
sheets requiring what are called Off-page connections. Off-page connections are just what they sound
like, connections that go from one component, off that components page, then to another component on
another page. They may be displayed as an arrow or some other marker with a labeled net to note which
off page connector is connected to which components.

Title Blocks
Simply put, title blocks are templates that make schematic sheets conform to each other. The
information given varies depending on the individual or company using the title block. Generally they
display the name of who drew the schematic, the companys name, and the circuits name. The example
shown below displays a typical title block that states the title of the circuit, a brief description, the names
of those who designed, check, and approved the schematic and more. Please place a title block in your
schematic, place < title block, and double click on it to change information to make it your own. Then
place it in the bottom right corner of your page by right clicking on it an pressing move to.

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Placing components in Multisim

There are multiple ways to place and manipulate components in Multisim. The methods in this
lesson explain usage of the drop down menus, toolbars, and a few keyboard shortcuts. Learning to
correctly place and connect components is crucial. A schematic without components isnt much more
than a blank page.

Placing a basic component

Basic components are parts that are simple in design and generally only serve one purpose. In
Multisim, things such as resistors, capacitors, and inductors are examples of basic components. There
are four ways of placing a basic component:
Using the mouse: Right click on the sheet with nothing selected and options will appear. The first of
these options is to place a component.
Using the Place drop down menu: Click Place and select Component This works exactly the
same as right clicking on the sheet.
Using the keyboard shortcut: Notice when using either of the previous two methods (Ctrl+W) appears.
This is called a keyboard shortcut. Holding the Ctrl key and pressing W is exactly the same as using
either of the first two methods.

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Using the toolbars: As mentioned in a previous lesson, there are toolbars that contain buttons for
commands. In the picture below the toolbar button for Place Basic is circled in red. Clicking this
button is once again, the exact same as the previous methods.

After choosing a method to place a component a dialogue box will appear in which the needed
component can be found and chosen.

This is the component selection dialogue box. Several options are available for selecting a
component. In the top left of the box, a database can be chosen to narrow a search or broaden the
number of parts available. Underneath the database pull down menu, there is another pull down menu to
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select a Group. This menu is used to change between types of components such as basic components,
diodes, etc. Below that menu is the Family selection. Shown in the example with the basic group
selected, basic component choices appear such as connectors, resistors, capacitors, etc.
Once the database, group, and family have all been selected the specific component can be
selected. When dealing with a database that contains large numbers of parts, finding a specific
component can be very tedious. Notice at the top center of the dialogue box there is an area where the
name of a part can be entered. If the name or type of a component is being entered, Multisim will
attempt to filter choices with every keystroke. Using the example above, if an H were to be entered in,
the DSUB choices would no longer be shown. If a part name or type is entered and a satisfactory result
is not available, the text can be cleared to show all available parts in the family and searched for
manually by using the slider bar to the right of the list.
In the window labeled Symbol, the highlighted components schematic symbol appears. This
picture may be displayed in ANSI (American National Standards Institute) or DIN (Deutsches Institut
fr Normung) which is a German national organization for standardization. Which symbol is displayed
is customizable under the Options>Global Preferences dialogue box under the Parts tab. Available
pins/connections on the component are marked with a red X looking symbol. When placing a resistor,
inductor, or capacitor an option labeled Save unique component on placement appears. When the box
is checked, components with a unique combination of values in the various fields of the dialog box are
saved.
Below the symbol window are the Function, Model ID, Footprint, and Hyperlink areas. Any
available information about the highlighted component will be displayed in the Function area. Certain
components such as resistors may replace the function area with pull down menus to choose component
types and/or tolerance percentages. If multiple manufacturer models are saved in the currently selected
database, they can be chosen in the Model manufacturer portion of the dialogue box. The same is true
for the footprint area. A footprint contains information of a components packaging such as dimensions,
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pin sizes, package types, etc. If a hyperlink is available for the highlighted component, it will appear in
the hyperlink area and can be used to open a web browser to a manufacturers web page by holding the
Ctrl key and left clicking the link with the mouse.
To the top right of the dialogue box several options are available. Clicking OK will accept the
choices for the component and will return to the schematic sheet with the selected component attached
to the mouse cursor. Click Close on the other hand will discard all selections and return to the
schematic sheet. Depending on the size of the database, the Search button might be necessary.
Clicking it will bring up a new dialogue box in which a more advanced search for specific components
can be executed. With the Detail Report button a detailed report showing all information stored in the
Multisim database for a particular component will be displayed including things such as schematic
symbols, footprint symbols, and various other detailed information. The View Model button can be
used to generate a model data report. The report can then be saved to a text file or printed. If any
additional assistance is needed, the Help button is at the bottom of the buttons.
Once a component has been selected, it is ready to be placed on the schematic and will be
displayed as its schematic symbol attached to the mouse cursor. By default, clicking the left mouse
button will place the part and return to the Select a Component dialogue box. Whether or not Multisim
will return to the component selection can be customized with the Global Preferences command in the
Options menu. After a component has been placed, a reference designator and the components value
will automatically be added alongside the component.

Creating and modifying nets

Once one or more components have been placed on a schematic, a net can be created between
them. A net is simply a wire or trace that will connect components together to make the circuit. Almost
all of the time placing a net is only to connect pins together so only the most common way of placing a
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net will be discussed. When the mouse cursor is placed over a junction or unconnected pin, the mouse
icon changes into a crosshair with a circle in the middle:

This icon means that a net is ready to be

created between that junction or pin and another junction, pin, or existing net. Simply click on the
starting destination and click the ending destination and Multisim will attempt to draw the net in the
most efficient path.
Often times wires need to go around components or other wires to make a schematic look neat.
Whenever specific paths must be taken, a net must turn while being drawn. While drawing a net, left
clicking the mouse button on the sheet will anchor the current path of the net allowing control over
when the net will change directions.

Changing a nets direction

Once a net has been placed it can be modified. Nets may be stretched, rerouted, and deleted.
Click the net to select it. Once selected blue squares will appear on all corners and endpoints of the net.

Pressing the Delete key on the keyboard will delete the selected net. If the net is to be modified,
simply click and hold the left mouse button on the net. From there, the net can be stretched.

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Multisim will automatically stretch parts of the net where appropriate. Once a net has been modified, it
can be further modified.

Each time a net is modified the blue selection markers will be added where appropriate and more
modifications can be made. The selection markers may also be dragged to modify a net to make
diagonal type net drawings.

Although it can be done, diagonal type nets are generally not acceptable in professional schematics.

Moving and Rotating Components

More often than not, components in a schematic must be moved, rotated, or otherwise
manipulated to make the schematic easier to read or to just make it look neat and professional. Moving
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components is a simple click and drag process. Simply left click on the component to be moved and
while holding the left mouse button, use the mouse to move it to a desired spot. Once the a new space on
the schematic is satisfactory, simply release the left mouse button and the component will move.
Components can be rotated or before or after they have been placed. When a component is
hovering with the mouse cursor before its placed, it can be rotated 90 degrees at a time by pressing
Ctrl and R on the keyboard. Its not too late to rotate or flip a component once its been placed onto
a schematic. A placed component also has various ways of being flipped or rotated:
Using the mouse: Right click on a component and options appear. Within these options the component
can be flipped horizontally (left becomes right) or vertically (top becomes bottom) and also may be
rotated 90 degrees at a time Clockwise or Counter-Clockwise.

Using the Edit Menu: Clicking Edit and select Orientation will display the four options for
rotating or flipping the selected component.
Using the keyboard shortcuts: Each of the rotating and flipping commands have a keyboard shortcut
that can be used. For example, pressing Alt and X on the keyboard will flip the selected component
horizontally while pressing Ctrl and R on the keyboard will rotate the selected component 90
degrees clockwise.

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When components are moved, rotated, or flipped Multisim will attempt to automatically move
any nets they are connected to as best it can. Editing those nets is generally the best thing to do to make
the schematic look neat after changing the placement of a component.

Copying/Pasting and Deleting Components

Many times when creating a schematic for a circuit the same components will be repeatedly used
and sometimes more copies of components already used will need to be added. Copying and pasting of
these components saves time by not having to identify the component then having to search for it again
with the Select a Component dialogue box. Copying and pasting of components in Multisim is almost
no different than copying and pasting anything in the majority of applications. In most programs when
an item is copied then pasted, the pasted copy will be inserted where the cursor or mouse is positioned
at. In Multisim, when a component is copied then pasted, the pasted copy will hover with the mouse
pointer as if it were a new part being placed. Again, like many commands, there are multiple ways to
copy and paste components.
Using the mouse: Right click on a component and options appear. Within these options the component
can be Cut, Copied, Pasted, or Deleted.

Using the Edit drop down menu: The exact same commands can be found by clicking the Edit
drop down menu.
Using the keyboard shortcuts: The keyboard shortcuts for cut, copy, and paste are identical to the
majority of applications used. They will be displayed when right clicking a component, using the Edit
menu and hovering the mouse pointer over a toolbar icon.
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Using the toolbars: By default, there are toolbar buttons for copying and pasting just like there are
buttons for placing components. Clicking one has the same effect as the previous three methods.

When components are no longer necessary in a schematic they must be deleted. Deleting can be
achieved in the same ways as copying and pasting components with the exception of using the toolbars.
Exercise caution when deleting components as deleting a component will delete all of the immediate
nets that its attached to. Below is an illustrated example:

Before resistor R3 is deleted

After resistor R3 is deleted

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