Could Pin Map Tool Evolve to Help Visualize Circuit Design Flow Easily?

Hi,

Lately, as I work through some more complex circuit designs, I’ve noticed how tough it can be to keep track of how everything is connected. I find myself jumping between schematics and layouts and feeling a bit lost sometimes, like it’s difficult to follow the entire signal flow from one component to another without a lot of back-and-forth. It got me thinking, wouldn’t it be amazing if we had a tool that made this process smoother?

Here’s where my idea comes in. I’ve been inspired by the pin map tool ,it’s such an interesting feature that helps map out pin assignments easily. The tool essentially allows users to assign and visualize pin locations on a map online , making it straightforward to manage connections in a clear, organized way. By representing pins and their associated connections in a visual format, it gives users a comprehensive view of how components interact in the design. The simplicity of how it handles pin connections made me wonder: could we expand on this to better support not just pin mapping, but also the flow of entire circuit designs?

Imagine if this idea could evolve into something that helps us trace signals and connections through the entire design at a glance. I mean, the pin map tool already gives us such a clear view of pin assignments—what if we could use a similar approach to follow a signal across the whole board without having to keep flipping between views? It would be super helpful to see how everything is connected in one cohesive map.

For example, sometimes when I’m focused on a specific signal, I lose track of where it’s heading or which components it interacts with. A tool that lets me click on a component or signal and see all its connections visually without any extra clutter would be a game changer. I’ve found that visualizing connections in a more interactive, less cluttered way would really help keep my designs organized and clear.

So, I’m curious: does anyone else run into similar issues? Have you found ways to better track signal flow across your designs? Would a tool like this help you, or is there something I’m missing?

I’m just a user trying to make sense of complex designs, and I’d love to hear your thoughts or suggestions. Has anyone come across a solution like this, or maybe some helpful tips on managing signal flow better?

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts! :blush:

Have you tried highlighting the net using the ` key ? this is also reflected on the schematic if selected on the PCB and visa versa.

image

…and, you can assign Colors in the Schematic to Wires/Lines/Labels/Nets/etc. Then, RightClick and assign to desired NetClass and they automatically change to assigned Net-ClassColor (not shown in video)…

Could it be that you’re using labels instead of wires? I know it’s very much in fashion on certain “electronics” websites.

I could see some use for this… might be a complex solution though. Are you imagining a simplified schematic that only has the circuitry relevant to a particular net?

When I need to do this, I rely on the “Other Sheet” links on the nets of interest, and/or I highlight the net…

It would be useful if you could select/highlight a net and the schematic sheet navigator would highlight all of the sheets that the net was on, allowing you to more efficiently navigate sheets that contain that net- I believe PADS did this…