Multi-channel: partial selection doesn't seem to work

Layout
1

Hello, using KiCad 9.0.4 here.

What I’m trying to achieve is using the multi-channel repeat layout feature on a partial selection of a hierarchical sheet.

Say, I have a hierarchical sheet that is instantiated several times in my schematic, and I’d like to use the “repeat layout” feature only on a selection inside the hierarchical sheet, and not on the whole sheet. It doesn’t seem to work.

What I do is create a placement rule area as usual and make it enclose only a selection of parts in the sheet, parts that I have placed and routed. That step goes normally.

Then I duplicate the placement rule area for the other sheets, I assign the right sheet path for each of them. Then I select “repeat layout”, select the first placement rule area as reference, then select the other rule areas to copy placement to. As normal. But it does nothing. The dialog that appears for the repeat layout function shows a message next to each of the other rule areas saying that there is a mismatch with the part count.

So I guess we can’t use it for partial selections? Or did I miss anything?

2

How do you represent this in your Schematic ?

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3

Well, I think I should have RTFM. :slight_smile:

If using only a subset of a sheet, the adequate tool seems to be defining ‘component classes’. I didn’t know about them. Now I do.

The one thing I’ll have to test a bit more though is how they behave in several instances of a single hierarchical sheet. But I guess that the block encloserd in a component class will have the same component class across all instances, so it should work.

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