Custom components

[Frankenamp]

I (think I ) followed the instructions correctly for adding the custom (tube amp) components- downloaded, unzipped, and placed in the sch express folder with the other component folders... Nada. what am I doing Rong?

[tubenit]

I tried that also several yrs ago and could not get it to work either although others were successful. I am sure there is a way to do it.

What I do now is simply click on an already drawn up schematic and save a section (as a custom component) such as:

reverb circuit, tremolo circuit, concertina phase invertor, long tail phase invertor, Fender tone stack, James tone stack,
triodes, paralleled triode, cathodyne follower, pentodes, input jack, effects loop, power transformer with 6.3v and 5 volt and so on.  I built my entire collection of components doing that.     

For example:
Take something like a Fender tone stack and a few value changes & editing etc and you have a Vox, Marshall or Dumble tone stack.  Take my one tube reverb and parallel the first tube and change values and you have a Fender reverb circuit.

Then I go get a schematic that is kinda-sorto-somewhat-quasi close to what I want and start editing. We have over 90 editable schematics ......... & it's really pretty easy to find one to modify.

With respect, Tubenit

[Frankenamp]

Thanks! I will try that. I did try to open a couple schematics and grab a part from one and place it on another sch, but the program wouldn't let me ( I'd grab a switch that I wanted from one schematic and try to paste it on a different sch and -no dice. I could cut and paste to my little hearts content on either one, but couldn't transfer doodoo.) ::pout:: I have an XP based machine that usually does what I want-for the most part)

[tubenit]

Pull up a schematic.  Highlight an entire section like power transformer and B+ rail.  Experiment on the attached schematic

Click on power trannie, rectifier tube and B+ rail  and highlight it.

Click on save a custom symbol.

Try the same thing on the reverb circuit, input jack, preamp tube and LTPI.

Now click on both pentodes, the output transformer and speaker.

Click on save a custom component

That's it. Really simple.

Tubenit

[Frankenamp]

AHA!

I was trying to right click and everything else except trying the component tab at the top... I was trying to use the component manager at the bottom of the options of the rt click .  Thanks!

[Frankenamp]

Funny thing: it (Express Sch) works with that schematic, but none of the others :-[

I downloaded Jsch (the java-based proggie) and itworks just fine, imports,exports and saves perfectly... and copies symbols. I was startin' ta' think I's schtoopid or sumthin' (or maybe the other schematic program dosen't like XP)

[jjasilli]

Am having the same problem.  FIX:  I copied en masse all of the compnents from the Custom folder and pasted them into the regular Library folder.  That worked and all components are now in one place. 

Also, I can't seem to Group components to copy & paste them.  I can save the group as a Costom component.  But the connecting lines are not saved!

[echuta13]

I was stumped on this one for a spell until I realized there was an ExpressPCB folder in "My Documents" folder.  After placing the customs in the proper folder... they worked perfectly. 

Ex:
C:\Documents\ExpressPCB\SchComponents_Custom

[jjasilli]

Bingo!  I too have ExpressPCB folder in "My Documents" folder.  Thanks!  Meanwhile, I had moved all of Doug's components into the stock library - that works for me. 

Also: a) I discovered that new Components need to be drawn with the "component lines" tool, and NOT with the "connecting lines" tool; and  b) it works better to copy a Group of Components with the drop down menu, and not with Cntrl C.

[KenGraves]

I know this is an old tread, but it just helped me out a bunch. Thanks guys!

[EL34]

See the post at the top of this board for more info