How to enable the built-in libraries

DesignSpark PCB has a large range of supported modern components online in PCB Part Library (PPL), these are available free to everyone using Library Loader as detailed in the above link.

It is recommended that the online resource is used for all your designs as these are accurate and maintained should any error be identified and also contain the ordering information. However the "built-in libraries" are also a useful resource for symbols and some special components.

How do you enable the built-in libraries?

When DesignSpark PCB is launched you will seen the following message box when accessing the library.

The steps to enable the built-in libraries are first to open the Library Manager.

Next select the "Folders" tab. Here you will see in the top list the available libraries, the ones in bold are already enabled.

Left click on the C:\Users\Public\Documents\DesignSpark PCB 8.1\Library and then the "Folder Enabled" check box.

The "Files Found" count will now increase as the built-in library is enabled. The lower list box panel will then show all the libraries available.

 

The list of component is long, see attached image "Built-in Libraries" which highlights two of the most useful in green, "schema" and "LTSpice".

Note due to the large library size, having them all enabled will slow down certain functions when the library is indexed, hence our recommendation that you build up your own libraries with components that you use from the online resource PPL. Libraries that you will not be using can be disabled in the lower window by selecting an unchecking the "Enabled" box. The image below shows the libraries in grey (identified by orange arrow) as not being enabled. Those in bold identified by the green arrow are enabled.

A further point to be aware of is the library folder search order. When using any search feature such as using "Add Component - Find", the library folders are searched for a match in the library folders list from the top downwards as shown by the red arrow below.

The search order can be changed by selecting the library and using the <Up> or <Down> buttons to move the library folder to the position required. Here we have moved the built-in libraries to a higher precedence than the 'default library'.

This is only important if you have components in different libraries with same name, but different symbols, footprints or values, hence why we suggest ensuring you use a unique component name where possible. The suggested library folder order is "User" at the top for your own created components and downloads from PPL. This can be followed by the other libraries as you prefer.

See also:

Many articles on components, symbols, libraries and wizards.

The online component resource PCB Part Library.