Automating Tasks through Scripting

A script is a series of automation instructions that you group together as a single command to accomplish a task automatically. You can use scripting to automate time-consuming, repetitive operations in the application and you can also create scripts and forms that provide brand-new functionality, such as design-navigation aids and web browsing add-ins.

Some typical uses for scripts are:

  • To automate a complex series of tasks

  • To perform custom checks on a schematic

  • To add a new command to a popup menu

  • To add a new menu with custom commands that invoke user scripts or command line commands

  • To build a new dialog box that adds functionality

Perhaps more to the point, you can create scripts that will assist you as you create and test your design. Scripts can:

  • Provide message boxes that inform you of the status of your project or design

  • Generate reports, statistics, bills-of-materials, parts lists and other useful data regarding your design

  • Automate the steps involved with changing design data, adding documentation to the design, or even adding components, nets or other items to the design

  • Define custom design rule checks