Introduction to PCBA Visualizer

PCBA Visualizer is a powerful tool that allows users to view and edit PCB designs and their associated Bill of Materials (BOM). It provides a user-friendly interface for navigating complex PCB Layouts and helps streamline the PCB design process.

The key features of PCBA Visualizer include:

• 3D visualization of PCB designs
• Zoom, pan, and rotate controls for easy navigation
• Component selection and highlighting
• Detailed component information display
• BOM editing capabilities
• Export options for BOM and design files

In this user guide, we will focus specifically on the BOM Editor functionality within PCBA Visualizer. The BOM Editor allows you to view, modify, and manage the Bill of Materials associated with your PCB design.

What is a Bill of Materials (BOM)?

A Bill of Materials, commonly referred to as a BOM, is a comprehensive list of components, parts, and materials required to manufacture a product. In the context of PCB design, the BOM typically includes information such as:

• Component reference designators
• Manufacturer part numbers
• Quantities
• Descriptions
• Supplier information
• Pricing details

Having an accurate and up-to-date BOM is crucial for ensuring proper procurement, assembly, and tracking of components throughout the PCB manufacturing process.

Accessing the BOM Editor

To access the BOM Editor within PCBA Visualizer, follow these steps:

1. Launch PCBA Visualizer and open your desired PCB design file.
2. Once the design is loaded, locate the “BOM” tab in the main navigation menu.
3. Click on the “BOM” tab to switch to the BOM Editor view.

The BOM Editor view will display the Bill of Materials associated with your current PCB design. If your design file does not have a BOM, you will see an empty table.

BOM Editor Interface Overview

The BOM Editor interface consists of several key elements:

BOM Table

The main component of the BOM Editor is the BOM table. This table displays the list of components included in your PCB design. Each row represents a unique component, and the columns provide various details about each component.

The default columns in the BOM table include:

Column	Description
Reference	The reference designator assigned to the component
Quantity	The number of instances of the component in the design
Manufacturer	The manufacturer of the component
Part Number	The manufacturer’s part number for the component
Description	A brief description of the component
Supplier	The preferred supplier for the component
Supplier PN	The supplier’s part number for the component
Price	The unit price of the component
Extended Price	The total price based on the quantity and unit price

You can customize the columns displayed in the BOM table by right-clicking on the table header and selecting the desired columns from the list.

Toolbar

The BOM Editor toolbar provides quick access to common functions and actions. The main toolbar buttons include:

• New: Create a new blank BOM.
• Open: Open an existing BOM file.
• Save: Save the current BOM.
• Add Row: Add a new row to the BOM table.
• Delete Row: Delete the selected row(s) from the BOM table.
• Import: Import BOM data from an external file (CSV, Excel, etc.).
• Export: Export the current BOM to various file formats (CSV, Excel, PDF, etc.).

Status Bar

The status bar at the bottom of the BOM Editor window provides useful information and notifications. It displays the total number of components in the BOM, any active filters applied to the table, and the current selection count.

Filter Panel

The filter panel allows you to quickly search and filter the components in the BOM table based on specific criteria. You can filter by any column in the table, such as reference designator, manufacturer, or description.

To apply a filter:

1. Click on the filter icon next to the desired column header.
2. Enter the search term or select the desired filter options.
3. Press Enter or click Apply to apply the filter.

The BOM table will update to display only the rows that match the applied filter(s).

Editing BOM Data

The BOM Editor provides several ways to edit and modify the BOM data:

Inline Editing

You can directly edit the values in the BOM table by double-clicking on a cell. Simply enter the new value and press Enter to save the changes.

Batch Editing

To edit multiple cells at once, follow these steps:

1. Select the desired cells by clicking and dragging or using the Shift/Ctrl keys.
2. Right-click on the selection and choose “Edit Selected Cells” from the context menu.
3. Enter the new value in the dialog box and click OK to apply the changes to all selected cells.

Adding and Deleting Rows

To add a new row to the BOM table, click the “Add Row” button in the toolbar or right-click anywhere in the table and select “Add Row” from the context menu.

To delete one or more rows, select the desired rows and click the “Delete Row” button in the toolbar or right-click and select “Delete Row(s)” from the context menu.

Importing and Exporting BOM Data

PCBA Visualizer supports importing and exporting BOM data to facilitate data exchange and collaboration.

To import BOM data:

1. Click the “Import” button in the toolbar or go to File > Import.
2. Select the file format (CSV, Excel, etc.) and choose the file to import.
3. Map the columns from the imported file to the corresponding columns in the BOM table.
4. Click Import to bring the data into the BOM Editor.

To export the BOM data:

1. Click the “Export” button in the toolbar or go to File > Export.
2. Select the desired file format (CSV, Excel, PDF, etc.).
3. Choose the columns to include in the export.
4. Specify the file name and location.
5. Click Export to generate the file.

Customizing the BOM Editor

PCBA Visualizer allows you to customize various aspects of the BOM Editor to suit your preferences and requirements.

Column Customization

You can add, remove, or rearrange columns in the BOM table by right-clicking on the table header and using the column selection menu. Simply check or uncheck the desired columns to show or hide them.

To change the column order, click and drag the column headers to the desired positions.

Preference Settings

The BOM Editor preferences allow you to configure default settings, such as the default columns to display, default file formats for import/export, and more.

To access the preferences:

1. Go to Edit > Preferences or press Ctrl+P.
2. Navigate to the BOM Editor section.
3. Modify the desired settings and click OK to apply the changes.

Best Practices and Tips

Here are some best practices and tips to help you make the most of the BOM Editor in PCBA Visualizer:

• Keep your BOM up to date: Regularly update your BOM as changes are made to the PCB design to ensure accuracy and avoid discrepancies.
• Use consistent naming conventions: Establish and follow consistent naming conventions for components, manufacturers, and suppliers to maintain clarity and ease of searching.
• Utilize filters and search: Take advantage of the filter and search functionality to quickly locate specific components or subsets of the BOM.
• Double-check critical information: Pay special attention to critical details such as quantities, part numbers, and pricing to avoid costly mistakes.
• Collaborate and communicate: Share the BOM with relevant team members and stakeholders to ensure everyone is working with the same information and to facilitate effective communication.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I import BOM data from my EDA tool?

2. Yes, PCBA Visualizer supports importing BOM data from various EDA tools. Simply export the BOM from your EDA tool in a compatible format (e.g., CSV) and use the import functionality in the BOM Editor to bring the data into PCBA Visualizer.

3. How do I update the pricing information in the BOM?

4. To update pricing information, you can either manually edit the “Price” column for individual components or import updated pricing data from an external file. Ensure that the pricing data is accurate and reflects the current market conditions.

5. Can I export the BOM to share with my suppliers?

6. Absolutely! PCBA Visualizer allows you to export the BOM in various formats, such as CSV or Excel, which are commonly used for sharing with suppliers. You can also customize the exported columns to include only the relevant information for your suppliers.

7. How can I quickly locate a specific component in the BOM?

8. The quickest way to find a specific component is by using the filter and search functionality. Click on the filter icon next to the desired column header (e.g., Reference or Description) and enter the search term. The BOM table will update to show only the matching components.

9. Can I create custom columns in the BOM table?

10. Currently, PCBA Visualizer does not support creating fully custom columns. However, you can show/hide and rearrange the existing columns to prioritize the information that is most important for your workflow. If you have a specific requirement for custom columns, please contact our support team to discuss potential solutions.

Conclusion

The BOM Editor in PCBA Visualizer is a powerful tool for managing and manipulating the Bill of Materials associated with your PCB designs. By providing a user-friendly interface, flexible editing options, and import/export capabilities, it streamlines the process of maintaining accurate and up-to-date BOM information.

By following the guidelines and best practices outlined in this user guide, you can effectively utilize the BOM Editor to improve your PCB design workflow, collaborate with team members, and ensure smooth communication with suppliers and manufacturers.

For additional support or inquiries, please visit our online documentation or contact our dedicated support team. Happy BOM editing with PCBA Visualizer!