Gordc asked how to add a symbol to a schematic, from another directory:
? ?"The problem is that my symbol is in folder ....LTSpiceIV\Projects ..."
My advice applies only to LTspiceIV.? I do not have enough familiarity yet with the new LTspiceXVII, but I believe it has improves the library management capabilities.
LTspiceIV can get symbols from only two places:
(1) ?LTspice's own symbols area (...LTspiceIV\lib\sym) and subdirectories of it, or
(2) ?the current working directory.
That's it.? No other directories can be used.? But let's expand on that.
The "current working directory" is the one where LTspice opens and saves schematics.? That directory is not fixed and can change from moment to moment.? It's important to understand that.
If you start LTspice by clicking on a desktop LTspice icon, then the initial working directory is specified by that Windows icon, and it is probably set (by default) to the same folder that holds the LTspice program itself.? That is NOT a good place to have your schematics or symbols!? So that should never be left as your current working directory. ?(This is probably what happened when you wrote your question.? The ...\LTspiceIV folder WAS the current working directory at that moment.)
If you start LTspice by double-clicking on a *.asc file, or if you have LTspice running already and open a *.asc file from the disk, or if you save the schematic to a *.asc file, then the current working directory becomes the one that holds that .asc file.
LTspice can "see" and load any symbols that are in the current working directory.
Therefore, it is recommended (by me at least) that you put your own symbols in the same directory or directories with the schematics that will use them.
And that directory should be nowhere near the Windows "Program Files" area.? Use a folder that you have full control over.
Having said this, there is an alternative.? I'll get to that in just a moment.
? ?"I thought it was good practice to keep user symbols out of the LTSpice main directory."
I think it is.? However, you can do it.
You can keep your own symbols separate from the ones that come with LTspice, by creating subdirectories of LTspiceIV\lib\sym and using them for your custom symbols.
For example: ...LTspiceIV\lib\sym\Projects
Then [Projects] will show up in the lower window when you go to add Components to your schematic.
Because Windows likes getting in the way, consider installing LTspice somewhere other than the default "Program Files" area.? Install it in a directory where you have full control.? Then Windows won't interfere.
So, you have really two choices:
- Put your symbols in the same folders with the schematics, or
- Put your symbols in LTspice's library area, perhaps in subdirectories.
Between the two, I prefer the first.
Regards,
Andy
