Toolbox

One of the big additions in B2 Spice version 5 is the new Toolbox. The Toolbox allows you quick access and navigation to all your project properties, parts in the current project, parts in your custom palette, and all the parts in the database. It also contains all the instruments and tests. With it, you can quickly select parts, control simulations and set virtual instruments needed to analyze your circuit.

Add Parts
In B2 Spice A/D v5, the ability to choose parts has been greatly improved. Now in addition to the standard database browser where you can choose your part by name, or filter by category or keyword, you can now also select the exact part that you want by function, manufacturer, or name from a pop up menu.

Clicking on the "Parts" tab allows you to scroll through parts grouped by function, or by manufacturer or name. But the newest development is a Parts "Palette" that allows you to store your most often used part, or parts that exist in your company's inventory for quick and easy access. You can add and remove parts as your requirements change.

The Parts Pallets is an area that allows users to populate with their most commonly used parts for quick access. You can add any part from the database and remove them at will. The palette will remain filled even after the program is closed.

Circuit Parameters
The Parameters tab contains a list of all the parts in your circuit that allow value changes, such as resistors, capacitors, etc... Next to each part is its current value. The purpose of the this area is to allow quick value changes to part values as a Simulation is running. For more information, please refer to the section on the Parameter Tab.

Tests
Tests are pre-defined analyses that you can run on your circuit to see how it behaves under various domains. DC, Operating Point, AC, Transient are some examples of tests that you can run. Each test can be selected, set up, and run from the pull down menu in the "Tests" tab in the Toolbox. Unlink Simulaitons, Tests are NOT interactive and results are displayed in a Graph or Table, NOT the Virtual Instruments.

Circuit Visualization
Circuit Visualization allows the graphical and text representation of the circuit state on the schematic using wire/part colors as well as symbols and text to represent the voltage, current, and power states of the circuit while a simulation is running. More details about the Visualization can be found in the Visualization section.

Project Management
The Workspace window allows you total control over the all the files associated with a circuit. To access the Workspace view, make sure the tab at the bottom of the Workspace/Part Chooser window is set on “Workspace.”

The Workspace is set up in a collapsible tree-based structure. Each project can be expanded to show all the files associated with that project, including the circuit itself, the simulations, simulation results, and associated graphs.

Circuit Wizard
New for B2 Spice A/D v5 is the implementation of a New Circuit Wizard. The idea behind the wizards is easy circuit creation. Just select the type of circuit that you wish to create, fill in a few choices and the rest of the work is done for you.

You can select to place the new circuit directly into your existing circuit or place it in to a new blank circuit to start a design.

Graph and plot control
When a graph window is active, the Toolbox will contain 3 additional tools: "Edit Graph", "Legend" and "Edit Plots". All aspects of the graph are controlled from these tool tabs. The Edit Graph tab controls the appearance of the graph itself, including the size, color and text on the graph, as well as the plot colors. The "Legend" tool tab allows you to view the various plots on the graph and information relevant to the plots.

The "Edit Plots" tool tab controls the plots in the graph and how they appear. Here you can add and remove plots from the graph, as well as making custom plots from a built in library of functions.