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How can I create a custom symbol to replace the default junction symbol for virtual wiring?

Primary Software: Electronics Workbench>>Multisim
Primary Software Version: 9.x
Primary Software Fixed Version: N/A
Secondary Software: Electronics Workbench>>Multicap

Problem: How can I create a custom symbol to replace the default junction symbol for virtual wiring?

Solution: A virtual connection exists between all nets which have the same name. Sometimes, you may wish to denote this junction with a different symbol than the circular node, to customize your own schematic.

To create a custom symbol to represent this on-page virtual connection, take a pre-existing component, edit its symbol and delete its model and footprint information (rather than performing the full component creation procedure).

The following procedure uses a resistor (as it has few properties that need to be deleted and changed) as a base to quickly build the new custom symbol.

1. Select Place >> Component
2. Under Group select Basic, highlight the Resistor family and pick any resistor value to place onto the schematic
3. Double-click on the resistor and click on the Edit component in db button
4. Click on the Footprint tab
5. Under Footprint manufacturer\footprint highlight the defined footprint and click the Delete button. If multiple footprints are defined, remove them all
6. Click on the Model tab, highlight any defined model in the Model name field and press Delete. You should see Dummy in this field when there is no model defined
7. Click on the Symbol tab and click the Edit button (you will see Figure 1)
8. To remove the symbol in the Symbol Editor, left-click outside of the symbol and while holding the left mouse button drag the cursor across the screen to create a window around the objects, and select all elements
9. Press the Delete key on the keyboard
10. Under the Graphic menu, use any draw command to create the desire symbol (for example Figure 2 below)

Note: everything you draw must be within the boundary box represented by the dashed outline shown in the image above. Only pins are allowed outside the boundary. The following symbol is suggested as an on-page virtual connector.

11. With the symbol complete, select File >> Exit
12. In the component properties dialog box click on the Copy to button and place a check for Section A (DIN). This ensures your DIN and ANSI symbol standard matches
13. Click on the General tab. Rename the symbol as desired (suggested name: Virtual_Connector)
14. Click the OK button to save the component to the database
15. Click the NO button when Multisim asks for footprint information
16. Click the NO button again
17. Decide which family to save the component to. Click on Add Family to create a new one

The symbol can now replace the default hanging junction. The method to connect one component to another without a wire is the same as described in the manual. Double-click on a wire and rename the node so that it matches. Below in Figure 3 is an example to illustrate R1 connecting to R3 using virtual wiring and the new junction.

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