From static files to live design artifacts - in minutes.

Navigating Recipe canvas

This walkthrough uses the Extract footprint from image and send to desktop preset. You will bring in an image of a symbol, extract it into a library, and open it on your desktop.

1. Run through the Recipe dashboard tutorial. You'll find preset recipes in the center.
2. Select Extract footprint from image and send to desktop from the preset recipe list. This opens the Recipe editor with a pre-built node structure that reads and interprets symbol images.

Setting up your Recipe

In the Recipe editor for Extract footprint from image and send to desktop recipe scaffolding runs left to right, starting with the Local file node and Extract image node. They are located in the First Note.

• Local file node - where you add your file
• The Extract image node - viewing window. Points the agent at a specific page, image, data table, etc.

Add a footprint datasheet file to Local file node

1. In the Local file node, drag and drop your file or click to select it from your computer.
2. Accepted formats include single-page and multi-page PDFs, text files, JPEGs, and PNGs.
3. The Extract node will automatically display a visual representation of your file.

Using the Extract image node

After a document has been loaded in the Local file node, an image will likely appear in the Extract image node. Note: The recipe will still run if the image does not appear. 

Hover over the image window to reveal page actions:

• Page count (multi-page only)
• Zoom out
• Zoom in
• Full page reset
• Page view lock

If your file is a single image or single-page document:

• Re-center and zoom until the content is fully visible within the dotted-line box.

If your file has multiple pages (for example, a component datasheet PDF):

• Use the page actions to toggle to the correct page, or type in the correct page number in the left number field.
• Zoom in on the relevant section within the dotted-line box.

How to tell a symbol and footprint apart

When the preset asks you to choose between symbol and footprint extraction:

• Symbol: connecting lines, labels, voltage references, pin names. What you see in a schematic.
• Footprint: square pads, mechanical shapes, silkscreen outlines. What you see on a PCB layout.

Tip:  If the image shows lines and labels connecting components together, choose symbol. If it shows physical solder pads or mechanical outlines, choose footprint. When in doubt, look for the pads - footprints always have them.

Hit the Play button to run the recipe

1. After an accurate Test step, and after your tools are connected, click the Play button in the bottom right corner of the Recipe editor to run the full recipe.
2. The final output will deliver directly into the connected tool.
3. You've completed a full recipe.

Note: This recipe can be reused, and used in an Automation.

Troubleshooting

Error message immediately after clicking Test step or Play?

If recipes fail immediately after you click Play icon, your connecting to Neurocad Link was likely disconnected.

1. Go to Connect. (Click on Neurocad icon -> Connect).
2. On the Connect dashboard, click on Neurocad Passport. It should reestablish the connection with Neurocad Link.
3. Go back to your recipe and hit Play again.