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Cable Design Tool Tutorial
The Cable Design Tool lets you add custom connectors directly in your design when the part you need isn’t in the library. This guide covers the full process, from creating the connector to linking its pins in the pinout view.
Step 1
Open the custom connector editor
First, right click an empty space on the canvas to add a connector, then click Select Connector to open the filter view.
Search for your connector. If nothing matches, the Create custom connector button appears. You can also start one anytime from the button in the right panel. Both open the connector editor.
Step 2
Add a picture of the connector
Once the connector editor opens, click the image icon and locate the file.
The image serves as a visual reference to help you navigate your project more easily. If you can’t find the exact match, use a similar looking connector, or continue without one.
Step 3
Position the image over the outline
Rotate and resize the image, placing it over the connector’s outline. Align the backside with the green dots, these are the connection points where you’ll later attach wires.
When you’re done editing, click Confirm and leave.
Step 4
Fill in the connector details
Fill in the connector details, especially the number of pins, gender, and part number.
There’s no save button here. The specifications are saved automatically as soon as you click anywhere else.
If you have details like the part number for the backshell or pins, add those too. Selecting ground shell enables you to connect shielding to the backshell later, in the pinout view.
If you need to add comments, use the description field. Our technicians can help fill in any missing details during the review process.
Step 5
Add a wire
To complete the connector setup in the pinout view, you’ll need a wire. The quickest way is to duplicate an existing one: click the wire you want to copy, then click the duplicate button that appears.
Step 6
Open the pinout view
Once the wire connects both connectors, open the pinout view: click the wire to select it, then click Link Pins from the toolbar that appears.
Here you can set up the connector’s parameters. For a circular connector, settings like the number of columns or pin arrangement don’t apply. For a MIL-SPEC connector, select pin naming based on that standard.
Step 7
Link the pins
Link the pins of the existing connector with the newly added one. For simple sequential linking, use Autolink.
Step 8
Save your changes
The connector is now linked. To save the changes, click Apply changes.
The custom connector is now defined, linked, and part of your design. Any missing details get checked by our technicians during the review process.
