Re-Annotate
Summary
The Re-Annotate command within the PCB editor is used to reassign the designators of targeted components, or free pads, in the PCB design on a positional basis.
Access
This command is accessed from the PCB Editor by choosing the Tools | Re-Annotate command from the main menus.
Use
After launching the command, the Positional Re-Annotate dialog will open. Use this dialog to configure the scope of annotation (components (further targeted by side or selection) or free pads), the direction of annotation (based on object position), and additional options, such as a starting index, and whether locked designators should be protected. As you select a style of annotation, a graphical depiction is shown within the dialog as a visual indication of how annotation will occur.
After defining options in the dialog as required, click the OK button to have all designators of the targeted objects reassigned.
Updating Schematic Designators
Once the PCB has been re-annotated, you now need to re-synchronize with the schematic. From the PCB Editor, access the Home | Project >> Update Schematics command to launch the ECO dialog to execute the engineering change order and push the designator changes back to the schematic.
Tips
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The .WAS file will be added to the project in the Projects panel under the Generated\Text Documents sub-folder. As mentioned, this is NOT required in CircuitStudio, so unless you need to pass designator changes to a different schematic capture software, you will not need or use this file.
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CircuitStudio matches Schematic and PCB components at a lower level than the designator using a ComponentLink. These links allow you to synchronize designator changes between these two domains in either direction and removes the need for a .WAS file, and allows you to synchronize using an ECO.