Schematic Editor

I would like to use common European shapes for the components in my schematic. Is there a way to have Micro-Cap automatically use the European symbols that are present in the Shape Editor?

For existing circuits, you need to go to the Properties dialog box when in the schematic. Click on the View tab. In the Shape Group Priority list, move the Euro group so that it is the first group in the list. Hit OK. All components that both have a shape defined within the Euro group and have their SHAPEGROUP attribute set to Default will now use that shape since it has the highest priority.

To prioritize the Euro shape group for new circuits, go to the Options menu and select Default Properties For New Circuits. Open the Schematics group and select the View item. In the Shape Group Priority list, move the Euro group so that it is the first group in the list. Hit OK. Any new schematics created with the File / New command will now have the Euro shapegroup set with the highest priority.

A European symbol for an individual component may also be set in the Attribute dialog box. In Select mode, double click on a component in the schematic. In the Attribute dialog box that comes up, highlight the SHAPEGROUP attribute by clicking on it. In the Value field at the top, click on the drop down arrow. A list of available shape groups will be displayed. If present, select Euro from this list, and this component will now use its defined European shape.

Note that not all components have a shape defined within the Euro group. Any of the above actions would not affect the shape of these components, and the Euro shape group would not even be available in the drop down list in the Attribute dialog box.