Love the app - though, I strongly criticise the addition of such a useful element as the subcircuit without ANY supporting documentation whatsoever. Tried using one - it asks me to load a subcircuit but doesn't use any of the circuits I already have defined. And, how do we create a circuit for it - with open ended inputs and outputs?

I got the same problema as you Alan, and since the latest version was released yesterday, I haven't been able of finding any information about subcircuits. Such a shame... I was so excited about the idea of using subcircuits...

So I played around with it some more - there is also a new element called 'port'. Any circuit with a port defined can be added as a subcircuit. I tested it with a simple Vdc, resistor and load resistor circuit. If you replace the Vdc source with two ports (hi and lo) and do the same with the load resistor - you can add that block as a subcircuit in another circuit. It's as cool as I thought it would be - updating the original subcircuit causes instant change in the embedded one :)
Try playing around with the ports for a bit... :)

Thanks Alan, I have the same problem. Was really easy. 😄

Having way too much fun with the subcircuits. :) Have a folder called components which has all the usual circuits - buffers, transistor amplifiers, etc - as subcircuits, and have been using just subcircuit blocks and one or two passive elements to design my CCTs. Very top-down :)

With the Subcircuits, I have another Probem. I made a Subcircuit as a Time-delay Relai, but then I use it in a other circuit, the Program doesn't simulate and throw's a "Matrix Error".
Anone the same Problem and know how to help?

how do you make a sub circuit? sorry if someone has already explained but i can't seem to figure it out and it's not in the manual?!

@Lewis: A Subcircuit Is just a normal circuit, in which you define Ports to the outside. In an Otter Circuit you can use the 'Subcircuit' Element and select the File with the Ports.

thanks, but how exactly do you create ports, and in the library i can't find subscript element is it located elsewhere? is this version 1.3.4 that these features are available in? sorry for being so dumb

since the newest Update they are available. Ports are small arrow like things, subcircuits are original only empty boxes.

curious... i have checked my library list several times and neither the 'ports' element or the 'sub circuit' element are present - also i have just looked at the element reference on this website found here http://icircuitapp.com/usermanual/#ElementReference and that doesn't list these elements at all!! very frustrating (i am on the latest version as well - on mac OSX)

That could be the Problem, on the iOs Version the Ports are there. Sorry, but i can't Talk about the OSX Version, i'm Not at my Mac. (neither i have that Version 😉)

ok, thanks a lot anyway HHHChrist much appreciated!!

so is anyone running the mac version and are able to find ports or sub circuits?

Is there a way to reshape the size of the Subcircuit icon, and more importantly, "force" the Port printouts? I have some multi-Port Subcircuits which I want to have inputs on the left and outputs on the right, but they don't all display that way. Wiring is a mess with the I/O mixed up.

@dmendive: Use the pin numbers in the port elements to set their placement in the sub circuit block. The pin numbers work the same as the pin numbers on an IC.

Thanks Brian. Problem solved.

too bad we can not export the subcircuits so we could share them... such a waste to have so many people making the same basic componets.

I tried creating a 1 line normally closed relay, with 2 5v dc sources, one as a trigger, the other through the relay to a 1k resistor.
The trigger travels through the relay to a port A. Port B returns to GND.
This creates a 2 port subcircuit. when I creat a new circuit and add the subcircuit, it gives me a matrix error.
Does anyone know how to use a relay with a subcircuit, or know if the is a glitch being worked on?

Ok, I am trying this port/subcircuit option and I seem to be having some difficulty. I created a circuit with one port that I will use as a power source, called it "Lights" with one Port called IN1. My main circuit, I add a Subcircuit element and call it "Lights", I browse for Subcircuit files and it will not let me select any of the files including my just created, port including, "Lights" file. What am I doing wrong??? Thx.

It seems that relays will not work in subcircuits, however I found that by using an and gate as a logic switch I was able to simulate a relay. Also I have found that it is usually better to add a port for power and ground instead of using them in the subcircuits. Also, putting subcircuits inside other subcircuits has become a usefull tool in creating complex circuits within the max size limits. Also creating a subcircuit that combines a 4 bit count and a BCD to 7 segment has saved me a bit of space as well.

I'm having the same difficulty as @Steve; I've saved a 4-bit to 7-segment circuit with ports for input and output and cannot find the circuit when I try to load it when I browse for a subcircuit file. I'm running this on OSX Lion, is anyone else experiencing the same problem?

Same problem:

Platform: Mac OSX Lion

Created circuit with ports. Saved to file (circuit.cir)

Created a new circuit and added the subcircuit item. Hit browse, I SEE the circuit.cir, but I am not allowed to select it. (slightly grey'd out).

What is the program expecting? New extension?

Yea, same as Mark - SubCircuit files greyed out on Mac OSX. Tried in on iPad, works fine. Shared projects from iPad to Mac - not recognised on the mac, must be some naming or path issue.

I just purchased the app several days ago. Very nice! However I was hoping to start building my own libraries but ran into the same issue as (Wing 2012-06-08) and (Trevor 2012-07-09). Looking forward to a fix! Otherwise I'm very impressed. Thanks!