CAD Organisation

Why Does VeeCAD use Pin Numbers Only?

I make the following symbols in my schematic editor:
pins_text

When I import my netlist into VeeCAD, I see an error message like: "Invalid pin number "+" in pin to net assignment on line 157". I change my symbols to use pins numbers only:
pins_number

Now VeeCAD accepts my netlist! So why is VeeCAD different to other CAD programs? Look at the VeeCAD screenshot of our three components:
rcd_veecad

See how all three components use the same outline (footprint). They can share the same outline only if they use the same pin names! So, if you want to make outline libraries without duplicating many outlines: number pins, don't give them electrical names like +/-, A/K, Anode/Cathode, CBE, SGD, AKG, IN/OUT. In fact, VeeCAD permits only pin numbers. Here is another example: two parts which use the same DIP-8 outline provided numbers are used instead of electrical names:
dip8

Confusion in the CAD World

Most Schematic-PCB CAD projects and libraries are in a mess, partly because pin text names are used. In typical CAD projects that have been modified over time, you will find:

Multiple outlines (footprints) which differ only because of different pin names
Identical parts using different outlines
Variants of the same outline drawn by different people

In modifying such projects, one must increase the mess - guess at the correct outline to use, duplicate an existing outline and rename the pins, enter an additional outline created from a datasheet footprint, modify a schematic symbol so as to use an existing footprint, etc. This ad-hoc work is costly:

The same part is re-entered over and over, wasting time and introducing errors
Company standard footprints are not enforced, leading to boards which may have soldering or appearance problems
The company never builds up standard parts libraries of preferred parts

Clearing the Confusion

For clean, productive schematic - PCB/VeeCAD libraries:

Use only pin numbers
Enter each outline once only in your PCB or VeeCAD library
Use shape names like SOT-23, DIP-8, Axial_2_7, Radial_12_02 for outlines, not electrical terms like Diode_01.
Use cathode = 1, anode = 2 for diodes
Use + = 1, - = 2 for polarised capacitors
Don't use generic transistor or SCR symbols then set footprint name and type attributes on the fly in the schematic editor. This requires finding an appropriate footprint every time you place that part, which wastes time and causes errors.
Draw a separate schematic symbol for each transistor part number, with footprint name and pin numbers correctly set. Now you have a trusted component number you can place in your schematic, knowing it will safely get through to your layout.