CAD Organisation

Pin Numbers or Pin Names?

I make the following symbols in my schematic editor:
pins_text

When I import my netlist into VeeCAD, I want to see components like this:
rcd_veecad

Unfortunately, I have to make 3 different library outlines in VeeCAD, because the 3 components have different Pin Text. I fix this by giving all pins the same text like this:
pins_number

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. Here is another example: two parts which use the same DIP-8 outline provided numbers are used instead of electrical names:
dip8

Organise Your CAD Libraries

These principles apply whether you are using a PCB layout program or VeeCAD for stripboard:

Use only pin numbers
Enter each outline (footprint) 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 checking the datasheet every time you place that part, wastings time and causing errors.
Take the time to draw a separate schematic library symbol for each transistor diode, IC etc. part number, with footprint name and pin numbers correctly set. Now you have a trusted component you can place in any schematic, knowing it will safely get through to your layout.

Confusion in the CAD World

If you work on PCB CAD projects, you may have noticed these problems:

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 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 work is costly and produces board and manufacture problems. Worst of all, a company cannot build up a standard parts library of preferred parts. So use the library system explained here!

Special Case: Matching Your PCB CAD Footprint Names

If you want to build a VeeCAD library which is compatible with your schematic-PCB package, you will have to abandon the Pin Numbers Only rule and match your schematic symbol pin names. This will mean duplicating some VeeCAD outlines and altering the pin names.