Creating a New Macro File

Note: See the “From the Command Line” section of the “Getting Started” chapter for the command line options for creating a new macro.

To create a new macro in the FPGA Editor, follow these steps.

1. Select File New or click on the New toolbar button.
   
   
   
   The New dialog box appears, as shown in the “New Dialog Box” figure of the “Menu Commands” chapter.
   
   
2. Select the Macro option.
   
   
3. Enter the macro name in the Macro File field. If you do not enter the .nmc extension, it is automatically added when the file is created.
   
   You can open a new macro under a directory other than the current working directory. Type in the path name of the target directory in the Macro File field, or use the browse button to select your target directory and specify your macro file name.
   
   
4. Click the Select Part button to display the Part Selector dialog box, shown in the “Part Selector Dialog Box” figure of the “Menu Commands” chapter.
   
   

   Note: Although you must specify a part number and speed, a macro can be instantiated in any design file of the same family. For example, if you create a macro library file and specify a 4008PG191 package at a speed of 5, the macro can still be instantiated in a design file for a 4010PQ208 package at a speed of 6, or any other Xilinx XC4000 family design file.

5. Select a Family, Device, Package, and Speed Grade for your macro.
   
   

   Note: You can only select a part number from a part library you have installed on your system.

6. Click OK. The Part field in the New dialog box is filled in with your selections.
   
   
7. Click OK to close the New dialog box.
   
   An empty (unprogrammed) macro is loaded into the FPGA Editor window with the part number and speed as specified.