Multisim Instructions. Copyright Teri L.

Piatt, 2015 - All rights reserved

Multisim Instructions: Getting Started1

Purpose These instructions document how to create and simulate an electronic schematic using
Multisim.
Basics There are instructions on Pilot for downloading your own copy of Multisim. The software
is also available in the Russ computer labs and on the computers in the circuits lab.
Adding a title block The first step in creating a drawing is to add a title block. This will
contain your name, the date you created, edited, or finished your drawing, and the title
of your drawing. To add a title block,
Download the title block template posted on Pilot. The filename is
WSU Title Block.tb7.
Go to the menu: Place Title Block and choose the title block file from Pilot.
Drag the title block to the lower right-hand corner.
Double-click in the title block to edit the fields. You will enter information in the
Title field, the Description field, and the Designed by field. Give your
drawing a descriptive title.
Adding and editing components Multisim has a huge number of electronic components
available to use in drawings. Once you place a component in your drawing, you can
re-position it, rotate or flip it, and change its value.
To add and move a component,
Go to menu: Place Component
Chose the Group, Family, and Component from the drop-down menus.
For example, if you choose Group: Basic, Family: Resistor, and Component:
1k, you are choosing a 1 k resistor.
Left-click anywhere in the drawing to place the chosen component.
You can move the component by dragging with the mouse or using arrow keys

These instructions were adapted from course materials used in EET 1116 at Sinclair Community College.

Multisim Instructions. Copyright Teri L. Piatt, 2015 - All rights reserved

To change the value of a component or give it a label,

Double-click on the component
In the Value tab, change the value (resistance, capacitance, inductance, etc.)
In the Label tab, change the RefDes, or reference designation. This is the
default label that is displayed when you place a component. You can also add
or change a label, giving the component another name to be displayed.
In the Display tab, choose what you want to show up on the drawing. You can
choose to display only the components value and hide the label and Ref Des.
To rotate or flip a component,
Right-click on the component and choose an action from the menu (e.g., Flip
vertically)
You can also go menu: Edit Orientation and choose an action.
To search for components,
Go to menu: Place Components
Click on the Search button
Enter the components model or part number in the field labeled
Component. You can also enter the components name (e.g., inductor) in
the field labeled Function.
To identify a component that is already on the schematic,
Double-click on the component, and select Replace in the Value tab. This
opens the Select a Component window with your current component
highlighted.
Adding wires to connect components Once your components are placed on your
schematic, you can connect them with wires. Multiple wires that cross must be joined
with a junction in order to be connected.
To add wires,
Hover the mouse over a components terminal. The cursor will change to a
black dot. Left-click.
Move the mouse where you want the wire to go. You do not need to hold the
mouse button down.
When you reach another components terminal or a junction, the black dot will
turn red. Left-click to make a connection.

Multisim Instructions. Copyright Teri L. Piatt, 2015 - All rights reserved

You can control the number and location of the wires bends by left-clicking
where you want the bend to be (as you are creating the wire).
To add a junction,
Go to menu: Place Junction. Click on the schematic where you want the
junction to be.
Simulating circuits You can run, or simulate a circuit in Multisim. You can also add
measurement instruments, such as voltmeters, ammeters, oscilloscopes, and probes.
To simulate a circuit,
Choose the green play button displayed above the drawing. The circuit will
run until you choose the redstop button.
To add meters and instruments,
To view the instruments toolbar, go to the menu: View Toolbars
Instruments. A column of icons will appear to the right of your drawing.
Click on the desired instrument, drag its outline into place on the schematic,
and left-click.
If you dont see the instrument you are looking for, try looking in the menu:
Place Components, in the group Indicators.
You can add voltage, current, and power probes in your drawing by clicking on
one of the probe icons located next to the play/stop buttons. You can also go
to menu: Place Probe, and choose the probe you want.