What I mean is that, over the years, one develops a preference for using certain things. For example, a 7-segment LED digit. I like the MAN-74A for a number of reasons, so I have segmented bezels that mate up with 'em, and allow me to put together numerous digits and then fit 'em with a bezel. I have a fistful of those MAN-74's left and I doubt I'll be unable to buy 'em in my lifetime, but, of course, the bezels were something I got from a client who wasn't using 'em any longer (closed his doors and retired).

My OrCAD has a library of such devices for which I've developed a preference, and that's always the first-searched library. As a result, I have library symbols and, in some cases, Spice models for parts that others don't have. The result is that I have the assurance that I can prepare a clean-looking prototype using my preferred components. People probably think I have 'em made up, but, they just are "there." Of course, I do have a lot of plastic boxes I'll probably never use, and some things that don't fit what I'm doing. The selection has narrowed so much in the area of "standard" size boxes, since there are no longer "standard" size boards, that I just have to pick a path and go that way.

RE