PCB Tech - How to use pcb proofing

This function can be easily set in the DXP Preferences menu of Allium Designer, the steps are as follows:

1. In the upper left corner of Altium Designer, select DXP》 Preferences.

2. On the left side of the navigation bar, double-click SchemaTIc, and select General from the expanded options.

3. In the Options area of the page, check the Components Cut Wires checkbox (Figure 1).

4. Select Apply to save the settings.

PCB design cross-select component layout

Set the component cutting line in DXP Preferences

After saving, you can open any available schematic design and test it. Add new components to the design and place them on existing network connections. You will find that the components will be added automatically, the wires will be cut and a new connection will be established.

PCB Proofing Alignment Wizard (Work Guides)

PCB design cross-select component layout

Easily align vias at 45 degrees

PCB Proofing Sometimes, you need to place objects accurately in the design, but they are not aligned with the existing grid, but arranged at 45 degrees, or the horizontal/vertical boundary between the grid lines. No matter which method is used, the Work Guides function can help you accurately place components, vias, and other design objects.

how to use

There are many types of alignment guides, including vertical, horizontal, and 45 degrees. In our example, the vias will be placed at an angle of 45 degrees.

1. Select Place》 Work Guides》 Place +45 Degree Guide.

2. At any location on the board, click to place the alignment guide.

PCB design cross-select component layout

Place +45 degree alignment guide

The PCB proofing is now ready for the alignment guide. You can drag all components, vias and other design objects to the alignment guide. The alignment guide will automatically capture the center lines of these objects for precise positioning on the circuit board.

PCB Proofing Management Alignment Wizard (Work Guides)

After placing the alignment guide on the circuit board, there are several options for further management, including: delete, copy, or export. To use the alignment wizard manager:

1. Select Snap in the lower right corner of the work area.

2. Select Guides to open Snap Guide Manager.

Click the Menu option to delete the selected or all alignment guides (Figure 1).

You can also selectively enable or disable each alignment guide by checking the check box next to the alignment guide (Figure 2).

PCB design cross-select component layout

Manage alignment guides in Snap Guide Manager

Network color

PCB design cross-select component layout

Enable network color on the PCB panel

PCB proofing effectively organizes the network and visualizes it, and the design becomes simpler. Assigning a specific color to the network can make the circuit board more orderly and easier to navigate, thereby improving design efficiency. Each network can be assigned a separate color, or it can be enabled/disabled to quickly identify specific connections on the circuit board.

How to use PCB proofing

All network colors have been assigned and disabled on the PCB panel. To add color to the network:

1. Open the PCB panel. .

2. Select Nets in the filter list at the top (Figure 1).

3. Select All Nets in the Net Classes area (Figure 2).

4. Right-click the selected network and select Change Net Color from the right-click menu.

5. Select the appropriate color and click OK.

PCB design cross-select component layout

Add network color in PCB panel

The PCB proofing can repeat this operation to add color to each network in the design. To enable the color of a specific net, check the box next to the net name on the PCB panel (Figure 3).

hot key

PCB design cross-select component layout

Add shortcut keys to automatically turn on the via stitching function

PCB proofing For engineers who like to use the mouse to measure productivity, shortcut keys are just what the design needs. Although almost every software has shortcut keys to operate, you can customize shortcut keys in Altium Designer without limitation. Every command in the Altium Designer environment is configurable, and you can create your own customized workflow to maximize productivity. Let’s see how to do it.

how to use

Here we will set the shortcut keys for the via stitching function. The only way to access this command now is the Tools menu, but we hope to implement this feature faster. The operation is as follows:

1. Select Tools》 Via Stitching/Shielding

2. Hover the mouse over Add Stitching to Net and press Ctrl + left click.

The Edit Command window will open. For any operation by pressing ctrl + left button in the Altium Designer interactive interface, this window is common. You can customize shortcut keys for specific functions in it. To add shortcut keys for via stitching:

1. In the Shortcuts area, select the Primary field (Figure 1).

2. Enter the desired shortcut key. For example, Shift + Z.

3. Select OK to save the shortcut key settings.

PCB design cross-select component layout

Edit shortcut

Now, if you want to use the via stitching function for PCB proofing, directly press the shortcut key Shift + Z. In this way, you can click the mouse three times less. Does it greatly increase productivity?

The above is the introduction of how to use PCB proofing. Ipcb is also provided to PCB manufacturers and PCB manufacturing technology