PCB Layout

Advanced Routing Capabilities

PCB Layout is a high-level engineering tool for board design featuring smart manual routing of high-speed and differential signals, shape-based autorouter, advanced verification, and wide import/export capabilities. Design requirements are defined by net classes, class-to-class rules, and detailed settings by object types for each class or layer. DipTrace features design process with real-time DRC, which reports errors on the fly before actually making them. The board can be previewed in 3D and exported for mechanical CAD modeling. Design Rule Check with in-depth detailing, Net Connectivity verification, and comparing to source schematic ensure maximum quality of the final product.

PCB Layout

PCB Layout provides the
following features

ECAD modules

Smart Project Structure

DipTrace is a single environment with direct circuit-to-board converting, updating from schematic, and back annotation. Nets are divided to net classes with custom settings and class-to-class rules. Through and blind/buried vias are organized to Via Styles.

Place Components on the PCB

Placement Features

Components can be placed manually by simple drag & drop and special "Placement by list" feature or automatically according to custom settings and with optimized length of traces. For excellent results use a combination of all available placement methods.

Manual PCB Routing

Manual Routing

Fixed angle and free traces, arcs and curves, various route modes, segment geometries, layers, real-time DRC and other parameters.

A smart shape-based copper pour system with pour priority and automated settings. Auto fanout for BGA, SOIC, and QUAD footprints.

Teardrops feature for pad/via, trace width change and T-junctions.

PCB Autorouter

High-Speed Autorouter

DipTrace high-class shape-based autorouter with advanced settings is capable of routing complex multi-layer boards, as well as simple single-layer boards with jumper wires. DSN/SES interface provides support for external routers (Specctra, Electra, Topor etc.).

Differential Pair

High-speed and Differential Signaling

Comprehensive length-matching capabilities - real-time length comparison table, DRC length-tolerance rules, and meander placement tool - allow the DipTrace user to achieve correct timing for high-speed nets and buses. Differential pairs with advanced phase and length parameters are easy to route with double or single track routing modes. Phase tuning tool allows for precise and fast correcting of phase shifts. The software considers layer stackup and bonding wires when calculating the length of a high-speed net or phase of a differential pair.

Design Rule Check

Advanced Verification Features

DipTrace provides an error-free design environment. DRC verifies clearances between design objects, size limits, and differential pair phase/length constraints. Rules are defined by object types, layers, net classes, and class-to-class settings. Real-time DRC checks every action and shows errors before actually making them. Net Connectivity guarantees that all nets have been properly routed and reports broken and merged nets. Comparing to schematic allows the designer to find differences between the PCB and the source schematic.

3D PCB Preview

3D PCB Preview & STEP Export

PCB Layout module includes real-time 3D preview feature with hardware acceleration. It shows a model of the manufactured printed circuit board with all components installed. The board can be rotated on three axes, zoomed in and out; preview colors are customizable. You can export the board to STEP or VRML 2.0 format for mechanical CAD modelling. 3D feature supports *.wrl, *.3ds, *.step, and *.iges 3D component models. More than 11,000 3D models are shipped with the program.

Import Export ECAD, DXF

Import / Export

Exchange layouts and libraries with DXF, Eagle, Altium, P-CAD, PADS, KiCAD and OrCAD. Import netlists from Accel, Allegro, Mentor, PADS, P-CAD, Protel, and Tango formats.

PCB Manufacturing

Manufacturing Output

RS-274X Gerber, Excellon N/C Drill, ODB++, Gerber X2, IPC-D-356A Netlist, Pick and Place, and DXF files. Vector and TrueType fonts export. Milling method support.