How do I add a non signal layer to a footprint pattern?
How do I add a non signal layer to a footprint pattern?
Hi
IPC compliant footprints specify a footprint courtyard. Typically this is a achieved by defining a layer with this name.
I cant seem to be able to do this in diptrace.
Is adding layers impossible or is the functionality well hidden?
Kev
IPC compliant footprints specify a footprint courtyard. Typically this is a achieved by defining a layer with this name.
I cant seem to be able to do this in diptrace.
Is adding layers impossible or is the functionality well hidden?
Kev
Re: How do I add a non signal layer to a footprint pattern?
Hello,
Non signal layers are in PCB Layout only.
Non signal layers are in PCB Layout only.
Re: How do I add a non signal layer to a footprint pattern?
You can use the assembly (Assy) layers for this if you're not already using them.
Re: How do I add a non signal layer to a footprint pattern?
This would however be a great feature!
For example, I currently design boards with PCI like connectors.
To identify the gold-fingers (hardened) the manufacturer request to have the pads duplicated in a non signal 'gold-finger' layer...
Each time I design a new board, I need to draw hundreds of rectangle in this layer on top of each pad that needs to be hardened...
Instead of just placing a component, in which this operation would have been done only once...
may be in a next release...
JYL
For example, I currently design boards with PCI like connectors.
To identify the gold-fingers (hardened) the manufacturer request to have the pads duplicated in a non signal 'gold-finger' layer...
Each time I design a new board, I need to draw hundreds of rectangle in this layer on top of each pad that needs to be hardened...
Instead of just placing a component, in which this operation would have been done only once...
may be in a next release...
JYL
Re: How do I add a non signal layer to a footprint pattern?
I've been testing the Freeware version and this is probably the biggest fault I've found compared with the software I'm used to work with (I have to say that among the open source/low-cost options I've tested, Diptrace is the one which I found the easiest to use, the best UI and the most promising one).
But it doesn't make sense that you can't draw a courtyard in a dedicated layer. It's generated automatically in the PCB program, but for what I've seen, it isn't checked in the DRC! Then, if they aren't checked, why are the pattern borders generated?
I've made this question on another forum, and the response was that you are responsible for placing correctly the components. But for the same reason, the nets shouldn't also be checked, because you're also responsible for drawing the traces correctly...
For example, from the Diptrace example "PCB_4" ... no error detected (attached). From the Diptrace "PCB_6", multiple collisions... no error detected (I know these collisions aren't a problem in this particular case, but a warning or error message should appear anyways).
If your board is midly-complicated board, it's too much of a risk not checking if there's a collision.
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Re: How do I add a non signal layer to a footprint pattern?
Why do round thru hole caps, thru hole transistor have two court yards, one round and the second square?
Re: How do I add a non signal layer to a footprint pattern?
The green is silkscreen, and gray is assembly outlines. They don’t have to be the same. The complaint here is that DipTrace doesn’t have any feature for flagging mechanical interference.
We are probably a long way from such feature. For starters, DT’s default libraries have very few footprints that have assembly outline. It would take a massive effort just to update the footprints.
We are probably a long way from such feature. For starters, DT’s default libraries have very few footprints that have assembly outline. It would take a massive effort just to update the footprints.
Re: How do I add a non signal layer to a footprint pattern?
We update standard libraries according to IPC-7351C standard. Therefore we add new features and new layers (courtyard for example) to Pattern Editor. When new libraries are ready we will consider checking courtyard interference in PCB Layout.
Re: How do I add a non signal layer to a footprint pattern?
I should have said rectangle, the round caps have rectangles, if the object is indicating area used by a device how does a square or rectangle work for a round device? If they were SMD devices that do have carriers I can understand but my collection of TH caps do not need rectangles. IPC-7251 3.1.5.4 Through-Hole Courtyard Determination.
Re: How do I add a non signal layer to a footprint pattern?
@Alex:
This feature would be very welcome!
Adding non signal layers to footprint patterns (like eg a courtyard) is very helpfull - even without accompanying functionality like collision detection.
Regards
Norman
This feature would be very welcome!
Adding non signal layers to footprint patterns (like eg a courtyard) is very helpfull - even without accompanying functionality like collision detection.
Regards
Norman