USB-C D+/D- routing not possible?

Making PCB Layouts, Manual routing, Auto-routing, Copper pouring, Updating from Schematic, Manufacturing Output
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GadgetWusky
Posts: 14
Joined: 04 Nov 2025, 22:00

USB-C D+/D- routing not possible?

#1 Post by GadgetWusky » 04 Nov 2025, 22:26

Why does DipTrace lack accommodations to route USB-C D+/D-lines. I've seen at least two forum posts with this exact same question, neither of which got a solution.

viewtopic.php?t=15780
viewtopic.php?t=11485

I really don't know how to express my astonishment that there is no method for doing this. Single trace routing of differential pair traces does not work:

If you route one and hit esc during the second one, it deletes the first one.
If you route one and hit enter during the second one, nothing happens.
If you route one and right-click during the second one, no useful or relevant options appear.
If you use a hanging trace to route from the via to one pad, it does not allow you to route to that via from the other pad. Like it does not snap, and clicking the via does not terminate the trace. It treats the via as invisible or a different net or something.

I find it hard to believe they would be so negligent to make it impossible to route USB-C. Am I supposed to draw copper shapes to route this? Am I supposed to revert D+ and D- to single ended traces and route the differential trace spacing manually? This seems completely ridiculous but the software will not allow me to route this

Serg
Technical Support
Posts: 568
Joined: 09 Jun 2010, 12:12

Re: USB-C D+/D- routing not possible?

#2 Post by Serg » 05 Nov 2025, 20:16

If you have a cross portion as described in this topic: viewtopic.php?t=15780
and you need to route traces across each other, one above the other, you can do it as follows:
1. Start routing the differential pair.
2. Without placing any segment, switch to "Route Single Trace" mode (hotkey "Z").
3. Route the first trace and finish it on the pad.
4. Press the hotkey to switch to another layer ("1" for Top or "2" for Bottom).
5. Route the second trace. It will be located on the other layer, crossing under the first trace.

GadgetWusky
Posts: 14
Joined: 04 Nov 2025, 22:00

Re: USB-C D+/D- routing not possible?

#3 Post by GadgetWusky » 12 Nov 2025, 22:51

Ok, that worked. I wish they would make differential pairs a little easier to work with. This isn't the first time I've need to use differential pairs and it is always such a headache.

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