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CircuitMaker 2000

1. 2 s s seeeseeeseeedeedeetdnetdnetdnesdnesseeecencceeees 4 8 Duplicating an Item or Group Of It MS eee ee cece eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 4 8 PAPAIN tad ae ae Pact Sie Oe ens Sete EE 4 9 The Place Component Tool 22 ceceeeeeeeeeeeeceeeceeeeeaeeeeesseeeeees 4 10 Editing a Component lt 2 2 20ee o2acbetstesendniccnceths avoervebbeneeetbyusoneeeacescodk 4 11 Finding Components sai 2 fice nee tie ee eed Ja ls ea haa eet 4 13 The Rotate 90 Button 2 0 0 0 cccccccceeeseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeneeesseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeenseeeeeess 4 13 Rotating Items While MOVING c ccccccceeeeseseseeeseeeseeseeeeseeseceeeees 4 13 Rotating SKE cscs tec a ao de oes a e aaia eie 4 14 The Mirren Bitton fed bec i e ds beeen dtd beading E iwi 4 14 Mirroring Items While Moving 2 eeeeeee eee eee e eee ee eee eeeeeeeeeeeeneeeeee 4 14 The PlaGe Pad TOO ies scan sus nn E Nedstat AS 4 14 Linear Copy of a Pad vascc nentsocsiescassing dc seveentbunninvetdtanbedbabaoonionbutsictees 4 16 Radial Copy of a Pad 2 tri ead eee a nd i 4 17 Rotating a Pad aooaa adhesion ee ei eee e iaia a Ea 4 17 Finding ai Pad tea a aa a O a ean E 4 18 Editingia Pad aeai eaae ti rea E ieia einar 4 18 The Route Pad to Pad Without Net Tool ssssseeeeeeeeeeseeeeeererrereeeeseeeene 4 23 The Place Track Tool oo ciccciscstecnscetcccccsntsrebdiedsadadeeiesetvent Sobecalcacsssnocencyees 4 24 Changing Track Settings traces jencticoctvesns cone eneee eere
2. 2 Select the Arrow Tool from the Toolbar Menu names menu commands and Toolbar options are displayed in bold type as are text strings to be typed 3 Type the component name AXIALO 5 The manual also includes some special terminology words that are either unique to PCB manufacturing or have some specific meaning within the TraxMaker design system Such terms will be italicized when first introduced Definitions for many of these key words will be found in the Glossary at the end of the manual Using On line Help TraxMaker s on line Help file TMHELP HLP can be ac cessed in several ways From the Help Menu To access Help from the Help menu 1 Choose Help gt TraxMaker Help Topics 2 Choose the Contents tab to see an overview of all Help topics arranged hierarchically OR Choose the Index tab then enter a keyword to look up a specific Help topic OR Choose the Find tab to find Help topics that contain the word you are looking for Chapter 1 Getting Started 1 7 1 8 Chapter 1 Getting Started From a Dialog Box To access context sensitive Help 1 Open a dialog box then press F1 to display Help specifically tailored for that dialog box Double Clicking the Help file Even when TraxMaker is not running you can view the Help file by double clicking its icon in the TraxMaker program group CHAPTER 2 Overview of TraxMaker Introduction Building a TraxMaker PCB design is a straightforward p
3. If nothing is on the Clipboard the Paste button will be unavailable You can abort a paste by pressing the Esc key before clicking the mouse button To undo a paste immedi ately press the Delete key on the keyboard while the items are still selected Deleting Items Use the Delete Tool or press the Delete key to remove items from the board To delete an item using the Delete Tool 1 Make sure the layer containing the item you want to delete is active 2 Select the Delete Tool on the Tool Bar 3 Position the lightning bolt over the item you want to delete then click Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features 4 7 To delete items using the Delete key 1 Select the items you want to delete using the selection options described previously 2 Press the Delete key on the keyboard To undo a delete choose Edit gt Undo Delete Refreshing the Screen Sometimes after you move or delete items the board will look fragmented To restore an accurate picture of the board choose Edit gt Refresh Screen or press the End key on the keyboard Duplicating an Item or Group of Items Duplicate is similar to the Copy and Paste tools but adds additional features to automate repetitive placement This is useful if you want to place an array of pads for example see Figure 4 3 or to panelize a final layout into multiple copies of a board for production To duplicate an item or group of items 1 Choose the Arrow Tool from the Tool B
4. If you want to tag a multilayer pad you first must change it to be either a Top or Bottom layer pad then you can select one of the tagging options Choose Options gt Setup then click on the Router tab Select SMD to Pwr Gnd then choose OK Choose File gt Save to save your work an A Ww N Choose Route gt Board to route connections Notice that the SMD pad you designated as tagged is now connected to a relief pad either Power or Ground connected by a stringer as in Figure 4 10 4 22 Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features C4 lt Figure 4 10 One of the pads on SMD component A4 is connected to a separate through hole thermal relief pad via a stringer The Route Pad to Pad Without Net Tool Use the Route Pad to Pad Without Net tool to automatically complete a connection between any two pads without using or affecting a netlist To automatically route the pads on your board using the netlist see Chapter 7 Routing for more information To route pads using this tool 1 Click the Route Pad to Pad Without Net Tool on the Tool Bar 2 Position the cursor over a pad until it changes color then click and hold the left mouse button 3 Draga track to another pad When the destination pad changes color release the mouse button The pads are automatically routed as in Figure 4 11 Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features 4 23 Tip You can toggle between layers using the or keys from the ke
5. G 6 Glossary multilayer board A multilayer Board is one made up of two or more sheets of board laminate which allows electrical connection to be made on a choice of several layers See also layer netlist A text file which lists all the connections of an electronic circuit Netlists are used to verify the contents of a design or to transfer design information offsets Special corrections applied to the origin 0 0 coordinates of a plot or print used to position the artwork within the plot area Also the additional X or Y axis spacing used in the Duplicate option found on the Edit menu origin Location of the 0 0 coordinate in either a PCB file or a plot TraxMaker uses the extreme lower left of the workspace as the default origin orthogonal Drafting standard in which lines are constrained to either vertical horizontal or 45 degree placement a common practice in PCB design Overlay A special layer of the PCB artwork also called the silkscreen layer Overlays are used to identify components on the top or bottom of a PCB and are provided as an aid to manufac turing and maintenance of the PCB package The physical description of a component for example DIP 16 defined by the number and location of pins dimensions and so on Also known as a component or pattern Pad master A special plot type that includes all the pads and vias in the PCB typically used for drilling pad and via holes in proto type boa
6. Nets are automatically optimized when they are loaded Each net is checked to determine the shortest path between the various nodes If you have changed a number of nets you may need to optimize again before you route the board By specifying an X bias or a Y bias when you optimize you can make sure that decoupling capacitors and similar components are not connected in an undesirable way To optimize a netlist 1 Choose Netlist gt Optimize Nets 2 Choose Select Net select a net name from the list choose OK choose the optimization method then choose OK OR Choose Nets On Selected Components choose the optimization method choose OK then select a compo nent OR Choose All Nets choose the optimization method then choose OK Option Lets You Shortest Path Sort the netlist to order connected pins to achieve the shortest total connection distance X Bias Order connected pins to achieve the shortest connection distance along the X axis Y Bias Order connected pins to achieve the shortest connection distance along the Y axis Chapter 7 Routing 7 19 7 20 Chapter 7 Routing TRAXEDIT LOG TraxMaker produces a text file Figure 7 9 report of autorouter results including a list of any unrouted connec tions Route Log ioj x File TRAXMAKER VERSION 2 0 STATISTICS LOG LOG FILENAME Untitled Loc DATE 4 11 2000 TIME 16 32 INPUT PCB FILE Untitled PCB ROUTE VARIABLE SETTINGS Grid
7. About TraxMaker Layers cece eee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 2 2 TraxMaker Conventions ccceceeeeeeeeeceeeeeeesseeeseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeneees 2 3 Starting TraxMaker ccccccecccecececececeeeceeeeeeeeeeenseeeeeeeeeenenenensneeees 2 3 The TraxMaker Workspace 2 ssseeeeeeeeeeeeceeeeceeeceeeeaaneeeesseeeeees 2 3 Oar LA yGre inca aati scttachesnsdes stead treesncaatnneds T 2 4 What is the Current Layer ccsceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 2 4 Layers A Closer LOOK secssccuisesctancitcciate gcusessantunscateacaaha tas iessachlas 2 5 Using the MOUSE naire enito Nee easement edo Ee AA TEAKE E 2 6 Units Grids amp Coordinates cove c25 codec es ee A eek sales 2 6 Changing the Units of Measure oo eee cece eeeeenenteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee 2 6 Snap Grid vs Visible Grid cccsceeeeeeceeeeeeeneeesseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 2 7 The Coordinate System 2 0 cccccececeeeeeeeeeeedencsccceecceeceeeeeeeeeeeeenes 2 7 Absolute vs Relative Origin ceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeneeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeenaaaaes 2 8 Finding the Origi acl tons AeA eces cate ete IEEE EE nts 2 8 Contents iii Finding a Locations seca a aE 2 8 WOON Y E E E alate intel ai tats ise ie tats Ge tata thats Sa att 2 9 SNOMCULKGYS niet rer an ae p o aa EEE EE T EE 2 9 Trax Maker Piles eseisma ee eE a a 2 11 Library EIB File Sia thon ois glace sa ERE 2 12 Autotrax Compat
8. DB9 RADG 2 RADG 2 RB 2 4 RB 2 4 AXIALO 4 AXIALO 4 XTAL1 XTAL1 AXIALO 4 R1 R2 R3 R4 DIP16 s n DIP16 DIP16 DIP14 DIP14 DIP14 IDC40 DIP40 DIP40 DIP46 DIP28 U1 U2 U3 U4 Figure 9 5 An example of a Bill of Materials text file Report Includes Ttem Label Value Package Qty Designations Indicating A new line number for each part number label value in the list The part number of each part used in the board design The package type used for each part The number of a specific part used in the design The designations where a specific part was used in the design Gerber and N C Drill Files This section defines the Gerber and N C Drill formats explains how the files are used to create printed circuit boards and shows how to set up TraxMaker to output these file formats Chapter 9 Importing and Exporting Files 9 9 9 10 The Gerber Photoplotting Process Gerber format RS 274D and RS274X is a standard plotting language created specifically for photoplotters Photoplotters are similar to pen plotters in many ways the primary difference being that photoplotters use light to plot directly onto photosensitive film The many advantages of this approach has led to the widespread adoption of photoplotting in the electronics industry Because the etching of printed circuit boards is generally based upon photographic techniques the production of positive and negative photo tools o
9. Notice in this case that the component s connected tracks drag with the component and remain connected You can specify whether or not connected tracks drag with the item See Changing Track Settings later in this chapter for more information Cut Copy Paste amp Delete Use Cut Copy Paste and Delete after you have selected items on the Board Duplicate found on the Edit menu places a number of copies that you specify of any selected items Cutting Items 3 Cut removes the selection from the Board window and adds it to the Clipboard To cut an item 1 Select an item or group of items then click the Cut button on the Tool Bar The mouse cursor will be changed to a crosshair 2 Click on a reference point of the item being cut This reference will be used when the item is pasted To undo acut choose Edit gt Undo Delete 4 6 Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features Copying Items Copy duplicates the selection onto the Clipboard To copy an item 1 Select an item or group of items then click the Copy button on the Tool Bar The mouse cursor will be changed to a crosshair 2 Click on a reference point of the item being copied This reference will be used when the item is pasted Pasting Items Paste copies the selection in the Clipboard back to the Board window To paste an item 1 Click the Paste button on the Tool Bar 2 Drag the item into position and click with the left mouse button to place the item
10. X Size Lets You Assign the pad a designation When importing PCB netlists from schematic programs like CircuitMaker the pad designa tions of a component footprint must match the pin designations of the corresponding part in the netlist Specify a shape for the pad Choose Circular Rectangular Octagonal Rounded Rectangle Cross Hair Target or Moire Target see Figure 4 7 Select whether the pad will be surface mounted or through hole Stretch or contract the pad relative to the X coordinate Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features 4 19 Y Size Hole size X Position Y Position No Connection Relief to Power Plane Direct to Power Plane Relief to Ground Plane Direct to Ground Plane 4 20 Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features Stretch or contract the pad relative to the Y coordinate Specify a hole size used to create the Excellon N C drill guide Holes can be defined up to 2 mils larger than the current pad diameter This provides a convenient way to define a mechanical hole with enough tolerance to ensure that it will be free of any copper when manu factured If you try to enter a hole size that is more than 2 mils larger than the current pad diameter TraxMaker will truncate the value so that it is exactly 2 mils larger The maximum hole size is 1000 mils 1 inch Change the x coordinate of the pad by typing a value Change the y coordinate of the pad by typing a value Keep th
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12. signifying the end of the photoplot About Aperture Files The apertures that will be used in creating the Gerber files are defined in an aperture APT file TraxMaker can automatically generate these aperture files and embed them into the Gerber file for convenient transfer to your manufac turer as described earlier in this chapter Apertures are similar to plotter pens which include a shape such as 50mm square 050 inch or 50 mils and use a flash stroke or a combination of the two Figure 9 9 shows the STANDARD APT file that comes with TraxMaker When targeting a vector plotter the apertures in the APT file will correspond to the apertures available on the actual aperture wheel or slide to be used Raster plotters will use the aperture file to translate draft codes directly into an image map In either case the aperture file or table defines the shapes which make up the finished film If you generate a Gerber file but choose not to automatically generate apertures TraxMaker scans the primitives tracks pads components and so forth in the PCB file and matches these with aperture descriptions in an APT file So if you choose this method you may need to prepare an aperture file that matches the capabilities of the target plotter Your photoplot bureau can supply the required details 9 18 Chapter 9 Importing and Exporting Files APERTURE FILE FORMAT draft code gt lt shape gt lt xsize gt lt ysiz
13. 21 automatic 9 13 oversize 9 21 undersize 9 21 viewing MAT file 9 21 Arc Replacer Smoothing 7 9 Arc Tool 4 35 Arcs cutting 4 6 duplicating 4 8 editing 4 36 hardware 9 13 line width 4 36 mirroring 4 14 moving 4 5 pasting 4 6 placing 4 35 quadrants 4 36 radius 4 36 rotating 4 13 selecting 4 3 software 9 13 Area Fill See Fill Tool Arrow Tool 4 2 selecting an item 4 3 selecting multiple items 4 3 4 5 ASCII to Hex Conversion Table 9 26 Auto Generate Aperture File 9 13 AutoCAD DXF Files 9 1 AutoPlacement about 6 9 and Ground Planes 6 12 and Locked in Place 6 9 and Power Planes 6 12 before you use 6 9 define the keep out layer 6 10 large component clearance 6 12 large component placement 6 12 moving components to grid 6 15 setting up grids and clearances 6 11 small component clearance 6 12 small component placement 6 12 strategies 6 14 tips 6 15 using 6 14 using tutorial 3 17 using multiple libraries 6 16 Autorouter about 7 1 using 7 11 using tutorial 3 18 Autorouting and netlists 7 16 board 7 12 connection 7 15 net 7 14 net by name 7 15 optimizing 7 17 pad to pad without net 7 14 troubleshooting 7 17 Index 1 Autotrax compatibility with TraxMaker 2 12 opening files 2 14 B Basic Smoothing 7 9 Bias for Routing 7 3 Bill of Materials 9 8 Board and the origin 6 20 autorouting 7 12 dimensions 1 1 6 20 fitting to window 4 40 getting information about 6 19 total c
14. 8 7 and AutoPlacement 6 12 direct to 4 20 listing pins connected to 6 21 pad tagged to 4 21 reliefto 4 20 tagging SMD to 4 22 Group of items selecting 4 3 4 4 GTL files 9 15 GTO files 9 15 GTS Files 9 15 H Hardware Arcs 9 13 Height of Text 4 33 Help 1 7 from a dialog box 1 8 from the Help file 1 8 from the Help menu 1 7 Index 5 Hex to ASCII Conversion Table 9 26 Hide nets options 6 17 pad holes 4 42 pad names pin numbers 4 42 Holes printing pad hole guides 8 6 show pad holes 4 42 size of pad 4 20 I Imperial Grid 1 1 Importing DXF files 9 2 Protel Text PCB files 9 6 Include G54 Code 9 13 Information about the Board 6 19 Installation 1 2 onaLAN 1 4 readme file 1 3 Items moving 4 5 selecting multiple 4 3 K Keep Out Layer 2 5 8 9 defining 6 10 defining tutorial 3 16 L Layer Type of Pads 4 19 Layers about 2 2 bottom 8 7 check print 8 7 current layer 2 4 defining keep out layer 6 10 displayed in Window 2 4 for routing 7 3 Gerber files for 9 15 ground 8 7 Index 6 keep out 3 16 plot 8 7 power 8 7 selecting all 4 5 selecting different 4 4 selecting for photoplotting 9 13 top layer 8 7 viewing 7 3 Laying Out a PCB basic overview 2 1 tutorials 3 1 LIB files 2 12 Libraries adding to component 5 3 browsing component 5 2 compacting component 5 5 copying pads between pad 5 11 creating new component 5 5 deleting components from 5 4 managing 5 1 merging compone
15. 9 19 Note Normally you would use Creating Custom Aperture Files TraxMaker s Auto Generate Creating an aperture file is a straight forward process You Aperture File option described can use a text editor or word processor capable of saving a earlier to create the aperture text only file hidden characters in formatted word files The information here processor files will make the APT file unreadable only applies if you are deliber ately choosing not to automati It s best to start with STANDARD APT supplied with cally generate the aperture TraxMaker and edit the listed draft codes The use files but want to manually parameter can be left blank if aperture use is to be unre create and match apertures stricted The parameters need only be separated by a single blank space Extra spaces can be added for clarity as in the sample files You can define up to a maximum of 600 different draft codes D00 D09 are reserved Gerber command codes Setting Up Aperture Matching After creating a custom aperture file the next task is to set up aperture matching Each primitive on the PCB tracks pads vias must be D matched with an appropriate aperture These apertures are used to either flash or stroke the image of the plot onto film Strokes can be combined to paint a fill area as well Matching means accepting an aperture that is close to the size of the original primitive For example sup
16. Board to Window Setup Refresh Screen Abort current operation Zoom In on cursor position Zoom Out on cursor position Delete Rotate items while dragging and keypad keypad Note The arrow keys are Arrow Keys available for nudging even while the mouse button is being pressed Sequence through all available layers Sequence through routing layers Nudge items using the Left Right Up or Down Arrow keys during place ment or while repositioning Each press of an arrow key will move the selection according to the current Snap Grid setting TraxMaker Files TraxMaker includes a number of special purpose files in addition to the TraxMaker application The following table lists the various types of files you will use by file extension Extension APT BOM DRC DRL DXF PCB PIK How Used Aperture files Bill of Materials report files Results of a Design Rules Check Excellon format binary N C drill file AutoCAD DXF file Preferences file that stores settings Component libraries Results of autorouting a board Text file that records gerber apertures assignments Netlist files Pad libraries Printed Circuit Board files Pick and Place report files Chapter 2 Overview of TraxMaker 2 11 SET File for mapping DXF layers to TraxMaker layers when importing DXF files TOL Tool matching file TXT Reference text version of N C drill file Library LIB Files TraxMaker is delivered with a library of s
17. For example if you place components manually and then load just the netlist a missing component count of two would indicate that you had not placed two of the components used by the netlist Missing Pins Components Loaded Missing Patterns Existing Components Shortest Path X Bias Y Bias Select Net Nets on Selected Component All Nets The number of pins in the netlist which are not matched with placed component pins The number of components specified in the netlist which were actually loaded into memory A component pattern that is specified in the netlist with no match in the currently loaded component library Netlist compo nents must include matching package descriptions for the current TraxMaker library To fix this problem you can create the missing patterns or change the patterns used then reload the netlist Reveals previously placed compo nents whose designators match one or more netlist components Sorts the netlist to order connected pins to achieve the shortest total connection distance Orders connected pins to achieve the shortest connection distance along the X axis Orders connected pins to achieve the shortest connection distance along the Y axis Selects a single net by name that you want to display as a ratsnest after you have placed components Selects the nets by name that you want to display as a ratsnest after placing components Displays all nets as a ra
18. Format Some netlists provide separate formats for component descriptions and connections Others combine the two sets of data in a single section The following describes TraxMaker s netlist format The first part of a netlist describes each component Character What it Does Marks the start of each component description U8 Labels the component s Designation DIP16 Identifies the component Package or footprint An identical package name is required in the TraxMaker compo nent library TALS 138 Shows the component s Label Value Blank line Left blank for future provision There are usually three blank lines Marks the end of the component description 6 2 Chapter 6 Nets and Netlists Professional Edition The second part of a netlist includes a listing of each net Character What it Does Marks the start of each net NETCLK Names the net U8 3 Shows the first component by designator and pin number Pin numbers in TraxMaker library components must be an exact match J21 1 Indicates the second node in the net U5 5 Indicates another node Marks the end of the net Note that net descriptions are distinguished from component descriptions by the use of rounded rather than squared brackets Other Netlist Formats Netlists from schematic capture packages other than CircuitMaker have many similarities to the netlist format used by TraxMaker The order in which component or net information is
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20. Loading a netlist into TraxMaker allows automatic placement of components into a predefined outline of your PCB It is important that you understand something about the strategies and limitations of the AutoPlacement feature The AutoPlacement option is designed to reduce the tedium involved in individually placing many components on a board AutoPlacement also groups components using special placement strategies to make final optimization of the component layout more efficient It does not necessarily produce the best placement and some tidying work inevitably needs to be done However you can expect to save considerable time over placing components manually Before You Run AutoPlacement Before you load a netlist you should follow two simple tules The first is to manually place any edge connectors or other components which must be in a particular place on the board Placing them manually automatically marks the component as Locked in Place so it will not move when you run AutoPlacement The second rule is to place any seed components which you want to build the board around An example of a seed component might be a microprocessor Be aware that with very small boards some results may not be what you d expect Nevertheless it is still generally quicker to use the AutoPlacement routine and move compo nents as necessary as opposed to placing each component manually Before you can use AutoPlacement you first must
21. OK and while placing press the Spacebar to rotate the component outline counterclockwise in increments of 90 degrees until it is in the desired position or press X or Y to mirror the component on its x or y axis The reference point for the component is pin 1 Move the component to the location where you want to place it then click once 4 10 Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features Componet Selection rogram files CircuitMaker 2000 Trax New Open Close Compact TO0 3 Components gt Place Place and Return Exi Zoom In Zoom Out Figure 4 4 The Component Selection dialog box lets you select a component from a list then place it on the board Editing a Component You can easily edit a component in TraxMaker Edit options allow you to rename a component Package change the Label Value Designation display or hide component text and make other changes To edit a component 1 Select the Arrow Tool from the Tool Bar 2 Double click on the component that you want to change don t click on a pad 3 From the Edit Component dialog box see Figure 4 4 make the desired changes then choose OK Edit Component xj Package DBS Label Value COM Height 60 Line width 10 I Visible Designation fiz Height feo Line Width fio I Visible Placement Reference 325 Top C Bottom Reference Y 4225 IV Locked In Place Oox ee Figure 4 5 The Edit Component dialog box lets yo
22. Out perimeter it will place the remaining components outside the perimeter of the Keep Out area The best grouping of components is obtained when the Keep Out area is reasonably close to the total required area for the selected grid clearance settings After components are placed by AutoPlacement they are marked as being locked in place This means that a second use of AutoPlacement will not move these components If no space can be found for a component then it is placed outside the Keep Out area and designated as free to move This means a second use of AutoPlacement will try again to move the component inside the Board area The free locked status of a component can be changed in the Edit Compo nent dialog box see Editing a Component in Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features for more information 5 Remember AutoPlacement tries to place components logically and conveniently to facilitate final placement but the real design work is left to you the designer Multiple Libraries with AutoPlacement TraxMaker libraries are currently limited to 600 components However there may be times when you need to load and place components from more than one library When loading a netlist TraxMaker searches all the loaded open libraries for components If your design uses parts from multiple libraries make sure all the required libraries are open when you load the netlist Chapter 6 Nets and Netlists Note A netlist must be l
23. Size Hole Size X Position Y Position Only This Via Highlighted Vias 4 30 Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features Lets You Change the size of the via by typing a value Change the size of the via hole by typing a value Change the x coordinate of the via by typing a value Change the y coordinate of the via by typing a value Restrict size and hole size changes to the via you originally selected Apply the new size and hole size attributes to all vias which have been selected Note Like other objects text can be rotated and mirrored using the buttons from the tool bar or the keyboard equivalents explained in this chapter All Vias Same Hole Size Apply the size and hole size attributes to vias with the same hole size All Vias Same Size Apply the size and hole size attributes to vias of the same diameter The Place Text Tool A Use the Place Text tool to add short free text strings on any layer of your board The Text String dialog box as seen in Figure 4 16 lets you define text attributes when placing text Free text strings can be up to 128 characters long Text String xj Text TrasMaker Character Height eo o o o Track widh Poo o o Layer L E Rotation None jas T Mirror a Figure 4 16 Use the Text String to present text exactly the way you want To place free text on the board 1 Click the Place Text Tool on the Tool Bar 2 Inthe text box labeled Text type the
24. To export a Protel Text PCB file 1 Choose File gt Export gt Protel Text PCB 2 Use the Browse button to navigate to the appropriate filename OR Type in the name of the file to be exported 3 ClickOK 9 6 Chapter 9 Importing and Exporting Files Professional Edition Pick and Place Report TraxMaker will output a Pick and Place report for use with automatic component placement equipment The Pick and Place report can be generated in ASCII or Comma Separated Value CSV formats To generate a Pick and Place report 1 Choose File gt Reports gt Pick and Place 2 Use the Browse button to navigate to the appropriate filename OR type in the name of the file to be saved 3 Select ASCII or CSV format by clicking on the appropri ate button Click OK File Edit Search Help Designator Pattern Mid X Mid Y R7 AXIALO 4 666mil 2875mil J1 FLY4 175mil 2450mil J3 DB9 275mil 3445mil J2 DB9 275mil 4445mil sw2 RADO 2 225mil 1325mil C RADG 2 1575mil 3525mil cs RADG 2 4375mil 3225mil C4 RADG 2 4825mil 2175mil c3 RADG 2 3925mil 2475mil c1 RADG 2 2025mil 2175mil c7 RB 2 4 325mil 1775mil cs RB 2 4 325mil 725mil R AXIALO 4 625mil 1325mil RS AXIALO 4 3825mil 3225mil C18 RADG 2 3825mil 2825mil co RADG 2 4825mil 3125mil Figure 9 4 Example section of a Pick and Place report Report Includes Indicating Mid X Mid Y The midpoint location of each component referenced to the current origin This is calculated as
25. Top Layer Mid Layers Bottom Layer However tracks can also be placed as nonelectrical lines on the Top or Bottom Overlay Board Layer and Keep Out Layer For example tracks are used to define the board outline the boundary of the working area To do this 1 Click the Layer selection list box at the bottom of your screen left of the Status Bar 2 Select the Board Layer the one that you activated previously 3 Select the Place Track tool from the Tool Bar Notice the message on the Status Bar Click to place track right click to exit placement 4 Move the cursor close to the lower left corner of the workspace 0 0 coordinate This is called the origin of the Board window 5 Now carefully position the cursor at X 100 Y 100 mils and click once 6 Move the cursor to the X 3100 Y 100 mils position and click once 7 Move the cursor to the X 3100 Y 3100 mils position and click once 8 Move the cursor to the X 100 Y 3100 mils position and click once 9 Now move the cursor to where you began the X 100 Y 100 mils position click once then right click The result of your track placement should look like Figure 3 3 pje La Board Layer yJi 6475 y 2350 mils Click to place track Figure 3 3 By following the previous steps you can create this board outline which is 3000 by 3000 mils or 3 inches square You have probably noticed by now that track placement in TraxMaker is
26. TraxMaker or you can create a text file SET which Chapter 9 Importing and Exporting Files 9 1 Professional Edition will give the mapping information necessary to convert the individual DXF layers to separate TraxMaker layers When exporting a TraxMaker PCB design as a DXF file all netlist information is lost All components of the PCB design tracks pads vias etc are converted to free primitives and can be edited as such You can choose to export individual layers to a DXF file or export the entire PCB design onto a single DXF layer Importing DXF files To import a DXF file 1 Choose File gt Import gt DXF then type the filename or click the Browse button to find and select the DXF file to be imported 2 Select the import and layer options you want see the following table then click OK PA DXF Import Setup oO x DXF Filename Browse Import in mils inches millimeters DXF Layer Options C Map all DXF layers to Map DXF layers specified in CircuitMaker 2000 Standard set Browse Cest Figure 9 1 The DXF Import Setup dialog box allows you to choose the import and layer options Option Lets You Import in Specify the units of measure of the file being imported 9 2 Chapter 9 Importing and Exporting Files Professional Edition DXF Layer Options Map all layers in the DXF file to a single TraxMaker layer or map individual layers to separate TraxMa
27. added when you use the Place Text tool OR Specify the Character Height and Line Width for Designation text the text that identifies a specific component For example a resistor s designation might be R34 OR Specify Character Height and Line Width for Label Value text the text used to signify a component s value For example a capacitor s value might be 0 1uF 3 Choose OK Free Test Default Char Height feo Default Line Width fi 0 Label Value Text Default Char Height feo Default Line Width fi 0 Designation Text Default Char Height feo Default Line Width fi 0 Copy Uses Same Designators Figure 4 18 Use the Text options in the Setup dialog box to set text defaults for subsequently created text strings 4 34 Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features The Place Arc Tool Use the Place Arc tool to place arc shaped tracks on the board Arcs can be used on the Overlay layers to indicate component shapes or on the Board layer to indicate me chanical detail such as mounting holes Electrical arcs can be placed on any of the signal layers Arcs are restricted to any of four quadrants of 90 degrees each Arcs are drawn in the same widths available for tracks definable in 1 mil 025mm increments To place an arc 1 Click the Place Arc Tool from the Tool Bar 2 When drawing an arc the cursor position defines the arc center Hold down the mouse button while dragging to define t
28. and Editing Features for more details on pad designations Choose the Arrow Tool and select all the primitives of the new component by dragging a selection rectangle around them 4 Click the Place Component tool on the Tool Bar 5 Choose Add type a package name for the new compo nent then choose OK 6 Choose OK to confirm the addition 7 To view the new component select the component name from the list Creating a Component Based on Another Suppose you need a component that is similar to one already in your library Instead of creating an entirely new compo nent from scratch you can ungroup the existing component into its primitives then edit the parts Then you can save the edited version as a new library component This method is also useful if you want to make minor adjustments to existing library patterns Chapter 5 Managing Libraries 5 3 To base a new component on one that already exists 1 Select a component that has been placed on the Board OR Click the Place Component tool on the Tool Bar select a component choose Place place the component somewhere on the Board then select it 2 Choose Edit gt Ungroup Component 3 Choose OK to confirm the ungrouping Even though the component appears unaltered except that component text has been removed each element of the component is now in its primitive state This means that instead of a single component it is now a collection of tracks arcs and pads
29. area fill A solid rectangular area of copper normally used for shielding shorting and other such applications free pad Any pad that does not belong to a library component Free pads are identified by the default identifier 0 free text Text placed in the Board window using the Text Tool not component text Gerber format The RS 274D or RS 274X Gerber format is the standard file format adopted for coding photoplot files A Gerber format file describes a photoplot in terms of draft codes and coordinates The draft codes control the aperture to be used and the and shutter speed Coordinates give the position of flashes and strokes on the plot Gerber plot A photoplot stored in a Gerber format file also used generi cally to refer to any photoplot grid A system of visible and invisible points on the TraxMaker workspace used to locate a precise coordinate position Ground plane Special PCB mid layer connecting all ground pins hardware arc An arc which is created by the plotter from coordinate line width and radius information Some plotters support this option others depend upon software arc descriptions generated by TraxMaker highlight A unique display color assigned to selected items on screen to aid in identification or editing TraxMaker uses the reverse of the current color or grayscale shade to indicate selection The highlight color is customizable imperial measure Inch based measurement syst
30. autorouter perimeter and no go areas The Layers tab of the Setup dialog box also lets you assign a unique color to each layer To assign a new color or pattern to the board layer 1 Click the Board Layer color box to the right of each layer designation 2 Select a new color from the dialog box pictured in Figure 3 2 then choose OK OR Choose Define Custom Colors select a color from the palette or define it by specifying Hue Sat Lum Red Green and Blue values Then choose Add to Custom Colors to include it on the main color palette Color 2 x Basic colors Define Custom Colors gt gt Caca Figure 3 2 Using the Colors dialog box you can assign different colors to layers or create new colors to assign Chapter 3 Tutorials 3 3 Hint Status Bar messages provide valuable information whenever you select a tool from the Tool Bar or perform other actions 3 4 Chapter 3 Tutorials As you proceed with this tutorial remember that although several layers can be active and displayed simultaneously only one layer is the current layer Single layer items such as tracks fills arcs or text are always placed on the current layer The current layer name and color is displayed at the bottom of your screen in the Layer Selection box to the left of the Status Bar Step 3 Defining a Board Outline Tracks or traces are placed to connect component pads or free pads on the signal layers
31. before you start generating artwork Bureaus and manufacturers often have specific requirements that must be reflected in the files or artwork that you submit Knowing these requirements will allow you to plan the entire design for efficient and trouble free completion Setting Up the Printer To set up your printer to print a PCB 1 Choose File gt Print Setup 2 Make settings for your printer such as choosing the printer Name and Properties Select a Paper Size and Source or change the Orientation to Landscape or Portrait 3 Choose OK Chapter 8 Printing and Plotting Printing the PCB When you have selected and set up your printer you are ready to print your Board Before you print you can make minor adjustments to the output as shown in Figure 8 1 Adjustments Position x Scale 1 000 Normal Centered Y Scale 1 000 y Options Offset 0 000 inches Quality Final Y Offset 0 000 inches e Draft Cancel I Fitto Single Page Figure 8 1 Use the Print dialog box to make minor adjustments such as scale offset position and quality before you print To print a PCB 1 Choose File gt Print 2 Inthe Adjustments group box enter values for the X and Y Scale and Offsets You can independently assign a Scale factor to either axis of your print output This allows you to apply a correction factor to repeatable inaccuracies in the target printer The Offset op
32. between components Routing uses a set of rules to govern the way connecting tracks are placed on the Board for optimal manufacturing and performance There are various options for routing your board in Trax Maker You can manually route with or without net use the built in autorouter or a combination of the two TraxMaker s autorouter is a grid based rip up and retry multi pass autorouter optimized to achieve a high rate of completion at a reasonable cost that is via count and total connection distance The autorouter is extremely flexible with many options to allow you to configure the router for a variety of design types You can route an entire Board an individual net or a single connection Different sets of routing passes and design rules track sizes and clearances can be applied to indi vidual nets or connections There are also a number of Unroute commands that allow you to edit and redo previous routes Because TraxMaker provides so many routing options it is important that you gain a basic understanding of these processes in order to achieve the best overall result for a given layout Setting Up the Router Before running any of the router options it is important that the appropriate settings are selected for your Board layout Use the Router tab in the Setup dialog box see Figure 7 1 to choose the routing strategies that will be applied to the design TraxMaker offers a multi pass router which lets you sel
33. component 4 26 duplicating 4 8 editing 4 26 mirroring 4 14 moving 4 5 orthogonal 4 25 pasting 4 6 placing 4 24 placing tutorial 3 10 re route 4 28 rotating 4 13 selecting 4 3 width of text strings 4 32 4 33 Transparent draw mode 4 42 TRAXEDIT LOG 7 20 TraxMaker about 1 1 Button in CircuitMaker 3 15 compatibility with Autotrax 2 12 conventions 2 3 differences with other programs 1 2 file extensions 2 11 general capabilities 1 1 installation 1 2 layers 2 2 netlist format 6 2 overview 1 1 preferences 2 12 README file 1 3 registration 1 2 starting the program 2 3 using the mouse 2 6 workspace 2 3 Troubleshooting autoplacement 6 9 6 15 autorouter 7 10 7 17 Design Rules Check 7 22 netlists 7 18 Tutorial changing track size 3 9 checking your work 3 13 connecting components 3 8 creating a Board manually 3 1 creating a netlist in CircuitMaker 3 14 creating Board automatically 3 13 creating new components 3 19 defining a Board outline 3 4 defining keep out layer 3 16 displaying a ratsnest 3 18 identifying components 3 10 loading a netlist 3 16 placing components 3 6 placing tracks 3 10 selecting via size 3 9 setting up Board layers 3 2 using AutoPlacement 3 17 using the Autorouter 3 18 TXT Files 9 23 U Undelete 4 8 Undersize Aperture Matching 9 21 Undo cut 4 6 delete 4 8 move 4 5 paste 4 7 Units of Measure changing 2 6 imperial system 2 6 metric system 2 6 Unroute all 7 16 connection 7 16 net 7 16 Use
34. connected to these solid copper layers directly or with a thermal relief plotted as four arc segments see Figure 4 8 i cn OJE BO Figure 4 8 From left a Relief to Power Plane Direct to Power Plane Relief to Ground Plane Direct to Ground Plane and Thermal Relief pad The colors used for the Power and Ground Plane pads cross hair lines are the same colors defined for the Power and Ground layers When plotted Relief pads appear as four arc segments For more information see About Thermal Relief Pads later in this section To edit a pad 1 Select the Arrow Tool from the Tool Bar 2 Double click the pad you want to edit 4 18 Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features Change the pad s characteristics as desired see the following table then choose OK Choose the scope of the pad changes just this pad or other pads as well See the following table of options Circular x Relief to Power Plane B C Direct to Power Plane z C Relief to Ground Plane Edit Pad Designation jo Shape Layer xSize fo YSize fo Hole Size j5 X Position jso Y Position 2225 x gt Power Ground 4 No Connection Direct to Ground Plane Global Change Pads Only this pad Matching pads in this component C All matching pads same hole size All matching pads Cancel Figure 4 9 Use the Edit Pad dialog box to change the attributes of one or more pads Option Designation Shape Layer Type
35. define the border within which the components are to be placed Chapter 6 Nets and Netlists 6 9 6 10 Defining a Keep Out Layer A Keep Out area defines the board outlines and no go area for the AutoPlacement and Autorouting features both of which attempt to stay within this area when placing and routing netlists You create a Keep Out area by placing a rectangular section of tracks on the Keep Out layer In addition you may also define no go areas within the Keep Out rectangle by placing area fill solid rectangles For example in Figure 6 5 a Keep Out area the large rect angle has been defined however the smaller areas A B C also need to be defined as no go areas Merely placing additional Keep Out tracks to define these smaller areas will not prevent TraxMaker from placing and routing compo nents within them A Ee m i Figure 6 5 Not all boards are perfectly rectangular Often as in this case there are areas on the Board where compo nents cannot be placed The correct way to add no go sections within a Keep Out area is to place area fills to define the smaller no go areas With the Board pictured in Figure 6 6 components will be placed only in the unshaded areas Chapter 6 Nets and Netlists Figure 6 6 This example shows how you could define area fills within a Board to keep out components and routes Setting Up Grids and Clearances The Auto Place Grid and
36. different tool definitions numbered T01 T64 each with a separate drill size Metric and Imperial tool sizes may be mixed ina single TOL file I UNITS METRIC is included then UNITS IMPERIAL must be used to reset for any imperial tools that follow Contact your Board manufacturer for details about N C drill requirements and options You can edit the TOL file using a text editor or word processor that can read a text only format Standard tol Notepad f E3 File Edit Search Help Figure 9 12 The STANDARD TOL file stores assignments for the tools used to drill PCBs and is similar to an aperture table 9 24 Chapter 9 Importing and Exporting Files Creating N C Drill Files Use the N C Drill Setup dialog box to set up the options used to create the N C Drill files To set up N C drill options 1 2 Choose File gt Create N C Drill File Specify the X Offset and Y Offset values based on your manufacturer s recommendations Select Create New Tool File to generate a new tool file based on your PCB design OR Select Match Existing Tool File to use the information in a previously created tool file Specify Match Oversize and Match Undersize values the maximum and minimum allowable variance between PCB file primitives and available tools Finally specify the name of the existing tool file you want to match in the Match Existing Tool File text box Type the name and DRL extension of the N C Drill file in the
37. for lower density boards z j and probably won t provide the same ry 2 degree of completion as the more 0 0 60 7 30 iil D 06 0 0 advanced Maze router Line Probe Chapter 7 Routing 7 5 Professional Edition Maze rr f ke oo ate s gt oo e al eoodoadloa S 2 e gt oooooo 1 2 em 7 6 Chapter 7 Routing This is a gridded wave expansion router with rip up and retry capabilities The maze router can take some time to complete on a complex board but it will always provide the highest degree of completion of any of the routing passes provided the correct settings are used Maze routing is primarily used for increasing completion It will rip up and reroute other connections which block its path Maze routing places a high priority on layer biasing When the Maze router rips up an obstacle it doesn t necessarily rip up the entire connection In most cases it will only rip up and reroute a single track Sometimes this reroute will result in some fairly obvious backtracking so it is always best to run at least one smoothing pass after maze routing The Maze router is an iterative router meaning that after it has completed one pass of routing attempts it can try again to see if any of the rip ups from the previous pass have cleared a way for any new routes which were previously unsuccessful The Maze Passes setting tells the router h
38. for the Paint technique select the best match then choose Paint The drop down lists for the Flash Stroke and Paint options contain all apertures in the current aperture file Ifno match is available that conforms to the match tolerance setting you made earlier on the Gerber Setup dialog box the Gerber Aperture Matching dialog box will be displayed so that you can manually assign the best match for the primitive Numeric Control Drilling Among TraxMaker s output capabilities is the numeric control N C drill format This format lets you take advan tage of Excellon numeric control drilling equipment which drills holes through PCBs for pads and vias N C drilling requires three files that you create in TraxMaker a binary DRL file containing hole coordinate information areference TXT file and a TOL file that includes assignments for the tools used to drill holes These are the files that you give to your board manufacturer 9 22 Chapter 9 Importing and Exporting Files About the DRL and TXT Files Because the DRL file is coded in binary format specifically for Excellon equipment the typical designer will find it difficult to read However you will likely need to confirm the contents of the DRL file For your reference an ASCII TXT file is also automatically created that includes the same information as the DRL file in an easy to read format For information about reading the DRL file directly se
39. from the board Extra Pin Broken Net Clearance Violations A net on the device listed is connected to a pin not specified by the netlist A net which is supposed to be completely connected is broken into two parts The two parts are supposed to be one Clearances specified by the Setup Router Separations have not been maintained The primitives creating the violation and their locations are shown Chapter 7 Routing 7 23 7 24 Chapter 7 Routing CHAPTER 8 Printing and Plotting TraxMaker has been designed to provide a wide range of printing and plotting options for producing everything from reference quality check prints or plots to high resolution prints and Gerber photo plot files for manufacturing produc tion quality PCBs Printing PCB Artwork Printing PCB artwork is usually reserved for check prints which let you confirm the contents of your output files You may find printer output suitable for producing simple prototype PCBs provided the expectation for level of detail is fairly coarse This normally requires a printer scale of 200 or more The linear distortions inherent in print output can cause problems with layer registration and pad hole to pin alignment You will likely need access to higher resolution output devices to achieve the quality necessary for PCB manufac ture Traditionally this has meant the use of inkjet plotters pen plotters or photoplotters TraxMaker uses the Windows prin
40. in terms of final costs when productivity is considered in using the services of a photoplotting bureau even when good plotting facilities exist in house The variables that directly effect plot quality include e The accuracy of the plotter particularly its repeatabil ity or ability to return accurately to specific coordi nates over the entire plot area e The type and condition of plotting pens e The plotting film or paper e The type and age of the ink selected e Environmental factors such as temperature and humid ity Postscript Printing Modern Postscript printers produce output between 300 and 2540 dpi or higher Because of the high resolution obtainable from these devices many users are interested in producing artwork quality PostScript prints as a low cost alternative to Gerber plots However there are a few limitations which should be considered before printing 8 10 Chapter 8 Printing and Plotting While these printers are quite accurate horizontally they do not always achieve consistent linearity particularly on the long axis as the film or paper moves through the printing mechanism via a series of rollers Printing at a ratio of 2 1 will halve the average linear error but you will need to be able to accurately paste up multiple sheets of tiled output if your printed artwork exceeds the printer single page size To test a printer create a file with vertical and horizontal track
41. is at the top 90 degrees is halfway down the right side etc Numbers may be positive or negative To create a 12 pin 300 mil diameter radial pin layout 1 Place a single Round pad 2 Right click on the pad and select Radial Copy from the pop up menu 3 Enter the number of pads 12 the radius 150 and the offset angle 0 then choose OK For information on adding new components to the library see Chapter 5 Managing Libraries Rotating a Pad You cannot rotate pads using the Rotate 90 button on the Tool Bar To rotate a pad 1 Click and hold on the pad you wish to rotate using the Arrow Tool 2 While holding press the Space Bar to rotate the pad 90 degrees Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features 4 17 Finding a Pad Use Find Pad to quickly locate a pad on the Board To find a pad 1 Choose Edit gt Find gt Pad 2 Select the name of the pad you want to locate then choose OK or double click on the pad name Note that the pad is highlighted and the cursor moves to the pad you selected Editing a Pad Using the Edit Pad dialog box shown in Figure 4 9 you can change the characteristics of a pad such as designation layer placement size hole size and shape n t Figure 4 7 Select from several different shapes of pads From left Circular Rectangular Octagonal Rounded Rectangle Cross Hair Target and Moire Target You can also assign pads to special Power and Ground layers Pads can be
42. libraries of the most common component footprints boardblanks and pads This chapter shows you how to add new items list them and manage the libraries Chapter 6 Nets and Netlists Information about TraxMaker s design automation features generating and importing circuit netlists auto component placement autorouting and design rule checking Chapter 7 Routing You can route connections on a Board manually or you can use any of TraxMaker s various autorouting options This chapter explains all routing options and tells you how to optimize router settings for best results Chapter 8 Printing and Plotting Complete instructions for using printers and plotters for generating PCB artwork Chapter 9 Importing and Exporting Files This chapter details TraxMaker s import and export options including the preparation of Gerber format photoplot and Excellon format Numeric Control drill files Glossary This contains a list of terms used in this manual and their definitions A comprehensive Index of manual topics follows the Glossary Notes Tips and Warnings are written here in the margin for greater visibility Manual Conventions The following conventions are used to identify information needed to perform TraxMaker tasks Step by step instructions for performing an operation are generally numbered as in the following examples 1 Choose File gt Save This means choose the File menu then the Save com mand
43. often required for RF design work Area fills can be combined with track and arc segments and will be recognized as electrically connected when using the selection functions You can place nonelectrical fills on the Overlay silkscreen layers and the Board layer Fills are also placed on the Keep Out layer to indicate no go areas for autorouting and auto component placement See Chapters 6 and 7 for more information about the Keep Out layer 4 36 Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features To place a fill 1 Select the Place Fill Tool from the Tool Bar 2 Position the cursor where you want one corner of the fill to begin 3 Click and drag the highlighted rectangle to define the fill shape 4 Until the Fill tool is turned off you may continue clicking and dragging more fill areas To turn off the tool right click Editing Fills You can edit fills by simply double clicking on the fill and adjusting the x and y coordinates as well as the fill layer The Place External Plane Tool Use the Place External Plane tool to place an external ground plane on the Top or Bottom layer of your design External planes have special properties distinct from area fills While area fills are always rectangular external fills can be complex polygons When you place an external plane it surrounds but does not join or touch tracks pads vias fills and text The distance between external planes and other primitives is determined by the Separa
44. plot within the film area by shifting the entire plot by the values you specify for the X and Y offset Consult your bureau about the required offset Chapter 9 Importing and Exporting Files Software Arcs Include G54 Code Auto Generate Aperture File Embedded Apertures RS274X Other Aperture Matching Options Set the chord length for software arcs Circles and arcs are drawn as a series of chords The smaller the number the better the circle approximation and the longer the process will take If you don t select this option Hardware Arcs will be used Send the special G54 code required by some older photoplotters before each change of aperture code Automatically generate a precise match for every primitive on the board and saves to an APT file with the same filename as the board Automatically include all the aperture information in the Gerber file itself These are grayed out when you choose the Auto Generate Aperture File option They are only used if you choose to manually generate and match apertures explained later Selecting the Photoplot Layers The next step is to select the layers that you want to photoplot You can photoplot an individual layer or generate a batch of multiple layers each of which will be generated as a separate photoplot file To select the layers to photoplot 1 Choose File gt Open select the PCB file to be photoplotted then choose Open 2 Choose File g
45. table for more information Select Mirrored for any of these that you want to be mirrored See The Plot Layers for more information Depending on the method of manufacture you may need to mirror or print the negative of one or more layers Check with your Board manufacturer for details From the Include group box select the parts of the Board you want to include or deselect those you don t want to include Select Board Layers to include all items drawn on the Board Layer on each layer printed Select Path Filename Layer to include text to identify the file and the layer Or select Single Layer Pad Holes to include drill guide holes on single layer SMD pads From the Other Settings group box specify the measurements you want to use for the options explained in the following sections From the Color Mode group box select Color for color printing B amp W for black and white printing or B amp W Negative to print a black and white negative Negatives will not be printed in Draft Mode Choose OK Chapter 8 Printing and Plotting 8 5 Pad Hole Guide Size This option prints a small hole of the size you specify in the center of each pad and via as a guide for starting the drill bit Drill Draw Symbol Size This option specifies the size of the symbols used in the Drill Drawing Pwr Gnd Solder and Paste Mask Enlargements Enlargement options let you specify increased clearances in these special purpose plots which may
46. that might otherwise be hidden This is especially useful for reviewing multilayer board designs where inad vertent tracks or fills can be covered by other items and go unnoticed Lets You See the pad holes in each pad See the pad names for each pad See through all the layers of the board black background only Figure 4 23 Examples of draft mode top final mode middle and transparent mode bottom 4 42 Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features CHAPTER 5 Managing Libraries TraxMaker comes with very comprehensive component and pad libraries A separate Footprint Library Guide lists and illustrates all the component footprints and the libraries they are located in However you may want to add librar ies or change or add components and pads to existing libraries In such situations TraxMaker allows you to create new components manage existing libraries and create new libraries Managing Component Libraries This section explains how to use the Component Selection dialog box shown in Figure 5 1 to list preview place add delete copy move and rename components It also shows you how to manage create open and compact component libraries Componet Selection New Open Close Compact TO 3 Components Delete 10 66 Bees ct Place and Retum Exit Zoom In Zoom Qut Figure 5 1 The Component Selection dialog box lets y
47. tracks are dragged Figure 4 13 From left Orthogonal Any Angle and Curved track style To setup tracks 1 Choose Setup gt Tracks 2 Choose the options that you want see following table then choose OK Option Lets You Orthogonal Limit track placement to horizontal vertical and 45 degree angles Any Angle Draw tracks of any angle Curved Place straight tracks with curved or arc style corners Tracks carrying high frequency digital or RF analog signals may require curved segments to eliminate reflection and related problems associated with 90 and 45 degree corners Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features 4 25 Default Width All Tracks Connected Tracks None Ask for Drag Editing a Track Specify the thickness of the track in mils or millimeters depending on the current Grid Unit setting in Setup Grid Drag all tracks which are within the outline defined by the item being moved regardless of whether the tracks are connected to the item or not Drag all connected tracks when moving a component Drag no tracks when moving an item not even connected tracks Have TraxMaker ask after you have moved an item if you want to drag the connected tracks or not To visually edit a specific track 1 Select the Arrow Tool from the Tool Bar 2 Click and hold the mouse on either end of the track and drag the endpoint to a new location The xy coordinates and the track length are displayed in
48. where you want to place the pad then click 5 Position the cursor in a different place and click again to place another pad Continue doing so until you have placed all the pads you want Press the Ese key or right click the mouse to turn off the Place Pad Tool Pad Selection x m Pad File D Program Files CircuitM aker 2000 T raxstd pad Load Pad File New Pad File Select pad m Pattern ROUND 260 H Zoom Dut Zoom n Delete All Delete Merge Pad from File Exit Figure 4 6 The Pad Selection dialog box lets you select pads and set up pad libraries Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features 4 15 Linear Copy of a Pad 14 pin DIP pattern rotated 60 degrees Linear Copy of a Pad You can create a string of pads by using the Linear Copy feature Components can only be rotated in 90 degree increments but that does not mean that they cannot be created at other angles of rotation For example to manually create a footprint for a 14 pin DIP rotated 60 degrees could be rather tedious However using the Linear Copy com mand the process is quite simple Option Lets You Number of Linear Pads Specify the total number of pads in the line Distance Between Pads Specify the pad pitch the distance between pad centers Angle in Degrees Specify the angle in which the line will be placed in 1 degree increments 0 degrees is to the right 90 degrees is up etc Numb
49. you break multiple points of a track in one session To reroute a track 1 Select the Re Route Track Tool on the Tool Bar 2 Carefully position the cursor at the point you wish to begin rerouting then click once Notice that every point where a track changes direc tion acts as a pivot point The point where you clicked with the Re Route Track Tool also becomes a pivot point and the entire length of track between pivot points now becomes sticky and follows the movement of the cursor 3 Move the cursor to another location then click once Notice that the track is laid down up to the point where you clicked but is still sticky along the remaining lenght of track 4 28 Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features Tip You can toggle between layers using the or keys on the keypad When you toggle between copper layers while placing a track a via is placed automatically 4 Move the cursor to another location then click again to lay another section down Continue moving and clicking until you are finished rerouting the track 5 When you have finished right click or press Ese The Place Via Tool Use the Place Via tool to add vias to the board Vias or through holes are special purpose pads drilled out when the board is manufactured to provide an electrical pathway connecting tracks on separate signal layers In TraxMaker vias always pass through all board layers Vias are placed automatically
50. you can include in your design is limited only by the memory on your computer Full support is included for most popular netlist formats Importing a PCB netlist from schematic products allows you to take full advantage of TraxMaker s auto component placement rip up and retry autorouting and design rule checking features The program will print to Windows compatible printers and plotters and outputs Gerber RS274X files Excellon N C drill files Pick and Place files Bill of Materials and DXF Chapter 1 Getting Started 1 1 1 2 Chapter 1 Getting Started Differences with Other Applications TraxMaker looks and runs like other Windows applications and it s as flexible as you are However you should be aware that TraxMaker is different from other Windows drawing applications in some fundamental areas First a PCB design is a series of layers such as the Top and Bottom signal layers or the silkscreen Overlay layer TraxMaker displays and manages these layers indepen dently and some operations such as track placement are layer dependent that is you must first select the layer then place the track TraxMaker print plot options also reflect the layered design Second PCB design differs from other drawing tasks in its requirement for extreme precision As a result TraxMaker is more a placing environment than a freehand drawing environment So you may find that some TraxMaker tools will operate differently f
51. 1 Select one of the placement tools on the Tool Bar such as Place Component or Place Pad or select the Arrow Tool to select a large area of the board 2 Use the tool as you would normally and try sliding the tool off of the board window Notice that the viewing area shifts as you move the tool Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features 4 9 The Place Component Tool il This tool lets you select from among a library of components see Figure 4 4 add text labels to the component then place it on the board See Chapter 5 Managing Libraries for more information about defining new components and working with different libraries To place a component 1 2 Click the Place Component Tool on the Tool Bar Scroll through the Components list box until you find the component you want to place Select the component package name then click Place to put the component on the board You can also click Place and Return to place the component and automati cally return to this dialog box to select another compo nent Type a label or value to appear on the board with the component in the Label Value text box A component label or value is the component s electrical value such as 01uF 470k or 1N4002 Type a designation for the component in the Designa tion text box A component designation usually consists of a letter such as U C J or R followed by a number You may decide to call an edge connector J3 ora capacitor C4 Choose
52. 13 undersize aperture matching 9 21 using bureaus 9 15 vector vs raster 9 10 viewing MAT file after matching 9 21 X and Y offsets 9 12 Pick and Place Report 9 7 Pin Numbers See Pads designation Pins identifying tutorial 3 10 listing highlighted 6 21 missing in netlists 6 7 Place Arc Tool 4 35 Place Component Tool 4 10 Place External Plane Tool 4 37 Place Fill Tool 4 36 Place Pad Tool 4 14 Place Track Tool 4 24 Place Via Tool 4 29 Placing components 4 10 components automatically 6 14 components automatically tutorial 3 17 components manually tutorial 3 6 external planes 4 38 fills 4 36 tracks tutorial 3 10 Plane Direct to Power 4 20 Planes ground 2 5 8 7 power 2 5 8 7 Plot Layers 8 7 bottom layer 8 7 bottom paste mask 8 8 bottom solder mask 8 8 check print 8 7 drill drawing 8 9 drill guide 8 9 ground 8 7 keep out layer 8 9 mid layers 8 7 Index 9 pad master 8 9 power 8 7 top layer 8 7 top paste mask 8 8 top solder mask 8 8 top bottom overlay 8 7 Point to Point measuring 4 2 Postscript Printing 8 1 8 10 Power Plane 2 5 8 7 and AutoPlacement 6 12 direct to 4 20 listing pins connected to 6 21 reliefto 4 20 tagged to 4 21 tagging SMD to 4 22 Pre Router 7 5 Preferences 2 12 loading different settings 2 13 restoring factory defaults 2 13 saving 2 13 Printer Options setting up 8 4 Printing before you print 8 2 options 8 4 pad hole guides 8 6 PCB artwork 8 2 producing quality printouts 8 9 s
53. 274X Gerber files 9 11 S Saving a PCB file 2 14 Screen refresh 4 8 Seeding Components before Autoplacing 6 9 Select Area and Zoom Tool 4 40 Selecting all 4 4 all components 4 4 all layers 4 5 allon layer 4 4 all pads 4 4 all text strings 4 4 all tracks 4 4 all vias 4 4 arcs 4 3 components 4 3 connections 4 4 current layer 4 5 different layers 4 4 group ofitems 4 3 4 4 multiple connections 4 4 multiple items 4 3 multiple nets 4 4 nets 4 4 nets after loading netlist 6 7 pads 4 3 special keystrokes 4 4 specific layers 4 5 text strings 4 3 tracks 4 3 vias 4 3 Selection fitting to window 4 40 Separations of Primitives 7 10 SET Files creating for DXF import 9 3 Setting Up absolute origin 2 8 Board layers tutorial 3 2 Board outline tutorial 3 4 draw mode 4 41 external planes 4 38 Gerber defaults 9 11 printer options 8 4 relative origin 2 8 snap grid 2 7 the autorouter 7 1 tracks 4 25 units of measure 2 6 visible grid 2 7 Shape of pads 4 19 Show nets options 6 17 pad holes 4 42 pad names pin numbers 4 42 Silkscreen 2 2 2 5 Size of pads 4 19 of text strings 4 34 pad holes 4 20 5 7 SMD Fan Out Routing Pass 7 5 SMD Pads hole definition 5 8 Index 11 SMD Routing 7 6 SMD to Pwr Gnd Routing Pass 7 5 Smoothing 7 9 advanced 7 9 and existing routes 7 9 arc replacer 7 9 basic 7 9 Snap Grid changing 2 7 vs visible Grid 2 7 Software Arcs 9 13 Software registration 1 2 Solder Mask Enla
54. 4 Multiple items selecting 4 3 Multiple nets selecting 4 4 Netlists and autorouting 7 16 and existing components 6 7 Cadnetix format 6 5 Calay format 6 8 Calay90 format 6 8 creating in CircuitMaker tutorial 3 14 definition 6 2 definition of nets 6 1 displaying 6 17 editing 6 4 limits 6 4 loading 6 5 loading tutorial 3 16 loading with X and Y bias 6 7 making 6 8 missing components 6 6 missing patterns 6 7 missing pins in 6 7 number of components loaded 6 7 optimizing 7 18 OrCAD PCB II format 6 5 other formats 6 3 PADS PCB format 6 5 Protel format 6 5 Index 7 ratsnest 6 17 selecting nets after loading 6 7 shortest connection path 6 7 7 19 Tango format 6 5 total number loaded 6 6 TraxMaker format 6 2 view errors after loading 6 8 viewing 6 4 xandy bias 7 19 Nets autorouting 7 14 definition 6 1 definition of netlist 6 2 finding 6 18 hide 6 17 identifying 6 19 selecting 4 4 show 6 17 unrouting 7 16 Numeric Control Drilling 9 22 creating n c files 9 25 DRL files 9 23 match existing tool file 9 26 TOL Files 9 24 TXT files 9 23 O Online Help 1 7 Opening Autotrax PCB files 2 14 component libraries 5 2 pad libraries 5 11 PCB files 2 14 Protel Text PCB files 2 14 Optimizing Netlists 7 18 OrCAD PCB II netlists loading 6 5 making 6 8 Origin changing to absolute 2 8 changing to relative 2 8 finding 2 8 Index 8 Orthogonal changing tracks to 4 25 Overlays 8 7 Oversi
55. 4 Use the tools on the Tool Bar to delete edit or add elements to the component 5 Select the Arrow Tool from the Tool Bar 6 Select group all the elements of the edited component by dragging a selection rectangle around them 7 Select the Place Component tool on the Tool Bar 8 Choose Add type a package name for the new compo nent or use the old name to replace the existing component with the new one then choose OK 9 Choose OK to confirm the addition 10 To view the new component select the component name from the list Deleting a Component from the Library Once a component has been deleted from the library it is not recoverable It is suggested that you make a backup copy of your library before deleting components To delete a component from the library 1 Click the Place Component tool on the Tool Bar 2 Select the component you want to delete 5 4 Chapter 5 Managing Libraries Note When loading a netlist TraxMaker searches all loaded opened libraries for compo nents to load 3 Choose Delete 4 ClickOK to confirm the deletion Compacting the Component Library If you add and delete many components it s possible that the library file will become fragmented This may become a problem as it will take up more space than necessary on the disk Compacting the library removes blank space from the library without removing any component information To compact a component library 1 Fromthe Compone
56. 70 E Test gtl Notepad loj x File Edit Search Help D11 X3475Y4825D02 DO3 X5725Y1875D02 DO3 D14 X572571875D 61 512541875D 61 482572675D62 482572675D 61 482571175D 61 Figure 9 8 A Gerber file format describes a photoplot as a series of draft codes or commands and coordinates The records may refer to an absolute location or a draft code which changes apertures Thus a record might be X800Y775 which instructs the photoplotter to move to a particular coordinate or D16 which is a draft code or command such as a new aperture selection Draft codes D01 D09 are reserved for command purposes Some of these commands are Draft Code What it Does DOl Turns the light source on D02 Turns the light source off D03 Flashes the light source Chapter 9 Importing and Exporting Files 9 17 Note Normally you would use TraxMaker s Auto Generate Aperture File option described earlier to create the aperture files The information here only applies if you are deliber ately choosing not to automati cally generate the aperture files but want to manually create and match apertures Some older plotters require the special code G54 before each aperture change command If this is required on your target photoplotter select the Include G54 Code option on the Gerber Setup dialog box to insert the code before each aperture change The last line of the Gerber file contains the M02 code
57. Before routing begins the pre router checks to see if any connections have been routed manually by the user and marks these connections as already routed Ule SMD to Pwr Gnd Automates the routing of Surface Mount component power and or ground pins to internal Power and Ground Plane layers When this option is selected the autorouter places stringers or short CJ track pad segments which are con nected to the appropriate midplane layer SMD to Pwr Gnd using a thermal relief See About SMD Routing later in this chapter for informa tion about settings to improve comple tion rates a ee oc SMD Fan Out Special pass to preserve routing room ie around SMD components by routing on 2 oe each pad in a fan out configuration o oo o o oat o oo o Memory A fast heuristic pattern router that h 2 i S places short horizontal and vertical 2 _ s tracks typically used to connect parallel o 2 rows of memory ICs Short 45 degree o oo o track segments are placed to wave UL around blocking pads clearances Memory permitting No vias are placed Line Probe This option enables a number of line probe and pattern routing passes These include the basic L C or Z shapes with zero to three vias The Line Probe router 5 is very fast and can provide excellent y results provided good parts placement i b and correct settings are used However oolo ojola ogolololo oo o o oloo neg it is best suited
58. CircuitMaker 2000 the virtual electronics lab a 9 G 1 Le o E Ds ON o on o o on o oxo on o o iE m o aN a a aa a y a a a a a a a a Naaa a f aa a me nanan 8 oS ee ease Ses o o o s o 6 oe a o 6 ees retire eo o o o o k oren O Ne o o o o joo on ee tt Ne 9 oo 0 e e ol O o 6 o 6 o o F o 6 lt 6 6 o E am aAa o TraxMaker User Manual professional pcb layout built in autorouting Revision A Software documentation and related materials Copyright 1993 2000 Protel International Limited All Rights Reserved Unauthorized duplication of the software manual or related materials by any means mechanical or electronic including translation into another language except for brief excerpts in published reviews is prohibited without the express written permission of Protel International Limited Unauthorized duplication of this work may also be prohibited by local statute Violators may be subject to both criminal and civil penalties including fines and or imprisonment TraxMaker CircuitMaker Protel and Tango are registered trademarks of Protel International Limited SimCode SmartWires and The Virtual Electronics Lab are trademarks of Protel Inter
59. Clearance options under the Grid Draw tab of the Setup dialog box see Figure 6 7 let you control how AutoPlacement places large and small compo nents Auto Place Grid Auto Place Clearance Large x 100 Large x jo Large Y fo Large Y 2o SmalX 50 Smax fso Smaly 50 Sma 50 Figure 6 7 Specify the values that AutoPlacement will use to position and arrange components relative to one another To set up AutoPlacement Grids and Clearances 1 Choose Options gt Setup then click on the Grid Draw tab 2 Make the settings described in the following table then choose OK Chapter 6 Nets and Netlists 6 11 Option What it Does Large X amp Y Placement Grids Positions pin 1 of large components those having 4 or more pins on the grid setting you define Small X amp Y Placement Grids Positions pin 1 of small components 3 or less pins on the grid values you provide Large X amp Y Clearance Sets the minimum distance for large components 4 or more pins when they are placed The distance between the outer edges including overlay will be greater or equal to these settings Small X amp Y Clearance Sets the minimum separation for small components Working with Power Ground Planes Power and Ground plane layers are special solid copper layers AutoPlacement handles these layers in a unique way When a netlist is loaded the Power and Ground nets are not stored in memory but the appropr
60. Creation cc cecccccceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeenteaaas 3 13 Step 1 Creating a Netlist in CircuitMaker ce eeeeeeeeeceeeeeeeeeeeees 3 14 Step 2 Defining a Keep Out Layer 2 0 0 seceseseeeeeeerserereeeeereees 3 16 Step 3 Loading a Netlist c c c ccc cee eeceeceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 3 16 Step 4 Using AutoPlacement 2c ccccdecceseeeseeessdeseesueuctscendeseerdeeetia 3 17 Step 5 Using the Auto Router 0 cecccceeee cece cette eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 3 18 Tutorial 3 Creating New Component ccccceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeenneaaees 3 19 Step 1 Creating a component from scratch cccccceeeeseeeeeeeees 3 20 Step 2 Creating a Component Based on an Existing One 3 20 iv Contents Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features The Full Screen Cross Cursor ictus tent oie sorine toe nites 4 1 The Measurement Tool sscceeeeeececeeeeeneesseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesseseseeeeees 4 2 TRG A OW TOON seed och dad capsdd sd cars barie sen dicen iit a Hida i a A 4 2 Selecting an ltem sas sated Seah e bo ence been senretene anenee ee 4 3 Selecting Multiple Items n n 4 3 Moving ltems es5425 hco0stat nook oe ees Aaah etec ee 4 5 Cut Copy Paste amp Deleter menenie e eias EER 4 6 C tting Hems secen E e A EE E EA E E 4 6 OVUM HEMS ea arid os ash ec ah lad ari AE Sead 4 7 Pasting NGS inni ae 4 7 D leting GINS uripira e a a EEEE 4 7 Refreshing the Screen
61. DRC The process is particularly important after you have laid some tracks manually The DRC option first loads the netlist file then checks to see that all nodes in each net are connected If they are not an error is generated saying the net is broken into sub nets At this stage it also checks to see if there are any extra pins In the next step all nodes are highlighted and a check is made to see if anything which is not highlighted is closer than the design rule check allows The clearances currently set in the Router setup are applied during the Design Rule Check Make sure that the current separations settings are those you wish to apply to the routed PCB before running the DRC option To perform a Design Rules Check 1 Choose Netlist gt Design Rules Check 2 Select the properties you want to check such as missing components and pins extra pins broken nets or clearance violations 3 Select Save to file then type the filename with DRC extension where you want to save the results of the check 4 Ifyouare saving the file select Show saved file to display the contents of the file after the check has finished Figure 7 10 shows an example DRC file 5 Select Show errors on the fly to display a dialog box containing the error at the time DRC finds it 6 Specify a netlist filename with NET extension that you want to use to use as a reference during the check 7 Choose Run Check to begin the check If you select
62. Enter location to find mils x 200 v 500 Figure 2 4 Quickly move the cursor to a specific location using the Find Location dialog box Tool Bar Designing with TraxMaker revolves around four basic procedures 1 placing objects in the workspace such as components free pads vias text strings tracks area fills and arcs 2 moving objects 3 deleting objects and 4 editing or changing object attributes such as the width of a track or the contents of a text string BEES KAM KFQAORMIAO ANF OTC MRI AF You can perform most of these tasks using the buttons on the Tool bar which are fully described in Chapter 4 Shortcut Keys Command key or short cut keys let you select menu commands and tools directly The following table lists the available short cut keys in TraxMaker Note that command key shortcuts are not case sensitive Keystroke What it Does A Place Arc C Place Component E Place External Plane F Place Fill Chapter 2 Overview of TraxMaker 2 9 2 10 Shift F2 F3 F4 F5 End Esc Page Up Page Down Delete Spacebar Chapter 2 Overview of TraxMaker Place Pad Place Text String Place Track Place Via Mirror items in x axis while dragging Mirror items in y axis while dragging Arrow Tool Delete Tool Zoom Tool Copy Duplicate Refresh Screen Gets Info Measure New Open Print Save Paste Cut Undo Show All Nets Hide All Nets Normal Size Position Fit
63. K 5 Follow the prompts until TraxMaker is installed Installing TraxMaker on a LAN TraxMaker is designed for both single user and multi user operation so the program can be installed on a LAN for sharing or exchange files and libraries with other users Before installing TraxMaker on a network you should be aware that the Software License Agreement at the front of the manual restricts the use of the package to only the number of users you have purchased licenses for A single user copy for example only allows operation of the software on a single computer at a time Chapter 1 Getting Started 1 3 1 4 Chapter 1 Getting Started For multi user operation each TraxMaker user must be in possession of his her own licensed TraxMaker package or you must own a Multi User Site License Each network user can have their own library and pad files Each user will have a Traxmakr ini file which will determine the paths for their library and pad files their work files and all other user defined preferences Technical Support Protel is dedicated to producing only the finest quality software and this means supporting the customer after the purchase This manual contains detailed information to answer most questions Please look it over before contacting us for technical support If you encounter other problems while using TraxMaker or just need general help contact us via phone FAX or Email and we ll provide prompt and courteous s
64. Loading a Different Preferences File 1 Choose File gt Preferences 2 To load a different Preferences file choose Load Preferences specify the Preferences filename then choose Open Saving Preferences to a New File If you need to have a different set of Preferences for each TraxMaker project you can create new Preferences files 1 Choose File gt Preferences 2 Choose Save Preferences specify a Preferences filename use the INI extension then choose Save Restoring Factory Defaults If your Preferences settings have become confused you can restore them to the way they were when you first started TraxMaker 1 Choose File gt Preferences 2 Choose Restore Factory Defaults Warning If you have changed many settings in TraxMaker it is recommended that you save these settings to a different Preferences filename before you restore factory defaults Otherwise you will lose your custom settings Chapter 2 Overview of TraxMaker 2 13 Basic PCB File Management This section explains the basic TraxMaker file management procedures Starting Saving amp Closing a PCB File The features you will use most often are New Save and Save As 1 Choose File gt New to start a new file 2 Choose File gt Save if you ve already established a filename OR Choose File gt Save As to give the file a filename This is the way to copy a PCB file 3 Choose File gt Close then Yes to save and exit a PCB file without ex
65. N C Drill Filename text box then choose OK N C Drill Setup x m Adjustments X Offset 0 inches Y Offset 0 inches r Tool File C Create New Tool File Match Existing Tool File Match Oversize 0 mils Match Undersize 0 mils Match Existing Tool File STANDARD TOL Browse N C Dril Flename kauae Browse cen Figure 9 13 Use the N C Drill Setup dialog box to specify offsets tolerances and the tool file Chapter 9 Importing and Exporting Files 9 25 The Match Existing Tool File option attempts to locate tools in an existing tool file of acceptable size to perform the drill procedure If a tool of acceptable size cannot be found you will be prompted to manually select one of the available tools or to abort the process of generating the N C Drill file The Match Oversize and Match Undersize amounts instruct the program of the acceptable tolerance which is used for tool matching For example if the match oversize amount is 8 mils a tool of 50 mils is required and a tool of 45 mils is available a match would occur But ifthe oversize amount were 4 mils no match would occur ASCII to Hex Translation The following is a translation table for N C drill DRL HEX to ASCII conversion for your reference ASCII HEX 20 01 02 13 04 15 16 07 08 19 61 62 73 64 75 76 67 68 79 51 52 43 54 45 ZZO TOMMY AODPCMmADHAARWNESO 9 26 Chapte
66. Net After you have displayed the ratsnest use the Identify Net option to learn the name of any particular net that you can select To identify a net 1 Choose Netlist gt Identify Net 2 Selecta net Use the Zoom Tool on the Tool Bar to see a bigger picture of connections Zooming in on the Board after you have displayed the ratsnest can help you identify individual nets Getting Information About the Board Use the Information dialog box Figure 6 12 to get important details about the currently opened Board See facts such as the number of arcs components pads holes and vias as well as the amount of available memory You can also find out the total connection length which is helpful if you need to optimize nets or routing Chapter 6 Nets and Netlists 6 19 Information x Minimum gt 0 29in Total Connection Length 0 000 in Minimum Y 1 53in Disk Size 15952513 KB x Size 6 72in Free Disk Space 14115558 KB Y Size 4 76 in Ares 15 List Components Components 36 Fills 0 List Highlighted Pins Holes 648 Pads 428 List Power Pins Text Strings 2 Tracks 1871 List Ground Pins Vias 222 Nets 88 Connections 282 Routed 282 Figure 6 12 Display a wealth of information about the Board with the Get Info feature on the Help menu To get information about the current Board 1 Choose Help gt Get Info 2 In addition to seeing the total number of arcs compo nents pads via
67. Size 25 Track Size Pee 3 Via Size 50 Arc Radius 100 Track to Track 20 Track to Via Pad 13 Via to Via 2 13 Via Pad to Pad 13 Wave Limit z9 ROUTING PERFORMANCE Pass Connections Percentage Tracks Vias Tine in Title Routed Completed Added Added Pass Process Pre Routes 41 21 5 o o 00 00 05 Smd to Pur Gnd Not Used Memory Routes 15 7 9 42 o 00 00 00 Line Probe Routes 123 64 4 695 181 00 00 42 Maze Routes 12 6 3 162 65 00 00 07 Totals 191 of 191 100 0 899 246 00 00 54 BASIC SMOOTHING PERFORMANCE Pass Tracks Tracks Vias Time in Title Swapped Removed Removed Pass Via Minimization 67 47 00 00 23 Loop Remover 14 76 o 00 00 11 Double Back Remover o o o 00 00 21 Dual Stub Remover 1 1 o 00 00 20 Two Via Remover o o o 00 00 00 Totals 82 77 47 00 01 15 UNROUTED CONNECTIONS No UnRouted Connections Figure 7 9 The Route Log contains a report of autorouter results Design Rules Checking Use Design Rules Check or DRC on every routed Board to confirm that all clearance settings have been followed and that no other obvious design violations such as missed connections have occurred during the inevitable cleanup phase of any project The Design Rules Check option allows you to check to see that the tracks vias and pads have been placed according to a set of rules which you have nominated Note Show errors on the fly only shows clearance type error Other errors are shown in the report at the completion of the
68. Size 6 21 Dragging Tracks 4 6 when moving component 4 26 Draw Mode draft 4 41 final 4 41 transparent 4 41 Index 3 Drill Draw Symbol Size 8 6 Drill Drawing 8 9 Drill Guides 8 9 printing 8 6 Drilling Numeric Control 9 22 Drilling Tools 9 24 DRL Files 9 23 Duplicate Tool 4 8 count 4 9 number of duplications 4 9 offsets 4 9 use same designators 4 9 Duplicating all layers 4 9 arcs 4 8 components 4 8 external planes 4 8 fills 4 8 pads 4 8 text strings 4 8 tracks 4 8 vias 4 8 DXF files creating SET files for importing 9 3 exporting 9 4 importing 9 2 E Editing arcs 4 36 components 4 11 external planes 4 39 fills 4 37 netlists 6 4 pads 5 8 text strings 4 32 tracks 4 26 vias 4 29 Embedded Apertures 9 13 Enlargements paste mask 8 6 pwr gnd 8 6 solder mask 8 6 Index 4 Errors after loading netlist 6 8 Design Rules Checking 7 22 Excellon N C drill files 9 22 See Numeric Control Drilling Existing Routes and smoothing 7 9 routing 7 12 Expanding the Display 4 40 Exporting Bill of Materials report 9 8 DXF files 9 4 Gerber RS274X files 9 11 N C drill files 9 25 Pick and Place report 9 7 Protel Text PCB files 9 6 Extensions for Files 2 11 External Plane Tool 4 37 External Planes anatomy 4 37 changing settings 4 38 copying 4 7 cutting 4 6 editing 4 39 mirroring 4 14 moving 4 5 pasting 4 7 placing 4 37 rotating 4 13 F File Extensions 2 11 File Format Gerber 9 16 other netl
69. Size fzo mils T Bottom Overlay J Mirrored Solder Mask Enlargement fo mils I Ground Plane Mirrored 3 I leosercine whe Paste Mask Enlargement fo mils I Board Layer P Mirrored Pwr Gnd Enlargement fo mils I Top SolderMask Mirrored I Bottom Solder Mask Mirrored Color M I TopPasteMask J Minored Color C B amp W C B amp W Negative J Bottom Paste Mask Mirrored J Pad Master Mirrored I Keep Out Layer Mirrored I Drill Drawing I Mirrored T Drill Guide Mirrored Figure 8 2 The Print Options dialog box lets you set up an array of defaults for printing To set up print options 1 Choose File gt Print then choose Options Chapter 8 Printing and Plotting Note Many of the items cannot be included in a Check Print You must select Batch Print to print solder masks drill drawings and so on Select Check Print to print all active layers at the same time for evaluation purposes A check print or compos ite print out shows all selected layers on a single page Select Mirrored if you want to print a mirror image for the Check Print OR Select Batch Print to process more than one print or plot at a time Choose Set All to mark all layers for printing Clear All to deselect all layers or Set Used to select only the layers that are actually used Select the layers overlays or masks that you want to include in the print plot or Gerber file see the following
70. TraxMaker for your convenience You can also download a free Gerber viewer from www circuit maker com See the online help for information on using the Gerber viewer Using a Photoplot Bureau The following table lists the files you will normally send to a photoplot bureau Files to Send Include Gerber File s All the Gerber files for every layer you are using Drill Files DRL and TXT files described later in this chapter Tool Files TOL files described later in this chapter Chapter 9 Importing and Exporting Files 9 15 If you have not embedded aperture files in the Gerber file Aperture Files APT files described later in this chapter If you have not automatically generated the aperture files Matching Files MAT files described later in this chapter The cost of generating photoplots is generally determined by the time required to plot a given piece of artwork If you match wherever possible the output capabilities of the plotter the cost of the plots will be less If you are dealing with a photoplotter that has limited apertures you should only use pads vias and track types that match the available apertures for the target plotter By working from these 100 matches a number of potential problems are eliminated from the start and the design can be exactly duplicated when plotted This way the artwork will be free of clearance violations and similar surprises Secondly the designer will elim
71. TraxMaker listing components including quantities used ina PCB Uses BOM extension Glossary G 1 G 2 Glossary Board layer A special edit layer which holds alignment targets trim marks annotation and other mechanical details of your PCB file Bottom layer Edit layer for the bottom or solder side of the PCB break Conversion of a single track segment into two connected segments Check plot A composite plot of multiple artwork layers used to verify overall design of the PCB component A collection of primitives stored as a single entity in a TraxMaker library Components consist of one or more multilayer pads and tracks and or arcs on the top overlay which define the component shape component text Text that is part of a component display Component text is created at the time the component is placed It can be moved including rotate and flip but cannot be deleted only hidden This text remains associated with the component until the component is deleted copper Any non etched conductive portion of any layer of a printed circuit Board Also refers to the Top Layer of the PCB copper pour see external plane current layer Board window layer displayed on the Status Bar Tracks text arcs or fills will be placed on the current layer only cursor The graphic pointer or selection tool used to select or position objects in the workspace default Program settings or options which remain
72. ace the stack of netlisted components A netlist contains no information about component placement Therefore when you load a netlist it comes in its raw form a stack of components piled on top of one another Not until you place the components manually or automatically will the components be arranged on the Board The Netlist Load dialog box pictured in Figure 6 3 shows important information about the netlist Chapter 6 Nets and Netlists 6 5 6 6 Netlist Load Netlist results Optimization Method gt Nets Loaded 88 Shortest Path Missing Components 0 X Bias Missing Pins 0 C Y Bias M Component results Show Nets C Select Net poe Loaded 22 Nets on Selected Component Missing Patterns 0 C All Nets Existing Components 0 None M Wiew details of enos Figure 6 3 The Netlist Load dialog box gives you informa tion about the netlist just loaded and contains options for netlist optimization and display 5 Note the information contained in the Netlist results and Component results group boxes on the Netlist Load dialog box Select the options you want de scribed in the following table then choose OK Option Nets Loaded Missing Components Chapter 6 Nets and Netlists What it Does Notes the total number of nets in the netlist that have been loaded Shows how many components from the netlist are missing from the Board after you use the Netlist and Components option
73. ad more about AutoPlacement settings and options in Chapter 6 Nets and Netlists The next step is to use AutoPlacement to spread the components contained in the Netlist you just loaded 1 Choose Netlist gt AutoPlacement gt Arrange Compo nents Using the autorouter s Grid settings specified under the Grid Draw tab of the Setup dialog box AutoPlacement places the components as best as it can within the Keep Out layer For more information about see Setting Up Grids and Clearances in Chapter 6 Nets and Netlists While you could move components to more desirable locations within the Keep Out Layer this tutorial assumes that you will leave the components the way they are spread using the AutoPlacement Moving components may produce different results than what is illustrated in this tutorial Chapter 3 Tutorials 3 17 Displaying the Ratsnest Ratsnest usually refers to all the netlist connections between the components on the board see Figure 3 13 It is a picture of the literal connections between components without any routing To show the ratsnest 1 Choose Netlist gt Show Nets gt All Nets Figure 3 13 This seemingly tangled mess of connections is called a ratsnest the literal connections before routing Step 5 Using the Auto Router TraxMaker uses a grid based rip up and retry multi pass autorouter optimized to achieve a high rate of completion at reasonable costs for exampl
74. al covers the following topics e Creating a netlist in CircuitMaker and automatically moving to the board layout using the TraxMaker button e Importing netlists from other schematic programs and manually Defining a Keep Out Layer Loading the netlist Using AutoPlacement e Using the Autorouter If you are importing a TraxMaker netlist from CircuitMaker begin here with Step 1 then skip over to Step 5 If you are loading a netlist that is in a format other than TraxMaker format or you are loading a netlist without using Circuit Maker begin with Step 2 and continue sequentially through the tutorial Step 1 Creating a Netlist in CircuitMaker This step will show you how to convert a CircuitMaker schematic drawing into a netlist a series of connected pads vias components and tracks and then automatically move to the board layout using the TraxMaker Button 1 Start CircuitMaker 2 Open PCB CKT This is a simple voltage regulator circuit The Signal Generator and external load are placed in the circuit for simulation purposes only and will not be included in the netlist for board layout Each device in the circuit has been assigned a Label Value Designation Package and Pin Numbers These are required in order to create a netlist The name in the Package field of each CircuitMaker part must match one E TraxMaker Button of the component names available in TraxMaker For example if you have a 7400 chip in your sc
75. ame shape X and Y size hole size and is designated as either a SMD or through hole Pad settings may be chosen before placement or edited after placement Pad Hole Sizes Pad holes are always stored as part of a pad definition and can be displayed and printed in TraxMaker Go to Draw Mode in the Setup Menu to alter the display options for pad holes and names When plotting PCB artwork the size of the hole is disre garded except for producing Excellon format N C drill file or Chapter 5 Managing Libraries 5 7 5 8 a Drill Drawing Use the Hole Size option in the Edit Pad Type dialog box to specify hole sizes To specify a hole size for a Gerber plot choose File gt Gerber Setup gt Options then enter a value for a Pad Hole Guide Size SMD Pad Holes Holes can be defined for any SMD pad This provides additional flexibility when mixing SMD and through hole components particularly when placing components on both the Top and Bottom layers Browsing Pad Libraries You can inspect the patterns of pads stored in the library To list pads 1 Click the Place Pad tool on the Tool Bar 2 Move the scroll bar on the Select pad list box to view the pad names in the currently selected library 3 Click Zoom In to get a closer look at the pad Zoom Out to get the big picture Creating or Editing a Pad You can create a new pad and add it to the pad library or you can edit an existing pad For more information about editing pads
76. ar Select an item or group of items Choose Edit gt Duplicate A U N Specify how many times you want to duplicate the item and where you want to place the duplicated item see the following option table then choose OK Note See also Linear Copy of a Pad and Radial Copy of 86 a Pad later in this chapter Figure 4 3 Duplicate lets you repeat an item several times with a defined spacing like this series of pads 4 8 Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features Option Count X and Y offset Duplicate All Layers Use Same Designators Panning Lets You Set the number of duplicates up to a maximum of 1000 Specify the positioning of each duplicate along either axis For example an X offset setting of 100 and Y offset setting of 0 will dupli cate the selected item s in 100 mil increments to the right the number of times specified in the Count text box Choose whether or not to duplicate all the layers in the selection If you want to duplicate only the selection on the currently selected layer then deselect this option Choose whether or not to use the same component designations in the duplicates as in the original This should be enabled when panelizing a final layout for production Panning is the ability to move the viewing area of the screen as you work on a magnified area of the Board window TraxMaker provides automatic panning when placing or moving selected items To pan
77. be required by your PCB manufacturer The PWR GND Enlargement option provides a way to increase the clearance between pins passing through that is unconnected Power and or Ground Plane layers These planes are special mid layers in a PCB and should not be confused with solid fill areas on the Top or Bottom layers which are also often referred to as planes The default pin to plane clearance depends on the size of each pad For example a 60 mil pad with a 28 mil hole will have a 16 mil clearance Any additional enlargement in creases the radius of the cleared area Care must be taken not to make the enlargement too large as it may affect the connection of nearby power or ground pins Typical PCB manufacturing requirements call for a minimum pin to plane clearance of 4 mm 16 mils for boards less than 305 mm 12 inches on a side to prevent shorts due to slight misalignment during fabrication The 28 mil hole defined for a standard 62 mil pad will meet this requirement with the default enlargement Larger boards require a clearance of at least 5mm 28 mils These values are provided as a guide line only Your board manufacturer will give you specific requirements for your design You can also specify an enlargement for the Top and Bottom Solder or Paste mask layers in the same way The enlarge ment is the extra clearance in mils or mm around each pad and via The default value i
78. braries Opening a Different Pad Library You may discover while placing pads on the Board that you need a pad from a different library If so switching to another library is quick and easy To open a different library 1 2 Click the Place Pad tool on the Tool Bar Choose Load Pad File on the Pad Selection dialog box select the name of the different library then choose Open Copying Pads from Library to Library You can copy a pad from one library to another To copy a pad between libraries 1 2 5 Click the Place Pad tool on the Tool Bar Choose Load Pad File to open the target pad library that is the library to which you will copy a pad OR Choose New Pad File to begin a new pad library to which you will copy pads Click Merge Pad from File Select the directory and filename of the library that contains the pad definition you want to copy Select a pad then choose Merge The pad you selected is copied to the pad library you opened in step 2 Chapter 5 Managing Libraries 5 11 5 12 Chapter 5 Managing Libraries CHAPTER 6 Nets and Netlists One of the most useful timesaving features of TraxMaker is its ability to automatically route an entire board a net or a connection based on a netlist Netlists can be imported from CircuitMaker or other schematic programs or generated within the TraxMaker program itself Another helpful feature is the auto placement of components from th
79. chosen in the Export In field Give the design an offset position on the Y axis based on the unit of measurement chosen in the Export In field Choose the scale multiplier of the design for the DXF file 1 actual size 2 2 times the original size etc Export your PCB design as individual layers Export your entire PCB design to a single DXF layer named in the text field Select all TraxMaker layer check boxes for export Clear all TraxMaker layer check boxes for export Select only the check boxes for TraxMaker layers that are being used Individually select TraxMaker layers for export Chapter 9 Importing and Exporting Files 9 5 Protel Text PCB Files PCB TraxMaker can import Protel Text PCB files directly allowing you to use all or part of board designs produced in Protel s Advanced PCB2 and Advanced PCB3 products Once in TraxMaker these board designs can be modified and saved as a TraxMaker PCB file or a Protel Text PCB file To import a Protel Text PCB file 1 Choose File gt Import gt Protel Text PCB 2 Use the Browse button to navigate to the appropriate filename OR Type in the name of the file to be imported Note You can also use the Open command to open Protel Text PCB files directly e Ignore any Protel layers that are not used by TraxMaker Select the appropriate button to either OR e Map the extra Protel layers to a specific TraxMaker layer chosen from the drop menu
80. cursor extends across the entire screen for accurate placement Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features 4 1 Tip To ensure a precise start and end point for measurement zoom in on the area you are measuring The Measurement Tool The built in point to point measurement tool allows you to precisely measure distances between design objects on your board eliminating the need to manually calculate distances using the coordinates When measuring between pads each pad is highlighted as you move the cursor over the pad Hold down the Alt key when you click on a pad to snap to the center of the pad To use the measurement tool 1 Choose Edit gt Measure 2 Click once on the starting point you wish to measure from 3 Click again on the ending point you wish to measure to A Measurement dialog box appears showing the distance measured the X distance and the Y distance between the two points EA Measurements ioj x Distance Measured 721mils Distance Measured 600mils Y Distance Measured 400mils 4 Click OK and then measure the next two points Repeat steps 2 and 3 for as many measurements as you wish to make 5 Right Click or choose another editing tool to end the Measurement option The Arrow Tool w Use the Arrow Tool to select move and edit items You can double click click twice with the mouse in rapid succession with the Arrow Tool on most items to edit their specific properties Selected items can b
81. d 6 15 new based on existing 5 3 opening libraries of 5 5 package names 4 12 parts 5 1 pasting 4 6 placing tutorial 3 6 placing large during AutoPlacement 6 12 rotating 4 13 rotating while placing 4 13 selecting 4 3 top layer 4 12 types of 5 1 Connections autorouting 7 15 selecting 4 4 shortest path using netlist 6 7 unrouting 7 16 Connectivity definition 1 2 2 1 Contents of User Manual 1 5 Contracting the Display 4 40 Conventions TraxMaker 2 3 user manual 1 7 Coordinate System 2 7 Copper Pour See Fill Tool and External Plane Tool Copy Tool 4 6 Copying arcs 4 7 components 4 7 external planes 4 7 fills 4 7 pads 4 7 pads between libraries 5 11 text strings 4 7 tracks 4 7 vias 4 7 Creating a Board automatically 3 13 Creating a Board manually 3 1 Creating New Components tutorial 3 19 Current Layer definition 2 4 selecting 4 5 Cursor full screen cross cursor 4 1 mode 4 1 Curved changing tracks to 4 25 Cut Tool 4 6 Cutting arcs 4 6 components 4 6 external planes 4 6 fills 4 6 pads 4 6 text strings 4 6 tracks 4 6 vias 4 6 D Defaults restoring 2 13 Delete Tool 4 6 Deleting and undeleting 4 8 arcs 4 7 components 4 7 components from library 5 4 fills 4 7 pads 4 7 pads from the library 5 10 text strings 4 7 tracks 4 7 vias 4 7 Design Rules Checking 7 20 error messages 7 22 Designation editing a pad s 4 19 Direct to Ground Plane 4 20 Direct to Power Plane 4 20 Disk
82. d is vital to obtaining good router performance To move components to a specific grid 1 Choose Netlist gt AutoPlacement 2 Choose Move Components to Grid 3 Specify a grid value then choose OK TraxMaker tries to place components logically and conve niently to facilitate final placement In a number of cases AutoPlacement will not make the best placement and you will want to reposition components For example AutoPlacement will not position edge connectors along the edges of the Board See Before you Run AutoPlacement earlier in this chapter for tips on edge connectors and other seed components AutoPlacement Tips Because of the many user determined variables in AutoPlacement some trial and error is usually required to find a combination of settings which produces the best result It is recommended that you save your layout including Keep Out tracks pre placed seed components Chapter 6 Nets and Netlists 6 15 6 16 connectors and so on before using AutoPlacement Then if you are not satisfied with the first result you can reload the layout change settings and run AutoPlacement again The following guidelines can help you make the most efficient use of the many AutoPlacement options If the design will be dense allow extra room for AutoPlacement then move the board outline into its final size after all the components have been pre placed If AutoPlacement cannot place all components inside the Keep
83. dei seein teal ete eee 4 25 Editinga Trakai a r edia tote 4 26 The Break Track WOON cts scifeeticeusd lead dmdeny ovtcanndd pad dexidace craved candi diconceenees 4 28 The Re Route Track Tool 2 ceecceccdeeeceeenecececeneceeeceneneeesceneseee 4 28 Contents V The Place Vial TOO cccecceccecceececceccecceceececeeceeceecesceceecsecesseceeaes 4 29 Editing ety ah os cane attain att a aera te te ete total vidoes 4 29 Te Place Text Tool nann aia aiana ia cee ole e 4 31 Finding Text eene ee a aa E 4 32 Editing Texten a a ect tee 4 32 Setting Text Size Defaults 2 ccccceceeeeeesesencedeecececeeeneedeeeeteenene 4 34 The Place Are Took gaccccci cee a eed eine es 4 35 Editing an ATC e a ahaa a e eee aaa 4 36 The Place Fill ToOl ce s2 3e c ee ee ee Rey 4 36 Editing US niea apt ads ad hints ot tate iat tot ede iat 4 37 The Place External Plane Tool 0 esccceceeeeedeeeeeeeeenedeeeeeeeeceeeees 4 37 Anatomy of an External Plane eeee cesses eee 4 37 Changing External Plane Settings ccc cceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeentnaeeees 4 38 Placing an External Planeeicc 655 eteldeelnehe ied ie i eae 4 38 Editing External Planes 2 2 s s esseesceccceeseececeeteeeseeesesesenseeesees 4 39 MINS ZOOM OOM iene soccer antares ed Lei Dh ld tel ale 4 40 The Select Area and ZOOM Tool ceeeee cece eee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeteeaaaaaeees 4 40 The Fit Board to Window Tool 2s 024
84. different than other Windows drawing applica tions which let you draw a line using a simple click and drag technique TraxMaker on the other hand lets you precisely mark the starting point segment breaks and end points of tracks providing the precise placement control required for accurate PCB layout Chapter 3 Tutorials 3 5 3 6 Chapter 3 Tutorials Step 4 Placing Components Although each component is stored as a single entity it is actually a collection or group of standard TraxMaker primitives tracks pads arcs and text These component primitives belong to various layers as described below Regardless of the current layer components are placed on either the top or bottom side of the PCB A component includes an outline tracks and or arcs on the Top or Bottom overlay to indicate physical shape of the component The DIP package component shown in Figure 3 4 contains Multi layer pads Designation __ Dacosoo Label Value m Figure 3 4 Component text which is added during placement and displayed on either the Top or Bottom Overlay includes a Label Value DACO800 and a Designation U7 Creating new components is simply a matter of placing and grouping primitives which can then be added to the current library You can also create new components based on existing ones See Tutorial 3 and Chapter 6 Managing Libraries for more information on creating custom compo nents Compon
85. displayed may vary however and package names e g DIP16 and Pin identifiers may differ TraxMaker s netlist format is identical to the Tango and Protel netlist formats TraxMaker is able to load netlists in the following formats TraxMaker e Protel Tango e OrCAD PCBII Professional Edition PADS PCB Professional Edition Cadnetix Professional Edition However in some cases you may need to edit a netlist before importing it so that components in the netlist match TraxMaker component footprints Package description names and pin numbers must have exact matches in the TraxMaker library for all components and connections in the netlist in order for a netlist to load properly Chapter 6 Nets and Netlists 6 3 Note Because hidden control characters or codes can render the netlist unreadable by TraxMaker you should save edited netlists in an unformatted or text only form Viewing and Editing Netlists As straightforward ASCII text files netlists are easily viewed created and modified using a simple text editor or word processor Figure 6 2 shows a portion of the DEMO NET netlist file included with TraxMaker opened in NotePad Demo net Notepad oO x File Edit Search Help Figure 6 2 Netlists are ASCII text files that can be created viewed and edited in a text editor like Notepad Netlist Limits Designators and Package Descriptions types are limited to 12 alphanumeric cha
86. ducing Quality Printouts Many aspects of producing PCB printouts will have a direct impact on the finish and reliability of the finished product TraxMaker is capable of designing to tolerances of 1 mil 001 inch However if your final output is only accurate to 10 mils there is little point in using fine line clearances in your design Consider the available technology for each stage of production before you design Particular care is required when planning the use of internal and or ground plane layers Adequate clearance must be Chapter 8 Printing and Plotting 8 9 maintained around all non connected pin holes to ensure that shorts do not result from slight misalignment of layers when the Board is manufactured The recommended minimum for this clearance is 0 4mm 016 inch for Boards less than 305mm 12 inches ona side Larger Boards require a clearance of at least 0 5mm 028 inch Many manufacturers require a copper free area around the edge of power ground mid layers to prevent shorting between these layers when the board is laminated You can place tracks on these mid layers to hold back the solid copper wherever desired Pen and inkjet plotters can be used to produce very sophis ticated design artwork when the many variables affecting plot quality are understood and applied to the process But there are inherent problems with plotting that need consider ation In many cases there will be distinct advantages
87. e via count and total connec tion distance The autorouter is extremely flexible with many options allowing the user to configure the router for a variety of design types You can route an entire board as you will in this tutorial or an individual net or a single connection For more information about the autorouter settings and options see Chapter 7 Routing Your next task is to route the components that you have placed on the board 1 Choose Route gt Board 2 Deselect Save Log file type the full filename of the netlist in the Netlist Filename text box Pcb net then choose OK While the log file is an important way of checking autorouting performance you ll turn it off for this tutorial 3 18 Chapter 3 Tutorials The Status Bar displays information about the router s progress When the router finishes TraxMaker displays a connected board similar to the one pictured in Figure 3 14 Figure 3 14 When routing a board results may vary depending on your settings This shows how the routing might look for the example used in this tutorial What if the Router Doesn t Complete 100 It s possible that after you have autorouted a board the Router will not have completed all the connections For optimization techniques see Chapter 7 Routing For information about outputting your routed PCB see Chapters 8 and 9 Tutorial 3 Creating New Components The third tutorial covers the fo
88. e ASCH to Hex Translation later in this chapter In the example TXT file shown in Figure 9 11 M48 is the Excellon format header and is a standard tape rewind instruction The file then lists the tools used followed by the coordinates for each hole assigned to that tool Ej Demo txt Notepad ioj x File Edit Search Help X 66225766725 X 66675766425 X 66425966725 X 66825766175 Figure 9 11 The TXT file format removes trailing zeros from coordinates For example 3 5 inches is displayed as 035 and 18 555 inches is displayed as 18555 Chapter 9 Importing and Exporting Files 9 23 About Drilling Tools and the TOL File Standard Excellon machines use racks that hold up to eight different tools Limiting the tool assignments to eight drill sizes will let the manufacturer drill your board without changing the tool rack helping to lower production costs Smaller hole sizes may limit the number of board layers that can be drilled simultaneously as a production stack Always check with the board manufacturer prior to generat ing N C drill files to determine equipment capabilities and any manufacturer s recommendations for drilling The TOL file shown in Figure 9 12 which stores assignments for the tools used to drill PCBs is similar to an aperture table When you create an N C DRL drill file the TOL file is generated from the holes defined in each pad and via in your design This file can contain a maximum of 64
89. e for the new compo nent then choose OK 6 Choose OK to confirm the addition 7 To view the new component select the component name from the list Step 2 Creating a Component Based on an Existing One Suppose you need a component that is similar to one already in your library Instead of creating an entirely new component from scratch you can ungroup the existing component into its primitives then edit the parts Then you can save the edited version as a new library component This method is also useful if you want to make minor adjustments to existing library patterns 3 20 Chapter 3 Tutorials To base a new component on one that already exists 1 Select a component that has been placed on the Board OR Click the Place Component tool on the Tool Bar select a component choose Place place the component somewhere on the Board then select it 2 Choose Edit gt Ungroup Component 3 Choose OK to confirm the ungrouping Even though the component appears unaltered except that component text has been removed each element of the component is now in its primitive state This means that instead of a single component it is now a collection of tracks arcs and pads 4 Use the tools on the Tool Bar to delete edit or add elements to the component 5 Select the Arrow Tool from the Tool Bar 6 Select group all the elements of the edited component by dragging a selection rectangle around them 7 Select the Place Compon
90. e gt lt hole size gt lt use gt EXPLANATION OF PARAMETERS draft code gt 7 shape gt lt xsize gt ysize gt Mos hole size gt Meee lt use gt D11 CIRCULAR D12 SQUARE D13 CIRCULAR D14 CIRCULAR D15 CIRCULAR D16 SQUARE D1 CIRCULAR D18 CIRCULAR D19 CIRCULAR D20 SQUARE D21 CIRCULAR D22 SQUARE D23 CIRCULAR D24 CIRCULAR D25 CIRCULAR D26 CIRCULAR D27 CIRCULAR D28 CIRCULAR D29 CIRCULAR D30 CIRCULAR D31 CIRCULAR D32 CIRCULAR D33 CIRCULAR Code assigned to this aperture e g D14 Note that this code must start with D followed by the code number Can be any of the following shapes CIRCULAR RECTANGULAR SQUARE OCTAGONAL ROUND RECT CROSSHAIR MOIRE size of aperture in the x direction in mils thous size of aperture in the y direction in mils thous size of hole in aperture in mils thous zero if no hole in aperture specifies what the aperture can be used for There are three possible settings LINE can only be used to draw lines FLASH can only be used to flash pads MULTI can be used for either blank defaults to MULTI setting 40 40 0 io 10 0 io 10 0 JZ 12 Q is 15 0 20 20 0 20 20 0 25 25 0 30 30 0 50 so 0 50 so 0 62 62 0 62 62 0 70 70 0 75 75 0 85 85 0 100 100 0 110 110 0 125 125 0 150 150 0 zoo 200 0 250 250 0 40 40 10 Figure 9 9 The STANDARD APT file included with TraxMaker Chapter 9 Importing and Exporting Files
91. e information in a netlist TraxMaker can intelligently spread the parts out on the board making it easier to arrange them for the desired final design Before you can autoroute a board there are a number of functions and concepts related to netlists which you need to understand What is a Net A net is a series of connected tracks pads and vias A net describes a basic network of primitives that are physically connected to each other In Figure 6 1 the thin lines repre sent nets that have not been routed Figure 6 1 Think of a net as a complete electrical pathway The termination points of the net are called nodes Chapter 6 Nets and Netlists 6 1 What is a Netlist A netlist is an ASCII text file listing connections which describe the networks or nets of component connections in an electronic circuit Widely used in electronics CAD packages netlists let you transfer design details between applications such as CircuitMaker and TraxMaker Netlists generally contain two types of information e Descriptions of the individual components e A list of all pin to pin connections Netlists come in various formats but generally they carry similar data TraxMaker can import and export a variety of netlist formats and is thus compatible with many other design software tools The file extension NET is used for TraxMaker netlist files DEMO NET included with TraxMaker is a sample netlist file TraxMaker Netlist
92. e moved deleted cut copied duplicated rotated or mirrored 4 2 Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features Selecting an Item Multilayer components can be selected from any layer If the component is a surface mount device SMD you must be on the correct layer To select an item 1 Click the Arrow Tool on the Tool Bar 2 Position the point of the arrow over the item on your board 3 Click the left mouse button once You know that an item is selected if it changes color White is the default selection color See Chapter 3 Tutorials to learn how to change the colors of your board s layers and selections Selecting Multiple Items Multiple items can be selected using the Arrow Tool or by choosing from the various global Select options from the Edit menu To select multiple items using the Arrow Tool 1 Click the Arrow Tool on the Tool Bar 2 Drag a box around the group of items you want to select Items are selected on ail layers of the board OR Hold down the Shift key and click on each item Only items on the current layer or multi layer items can be selected Now you may cut copy duplicate delete drag rotate or mirror the selection items Selecting Connections and Nets Holding the Ctrl or Alt keys while you click with the Arrow Tool allows you to select connections or entire nets Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features 4 3 Press To Select Ctrl Click All track segments and vias that form the sing
93. e pad as a free pad unconnected or untagged to another layer Convert the pad to one that is connected to the Power Plane and also provides a thermal relief Available when Multi Layer is selected Refer to Figure 4 8 Connect the pad directly to the Power Plane Convert the pad to one that is connected to the Ground Plane and also provides a thermal relief Available when Multi Layer is selected Connect the pad directly to the Power Plane Tagged to Power Plane Tag or mark the pad to the Power Plane for proper routing See About Thermal Relief Pads below for more information Tagged to Ground Plane Tag or mark the pad to the Ground Plane for proper routing See About Thermal Relief Pads below for more information Only this pad Restrict the changes to the currently selected pad Matching pads Restrict the changes to matching in this component pads on the same component as the original selection Changes are made only if the size and shape attributes match the selected pad All matching pads Apply the attribute changes to same hole size pads with matching hole size as well as same size and shape All matching pads Apply the attribute changes to all component or free pads of the same size and shape About Thermal Relief Pads Thermal relief pads are used to facilitate quick and easy soldering and unsoldering of pins that connect to Power or Ground planes Because thermal relief pads have sec
94. ect passes each time the router is run Chapter 7 Routing 7 1 Note TraxMaker s default router settings are not optimal for every situation so adjust the various settings described in this chapter to achieve higher routing completion 7 2 Chapter 7 Routing General Layers Router Grid Draw Layer Routing Setup Routing Passes Smoothing TopLayer Vertical lt I Pre Router I Smooth User Routed IT SMD to Pwr Gnd I Basic SMD Fan Out MidLayer1 NotUsed Z we I Advanced Memory lacs F Line Probe Advanced Passes Mid Layer 2 Not Used bd MV Maze I Arc Replacer Maze Passes 5 Are Bedius 1 MidLayer3 NotUsed Variables r Clearance Routing Grid 25 Via to Via El Midleyer4 NotUsed El tack with fo VierPadto Pad fi Via Size 50 Track to Track 2 tt Horizontai ooo MEL ViaHole Size 28 Track to Via Pad 13 Ss a Figure 7 1 Use the Router tab in the Setup dialog box to choose the routing strategies that will be applied to the design To set up the Router 1 2 Choose Options gt Setup then click on the Router tab Choose the signal layers you want to route and how you want to route them using the settings explained under Layer Routing Setup following this section Select the routing passes using the settings explained under Routing Passes later in this section Select the smoothing passes using the setting explained under Smoothing later in this section Speci
95. ected tracks all the tracks you ve selected Change layer of Make the track layer change apply to all selected tracks all the tracks you ve selected Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features 4 27 9 9 0 al aI The Break Track Tool lets you place one or more breaks ina track for easy removal of a section without disturbing the rest of the track The Re Route Tool lets you reroute an existing track by placing new pivot points every time you click The Break Track Tool amp Use the Break Track tool to insert one or more breaks in previously placed tracks These breaks divide the track into connected segments which can then be easily deleted or manipulated without disturbing the rest of the track To break a track on the current layer 1 Select the Break Track Tool on the Tool Bar 2 Carefully position the cursor at the point of the break then click Although still connected the track is now broken into two segments at the point of the break 3 Click on other points where you wish to insert a break Right click or select another tool to exit Note that if you click and hold the Break Track Tool and move the mouse the track will move and rubberband around the break point until you release the mouse button The Re Route Track Tool lt Use the Re Route Track Tool to reroute previously placed track segments without disturbing the existing connections to pads or other tracks This tool lets
96. ed the Show errors on the fly option and DRC finds an error the net will be highlighted and the cursor will be placed at the offending location Read the information then choose Continue to continue the check Choose Cancel to end the check Chapter 7 Routing 7 21 7 22 Chapter 7 Routing A untitled dre o x File Board filename Untitled PCB Netlist D Program Files CircuitMaker Z2000 Circuits MixedSSS NET 37 28 00 4 28 26 PM Net GND Broken Into 2 Sub Nets Q4 3 uUSs 8 Q2 3 Ul 7 Clearance Error On Net NETQZ_1 Pad 2965 500 Multi Layer Pad 2900 500 Multi Layer Clearance Error On Net NETQ1_1 Pad 2900 500 Multi Layer Pad 2965 500 Multi Layer 3 errors found Figure 7 10 The DRC file lists the errors that the Design Rules Check feature finds Note that as much information as possible has been in cluded in the DRC file to make it easier for you to locate and correct the problem For example the name of the affected net has been included in each error In addition clearance error messages include the X Y coordinate locations and layer where the violation is detected DRC Error Messages The error messages presented in the DRC file alert you to problems that were found during the Design Rules Check Error Message What it Means Component Missing One or more components specified in the netlist are missing from the board Pin Missing One or more pins specified in the netlist are missing
97. eee So eee ee 8 10 Chapter 9 Importing and Exporting Files AutoCAD DXF Files DXF sie tis teen teeee nes eel iel a aeretede bei eeee lite 9 1 Importing DXF files 4 225 220 5 oce2t ah sehen bc pelnegeteeneny eevee elacdeusecbooeusats 9 2 Exporting DXF NSS sre ted Ot resets teh es hima E 9 4 Protel Text PCB Files PCB ocvs2s ch rencerettencies nih atendiuaonennndahionetinedbeuise 9 6 Pick and Place Report ii aia saci miiiaien te ad ane ant 9 7 Bill of Materials Report ccccccceeesseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeasseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 9 8 viii Contents Gerber and N C Drill Files 2 0 0 0 cece cee cecceccecceccecceecescecaeceeceeeaeeneeneans 9 9 The Gerber Photoplotting Process 0 cc ccececcceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeennttaeeees 9 10 Creating Gerber Photoplot Files 022 seccsececeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 9 11 Naming Gerber Files csiis renei 9 14 Using a Photoplot Bureau 2202 3 ee ee es 9 15 About the Gerber File Format cc sc cccessssseseeeseeeecneccteccneeeees 9 16 About Apert re FIGS lt iccccescnarscesesicaads Sina n e e aaa inti 9 18 Creating Custom Aperture Files 2 0 0 0 cece eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 9 20 Setting Up Aperture Matching cccccccccceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 9 20 Matching Apertures siisii di iiiicii rnaen nanie iaia ieia 9 21 Numeric Control Drilling 2 2 22 2 c cccceeeeeeeeecteeectencdeceeeneeenteneteneeeseenons 9 22 About the DRE and TXT Files eeeee
98. eeeeeeeees 6 15 AutoPlacement MDS Jcceztessehstived cada cudsluad iateuneataanerebaad nehetlaeenteat wes 6 15 Multiple Libraries with AutoPlacement 0 seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 6 16 Showing Fiding Nets z c c 2 s 2062 cececk devetvetenteteed na ccetectieeet ee ceeteeteeess 6 17 Findijg a N et ses eeee sk see does eo ceed cals eh ed a EEEREN Ea 6 18 identifying a Net 220 20 nce heheh desea else sss 6 19 Getting Information About the Board eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee 6 19 Chapter 7 Routing Setting Up the Router sks shire etesreetine crete beatae cinta 7 1 Layer Routing Setup e 26203s5 6 erotdsec iden ee een ee 7 2 Ro ting RASS OS eS coccinea a tee 7 4 SUOMI 1353229 so2n2s8 e288 ETT 7 9 NAIR Se ascetic cht ir Sree ta Sd a e Ld ad I 7 10 Clearances gee ee ener nee renee 7 10 Grid Clearance TipS i5 aided aca ceedivavieeheawtinads sad cds ov cee beau diadidadermdcnces 7 10 Contents vii Using the AUtOrouter iii r aiaa eaaa eee eee 7 11 Autorouting the Entire Board ccccceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeenenaaaaeees 7 12 Routing Manually With Net ccceci cece eee e eter ee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 7 13 Autorouting Pad to Pad Without Net eeeeceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeneeee 7 14 Autorouting a Net s c cicee sh eRe a eaei 7 14 Autorouting a Net by Name cccceeeeceeceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeennaaaeeees 7 15 Autorouting a Connection e cece eect eee ereere rreren renerne ree
99. eeeeeeneeeeeerrrrrreesessrrrereeee 9 23 About Drilling Tools and the TOL File eseese 9 24 Creating N C Drill PileSsiccetetd cnet le lnileile etal 9 25 ASCII to Hex Translation 0 0 0 0 eenen eeeeeeeeeerrerereessreeene 9 26 Glossary Index Contents ix xX Contents CHAPTER l Getting Started Introduction Welcome to TraxMaker the most powerful affordable printed circuit board layout program available This proven layout tool combines professional features with an easy to use and intuitive interface And all at a fraction of the cost of high end software Used by itself TraxMaker offers a complete PCB layout and autorouting environment with most of the features you d find in a program costing thousands more When combined with the CircuitMaker schematic capture and simulation package TraxMaker becomes the second half of a tightly integrated start to finish electronic design system called CircuitMaker 2000 TraxMaker Capabilities TraxMaker generates through hole and SMD surface mount device designs of up to six signal layers plus power and ground planes silk screen overlays and solder and paste masks Board size can be as large as 32 inches or 81cm square Placement accuracy is to 1 mil 001 inch or 025 mm A metric imperial grid system allows you to work accurately in both measurement systems and the grid can be toggled between metric and imperial modes as you design The number of components
100. elect a component from the Components list box Click Copy A U N Click Open select a different component library then choose Open 5 Click Paste then OK to confirm the paste into the different library and the component is copied to the different library Managing Pad Libraries This section explains how to use the Pad Selection dialog box see Figure 5 2 to list preview add delete and edit pads It also shows you how to manage create and open pad libraries Normally the library that has been loaded in your previous work session will load automatically when you start Trax Maker The standard pad library that comes with TraxMaker is called TRAXSTD PAD Chapter 5 Managing Libraries Pad Selection xj m Pad File D Program Files CircuitM aker 2000 T raxstd pad Load Pad File New Pad File Select pad m Pattern ROUND250 E Zoom Duf Zoom In New Edit Delete all Merge Pad from File Exit Figure 5 2 Use the Pad Selection dialog box to list preview place add delete copy move and rename pads You can also manage pad libraries About Pads TraxMaker comes with a comprehensive library of standard through hole and surface mount SMD pads A pad library may contain up to 200 pad definitions The standard pad library contains 42 predefined shapes Pads like free pads and vias occupy the Multilayer Top layer or Bottom layer A pad has a unique n
101. em TraxMaker uses the mil 001 inch as its default unit Measurements are stored in imperial format regardless of the display mode Keep Out layer Special Board window layer used to define perimeter s and no go areas for auto component placement and autorouting layer Printed circuit boards are constructed with one or more layers Photo tools or master artwork used to fabricate these layers are generated as individual plot or print files layer bias Alternating the principal direction of track routing on PCB layer pairs Match file A text file MAT extension that records the aperture assignments generated when creating a Gerber plot file metric measure Metric based measurement system using mm millimeter as the base unit of measure for PCB design and fabrication TraxMaker stores all dimensions in imperial format regard less of the display mode Mid layer Any of four layers other than the Top and Bottom layers which can be used for routing the connections on a multi layer PCB mil Unit of imperial measure equal to 001 inch mm Millimeter a unit of measure in TraxMaker 1mm 39 37 mils or 03937 inches minimum X Y The minimum X or Y coordinate of items in the TraxMaker workspace This describes the left most and bottommost coordinates used in the file or plot Multi layer The special display layer used for pads and vias TraxMaker pads and vias can occupy all signal layers Glossary G 5
102. ent outlines are displayed on the Top or Bottom overlay or silkscreen layer Component text designator or label value can be assigned to either the overlay or cop per layers Top and Bottom overlay layers are printed onto the Board surface as an aid to locating components during and after assembly 1 Click the Place Component tool on the Tool Bar or press the C shortcut key on the keyboard Tip If you make the snap grid too small it becomes difficult to precisely place or align items Scroll through the Components list box pictured in Figure 3 5 until you find the DIP16 package then select it p Libraries D Program Files CircuitMaker 2000 T ra New Open Close Compact Components ooo0o0o0000 o0o000000 Zoom In Zoom Qut Figure 3 5 Use the Component Selection dialog box to choose and place a component 3 4 Click Place Type U1 in the Designator text box in the dialog shown in Figure 3 6 Leave the Label Value text box empty Choose OK Label Value Designation fun Figure 3 6 For this tutorial type Ul as the component 5 Designation 5 Press the Spacebar once to rotate the component 90 degrees counterclockwise Drag the component to X 400 Y 2300 then click once to place it The component will be redrawn using the Top Overlay Chapter 3 Tutorials 3 7 3 8 Chapter 3 Tutorials layer color to display the outline and designation of the com
103. ent tool on the Tool Bar 8 Choose Add type a package name for the new compo nent or use the old name to replace the existing component with this new one Choose OK 9 Choose OK to confirm the addition 10 To view the new component select the component name from the list Chapter 3 Tutorials 3 21 3 22 Chapter 3 Tutorials CHAPTER 4 Placing and Editing Features Most of TraxMaker s drawing placing and editing features are accessed through the Tool Bar displayed at the top of the Board Window To select a tool simply click its icon on the Tool Bar You can turn off a tool by clicking the right mouse button or by selecting another tool In this chapter the corresponding Tool Bar icon is shown next to each editing feature that originates from the Tool Bar The Full Screen Cross Cursor TraxMaker lets you choose between a standard or full screen cross cursor The crosshairs of the full screen cross cursor extend across the entire board for increased accuracy This option is very useful for precisely placing and aligning items with other parts of the board To select the full screen cross cursor 1 Choose Options gt Setup 2 Enable the Full Screen Cross Cursor check box found in the Cursor Mode section of the General tab then click OK Note that the cross cursor standard or full screen is only active when you are placing or moving design objects a Figure 4 1 The full screen cross
104. ere you clicked the net becomes sticky and follows the movement of the cursor The net turns into an outline of a track showing the beginning and end points and can now be manually routed Tip You can zoom in or out as needed during routing by pressing the Page Up and Page Down keys 5 Move the cursor to a desired pivot point then click once to lay down track from the starting point to the click point Notice that the track is partially routed to the point where you clicked but the remainder is still sticky Chapter 7 Routing 7 13 Tip You can toggle between routing layers using the key on the keypad A via will be placed automatically With the Route Net option simply click on a rat line 7 14 Chapter 7 Routing Move the cursor to other pivot points and click again to lay down the next section If needed press the asterisk key on the keypad to switch layers at any time A via will automatically be placed each time you switch layers Continue moving and clicking until you are finished routing the track When you have finished right click or press Esc Autorouting Pad to Pad Without Net No netlist is required for Pad to Pad Without Net autorouting The Route Pad to Pad Without Net menu item is the same feature found on the Tool Bar To autoroute a connection when no net is available 1 Choose Route gt Pad to Pad Without Net or click the Route Pad to Pad Witho
105. ers may be positive or negative To create a 14 pin DIP pattern rotated 60 degrees 1 Place a single Round pad 2 Right click on the pad and select Linear Copy from the pop up menu 3 Enter the number of pads in a row 7 the pitch 100 and the angle 60 then choose OK This created the first line of pads Next we will create the first pad of the second line 4 Right click on the original pad and select Linear Copy 5 Enter the number rows 2 the spacing between rows 300 and the angle 60 90 150 then choose OK 6 To create a second line of pads Right click on the new pad and select Linear Copy 7 Enter the number of pads in the second row 7 the pitch 100 and the angle 60 then choose OK For information on adding new components to the library see Chapter 5 Managing Libraries 4 16 Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features o o 090 Radial Copy of a Pad 090 Radial Copy of a Pad You can create a circular pattern of pads by using the Radial Copy feature For example to manually create a footprint for a 300 mil diameter can with 12 pins could be rather tedious However using the Radial Copy command the process is quite simple Option Lets You Number of Radial Pads Specify the total number of pads in the circle Radius of Circle Specify the radius of the circular pattern Offset Angle in Degrees Specify the location of the original pad in the circle in 1 degree increments 0 degrees
106. etting up 8 2 the Board 8 2 with Postscript printers 8 1 Protel netlists loading 6 5 making 6 8 Protel Text PCB Files 9 6 exporting 9 6 importing 9 6 Pwr Gnd Enlargements 8 6 Q Quadrants of Arcs 4 36 Index 10 R Radius ofan Arc 4 36 Raster vs Vector Photoplotting 9 10 Ratsnest 6 17 definition 3 18 displaying tutorial 3 18 Re opening PCB files 2 14 Re Route Track Tool 4 28 README 1 3 Refreshing the screen 4 8 Registering TraxMaker 1 2 Relative Origin changing 2 8 Relief Pads about 4 21 Relief to Ground Plane 4 20 Relief to Power Plane 4 20 Reports Bill of Materials 9 8 Pick and Place 9 7 Reverting PCB files 2 14 Rotate 90 Button 4 13 Rotating arcs 4 13 components 4 13 external planes 4 13 fills 4 13 pads 4 13 text 4 14 text string while placing 4 32 4 33 tracks 4 13 vias 4 13 while placing components 4 13 Route Pad to Pad Without Net Tool 4 23 Routing and existing routes 7 12 and netlists 7 16 automatically tutorial 3 18 bias 7 3 board 7 12 clearances 7 10 connection 7 15 layers 7 3 line probe 7 5 manually with net 7 13 maze passes 7 6 maze routes 7 6 memory routes 7 5 net 7 14 net by name 7 15 optimizing 7 17 pad to pad 4 23 7 14 pad to pad tutorial 3 12 passes 7 4 setting up 7 1 SMD Fan Out 7 5 SMD pads 7 6 SMD to Pwr Gnd 7 5 smoothing 7 9 tips 7 17 using the autorouter 7 11 variables 7 10 viewing layers for 7 3 with Pre Router 7 5 RS
107. face Mount Device Also SMT Surface Mount Technol ogy Components and special PCB assembly techniques for components which attach to either the top or bottom of the PCB without using holes carriers or mounts Glossary G 7 G 8 Glossary snap grid An invisible array of regularly spaced points on the screen which defines the current cursor position and the available location for any object in the TraxMaker workspace snap to Special property of track placement in TraxMaker where tracks will attach to pads without blocking the plotted pad holes if the track is led to within 10 mils 010 inch of the pad center when manually routed software arc Arcs which are plotted by TraxMaker using straight line chord segments See Hardware arcs Solder mask Special plot used to create a mask for the top or bottom layers of a PCB The mask is a resist layer which leaves pads and vias exposed to the solder while protecting any tracks etc solder side Refers to the Bottom side layer of a PCB Status Bar The window or area at the bottom of the screen which displays the current X and Y coordinates of the cursor as well as user prompts string An individual element of free text through hole See Via Also describes PCB technology in which all component pins pass through the PCB Title block Optional line of text which identifies the filename and plot layer track Also called traces used to carry current or si
108. fy the variable settings See Variables later in this section Specify the clearance settings See Clearances later in this section Layer Routing Setup There are six layers that can be used by the auto router This section describes how to set up the layers for routing The routing layers include e Top Layer e Mid Layer 3 e Mid Layer e Mid Layer 4 e Mid Layer 2 e Bottom Layer Enable Viewing of Routing Layers Before you setup the routing layers you should first use the Layers tab in the Setup dialog box see Figure 7 2 to enable viewing of any signal layers you intend to use for routing Note This setting does not control which layers are used in routing only which ones are displayed General Layers Router Grid Draw Routing Layers Other Layers Miscellaneous Colors M Top Layer a I Top Overlay Background l MidLayer1 B I Bottom Overlay ME Selections _ I Mid Layer 2 I Ground Plane p Cut Copy Delete Move T MidLeyers B T Power Plane AllLayers I MidLayera Mr BoardLayer C Current Li F Bottom Layer MEN T Keep Out Layer MENM ange I Multilayer M Ack Layers Cancel Figure 7 2 Enable viewing of the routing layers that you want to set up using the Layers tab in the Setup dialog box To enable layers 1 Choose Options gt Setup and click on the Layers tab 2 Place a check mark beside each layer that you want to view Assig
109. g in quickly on the board 4 40 Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features To fit the board to the window 1 Choose the Fit Board to Window button on the Tool Bar OR Choose View gt Fit Board to Window Setting Up the Draw Mode Use the Draw Mode options in the Setup dialog box see Figure 4 22 to determine how TraxMaker displays the board design Draft mode uses less information and thus has a faster refresh rate Figure 4 23 illustrates the differences between draft final and transparent modes Draw Mode Tracks Draft Final Text Strings Draft f Final Vias C Draft Final Ares Draft Final Fills C Draft Final Pads C Draft Final V Show Pad Holes All Draft IV Show Pad Names i J Transparent Mode All Final Figure 4 22 You can display primitives in draft or final mode and choose whether or not the layers are transpar ent and whether or not to show pad holes and pad names To set up the draw mode 1 Choose Options gt Setup 2 Select either Draft or Final for individual primitives OR Choose All Draft or All Final to set the drawing mode for all primitives 3 Choose other options described below then click OK Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features 4 41 Option Note Because of resolution Show Pad Holes limits you must be zoomed in to see the pad holes and show Dad Namie names on the screen Transparent Mode Tip Draft mode and Trans parent mode allow you to see things
110. gardless of how or when they were placed Zf not checked only the tracks routed by the netlist based routing tools will be smoothed Basic Includes Via Minimization Diagonal Remover Loop Remover Double back Remover Dual Stub Remover Two Via Remover and Arc Replacer if enabled Advanced The advanced smoother uses the Maze router to find better routing paths Multiple passes with the advanced smoother will generally result in better track placement Arc Replacer The Arc Replacer converts 90 degree corners to 90 degree arcs clearances permitting You can specify an arc radius in the Arc Radius text box The arc line width depends on the Track Width router variable setting Only tracks of the same matching width will be modified during a single pass You can reset the Track Width variable and run the arc replacer on other routed or pre routed tracks Chapter 7 Routing 7 9 Tip Make the Auto Place Grid an even multiple of the routing grid 7 10 Chapter 7 Routing Variables The Variable settings define the grid track width via size and via hole size that are used by the autorouter Clearances The Clearance settings define the minimum separations maintained between placed and routed primitives such as tracks to tracks tracks to vias vias to vias vias to pads and pads to pads To change a separation value type it in the appropriate text box Grid Clearance Tips The size of your grid has a ma
111. ge component bypass capacitors are added and the whole group is placed as a unit on the large X and Y grids Any non assigned small components are then placed on the small X and Y grids Grouping and placement of components will be influenced by the netlist optimization method shortest connection distance X bias Y bias that you specified while loading a netlist Using AutoPlacement To arrange the components within the defined Keep Out the AutoPlacement feature uses strategies outlined earlier in AutoPlacement Strategies Chapter 6 Nets and Netlists Note Any components which cannot be placed inside the Keep Out area will be placed outside the perimeter To automatically place a netlist on your Board 1 Choose Netlist gt AutoPlacement 2 Choose Arrange Components Moving Components to Grid Use the Move all Components to Grid option on the AutoPlacement menu to shift the placed component pad centers to a different location based on the grid you specified earlier in the Setup Grid dialog box Normally this will be the grid you intend to use in routing the board Ideally the placement and routing grid will be compatible with the component pad spacing For example standard 100 mil IC pin spacings will allow successful use of 100 50 25 20 10 and 5 mil placement and routing grids If the component has not been created on a compatible grid some pad centers may end up off grid Keeping component pads on the routing gri
112. gn Not all designs are appropriate for autorouting Autorouting should be viewed as another automation tool which if used properly improves your overall productivity While you can view the board as a whole the router is only able to see one connection at a time Understanding and working within the limitations of the autorouter will help you get the best result in terms of overall productivity The variables you define have a significant impact on the completion rate quality and speed of the router The most important factor is the grid selected If you halve the grid you quadruple the number of potential solutions for each route however routing time increases proportionally Off grid pads component layout pre routed connections variables and clearance settings etc will also impact the completion rate and route quality obtained Chapter 7 Routing 7 17 7 18 Chapter 7 Routing To improve router performance Use the Auto Place Grid settings under the Grid Draw tab of the Setup dialog box to locate all pins on the appropriate grid Make sure that you have chosen a grid that fits all the components used such as SMDs The autorouter grid can only be between 5 and 100 mils Re choose Netlist gt Optimize Nets prior to autorouting This updates the internal from to connection list resulting in a more direct routing path Run the Smoothing passes separately from the routing passes This will allow you t
113. gnals on a PCB vector font In TraxMaker a special font that supports pen plotting and photoplotting where letters are formed from individual straight track segments vector plotting A vector photoplotter creates a plot by drawing each stroke and flash individually To create a stroke the film is moved relative to the light source Flashes are made with the film and light source stationary via A special purpose pad with a drilled normally plated hole used to connect tracks on different layers TraxMaker vias are multilayer occupy all board layers See also through hole visible grid An array of dots on the screen which provides a visual reference for positioning items accurately workspace The complete TraxMaker editing environment including the Board window Tool Bar and Menu Bar X Y size The difference between the minimum and maximum coordi nates used on each axis of a PCB or plot that is the height and width of the Board Glossary G 9 G 10 Glossary Index A About TraxMaker 1 1 Absolute Origin changing 2 8 vs relative origin 2 8 Adding new components to library 5 3 new pads to library 5 8 Advanced Smoothing 7 9 Alignment Targets 2 5 All Layers selecting 4 5 Always Confirm Matches Paints 9 21 Any Angle of tracks 4 25 Aperture Files 9 18 auto generation 9 13 creating custom 9 20 embedding in Gerber file 9 13 Aperture Matching 9 20 always confirm matches 9 21 always confirm paints 9
114. h like a television image Raster photoplotters can synthesize a virtually unlimited variety of apertures providing a great amount of flexibility to the designer Chapter 9 Importing and Exporting Files You need to understand the basic function and capabilities of the photoplotter you are targeting in order to make efficient use of its capabilities when you design Contact your photoplot bureau before starting By matching avail able plotting options at the design level with the capabilities of the Gerber photoplot tools can save considerable time and expense Creating Gerber Photoplot Files TraxMaker will generate Gerber files in both RS274D and RS274X formats The primary difference between these two formats is that RS274X has the aperture codes embedded in it while RS274D does not Normally you will want to use the RS274X Gerber format because it is easier to transfer information to the manufac turer and there is far less chance for error or missing data While setting up a TraxMaker Gerber photoplot file is similar to setting up regular printing as described in Chapter 8 Printing and Plotting it includes a few more steps Before You Begin Before creating Gerber photoplot files you should target a specific photoplotter and understand its output capabilities and file format requirements If you are uncertain about this review the preceding information or contact your photoplot bureau or PCB manufacturer Plotting burea
115. he Default Width text box then choose OK General Layers Router Grid Draw Track Cursor Mode Free Text A Orthogonal a c rere Absolute f Relative Defaut Char Height 60 Curved Floating Origin xy 0 0 Defaut Line Width 10 Default Width 15 Set higating Digi f Label Value Text ls it t Default Char Hi 60 Via Size 0 I Eull Screen Cross Cursor Sone es ______________________ _ Default Line Width 10 Hole Si 28 ga Er Drag Mode l M Auto Via Mode C All Tracks Designation Text j Extemal Plane Connected Tracks Default Char Height 60 GridSize 25 C None Default Line Width 10 Track Width 12 Ask for Drag I Copy Uses Same Designators Figure 3 8 The Track and Via setup options are found under the General tab of the Setup dialog box Selecting the Via Size A via is a special type of pad used to pass current from one layer of a PCB to another Like through hole pads Trax Maker vias occupy the Multi Layer Another setting you ll change is the via size see Figure 3 8 A larger via size will work better with the larger track size you just chose To change the default via size 1 Choose Options gt Setup The Via setup options are located on the left side under the General tab see Figure 3 8 2 Type 60 in the Via Size text box then choose OK Chapter 3 Tutorials 3 9 Tip It s easier to place items precisely when you Zoom inon the area where you are worki
116. he Tool Bar Mirroring Items While Moving To mirror a component while your placing it 1 Select the Place Component Tool on the Tool Bar Select a component from the Component list box Choose Place or Place and Return A WwW N Press Y to flip the component on the Y axis press X to flip the component on the X axis 5 Click the mouse to place the component in the mirrored position The Place Pad Tool Free pads pads that are not part of a library component can be placed manually anywhere in your design Through hole pads and vias are Multi Layer objects which occupy each layer of the PCB Single layer pads like pads in SMD components or edge connectors can be placed on the Top or Bottom layers You can place a through hole multilayer pad or a via without regard to the current layer selection TraxMaker pad libraries identified by the PAD filename extension store up to 200 standard pad descriptions TraxMaker is shipped with 42 predefined pads You can edit 4 14 Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features the standard pad library or create custom libraries However only one pad library may be opened at a time See Chapter 5 Managing Libraries for more information To place a pad 1 Click the Place Pad Tool on the Tool Bar to display the dialog box in Figure 4 6 2 Scroll through the Select pad list box until you find the pad you want to place 3 Select the pad name then click Place 4 Position the cursor
117. he arc radius which is displayed on the Status Bar 3 Release the mouse button to open the Edit Arc dialog box 4 Select the arc options from the dialog box pictured in Figure 4 19 see the following table for option descrip tions then choose OK Radius 125 Line Width fo pise v X position 2375 IV Position 2075 Layer B or Layer X Figure 4 19 Use Edit Arc to define the attributes of an arc Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features 4 35 Option Lets You Radius Make precise adjustments to the arc radius after you have placed it Line Width Specify the thickness of the arc s line X Position Change the x coordinate of the arc by typing a value referenced at the center of the arc Y Position Change the y coordinate of the arc by typing a value referenced at the center of the arc Layer Change the layer the arc is on by choosing from the drop list Quadrant Select the quadrant represented by numbers in which you want the arc to appear ee an Arc Select the Arrow Tool from the Tool Bar 2 Double click the arc you want to edit 3 Make any changes in the Edit Arc dialog box see previous section then choose OK The Place Fill Tool E Use the Place Fill Tool to add fills to the board Fills or area fills are solid copper rectangles placed on signal layers to provide shielding or short items together Fills of varying sizes can be combined to cover irregularly shaped areas of the PCB as is
118. he routing so move ahead directly to Step 5 Using the Autorouter Chapter 3 Tutorials 3 15 3 16 Chapter 3 Tutorials Step 2 Defining a Keep Out Layer If you are loading a netlist that is in a format other than TraxMaker format or you are loading a netlist without using CircuitMaker proceed now with Steps 2 through 5 One of the most important layers for automated board creation is the Keep Out layer Its purpose is to define keep out areas so that the AutoPlacement and Auto Router features know where to place components and how to route them Placing a rectangle of tracks on this layer creates a perimeter which is never crossed nor touched To define a Keep Out boundary 1 Start TraxMaker and choose File gt New to start a new PCB file 2 Choose Options gt Setup click on the Layers tab then select Keep Out Layer to activate it and choose OK 3 Click on the Layer selection list at the bottom of your screen then select the Keep Out Layer Select the Place Track tool on the Tool Bar Place the cursor at X 100 Y 100 and click once Move the cursor to X 100 Y 1100 and click Move the cursor to X 2100 Y 1100 and click Move the cursor to X 2100 Y 100 and click q A A A Finally move the cursor to where you started X 100 Y 100 click once then Right click to turn off the Place Tracks tool You now have a 2 x 1 rectangular Keep Out boundary Step 3 Loading a Netlist A netlist is a text file l
119. hematic the Package name for that device should be DIP 14 so that TraxMaker can choose and place the correct component pattern for that device See the Footprint Library Guide for a complete listing of all TraxMaker component patterns Click the TraxMaker button in the CircuitMaker toolbar When you are exporting a TraxMaker PCB netlist from CircuitMaker you can choose to automatically start TraxMaker load the netlist create a keep out layer and Auto Place the components After you ve clicked the TraxMaker button the following CircuitMaker dialog box appears Export PCB Netlist xj TraxMaker z TraxMaker Options IV Run TraxMaker and load netlist p Board Size in mils x 2000 IV Create keep out layer M Automatically place components vy f1000 Find TraxMaker Cancel Figure 3 12 CircuitMaker s Export PCB Netlist Dialog Box From here you can choose what netlist format you which to export and use the automated TraxMaker features listed 4 Change the Board Size fields to X 2000 and Y 1000 then click OK 5 CircuitMaker will prompt you to save the TraxMaker netlist using the circuit s filename with a net extension Click Save 6 TraxMaker then opens automatically a Keep Out layer is drawn the netlist loads and a Netlist Load report opens to show the results of the loaded netlist Click OK and the components are then spread out on the board You are now ready to proceed with t
120. hlighted Strings Allstrings M String Position x 1925 y 425 Cancel Option Text Character Height Track Width Layer Rotation Mirror Only This String Highlighted Strings All Strings String Position X String Position Y Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features Lets You Change the text in the string Change the height of the characters Adjust the thickness of the charac ters Select the layer on which to place the text string Rotate the text 90 180 or 270 degrees in a counterclockwise direction Leave the setting as None to not rotate text Create a mirror image ofthe text Apply width and height changes only to a single string Apply width and height changes to all the highlighted text strings Apply width and height changes to all the text strings on the board Change the x coordinate of the string position by typing a value referenced at the lower left corner of the text string Change the y coordinate of the string position by typing a value referenced at the lower left corner of the text string 4 33 Setting Text Size Defaults By default TraxMaker text strings are 60 mils in height and 10 mils thick Using the Text options of the Setup dialog box see Figure 4 18 you can change these defaults To set up text defaults 1 Choose Options gt Setup 2 Specify the Character Height and Line Width thick ness for Free Text the text that is
121. iate pads are preassigned to the power and ground planes These nets are then regarded as routed For example because bypass capacitor pads connect directly to the Power and Ground planes they will not be placed next to the appropriate components if the pads are preassigned To use AutoPlace with these such components 1 Define a Keep Out layer 2 Choose Netlist then load a netlist 6 12 Chapter 6 Nets and Netlists 3 Choose Netlist gt AutoPlacement gt Arrange Compo nents All components including the bypass capacitors that use the ground and power planes will be placed 4 Choose Netlist gt Pwr Gnd Plane Nets then assign power or ground nets 5 Reload the netlist to connect the Power and Ground pins to the correct plane Each assigned pin will be marked to indicate the connection as shown in Figure w 3 Figure 6 8 Pads are displayed different ways depending on their connection to the Power or Ground planes From left a regular pad with no connection a pad that is connected as a thermal relief and a pad with a direct connection By selecting the SMD to Pwr Gnd option on the Router Setup dialog box TraxMaker connects these pads during autorouting using stringers short track to through pad connections See Chapter 7 Routing for more information Figure 6 9 shows the effect of pin assignments on solid copper mid planes Figure 6 9 This represents how pins actually connect to the solid cop
122. ibility lt 0 etaen tins ohne alee ies 2 12 TraxMaker Preferences 505 0essceceecececceccceccte cate eeeeeeeeeeteeeeeeees 2 12 Loading a Different Preferences File eeeeeecceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee 2 13 Saving Preferences to a New File ceeeeeseeeeeeeeeeetteeeeeeeeeeees 2 13 Restoring Factory Defaults ccccccccceeeeeeececceeeeceeeeeeeeseeteneseeeess 2 13 Basic PCB File Management cccccceceeeeeeeeeteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 2 14 Starting Saving amp Closing a PCB File 20 eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 2 14 Opening and Reopening a PCB File cece eceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 2 14 Reverting to Previously Saved File ceeeeeeeeeeeeeeteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 2 14 Merging FileSend ane e Metab aden dada as Pe feee 2 15 Chapter 3 Tutorials Tutorial 1 Manual Board Creation cccccceececeeeeeeeeeeeeeteeeeeeeenneaeeees 3 1 Step 1 Getting Started eerie reeeo eetere retirer rrenean neinna 3 2 Step 2 Setting Up the Board Layers 2 2 0 cccseeceececeeeeeeeteeeeeeeee 3 2 Step 3 Defining a Board Outline 2 0 0 ee eceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 3 4 Step 4 Placing Components cccccccccccceeeeeesseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeenees 3 6 Step 5 Connecting the Component ccceceeeceeeeeceeeeeeeeneeeeeees 3 8 Step 6 Checking Your Work 2 c c c c cccecteecceesenenenegeeeeeeetee rete 3 13 Tutorial 2 Automated Board
123. in TraxMaker TraxMaker accepts netlists directly from CircuitMaker and imports and exports most other popular netlist formats including Protel Tango OrCAD PCB II and others See Chapter 6 Nets and Netlists for more informa tion TraxMaker provides layer support and library component patterns for both through hole and surface mount SMD components About TraxMaker Layers TraxMaker stores each design as a series of layers which correspond in a general sense to the layers that make up an actual printed circuit board For example the Top Overlay layer is used to produce a top layer silkscreen with compo nent outlines and text This concept of multilayered design distinguishes Trax Maker from other drawing or design applications Although all the layers in your design can be viewed simultaneously you will need to select an individual layer in order to place those items which belong to that layer such as tracks fills or text Figure 2 1 illustrates a basic layout that includes two layers component text Top Overlay component outline ta Top Overlay pad Multi Layer o fo track Top Layer track Bottom Layer Paa on via Multi Layer Z Figure 2 1 A simple multilayer example 2 2 Chapter 2 Overview of TraxMaker TraxMaker also includes some special display layers which do not directly correspond to final manufactured board layers One example is the Multi Layer In TraxMaker pads and
124. inate the time consuming and error prone process of matching the closest appropriate aperture to the actual design Many otherwise unnecessary strokes and fills can be avoided resulting in a faster plot Some Bureaus may be able to generate Gerber files directly from your PCB format files About the Gerber File Format A Gerber format file describes a photoplot as a series of draft codes or commands and coordinates The draft codes control the aperture to be used turning the light on or off Coordinates define the position of the various flashes and strokes on the plot This information is stored as an ASCII text file Figure 9 8 shows a sample Gerber file for the Top layer of a Board The structure of Gerber files can vary due to a number of optimizations that have been added to the format over time to address the changing capabilities of plotting hardware Your photoplot bureau may need to know details regarding TraxMaker s use of Gerber format so it has been described here 9 16 Chapter 9 Importing and Exporting Files TraxMaker Gerber files are divided into individual com mands followed by a carriage return then a line feed Each record ends with an asterisk All numeric values are expressed in the 2 3 format and leading zeroes are dis carded This means that there are up to two digits before the decimal place and three after Thus 25 675 inches would be represented as 25675 and 5 87 inches as 58
125. isting all the components and connec tions for an electronic circuit Netlists allow automated component placement automated routing of connections and design rule checking These functions eliminate much of the tedious manual effort inherent in PCB design Your next objective is to load a netlist this example uses Pcb net created in CircuitMaker which is included with your copy of TraxMaker 1 Choose Netlist gt Load Netlist and select the type of netlist you wish to import in this case TraxMaker 2 Select Netlist and Components then choose OK 3 Select the netlist file you wish to import Pcb net for this example then choose Open 4 You are prompted to click at the location where you want to place components Click somewhere inside the Keep Out area Notice that the components of the netlist are piled on top of one another in one place on the Board This is normal as they will be arranged later using the AutoPlacement feature 5 Examine the information in the Netlist Load dialog box For this tutorial you ll accept the default options Choose OK For more information about netlist options see Chapter 6 Nets and Netilists Step 4 Using AutoPlacement AutoPlacement relieves you from having to individually select components from the library and place them one at a time in the Board window AutoPlacement also groups components using placement strategies to make final optimization of the layout more efficient Re
126. ists 6 3 TraxMaker netlists 6 2 File management 2 14 Fill Tool 4 36 Fills copying 4 7 cutting 4 6 duplicating 4 8 editing 4 37 mirroring 4 14 pasting 4 7 placing 4 36 rotating 4 13 Finding components 4 13 location on Board 2 8 pads 4 18 text 4 32 Fit Board to Window Tool 4 40 Floating Origin 2 8 Format of Gerber files 9 16 of TraxMaker netlists 6 2 other netlists 6 3 Free Disk Space 6 21 Free Pads 4 20 Full Screen Cross Cursor 4 1 G G54 Code and Photoplotting 9 13 GBL Files 9 15 GBO files 9 15 GBS Files 9 15 GDD Files 9 15 GDG Files 9 15 Gerber File Format 9 16 draft codes 9 17 RS274D 9 11 RS274X 9 11 Gerber Photoplotting about 9 10 about Gerber file format 9 16 always confirm matches 9 21 always confirm paints 9 21 and draft codes 9 17 aperture files 9 18 aperture matching 9 20 bureaus 9 15 creating Gerber files 9 11 G54 code 9 13 Gerber file types 9 15 naming Gerber files 9 14 oversize aperture matching 9 21 selecting photoplot layers 9 13 setting up defaults 9 11 software arcs 9 13 undersize aperture matching 9 21 vector vs raster 9 10 view MAT file after matching 9 21 x and y offsets 9 12 GGD Files 9 15 GKO Files 9 15 Global Select Options 4 4 GMI Files 9 15 GM2 Files 9 15 GM3 Files 9 15 GM4 Files 9 15 GPM Files 9 15 GPW Files 9 15 Grid imperial metric 1 1 moving components to 6 15 setting up 2 7 setting up before autoplacemenet 6 11 tips for routing 7 10 Ground Plane 2 5
127. iting TraxMaker OR Choose File gt Exit then Yes to exit TraxMaker and save your work Opening and Reopening a PCB File Note The Open command 1 Choose File gt Open will open TraxMaker PCB i files Autotrax PCB and 2 Select the file with PCB extension that you want to Protel Text PCB files open then choose Open You can open any ofthe last 4 PCB files you ve had open 3 Choose File gt Reopen 4 Select the file you want to open Reverting to Previously Saved File If you made changes to a PCB file that you don t wish to save you may revert to the last version of the file you saved under the same filename To revert to the previously saved file 1 Choose File gt Revert 2 14 Chapter 2 Overview of TraxMaker Merging Files Merging files lets you combine two or more PCB files together as one To merge a file into the current file 1 Choose File gt Merge 2 Select the PCB file that you want to combine with the currently opened file then choose Open You are presented with an outline representing the size of the Board that is to be merged 3 Position the outline then click to complete the merge Chapter 2 Overview of TraxMaker 2 15 2 16 Chapter 2 Overview of TraxMaker CHAPTER 3 Tutorials The following tutorials provide step by step instructions for basic manual and automated PCB layout in TraxMaker Fora more thorough explanation of the specific processes used in these tutoria
128. ividual batches to accommodate the different setups required for each layer Naming Gerber Files Now that you have selected the photoplot layers adjusted Gerber defaults and defined how you want aperture matching to be handled you are ready to name the Gerber file s that will be created 9 14 Chapter 9 Importing and Exporting Files To name the Gerber files type the filename without an extension of the Gerber file s in the Gerber filename text box or select one using the Browse button to the right By default TraxMaker will use the board name as the Gerber filename Click OK TraxMaker will automatically assign unique extensions to Gerber files that correspond to the layers you selected earlier These special extensions make it easy to identify the many individual files that can be produced The following table illustrates how photoplotted layers are named Top overlay GTO Ground Plane GGD Top layer GIL Power Plane GPW Mid layer 1 GM1 Top Solder Mask GTS Mid layer 2 GM2 Bottom Solder Mask GBS Mid layer 3 GM3 Top Paste Mask GTP Mid layer 4 GM4 Bottom Paste Mask GBP Bottom overlay GBO Drill Drawing GDD Bottom layer GBL Drill Guide GDG Keep Out layer GKO Pad Master GPM Before submitting your Gerber files to your Board manufac turer it is a good idea to check them using one of the Gerber previewing programs which are widely available often at no charge TraxMaker includes a free Gerber viewer on the CD version of
129. jor impact on router perfor mance A smaller grid provides more potential paths for connecting tracks and therefore tends to improve comple tion rates However halving the grid size increases the potential routing paths by a factor of four with a proportion ate increase in routing time The grid used by the autorouter is determined by the Routing Grid setting The Auto Place Grid see the Grid Draw tab of the Setup dialog box should be an even multiple of the Routing Grid For example components placed on a 100 mil Auto Place Grid could be successfully routed on a 100 50 25 20 10 or 5 mil Routing Grid It is important to understand that grid and clearance settings are interdependent Routing failures can occur where clearances seem adequate but cannot be used because the grid position restricts track placement For example there might be sufficient clearance between pads for two tracks but only a single track can be routed because the grid is too large with only one path between the pads see Figure 7 6 Figure 7 6 Adjacent grid points are inside the minimum Track to Pad clearance You can see where the autorouter will attempt to place routes by setting the Visible Grid equal to the Routing Grid Then zoom in until the grid dots are visible The router will attempt to place tracks only where the grid is visible Using the Autorouter Having specified the Router settings you are ready to autoroute connections Yo
130. ker layers using an SET file which you must create as a reference Creating an SET file When importing a DXF file to multiple TraxMaker layers you must first create an SET file which maps each DXF layer to a TraxMaker layer An SET file is a simple text file that can be created using any text editor standard set TL_STR TopOverlay TL_TRA TopOverlay TL_ARC TopOverlay TL_PAD TopOverlay TL_FIL TopOverlay ML1_ TRA TopLayer ML1_STR TopLayer MLL1 ARC TopLayer ML1 FIL TopLayer ML2 TRA MidLayerl ML2 STR MidLayerl ML2 ARC MidLayerl Figure 9 2 Standard set an example of an SET text file which maps each layer in the DXF file you are importing to a TraxMaker layer An SET file is simply a two column text file that maps each layer of the DXF file you are importing to a TraxMaker layer The left column is the from column containing the names of the DXF layers and the right is the to column with the names of the TraxMaker layers The columns need only be separated by a single space Chapter 9 Importing and Exporting Files 9 3 Professional Edition ocean E pale 9 4 1 Open any text editing program i e MicroSoft Word Notepad etc Type the name of the first DXF layer followed by a space then type the name of the TraxMaker layer you want that information converted to Hit Return and repeat for each individual DXF layer Save the file as text only with the SET extension after the file name E
131. le connection between two or more pads Alt Click An entire net or series of connected tracks pads and vias Ctrl Shift Click Multiple connections one per click Alt Shift Click Multiple nets one per click Once selected you may edit cut copy duplicate delete drag rotate or mirror the selection items Global Select Options Along with the Arrow Tool select options there are also many global select options available from the Edit menu To globally select items 1 Choose Edit gt Select 2 Click one of the following select options Option To Select All Everything on the entire board Allon Layer Everything on a single board layer All Tracks All tracks on the entire board All Free Pads All free pads on the entire board All Vias All vias on the entire board All Text Strings All text strings on the entire board All Components All components on the entire board Now you may cut copy duplicate delete drag rotate or mirror the selection items Including Different Layers in a Selection You can specify the layers that are included in an area selection before you cut copy delete or move a group of items on the Board 4 4 Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features Note You can abort a move by pressing the Esc key before releasing the mouse button To include different layers in a selection 1 Choose Options gt Setup and click on the Layers tab 2 Select one of the following options from the Cut Co
132. leaner planes but more time will be required to generate the plane and plot the board Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features 4 39 The Zoom Tool amp The Zoom tool lets you expand and contract your view of the board window When the Zoom tool is active the cursor changes to a magnifying glass image To zoom 1 Click the Zoom Tool from the Tool Bar Left click in the board window to zoom in While holding the Shift key left click to zoom out A U N Right click the mouse to turn off the Zoom Tool and turn on the Arrow Tool Notice that the magnifying glass has a in it when you can zoom in and a when you are zooming out The Select Area and Zoom Tool ia You can enlarge a selection so that it fills the entire board window This is a convenient way of zooming in quickly on a particular part of the board To fit a selection to the Window 1 Choose the Select Area and Zoom Tool on the Tool Bar 2 Click and drag a rectangular outline that selects the area that you want to fit inside the boundaries of the board window then release OR 1 Select the Arrow Tool from the Tool Bar 2 Click and drag a rectangular outline that selects the area that you want to fit inside the boundaries of the board window 3 Choose View gt Fit Selection to Window The Fit Board to Window Tool amp You can enlarge your view of the board so that it fills the entire board window This is a convenient way of zoomin
133. llowing topics e Creating a new component from scratch e Creating a new component based on an existing one You can create components in one of two ways The first way is to create individual primitives group them then add them to the library The other way is to base a new compo nent on an existing one Both of these methods are de scribed below this same information can also be found in Chapter 5 Managing Libraries Chapter 3 Tutorials 3 19 Step 1 Creating a component from scratch 1 Using the tools on the Tool Bar Place Track Place Pad Place Arc etc create the component as you would like it to appear You can use the Duplicate command from the Edit menu to quickly place rows or columns of evenly spaced pads Caution Regardless of how it will be used draw the A new component as though it were going to be mounted on the top layer using through hole or top layer pads and top overlay Note Pin 1 of a component 2 Give each pad in the new component a pad designation is the reference point pin number See the Editing a Pad section of Chapter meaning the rotation axis 4 Placing and Editing Features for more details on and the placement cursor will pad designations be based on the position of 3 Choose the Arrow Tool and select all the primitives of the new component by dragging a selection rectangle around them that pin 4 Click the Place Component tool on the Tool Bar 5 Choose Add type a package nam
134. ls see the other chapters in this User Manual There are three tutorials covering the following topics Tutorial 1 Manual Board Creation Tutorial 2 Automated Board Creation Tutorial 3 Creating New Components Footprints The step by step processes covered in the following tutorials follow the general order in which they would normally be performed Working through the examples will provide a general understanding of the way TraxMaker works and will illustrate that there is often more than one way of doing a given task Note The tutorials in this Tutorial 1 Manual Board Creation chapter are based on The first tutorial covers the following topics TraxMaker s default settings and default library If you Starting a new TraxMaker file have made changes to either of these your results e Setting up the board layers ile ie Wustetee e Defining the board outline e Placing components e Connecting the components with tracks e Checking your work Chapter 3 Tutorials 3 1 Step 1 Getting Started Begin by starting the TraxMaker program and if necessary clearing the workspace by choosing File gt New Most TraxMaker manual PCB layout operations involve one of four basic tasks placing objects such as components tracks or pads onto your Board moving these objects editing objects for example changing the track width or pad shape or deleting objects Step 2 Setting Up the Board Layers Normally you will start a pr
135. national Limited Microsoft and Microsoft Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation Orcad is a registered trademark of Cadence Design Systems PADS is a registered trademark of PADS Software All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners Printed by Star Printery Pty Ltd Table of Contents Chapter 1 Getting Started IPMOGUGUOMN Sacsitesaks st paunecenpenetiasasait ices ati a a a a a 1 1 TiraxMaker Capabilities can ctitesiecuasces casei cable a a 1 1 Differences with Other Applications seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 1 2 Getting Ready to Install 2 cccceccecieteeee eset ened eeeedeeesheceesedheseneesessececneones 1 2 Read the README File scsisc2nccseee eck cctied onaneenceasbaksd ackigacas 1 2 System Requirements sisien eian 1 3 Installing TraxMaker sccs occa anh toutedteeetenlecdsede oases aes eek 1 3 Installing TraxMaker on a LAN 0 eee eee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaeeeeeeeeeeees 1 3 Technical SUD DOM s zssicescenetsendtentatesiccsaie iad a a a 1 4 About the Doc mentation messere nie ae muaes 1 5 User Manual Contents ss igen sssscctiscsasctacesancicss eelaceaetoneaaehe teas 1 5 Manual Conventions ai cdenc sicivistcavaeacbeavticuiuwadas padded Biden ee saceess 1 7 Using On line Help c 250525 ccecececeiecesecereearen eee neat endetiecetee ates 1 7 Chapter 2 Overview of TraxMaker IFAMOCMICHON se ces steve EE T 2 1 COMMECUVICY e e e avin iain Stent bet A da ea E AE En 2 1
136. nd vias which occupy all layers While not true layers the Background and Selections may have colors assigned to them so you can distinguish between them Using the Mouse As in other Windows applications TraxMaker uses the mouse for clicking selecting and dragging When moving the mouse a corresponding selection tool or cursor movement occurs on the screen The familiar pointer Arrow Tool is used for standard Windows operations such as choosing from menus and dialog boxes You can return to the standard Arrow Tool by selecting the tool from the Tool bar pressing Esc or clicking the right mouse button Units Grids amp Coordinates Printed circuit boards are usually manufactured to very close tolerances TraxMaker provides an absolute design resolu tion of 1 mil 001 inch or 0254 mm which should provide sufficient precision for most PCB design tasks Not all printed circuit boards use the English or Imperial system of measurement For this reason TraxMaker also lets you use the metric system Changing the Units of Measure You can display the Board window coordinates and other dimensional information in either millimeters mm or mils 1mil 001 inch When you specify a unit of measure all measurements and inputs are made in that system To change the units of measure 1 Choose Options gt Setup and click on the Grid Draw tab 2 Select either English mils or Metric mm 2 6 Chapter 2 Over
137. nen 7 15 Unrouting Alnes eeaeee aus a 7 16 Unro ti g a Netea e eee 7 16 Unrouting a COnmeCtl Omir sis ssieeads nie vaas ain diecsteletelatetetenstecec tenes ated 7 16 Netlists and AUtOROUTING 2 cece cece eneee eee e eee e eee teeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeea 7 16 Getting the Best Result from Autorouting cceeceeeeeeeeeeeeees 7 17 Optimizing Netlists rc cosines stse ee ws cca ed Gee ieee 7 18 TRAXEDIT LOG ves ceestet esate tite laredd a a celia 7 20 Design Rules Checking 222 fsi on oat cote oh ech ee Rei bee Rel edatebetesbiae ss 7 20 DRC Error Messages i2223 c2 ca diecatn entice rd Dkr nee et 7 22 Chapter 8 Printing and Plotting Printing PCB AMWOIK 2 525 feds e ee a sm tact ee en Taen Teen Te cielametidetomisacs 8 1 PostScript Printers iscetcacseea iain dadeces canine standsasetanscdentaceaatesuasanendensaectan 8 1 POLO PIOMING a x cln chs ctl tithe it iat eet else aie aet ein eet Lat hots 8 2 Before You Print a PCB cccvceis sce teecastcaauideteas aSdiadee cede cen cet ee 8 2 Setting Up the Printer o lon te lededuelecn te ldeceneecbeelecnidess 8 2 Printing the PCB acces oc cci cic oie a at a ok 2 ee he Sa aes 8 3 Setting Up Print Options scccscaisevcs cits deneesaauteas Saas dutdetedaacteativen oeheans ot 8 4 THE PIGELAVGIS sa tecisicrseesitenatices is anactwad ca tateas Sadar Eni aae SEE aE 8 7 Producing Quality Printouts e0isic catentecateeselorl atone tiateetet 8 9 Postscript Printing ics cleat teats Satceey tee eee ea
138. ng Tip You can toggle between layers using the or keys on the keypad When you toggle between copper layers while placing a track a via is placed automatically 3 10 Chapter 3 Tutorials Identifying Components and Pins Before you can route your connections you will need to identify the components and pin numbers to be connected The Find option lets you quickly move the cursor to a predetermined location This can save you from having to constantly zoom in to see the pin numbers and zoom out to navigate around your design and is particularly useful for large or complex layouts To quickly find components and pin numbers 1 Choose Edit gt Find gt Component 2 Select U1 from the Component list box and 1 from the Pin list box Choose OK Note that the cursor goes to component U1 pin number 1 and that the component is selected Placing Tracks Now that you have set up the track and via sizes and you know how to find components and pins you re ready to make your first connection Your objective is to connect U1 1 to U2 1 by first placing a via Make sure that you are on the Top Layer then follow these steps 1 Select the Place Via Tool on the Tool Bar 2 Position the cursor at X 400 Y 2000 then click to place a via there Right click to turn off the Place Via Tool 3 Select the Place Track Tool from the Tool Bar 4 Click once at the center of U1 1 5 Drag the track to the via you placed earlier Positi
139. ning Routing Layers and Bias The connections that are routed on the active routing layers follow the direction bias you assign in the Layer Routing Setup group box of the Router tab in the Setup dialog box see Figure 7 3 Chapter 7 Routing 7 3 Note A directional bias tells TraxMaker which way to route connections on each layer 7 4 Chapter 7 Routing Layer Routing Setup Top Layer vertical MidLayer1 NotUsed MidLayer2 NotUsed Z MidLayer3 NotUsed MidLayer4 NotUsed J Bottom Layer Horizontal Figure 7 3 You can assign one or more layer pairs for routing with alternate horizontal and vertical routing biases If you set a layer to Single Layer all other layers will automatically be set to Not Used Single layer simply means that routing will take place on one designated layer only without bias allows both horizontal and vertical tracks and without vias To set up layer routing direction bias 1 Choose Options gt Setup and click on the Router tab 2 Choose Horizontal Vertical or Not Used for the layers to be routed OR Choose Single Layer to route all tracks on only that layer 3 Make other changes to the Router setup or choose OK Routing Passes Routing passes displayed in the group box by the same name are processed in the order listed The simpler and faster passes are run first followed by the more complex strategies Routing Pass What It Does Pre Router
140. nt 5 6 of components opening 5 5 of pads 5 6 using multiple component 5 5 6 16 Limitations of DXF file format 9 2 of netlists 6 4 TraxMaker 1 1 Line Probe Routing 7 5 Line Width of Arcs 4 36 Loading a netlist tutorial 3 16 netlist with shortest path 6 7 netlist with X and Y bias 6 7 netlists 6 5 Local Area Network installing TraxMaker on 1 4 Location on Board finding 2 8 Locked in Place and AutoPlacement 6 9 components 4 12 LOG Files 7 20 M Make Netlist command 6 8 Managing component libraries 5 1 pad libraries 5 6 TraxMaker files 2 14 Manual conventions 1 7 Match Existing Tool File 9 26 Matching Apertures 9 20 always confirm matches 9 21 always confirm paings 9 21 automatically 9 13 oversize 9 21 undersize 9 21 viewing MAT file 9 21 Matching Pads changing at same time 4 21 Maze Passes 7 6 Maze Routing 7 6 Measurement Tool 4 2 Memory Routes 7 5 Merging component libraries 5 6 PCB files 2 15 Metric Grid 1 1 Mid Layer 2 5 8 7 Mil definition 1 1 Mirror Tool 4 14 Mirroring arcs 4 14 components 4 14 external planes 4 14 fills 4 14 pads 4 14 text strings 4 14 text strings while placing 4 32 4 33 tracks 4 14 vias 4 14 while placing components 4 14 Mouse usage 2 6 Moving arcs 4 5 components 4 5 external planes 4 5 pads 4 5 text strings 4 5 the Board display see Panning 4 9 tracks 4 5 tracks and dragging 4 6 vias 4 5 Multi Layer 2 6 about 2 2 Multiple Connections selecting 4
141. nt Selection dialog box choose Compact 2 Choose Yes to confirm the compact Creating a New Component Library TraxMaker gives you the ability to create new component libraries For example you may want to have a different library for a specific design project To create a new component library 1 Click the Place Component tool on the Tool Bar 2 Click New 3 Type anew name for the library then click Save Or type the name of an existing library filename to update or replace an existing library click Save then Yes to confirm the replacement The new component library is listed among the other libraries in the list box Opening a Different Component Library You may discover while placing components on the Board that you need a component from a different library If so switching to another library on the fly is easy Chapter 5 Managing Libraries 5 5 5 6 To open a different library 1 Click the Place Component tool on the Tool Bar 2 Choose Open on the Component Selection dialog box select the name of the different library then choose Open OR If you ve already opened a library and its name appears in the Libraries list box click the name to quickly open it Merging Component Libraries Use the Copy and Paste features in the Component Selec tion dialog box to copy a component from one library to another To copy a component between libraries 1 Click the Place Component tool on the Tool Bar S
142. o autoroute 5 Continue autorouting individual connections by clicking them Right click or press Esc to turn off the autorouter Chapter 7 Routing 7 15 Note The Unroute com mands only unroute tracks that were routed using netlist based tools 7 16 Chapter 7 Routing Unrouting All The Unroute All command allows you to unroute all tracks on the board that were routed using netlist based routing tools In other words routing done with any of the routing tools except the Place Track tool and the Pad to Pad Without Net tool will be unrouted To unroute the entire board choose Route gt Unroute All Unrouting a Net The Unroute Net command allows you to unroute an entire net by clicking on a track in that net To unroute a net 1 Choose Route gt Unroute Net 2 Click ona track to unroute the entire net associated with that track 3 Repeat step 2 for as many nets as you wish to unroute then Right Click or press Esc to end Unrouting a Connection The Unroute Connection command allows you to unroute an entire connection by clicking on a track in that connection To unroute a connection 1 Choose Route gt Unroute Connection 2 Click on a track to unroute the entire connection associated with that track 3 Repeat step 2 for as many connections as you wish to unroute then Right Click or press Ese to end Netlists and AutoRouting A netlist contains all the connections in a circuit but has no information
143. o revert to the routed results if you are not happy with the smoothing Minimize the connection distances of components such as resistors The visible ratsnest that is dis played when you choose Netlist gt Show Nets gt All Nets gives you a good opportunity to reposition components Choose Help gt Get Info see Figure 7 8 to monitor the overall connection length as you move components to optimize the layout A lower total connection distance will improve routing Minimum 0 00in Total Connection Length 53 650 in Minimum 0 09in Disk Size 15952513 KB x Size 6 10in Free Disk Space 13794571 KB Y Size 6 01 in Arcs 9 List Components Components 21 Fills 0 List Highlighted Pins Holes 132 Ees Pads 132 List Power Pins Text Strings 0 Tracks 4 List Ground Pins Vias 0 Nets 25 Connections 60 Routed Figure 7 8 Use the Information dialog box to monitor overall connection length as you route a Board Optimizing Netlists It s possible that you will have less than desirable results after autorouting a board If so one of your options is to try a different net optimization You can apply one of three different optimization methods see the list of options below to either all nets on the Board only nets connected to the components you select or only nets that you select Optimize your netlist before running the autorouter when ever you have changed the layout
144. oaded in order to use the Show Nets or Hide Nets options Hint To ensure accurate information from the Show Nets Hide Nets commands always route and unroute using the netlist based tools Showing Hiding Nets TraxMaker gives you the ability to view all or various combinations of nets once a netlist has been loaded to aid in routing and unrouting your board Use the Show Nets and Hide Nets options to display or hide some or all nets on the board To display or hide nets 1 Choose Netlist gt Show Nets or Hide Nets 2 Choose the option for the nets you wish to show or hide see table below Figure 6 10 A ratsnest is a picture of the literal point to point connections between components Show Hide Option Select Net Nets on Selected Components All Nets Chapter 6 Nets and Netlists Lets You Choose a net by name from the Choose Net dialog box Click on a component s to show hide nets for the selected component s Show hide all nets on the board 6 17 6 18 Unrouted Nets Show all unrouted nets on the board Routed Nets Show all routed nets on the board Note that because the Show Nets and Hide Nets commands are based on the netlist only those nets that are routed unrouted using netlist based tools will show as routed or unrouted For example nets routed using the Place Track tool or the Route Pad to Pad Without Net tool will not show as routed nets when you choose the Show Routed Net
145. oject by enabling the layers you will be using in your design Before you can access a layer that layer must be enabled Layers must be enabled before they can be displayed or edited For this tutorial you will need to enable the Board Layer using the Setup dialog box as seen in Figure 3 1 1 Choose Options gt Setup then click on the Layers tab 2 Enable the Board Layer check box General Layers router Grid Draw Routing Layers Other Layers Miscellaneous Colors Top Layer Bs I Top Overlay Background MidLayer1 M F Bottom Overlay ME Selections I MidLaer2 M Boo F MidLayer3 B Power Piane Cut Copy Delete Move I Midteyers M cci M Al Levers F Bottom Layer E I Keep Out Layer C Current Layer F Multi Layer He bk Levers Figure 3 1 The Layers tab of the Setup dialog box not only assigns which layers are enabled but also lets you control layer background and selection colors 3 2 Chapter 3 Tutorials Note that default active layers such as the Top Layer Bottom Layer Top Overlay and Multi Layer are enabled The Board Layer is a reference layer that serves as a master page for your design On it you can place trim marks or text indicate mounting holes or other mechanical details or any element that you will want reproduced along with selected layers in the finished artwork The Keep Out layer is another reference layer used to define auto component placement and
146. omponents Use Find Component to quickly locate any component placed on your Board To find a component 1 Choose Edit gt Find gt Component 2 Select the component and pin you want to locate then choose OK Note that the cursor moves to the component and pin that you selected The Rotate 90 Button Use the Rotate 90 button to rotate a selected item counter clockwise in increments of 90 degrees To rotate an item 1 Select the Arrow Tool from the Tool Bar 2 Select the item you want to rotate 3 Click the Rotate 90 button on the Tool Bar to rotate the component counterclockwise in increments of 90 degrees Rotating Items While Moving To rotate a component while you re placing it 1 Select the Place Component Tool on the Tool Bar Select a component from the Component list box Choose Place or Place and Return A O N Press the Space Bar to rotate the component outline in increments of 90 degrees 5 Click the mouse to place the component in the rotated position Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features 4 13 Rotating Text To rotate free text or component text use the same methods described above for rotating other items Note that you must be on the correct layer to rotate text component text is usually on the top overlay The Mirror Button 4 Use the Mirror button to flip a selected item horizontally To mirror an item 1 Select the item you want to mirror 2 Click the Mirror button on t
147. on the cursor on the center of the via then click again Right click to turn off the Place Track Tool 6 From the Layer selection list box on the Status Bar select Bottom Layer 7 Select the Place Track Tool again and click once at the center of U2 1 8 Drag a track to the same via as before and connect the track appropriately 9 To see an accurate picture of the changes you ve made choose View gt Refresh Screen or press the End key on the keyboard Now you have two components that are connected by two tracks and a via as shown in Figure 3 9 009000000 5890000000 Ue o R1 oc 0 0000000 e 90000000 Figure 3 9 This is how your Board should look after completing the preceding steps In most cases the track will snap to the grid position that corresponds to the center of the pad or via when you are manually laying tracks If you change the grid or select a very fine grid it is possible to miss the pad center and fail to establish connectivity Keep grids standardized if possible and make sure you manually lead tracks to pad centers Otherwise the track may appear connected depending on the zoom level when it is actually isn t As you moved the cursor during track placement the selected track segments snapped to either horizontal vertical and 45 degree segments This is called orthogonal track placement and is considered standard practice particularly if the board is to be pen plotted or ph
148. onnection length 6 21 Board Layer 2 5 Bottom Layer 2 5 8 7 Bottom Overlay 2 5 8 7 Bottom Paste Mask 8 8 Bottom Solder Masks 8 8 Break Track Tool 4 28 Browsing component libraries 5 2 pad libraries 5 8 Bureaus Photoplot 9 15 C Cadnetix netlists loading 6 5 making 6 8 Calay netlists making 6 8 Calay90 netlists making 6 8 Character Height of Text 4 33 Check Print Layer 8 7 CircuitMaker integration with TraxMaker 3 14 using to create netlist tutorial 3 14 Clearances setting up before AutoPlacement 6 11 tips for routing 7 10 Clearances of Primitives 7 10 Index 2 Closing a PCB file 2 14 Component Libraries adding new components 5 3 browsing 5 2 compacting 5 5 creating new libraries 5 5 deleting components 5 4 merging 5 6 opening multiple 5 5 Components adding 5 3 autoplacing large 6 12 autoplacing small 6 12 bottom layer 4 12 browsing libraries 5 2 change text 4 12 change text height 4 12 change text width 4 12 connecting tutorial 3 8 copying 4 6 creating new tutorial 3 19 creating new libraries of 5 5 cutting 4 6 deleting from library 5 4 designation 4 12 duplicating 4 8 editing 4 11 existing already on Board 6 7 finding 4 13 identifying pins tutorial 3 10 label value 4 12 listing 6 21 loaded through netlist 6 7 locking in place 4 12 managing libraries 5 1 merging libraries of 5 6 mirroring 4 14 mirroring while placing 4 14 missing in netlists 6 6 moving 4 5 moving to gri
149. otoplotted See Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features for more information about Track settings Chapter 3 Tutorials 3 11 Using the Pad to Pad Router One of the tools included on the Tool Bar is the Route Pad to Pad Without Net Tool This tool uses the Router settings to automatically route a track between two pads see Chapter 7 Routing for more information These settings define the grid track and via sizes used when routing and the clearances the router will maintain as it makes connec tions For this tutorial you will use the default settings To connect components using the Route Pad to Pad Without Net tool 1 Select the Route Pad to Pad Without Net tool on the Tool Bar 2 Move the cursor to R1 2 click and hold the mouse button Pin 2 of R1 will be highlighted when you place the tool over it 3 Drag the cursor to the destination pad U2 1 and release the mouse TraxMaker connects the two pads placing vias as needed 4 For practice complete the following connections U1 12 to U2 9 and U1 13 to U2 6 Your routed PCB should now look similar to Figure 3 10 0909009009000 5090000000 o o o0o00000 Figure 3 10 The tutorial Board after using the Route Pad to Pad Without Net tool 3 12 Chapter 3 Tutorials Step 6 Checking Your Work Once your PCB has been laid out and routed TraxMaker provides additional features for design verification 1 Choose Help gt Get Info 2 Read the info
150. ou list preview place add delete copy move and rename components It also lets you manage component libraries Chapter 5 Managing Libraries 5 1 About Components TraxMaker comes with a comprehensive library of standard through hole and surface mount SMD component foot prints Please refer to your Footprint Library Guide for specific details on all the components and libraries Components generally include one or more pads which correspond to the component pins Component pads like free pads and vias occupy the Multilayer Top layer or Bottom layer An outline of the component is normally displayed on the Top or Bottom Overlay layer Component text includes the designation U1 C9 and so on and an optional abel value generally a part number or value Component text is normally located on the Top Overlay or silkscreen layer but can be moved to either the Top or Bottom copper layers as well Component text options may be changed before placement or edited after placement Normally the library that has been loaded in your previous work session will load automatically when you start Trax Maker The standard TraxMaker component library file is named Traxstd lib Browsing Component Libraries You can easily open multiple component libraries and inspect the footprints in each library Note When loading a netlist TraxMaker searches all loaded opened libraries for 1 Click the Place Component tool on the Tool Ba
151. ow may times it should go through the list of unrouted connec tions before giving up About SMD Routing The SMD to Pwr Gnd option on the Setup Router dialog box automates the routing of Surface Mount component power and or ground pins to internal Power and Ground plane layers When this option is selected the autorouter places stringers short track pad segments which are connected to the appropriate midplane layers using a thermal relief Stringers are short track segments connected to a midplane layer with a thermal relief To use the SMD to Pwr Gnd option 1 2 Choose Netlist gt Pwr Gnd Plane Nets If a netlist has been previously loaded select Power plane and Ground plane nets from those listed If a netlist hasn t been previously loaded and you want to select the Power Ground plane nets from a list of all nets you will have to load a netlist prior to performing this step OR Type the names of the Power and Ground plane net if you know which ones they are Choose OK Choose Netlist gt Load Netlist then open the netlist into your design The nets specified in step 2 will be designated as already having been routed so they will not display in the list of loaded nets or as part of the ratsnest Choose Options gt Setup and click on the Router tab then select the SMD to Pwr Gnd option Proceed with routing as usual Note that short stringer tracks a short track and a 40 mil pad will be autorou
152. per planes when the Board is manufactured From left a pin with no connection to a plane a pin with a direct connection and a thermal relief connection Chapter 6 Nets and Netlists 6 13 6 14 AutoPlacement Strategies AutoPlacement uses several strategies when placing netlisted components on the Board AutoPlacement attempts to arrange components by first grouping then placing the groups using the placement and clearance grids you ve specified To group components for example AutoPlacement first classifies components as one of three types Large those with four or more pins Small or discrete small components associated with a particularly large component and bypass capacitors Classification is based on the netlisted connec tions only not on the package description To identify bypass capacitors TraxMaker finds all compo nents with four or more pins It then looks for two nets that go to 70 or more of these components TraxMaker then looks for any two pin components which connect to these two nets These are assumed to be bypass capacitors and are grouped with the large components Small or discrete components other than bypass capacitors are assigned to large components by a simple rule Ignoring the 2 identified power nets a discrete component is as signed to a large component if 50 or more of its pins are connected to the large component When placed discrete components are grouped with an associated lar
153. ponent and the Multi layer color to display the pads 7 Repeat steps 1 through 4 except type U2 as the second component s designation Choose OK 8 Drag the component to X 1400 Y 2000 then click once to place it 9 Now select and place an AXIALO 3 Designate this component as R1 Place R1 at X 550 Y 1700 If you have followed the previous steps carefully your components should be laid out like the illustration in Figure 3 7 If not you can drag the components to recreate the approximate layout indicated Remember as you drag you can press Spacebar x or y to change the component orientation 00000000 5090000000 R1 oo0o000o0mB0 S 90000000 Figure 3 7 This is the way your component layout should look after completing the steps thus far in the tutorial Step 5 Connecting the Components Tracks also called traces may be routed on the Top layer any of four Mid layers or on the Bottom layer also called the solder side Vias are placed at the point where tracks pass from one layer to another Selecting a New Track Size When you placed tracks on the Board layer to define the outline of the PCB you used tracks which had the default width of 12 mils However for this example you will select a larger size of 15 mils To change the default track size 1 Choose Options gt Setup The Track setup options are located in the upper left corner under the General tab see figure 3 8 2 Type 15 in t
154. pose you have a round 60 mil pad but there is no aperture available of the exact same size If an exact match cannot be found then a match with some other aperture will have to be made such as a 62 mil round flash aperture Flash left stroke center and paint right aperture use options for vector plotters Matching often means accepting an aperture that is close to the size of the original primitive Other match options include stroking or painting the desired shape as shown in the illustration Some photoplotters restrict the use of individual apertures to either flash or stroke Other plotters allow unrestricted use undersize PAES A To manually set up aperture matching use the options described in the following table found in the Aperture Matching group box on the Gerber Setup dialog box oversize ee 9 20 Chapter 9 Importing and Exporting Files Option Oversize Undersize Always Confirm Matches Paints View MAT File When Done Let s You Set the maximum oversize match tolerance or the allowable variance between a PCB file primitive and an available aperture Set the maximum undersize value for aperture to PCB primitive matches Override the automatic aperture matching process as your Gerber plot file is generated Paints are aper tures used to fill solid areas which cannot be matched with a flash or stroke You can accept or override all matches or just tho
155. py Delete Move group box then choose OK Option What it Does All Layers Includes all layers in the selection without confirmation Current Layer Includes only the currently selected layer as displayed in the Layer Selection text box on the Status Bar Ask Layers Prompts you whether you want to perform an action on all layers If you choose No only the currently selected layer is affected Moving Items 1 Select the Arrow Tool from the Tool Bar 2 Position the cursor over the item you want to move then click and hold the mouse button OR Select a group of items as described above position the cursor over the group of items then click and hold the mouse button 3 Drag the item s to a different location then release the button Components pads text strings and groups of items can be rotated or mirrored while they are being dragged Press the Space bar to rotate the X key to mirror in the x direction or the Y key to mirror in the y direction The center of rotation mirroring will be at the cursor position The layers contained in the selection that are actually moved depend on the setting you have made in the Setup Layers dialog box To undo a move choose Edit gt Undo Move Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features 4 5 Figure 4 2 When you drag a selected component the tracks connected to that component can also drag Dragging Tracks The C9 component in the Figure 4 2 has been dragged to a new location
156. r 4 38 Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features Tip You can usually select an entire external plane using Alt Click with the Arrow Tool 3 Click at the starting point of the polygon As you move the cursor the perimeter of the plane is indicated by a highlighted line see Figure 4 21 4 Click at each corner of the polygon until the area of the external plane is defined Right click to close the perimeter of the plane Figure 4 21 Using the outline as your guide left click to define the corners on the external plane polygon Then close the plane to produce the shape on the right As the grid is generated it wraps around any placed primitives inside the defined perimeter The wraparound clearance is determined by the Separations settings found on the Setup Router dialog box see Chapter 7 Routing for more information Once a plane is generated you may continue creating another external plane To turn off the External Plane tool press Esc or right click Editing External Planes External planes are simply tracks which may be individually or globally edited like other tracks The ends of horizontal and vertical external planes are automatically capped with a track segment wherever clearance allows and the track ends are aligned Diagonal areas in the plane will not be capped automatically This is done by simply placing segments along those areas Smaller default plane track and grid sizes will generate c
157. r components to load To browse the libraries 2 Open the library s you wish to browse The currently loaded libraries are listed in the Libraries field of the Component Selection dialog box 3 Move the scroll bar on the Components list box to view the package names of all the components in the currently selected library 4 Click Zoom In to get a closer look at the component Zoom Out to get the big picture 5 2 Chapter 5 Managing Libraries A Note Pin 1 of a component is the reference point meaning the rotation axis and the placement cursor will be based on the position of that pin Adding a New Component You can create components in one of two ways The first way is to create individual primitives group them then add them to the library as a new component The other way is to base a new component on an existing one Both of these methods are described below Creating a component from scratch 1 Using the tools on the Tool Bar Place Track Place Pad Place Arc etc create the component as you would like it to appear You can use the Duplicate command from the Edit menu to quickly place rows of evenly spaced pads Caution Regardless of how it will be used draw the new component as though it were going to be mounted on the top layer using through hole or top layer pads and top overlay 2 Give each pad in the new component a pad designation pin number See the Editing a Pad section of Chapter 4 Placing
158. r existing routes or connections then routes the remaining unrouted nets over the entire board The number of layers used track width clearances and other aspects of the routing can all be adjusted Because there are so many variables you will usually need to adjust these settings to get the highest routing completion for your specific board design Please refer to the setup and optimiza tion methods described previously in this chapter for details To autoroute a Board 1 Choose Route gt Board 2 Select Save log file to record the results of the autorouting then specify a filename with a LOG extension 3 Specify the netlist filename that you will use as a reference then choose OK to begin the autorouting 4 To abort the autorouting at any time press Esc then click OK Note that autorouting progress is indicated on the Status Bar at the bottom of your screen Routing Manually With Net Manual With Net routing lets you manually route a connec tion based on a single element of the ratsnest To use the Manual Route option you must have loaded a netlist To manually route a connection 1 Select the signal layer Top Bottom Mid1 Mid2 Mid3 or Mid4 layer on which you want to begin 2 Select Netlist gt Show Nets gt UnRouted Nets if the nets are not already visible 3 Choose Route gt Manual With Net 4 Carefully position the cursor on the net you want to route then click once Notice that the point wh
159. r 9 Importing and Exporting Files 57 58 32 23 34 25 26 37 38 29 6b 3b 31 70 NK KSB lt CHAYAHTVO 0b sp 10 Chapter 9 Importing and Exporting Files 9 27 9 28 Chapter 9 Importing and Exporting Files Glossary absolute cursor A display mode where the displayed cursor coordinates are measured from the absolute workspace origin 0 0 coordi nates of lower left corner active layer Any Board window layer which has been activated using the layer selection pop up list on the Status Bar aperture file An ASCII text file which includes a description of each of the apertures used to generate a Gerber photoplot file These descriptions are stored in aperture files also called aperture tables Such files generally use APT extensions arc Circular or semicircular design elements TraxMaker displays arcs as a series of chords or straight line segments area fill or fill A solid rectangular area of copper normally used for shielding shorting and other such applications AutoPlacement TraxMaker feature that automatically loads netlisted components from the current library into a predefined Board outline autoroute The process of automatically or interactively routing the connections in a PCB Batch mode An option in TraxMaker that allows you to select a number of plot types or plot layers to be generated in a single operation Bill of Materials A report generated by
160. r Manual contents 1 5 conventions 1 7 A4 Variables for Routing 7 10 Vector vs Raster Photoplotting 9 10 Vias copying 4 6 cutting 4 6 duplicating 4 8 editing 4 29 Index 13 mirroring 4 14 moving 4 5 placing 4 29 rotating 4 13 selecting 4 3 selecting size of tutorial 3 9 Viewing errors after loading netlist 6 8 MAT file after matching 9 21 netlists 6 4 Visible Grid changing 2 7 vs Snap Grid 2 7 W Width of tracks changing 4 26 Window panning 4 9 Workspace in TraxMaker 2 3 Index 14 X X and Y Offsets for Photoplotting 9 12 X and Y Position arcs 4 36 components 4 12 pads 4 20 text strings 4 33 tracks 4 27 vias 4 30 Z Zoom Tool 4 40
161. r films is an inherent part of the process When the original artwork is a pen plot a number of intermediate steps have to be performed to produce the final tools Pen plots are generally plotted at least 2 1 scale to achieve reasonable accuracy and then photographically reduced Photoplotters provide sufficient accuracy to generate a precision 1 1 plot in a single operation Photoplotting bureau services are widely available and all designers should carefully consider their advantages To make the best use of photoplotting it s helpful to understand some key concepts Vector vs Raster Photoplotters Photoplotters fall into two general categories vector and raster Vector plotters generally use an aperture wheel or slide to create a combination of flashes and strokes to draw an image Apertures are a collection of defined shapes which allow the plotters to plot varying track widths pad shapes and so on Flashes occur when there is no movement of the light source strokes occur whenever there is movement while the light source is on Some photoplotters use separate apertures for strokes and flashes in order to maintain consistent exposure Others control the light intensity all apertures serving for both uses Raster plotters on the other hand do not use a system of fixed apertures Instead they read the Gerber file storing an image of the whole plot which is then scanned onto the film line by line muc
162. r paste onto the board for re flow soldering of SMDs Strings fills arcs or tracks are not included in the plot As with Solder Masks Paste Masks by default are plotted in the reverse of the actual production tool Manufacturers may require a negative enlargement value to keep the paste clear of the SMD pad land perimeter Pad Master Keep Out Layer Drill Drawing Drill Guide This plot shows each of the pads and vias on the Board and shows the size of the hole designated for each pad It also helps you check the placement of components and can act as a guide for the programming of drill machines during the manufacturer of the PCB The Keep Out layer a design layer used for routing and autoplacement purposes can include tracks arcs fills and text strings Pads vias and strings will be included in the plots as well as Board layer items if requested This is a special plot used as a guide for programming numerically con trolled N C drill equipment It consists of a series of symbols at each hole location and a table converting the symbols used into a decimal hole size This plot gives your PCB manufac turer a guide to the holes that must be drilled through the board similar to the Pad Master All pads are printed in their specified shape and size A hole of the size specified by the Pad Hole Guide Size is shown in every pad If the hole size is larger than the pad a plus sign is printed Pro
163. racters Net names can be 20 characters Pin numbers in netlists are limited to 4 alphanumeric charac ters No blank spaces may be used within these strings Up to 2000 nodes can be listed for a given net TraxMaker can load up to 2000 nets or 4 000 000 nodes memory permitting 6 4 Chapter 6 Nets and Netlists Loading a Netlist Before you can use any of the netlist based features of TraxMaker you must first load a netlist TraxMaker accepts PCB netlists in a variety of formats including e TraxMaker e Protel Tango e OrCAD PCBII Professional Edition PADS PCB Professional Edition Cadnetix Professional Edition Professional Edition When loading a netlist you can choose to load the netlist and accompanying components or load only the netlist without components To load a netlist Note The file you choose 1 Choose Netlist gt Load Netlist then select the netlist to load must match the format you wish to load from the list netlist format you have selected from the Load 2 Select Netlist and Components then choose OK Netlist list Otherwise OR TraxMaker will be unable to load the netlist Select Netlist only to reload the netlist after previously placing components 3 Goto the location where you store your netlist files by default the main TraxMaker directory highlight the file then choose Open to load the file 4 Click OK then click once at the position where you want to pl
164. rds pad A design element used to locate and connect tracks to component pins on a PCB also called a land pan The ability to move the viewing area of the screen as you work on a magnified area of the Board window TraxMaker provides automatic panning when placing or moving selected items The Zoom Tool also pans the Board window Paste Mask A special plot of SMD pads used to define a mask for applying solder paste for hot re flow fabrication Pick and Place A report generated by TraxMaker for use with automatic component placement equipment Uses the PIK extension ratsnest A special straight line display of netlisted connections on the placed PCB layout rip up and retry Once a connection has been routed it may be in the way of routing other connections TraxMaker s Maze router has the ability of removing a section of track that might be in the way and rerouting it somewhere else schematic capture ACAD package or feature for circuit design capable of generating a netlist or report output allowing the design information to be transferred to another CAD environment CircuitMaker is one such package select To position the cursor over an item and click with the mouse button Selected items are displayed in a highlighted color or pattern signal layers Layers available for routing PCB connections in TraxMaker specifically the Top Mid 1 4 and Bottom layers silkscreen See Overlay SMD Sur
165. rgements 8 6 Starting a PCB file 2 14 Starting TraxMaker 2 3 Strategies for AutoPlacement 6 14 System Requirements 1 3 T Tagged to Ground Plane 4 21 Tagged to Power Plane 4 21 Tagging SMD to ground plane 4 22 to power plane 4 22 Tango netlists loading 6 5 making 6 8 Targets alignment 2 5 Text Strings changing character height 4 33 changing track width 4 32 4 33 copying 4 6 cutting 4 6 duplicating 4 8 editing 4 32 finding 4 32 mirroring 4 14 mirroring while placing 4 32 4 33 moving 4 5 pasting 4 6 rotating 4 14 rotating while placing 4 32 4 33 Index 12 selecting 4 3 setting default size 4 34 Thermal Relief Pads about 4 21 Through hole Pads 2 6 Tips for AutoPlacement 6 15 grid and clearance for routing 7 10 producing quality printouts 8 9 TOL Files 9 24 Tool Bar about 2 9 arrow tool 4 2 break tracks 4 28 fit board to window 4 40 place arcs 4 35 place component 4 10 place external plane 4 37 place fill 4 36 place pad 4 14 place via 4 29 placing tracks 4 24 re route tracks 4 28 route pad to pad without net 4 23 select area and zoom 4 40 zoom 4 40 Top Layer 2 5 8 7 Top Overlay 2 2 2 5 Top Bottom Overlay 8 7 Top Bottom Paste Mask 8 8 Top Bottom Solder Masks 8 8 Total Connection Length 6 21 Tracks any angle 4 25 breaking 4 28 changing all selected 4 26 changing settings 4 25 changing size of tutorial 3 9 copying 4 6 curved 4 25 cutting 4 6 default width 4 26 dragging 4 6 dragging when moving
166. rmation in the dialog box pictured in Figure 3 11 choose the buttons to get more detailed informa tion then choose OK Minimum 0 23 in Total Connection Length 0 000 in Minimum Y 1 25in Disk Size 15952513 KB X Size 1 50in Free Disk Space 13791699 KB Y Size 1 38 in Arcs 2 List Components Components 3 Fills 0 List Highlighted Pins Holes 38 Pads 34 List Power Pins Text Strings 0 Tracks 17 List Ground Pins Vias 4 Nets 0 Connections 0 Routed 0 Figure 3 11 Find out information about your Board using the Get Info feature If you have worked through the steps in this tutorial you have had a good overview of basic TraxMaker operations Whether you are placing selecting moving deleting or editing the process is much the same Tutorial 2 Automated Board Creation While you can design everything manually TraxMaker has many features that automate the process of designing printed circuit boards TraxMaker is compatible with most Chapter 3 Tutorials 3 13 Note CircuitMaker is a companion product to TraxMaker for schematic capture and simulation 3 14 Chapter 3 Tutorials standard schematic entry programs and it is tightly inte grated with the CircuitMaker schematic capture and simulation program This tight integration between Circuit Maker and TraxMaker makes it possible to go from sche matic to PCB by simply clicking a few buttons This second tutori
167. rocess of e Defining the physical outline of the PCB e Selecting and placing the required component patterns from a component library Or if working from a sche matic netlist importing and placing manually or with the auto placement feature the components onto the predefined board e Connecting the component pads with tracks manually with the autorouter or a combination of manual and automatic track routing e Checking your work using TraxMaker s built in design rules check tool e Printing plotting or outputting the required manufactur ing artwork or files e Checking Gerber files using a Gerber viewer editor Unlike generic CAD drafting packages TraxMaker provides special features that address the unique requirements of PCB artwork such as the ability to edit and print or plot the individual layers that correspond to the manufactured board Whether your design is a simple single sided PCB or a multilayer board with power and ground planes you will be able to layout every item exactly as it will be assembled Connectivity A key feature of TraxMaker is the way electrical connections between the elements in your design are recognized Chapter 2 Overview of TraxMaker 2 1 This concept of connectivity is the basis of automatic component placement autorouting and design rule check ing The program stores connection information in the form of a netlist generated by a schematic program or created inter nally
168. rom similar tools in other Windows drawing applications Another fundamental difference is connectivity TraxMaker has the ability to recognize connections between track segments tracks and component pads through netlists imported or created internally TraxMaker also allows you to retain connections when moving a component without breaking its track to pad segments You will be using connectivity on several levels as you design with TraxMaker Getting Ready to Install Before installing and using TraxMaker take a few moments to read the Software License Agreement at the beginning of this manual Read the README File Read the README file included with the TraxMaker program It has updated information about the current version of TraxMaker prepared since this manual went to press System Requirements In order to run TraxMaker properly you will need e Microsoft Windows NT4 95 98 or 2000 e PC with Pentium class processor e 32MBofRAM e 40MB hard disk space e Desktop Area 800 x 600 pixels e Color Palette 256 colors minimum e CDROM drive e Mouse or compatible pointing device e Any Windows compatible printing device Installing TraxMaker To install TraxMaker 1 Start your Windows operating system Insert the installation CD into your computer s drive From the Taskbar choose Start gt Run A U N Browse to the drive containing the installation disk select the Setup file then choose Open then choose O
169. s and so forth on your Board you can also display information about the items in the following table Option Description Minimum X and Y Displays the X and Y coordinates of the primitive that is nearest to the absolute origin It is possible that these values can be negative For example if a pad is placed at X 0 Y 500 the left hand side of the pad will spill over into the negative area X and Y Size Displays the dimensions of the Board 6 20 Chapter 6 Nets and Netlists Total Connection The total length of all connections on Length your Board This information is useful if you are trying to optimize a Board for the lowest possible connection length Disk Size The size of your hard disk Free Disk Space The total amount of remaining hard disk space Nets The number of nets in the internal netlist Connections The number of pad to pad connec tions in the internal netlist Routed The number of pad to pad connec tions that have been routed List Components Lists the names of all the components on the Board List Highlighted Pins Lists the pins of a component that you have previously highlighted List Power Pins Lists all pins connected to the Power plane List Ground Pins Lists all pins connected to the Ground plane Chapter 6 Nets and Netlists 6 21 6 22 Chapter 6 Nets and Netlists CHAPTER 7 Routing After you have placed components on your board the next major step is to route the connections
170. s command This is because the Place Track tool and the Pad to Pad Without Net tool are manual routing tools that do not use the netlist To ensure accurate information from the Show Nets Hide Nets commands use the autorouter or the other net based routing tools Similarly nets that are unrouted using the Delete tool will not show as unrouted nets because they were simply deleted Instead use Unroute command which unroutes based on the netlist This will ensure that the Show Unrouted Nets will always be accurate Finding a Net The Choose Net dialog box shown in Figure 6 11 lets you select a net name so you can quickly position the cursor on that net To use this feature you must first load a netlist then use the Show Nets feature to display a ratsnest To find a net 1 Choose Netlist gt Show Nets gt All Nets 2 Choose Edit gt Find gt Net 3 Select the name of the net that you want to locate then choose OK Notice that the cursor moves to the location of the net Chapter 6 Nets and Netlists Choose Net x Net Name IN ETOutput NETICS_2 NETO2_3 NETO _1 NETLED1_2 NETQ32 NETQ 7_3 NETIC5 3 NETLED21 NETQ3_3 NETQS_1 NETICS_6 NETLED2 2 NETOQ4_3 NETQS 2 NETIC6_2 NETOutput MIE NETQ10_2 NETICS_1 NETO1_2 NETOS_3 NETQ11_1 NETIC8S_2 NETQ2_1 NETQE_2 NETQ11_2 INETICS_1 NETQ2_2 NETQE_3 NETQ11_3 p gt I Figure 6 11 The Choose Net dialog box lets you select the name of the net you want to find Identifying a
171. s of known length and carefully measure the output with a rule of known accuracy This will allow you to apply a correction factor scale setting to either axis which should minimize the problem The amount of linearity error may not always be constant so you should check each final artwork print for accuracy before manufacture Another problem with laser and inkjet printers is the overspray and bleed effects created when the toner or ink is fused to the paper Small particles adhere to the paper on either side of lines creating the potential for unwanted effects in your artwork When designing for printed artwork you should keep the clearances generous and again print at a reasonable scale to minimize the effect The print quality obtainable with a laser and inkjet printers is mainly determined by the paper A number of special papers are currently available primarily for the graphics arts trades which reduce bleed into the paper hence making the outline sharper Some of these special papers are slightly heavier and treated to resist the waxes and glues used for paste up making them easier to handle PostScript compatible phototypesetting equipment such as the Linotronic 100 300 500 series have the advantage of being able to provide output at very high resolutions 2540 dpi or higher These devices can also print a direct film positive or negative However the concern with linearity described above applies to
172. s zero Paste Mask enlarge ments if required will normally be a negative value for example 30 mils 8 6 Chapter 8 Printing and Plotting The Plot Layers The following table gives a brief description of each of the plots you can generate with TraxMaker including some of the important factors to be considered with each plot Layer Description Check Print Lets you generate a composite printout of selected board layers This can contain any or all of the layers listed below with the exception of the Drill Drawing and Drill Guide Printout can be in color or B amp W only Top Layer This is a plot of the component side layer All the tracks arcs and fills that have been placed on this layer are plotted as well as pads vias text strings and Board Layer items if these options have been selected Mid Layers 1 4 There are four mid layers available in Trax Maker Tracks arcs fills and text strings can be placed on each of these layers Pads vias and strings will be included in the plots as well as Board layer items if requested Bottom Layer Also known as the solder side of the PCB Components can also be placed on this layer All the tracks arcs and fills that have been placed on this layer are plotted as well as pad vias text strings and Board Layer items if these options have been selected Top Bottom Overlay Also called the silkscreen layers these are normally used for compo nent outlines and
173. se used to paint primitives which cannot be matched with a single flash or stroke Generate a match report file when the matching process is complete This text file records all the matches made automatic or manual There may be matches which do not correspond to specific primitives in your work file These include matches used to draw the perimeter of fills text Pwr Gnd Enlargements Solder Mask Enlarge ments and so on Matching Apertures If all primitives in your PCB cannot be automatically matched or if you have previously chosen Always Confirm Matches or Always Confirm Paints then you will need to manually match the available apertures to all of the primitives in your file To match apertures with primitives you will use the Gerber Aperture Matching dialog box pictured in Figure 9 10 This dialog box displays automatically if manual matching is required Chapter 9 Importing and Exporting Files 9 21 Gerber Aperture Matching cular Pad 40x40 PwWR GND D20 Circular 40 x 40 0 Multi Ne Stroke D19 Circular 30 x 30 0 Multi Paint D19 Circular 30 x 30 0 Multi Cancel Gerber Figure 9 10 The Gerber Aperture Matching dialog box lets you match available apertures with the primitives in your PCB file To manually match apertures 1 Ifmatching a pad via or track click the drop down list select the best match then choose Flash or Stroke 2 Ifmatching a fill click the drop down list
174. selected until changed by the user Most defaults are stored in a file called TRAXMAKR INI deselect Removing the highlighted selected condition from an item in the Board window or deactivating a Tool De selection involves clicking elsewhere in the Board window designator The unique identifier assigned to each component in a circuit For example U1 J2 or R4 Design Rule Check A collection of TraxMaker routines that check a routed PCB file for clearance violations using a netlist to verify connec tions and user defined clearance settings double sided Refers to a PCB with tracks on both sides of a single laminate layer draft code A code used to identify each aperture in an aperture file or in a Gerber format photoplotter file Aperture draft codes are typically a D followed by two or three digits draft mode The display plotting or printed of primitives tracks pads arcs fills etc in outline rather than filled in form Drill drawing A special plot that uses coded targets to indicate the position and tool assignment for numerically controlled N C drill files Drill guide A special plot similar to a pad master that indicates the position of all holes on a PCB external plane A polygon area of copper solid or cross hatched that is automatically held off from pads tracks and vias by the seperations specified in the Setup Router settings Glossary G 3 G 4 Glossary fill or
175. t Create Gerber File gt More Options Chapter 9 Importing and Exporting Files 9 13 Gerber Options xj M Plot Layers Include SetAll Clear all J Board Layer IV Top Layer I Mirrored ee I Mid Layer 1 I Mirrored i lea Stings I Mid Layer 2 I Minored p etek oh ae Mid Layer 3 I Minored oe Mid Layer 4 Bite SS Bottom Layer T Mirrored Other Settings M Top Overlay Mirrored Drill Draw Symbol Size fro mils I Bottom Overlay I Mirrored k pican pare Eo Solder Mask Enlargement fo mils V Power Plane I Mirrored Paste Mask Enlargement fo mils I Board Layer I Mirrored fo mils Pwr Gnd Enlargement IV TopSolderMask Mirrored PM Bottom Solder Mask Mirrored I TopPasteMask J Mirrored I Bottom Paste Mask Mirrored V Pad Master I Mirrored ox exe I Keep Dut Layer I Mirrored I Drill Drawing I Mirrored T Drill Guide Mirrored Figure 9 7 The Gerber Options dialog box lets you choose layers and other settings for your Gerber file 3 From the Print Layers group box in the Gerber Options dialog box select the appropriate layers to include in the photoplot Select any other setting that are neces sary from the Include and Other Settings group boxes These options are explained fully in the Setting Up Print Options in Chapter 8 Printing and Plotting All batch photoplot setups and options will be applied to each layer so you may need to divide the job into two or more ind
176. t the extreme lower left corner where the cursor is shown Chapter 2 Overview of TraxMaker 2 7 2 8 Absolute vs Relative Origin The absolute origin default 0 0 coordinate is the extreme lower left corner of the workspace see the cursor position in Figure 2 3 The relative origin can be placed anywhere in the workspace Setting a Relative Origin The relative origin lets you temporarily set a new 0 0 coordinate anywhere in the workspace To set a relative origin 1 Choose Options gt Setup 2 Select Relative from the Cursor Mode section 3 Choose Set Floating Origin then click on the desired origin in the Board window You can redefine the relative origin at any time Finding the Origin Use the Find Origin feature to quickly move the cursor to the origin While this feature can find the absolute origin it is particularly useful for locating a relative origin To find the origin 1 Choose Edit gt Find gt Origin Note that the cursor moves to the absolute or relative origin depending on what is currently defined Finding a Location Use the Find Location feature pictured in Figure 2 4 to quickly move the cursor to a specific location on the Board To find a location 1 Choose Edit gt Find gt Location 2 Type the X and Y coordinates in the appropriate text boxes then choose OK Note that the cursor moves to the location you specified Chapter 2 Overview of TraxMaker Find Location x
177. tandard through hole and surface mount SMD or SMT component patterns or footprints The standard TRAXSTD LIB library file is normally loaded automatically whenever TraxMaker is opened provided the library is in the folder with the TraxMaker application You can create new components and add them to the standard library or create custom libraries However only one library can be loaded at a time Each library can hold a maximum of 600 components For more information about libraries see Chapter 5 Managing Libraries Autotrax Compatibility All versions of TraxMaker can read and use Autotrax PCB files libraries and components without any special conver sion However because of program changes TraxMaker files libraries and components are no longer compatible with Autotrax TraxMaker Preferences TraxMaker stores many user settings such as printer plotter setups display colors grid settings and many other options ina special file called TraxMaker preferences TRAXMAKR INI This file is updated every time you exit TraxMaker You can use different Preference settings or reload the factory defaults using the Preferences dialog box pictured in Figure 2 5 2 12 Chapter 2 Overview of TraxMaker Darogan File D Program Files CircuitM aker 2000 T raxmakr ini Load Preferences Restore Factory Defaults Save Preferences f Figure 2 5 Use the Preferences dialog box to manage TraxMaker settings
178. ted to the SMD power and or ground pads and connected to the appropriate plane using a thermal relief as in Figure 7 4 If you want a direct rather than thermal relief connection you will have to reedit the pads after routing Chapter 7 Routing 7 7 7 8 Chapter 7 Routing wv Figure 7 4 One of the pads on SMD component A4 is connected to a separate through hole thermal relief pad by way of a stringer SMD designs provide additional challenges for autorouting because pads can normally only be routed on a single layer The following settings can be used to improve completion rates Option Setting Router Grid Smil Track Width 8mil Via Size 40 mil Track to Track 8 mil separation Track to Via 8 mil separation Via to Pad Via 8 mil separation Via Pad to Pad 8 mil separation Tip Run routing passes separately from smoothing passes Smoothing Use the options in the Smoothing Passes group box to clean up routed connections Smoothing passes are performed immediately following the routing passes They can also be done at any time independent of the routing passes to perform a clean up only action It is recommended that you run the routing passes sepa rately from the smoothing passes This lets you conve niently revert back to your routed file if you don t like the result of the smoothing pass Smoothing Option What It Does Smooth User Routed Applies the smoothing passes to all connections re
179. ter drivers and can thus print to any Windows compat ible printer or plotter PostScript Printers High resolution PostScript output is widely available to Windows users either directly or from graphic design and typesetting bureaus This equipment is capable of producing output at resolutions as high as 2540 dpi dots per inch or higher and can provide a low cost alternative to Gerber plots However users should be aware that there are some limitations to using this approach for PCB artwork The resolution of these systems does not necessarily translate Chapter 8 Printing and Plotting 8 1 8 2 into positional accuracy or linearity particularly when measured over a large area There may also be film size restrictions Photoplotting Photoplot files generated by TraxMaker in the Gerber standard format provide the best quality artwork for Board production Photoplots will be required when the design is either large or of high density with considerable fine line detail Gerber format photoplotting provides the highest resolution output option using traditional artwork produc tion methods See Chapter 9 Importing and Exporting Files Before You Print a PCB When you start designing you should have a clear idea of the output requirements mandated by both the PCB technol ogy and production methods you will be using If you intend to use the services of a plotting bureau or PCB manufacturer take the time to consult with them
180. text Ground Power These special mid layers consist Planes mainly of solid copper in the manufac tured board and are therefore plotted by default in reverse in the negative for efficiency Fills and tracks can be placed on this layer Chapter 8 Printing and Plotting 8 7 Top Bottom Solder Masks Top Bottom Paste Masks 8 8 Chapter 8 Printing and Plotting wherever you wish to hold back or split the solid plane For example many manufacturers recommend that you place a track around the perimeter of your board to keep the copper clear of the trim area Additional clearance for pins passing through these planes is provided when you use the PWR GND Enlargement option This option allows you to increase the diameter of the border clearance around each unconnected pin passing through the plane The Solder Masks are plots of all pads with the holes filled in No strings fills arcs or tracks are plotted As with Ground and Power Plane plots Solder Masks by default are plotted in the reverse of the actual production tool Both pads and vias must be On to be included in the mask Most manufacturers of printed circuit boards require that the solder mask be slightly larger than the actual pad size to ensure that the mask adequately clears the pad area Use the Solder Mask Enlargement option to define the additional required clearance in mils Paste masks are plots of all pads used to screen solde
181. text string 3 Specify other attributes for the text string see the following table of options 4 Choose OK move the cursor to the location where you want to place the text then click Figure 4 15 shows some text that was created with the Place Text tool Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features 4 31 Option Lets You Character Height Change the height of the characters Track Width Adjust the thickness of the charac ters Layer Select the layer on which to place the text string Rotation Rotate the text 90 180 or 270 degrees ina counterclockwise direction Leave the setting as None to not rotate text Mirror Create a mirror image of the text copyright lt gt 200 TRAxXMaker Figure 4 17 Using the text tool you can create results like this Finding Text Use the Find Text feature to locate specific text strings on your Board To find text 1 Choose Edit gt Find gt Text 2 Select the text that you want to find then choose OK Note that the cursor moves to the text that you selected s iting Text Select the Arrow Tool from the Tool Bar 2 Double click the text you want to edit 3 Choose the text attributes and scope of changes using the options listed see below Click OK 4 32 Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features Edit Text String Text Component Side Character Height C Track widh Poo o o Layer EE orae Rotation Noe Miror M Global Size Change 7 Only this string Hig
182. that have already been placed on the Board see Editing Pads under Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features To create a new pad definition or edit an existing one 1 Click the Place Pad tool on the Tool Bar 2 Choose New specify the attributes of the new pad outlined in the following table then choose Save Changes OR Select a pad choose Edit make changes to the pad s attributes on the Edit Pad Type dialog box see Figure 5 3 then choose Save Changes 3 To view the new pad select the pad name from the list Chapter 5 Managing Libraries Edit Pad Type x Enter pad information Name Shape x Size Y Size Hole Size 2s SMD Edge NewPad Rectangular a 250 Layer Type foo Through Hole coe Figure 5 3 Use the Edit Pad Type dialog box to create a new pad or change an existing one in the library Option Name Shape Layer Type X Size Y Size Hole size Lets You Give the pad a special designation for future reference Pad names do not appear on the Board like component names Specify a shape for the pad Choose Circular Rectangular Octagonal Rounded Rectangle Cross Hair Target or Moire Target Examples of these shapes can be found in Editing Pads under Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features Select whether the pad will be surface mounted or through hole Stretch or contract the pad relative to the X coordinate Stretch or contract the pad relati
183. the Status Bar To change the attributes of a specific track or multiple tracks 1 Select the Arrow Tool from the Tool Bar 2 Double click a single track or Right click on a track and choose Edit Track from the pop up menu Tip Remember you can OR quickly select an entire connection Ctri Click or an entire net Alt Click See Select multiple tracks then Right click on any of the selected tracks and choose Edit Track from the pop up Selecting Multiple Items MENM earlier in this chapter for 3 Select the options you wish to change as described more details below then choose OK 4 26 Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features Edit Track Track Width 30 Start x 1775 Start Y 2100 End x 2000 EndY 2325 Layer B or Layer X IV Change width of all selected tracks IV Change layer of all selected tracks Ce Figure 4 14 The Edit Track dialog box From here you can edit the attributes of a selected track s Option Lets You Track Width Type in a new value to change the track width Start X Change the beginning x coordinate of the track by typing a value Start Y Change the beginning y coordinate of the track by typing a value End X Change the ending x coordinate of the track by typing a value End Y Change the ending y coordinate of the track by typing a value Layer Move the selected track to another layer by choosing from the drop list Change width of Make the track width change apply to all sel
184. the mid point of the set of component pins Ref X Ref Y The reference point location of each component referenced to the current origin Chapter 9 Importing and Exporting Files 9 7 Professional Edition Pad X Pad Y The pin 1 location of each component referenced to the current origin TB The layer the component is mounted on T top B bottom Rotation The rotation of each component referenced to the original orientation in the library Bill of Materials Report TraxMaker will output a Bill of Materials report which provides information about all parts used in the board design The Bill of Materials report can be generated in ASCII or Comma Separated Value CSV formats To generate a Bill of Materials report 1 Choose File gt Reports gt Bill of Materials 2 Use the Browse button to navigate to the appropriate filename OR type in the name of the file to be saved 3 Select ASCII or CSV format by clicking on the appropri ate button Click OK 9 8 Chapter 9 Importing and Exporting Files fi Demo bom Notepad File Edit Search Help C Demo bon Bill of Materials 3 27 66 4 56 56 PM Label Value 4k Power SERIAL2 SERIAL 1 PB RESET 8 1uF 166uF 16uF 4 7K 336R 4 915 MHZ 4 00 MHz 476R BAUD SELECT 4040 74LS138 1488 1489 74LS 64 10 LINES 8255 PPI 286A SIO 286A CPU 6264 2764 1 1 1 1 1 7 1 1 1 1 J 1 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 Pattern AXIALO 4 FLY4 DB9
185. these devices as well The problem of linear accuracy will already be familiar to imagesetting bureaus who provide color separations to the graphics arts industry Chapter 8 Printing and Plotting 8 11 8 12 Chapter 8 Printing and Plotting CHAPTER 9 Importing and Exporting Files TraxMaker offers a variety of import export options for interacting with other software tools and outputting the files necessary for manufacturing your printed circuit board TraxMaker supports the following files and file formats Import e AutoCAD DXF files DXF e Protel Text PCB files PCB Export e AutoCAD DXF files DXF e Protel Text PCB files PCB e Pick and Place report PIK e Bill of Materials report BOM Gerber RS274X files Excellon N C drill files Professional Edition AutoCAD DXF Files DXF TraxMaker s support of AutoCAD DXF files is very useful for bringing in specially shaped objects new component designs custom board outlines logos or other objects to enhance your final board design DXF can also be used to take entire board designs between TraxMaker and other layout products although there are some inherent limitations of the DXF format that you must keep in mind When importing a DXF file into TraxMaker all poly lines are converted to tracks full arcs are converted to pads and all partial arcs are converted to 90 degree arcs You have the option of mapping the contents of the DXF file onto one layer in
186. tion settings in Router Setup see Chapter 7 Routing for more information Anatomy of an External Plane External Planes can be created either as a lattice or cross hatched or as a solid polygon constructed of parallel track segments as seen in Figure 4 20 Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features 4 37 Figure 4 20 A cross hatch fill left compared to a solid polygon fill right Changing External Plane Settings Before you create an external plane you should decide how you want it to look when you place it on the board To adjust the External Plane settings 1 Choose Options gt Setup 2 Inthe External Plane section enter a new value for the grid size or the space between grid tracks in the Grid Size text box 3 Enter anew value for the plane s track size or line thickness in the Track Width text box then choose OK If the Track Width and Grid Size settings are equal a solid grid of parallel tracks will be generated If the two values are not equal a lattice of crossing tracks will be generated Placing an External Plane Because an external plane can be difficult to delete and cannot be removed using the Undo command you should save your existing board design before placing an external plane To place an external plane 1 Click the Save tool from the Tool Bar to preserve a copy of the board in case the external plane is not acceptable 2 Click the Place External Plane Tool from the Tool Ba
187. tions that cut away from the surrounding copper see Figure 4 8 heat can be concentrated to the small area around the pad without dissipating across the entire Power or Ground plane A through hole component pad because of its multilayer configuration naturally connects to the Power and Ground planes Designating such through hole pads as thermal relief pads requires no special techniques besides selecting the appropriate option in the Edit Pad dialog box SMD surface mounted component pads on the other hand do require a special technique Because an SMD pad Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features 4 21 cannot penetrate through the Board to the Power or Ground planes the pad must be connected to a separate through hole pad by a stringer track There are two ways to create the extra stringer track and pad e Place the stringer and through hole pad manually using the tools on the Tool Bar e Select the nets that are to be connected using the Pwr Gnd Plane Nets option on the Netlist menu see Chapter 6 Nets and Netlists for more information turn on the SMD to Pwr Gnd routing option then route the Board Tagging an SMD Pad to Ground or Power Plane Suppose you want to designate one of the pads on an SMD component as a thermal relief pad connected to the Power or Ground Plane To tag a pad to the Power or Ground Plane 1 Double click on the pad select Tagged to Power Plane or Tagged to Ground Plane then choose OK
188. tions let you fine tune the position of the layer on the sheet being printed or plotted Offsets can be positive for example 050 inches or negative for example 250 inches If you enable the Fit to Single Page option the scale and offset will be adjusted automatically so that the board will exactly fill a single sheet of paper 3 Inthe Position group box select Normal to position the printed Board according to printer defaults or select Auto Center to center the Board on the paper during printing Chapter 8 Printing and Plotting 8 3 8 4 4 Select either Draft or Final quality 5 Choose Print to print the PCB OR Choose Options change the settings explained in the table under Setting Up Print Options below choose OK then choose Print to begin printing Setting Up Print Options Using the Print Options dialog box pictured in Figure 8 2 you can control which layers of the Board are printed and set up other settings such as hole sizes and solder paste and Pwr Gnd enlargements gt Print Layers Include Check Print M Minced I Board Layer Batch Print M Pads SetAll ClearAll SetUsed M Vias M Top Layer I Mirrored Iv Text Stings IV Path Filename Layer I Mid Layer 1 Mirrored I Mid Layer 2 I Minored I Single Layer Pad Holes I Mid Layer 3 I Minored es I Mid Layer 4 I Mirrored Other Setting M Bottom Layer I Mirrored Pad Hole Guide Size jo mils F Top Overlay hae Drill Draw Symbol
189. to tell TraxMaker the order in which nets are to be completed This is why you are prompted to select an optimization strategy shortest connection distance x bias or y bias when you load a netlist When you first optimize the netlist an internal connection list is generated A connection is any pair of pads to be connected A connection list includes all pad pairs in the order of connection according to the bias selected This connection list will be resorted each time you use Optimize Nets on the Netlist menu Reordering is done on a net by net basis but only for those nets which have remained completely un routed since the netlist was opened Therefore if you complete part of your connections using the manual Route tools then use the Route Board option the balance of the Board will be completed without disturb ing the manual routes When you save a file the current set of connection lists including the route status of each connection is saved as part of the file The netlist is also attached to the PCB file when saved This allows you to reload the file and continue routing without reloading the original source netlist or re optimizing the connection list Getting the Best Result from Autorouting You will nearly always be able to improve the results of the autorouter The trade offs required to meet the primary objectives of a multipurpose router will not always generate an optimum result for a given desi
190. tsnest after you have placed components Chapter 6 Nets and Netlists 6 7 None Loads the netlist without display ing any nets the default setting View details oferrors Displays a netlist report that you can use to help resolve any errors contained in the netlist see Figure 6 4 Netlist report _ O x File 4 10 00 9 34 18 AM REPORT OF MISSING PARTS FROM NETLIST D Program Files CircuitMaker Z000 Demo net EXISTING COMPONENT ERRORS FROM NETLIST LOAD 8 Figure 6 4 Using the Netlist report you can determine what if any problems there are in your netlist Making a Netlist TraxMaker s Make Netlist command actually creates a netlist based on the connections of the current board This command is most useful for updating an existing netlist after you ve loaded and made changes to it Or you can use the Make Netlist command to generate a netlist in a different format for use in other PCB layout or netlist checking tools TraxMaker can make netlists in the following formats Professional Edition Chapter 6 Nets and Netlists TraxMaker Protel Tango OrCAD PCBII Professional Edition PADS PCB Professional Edition Cadnetix Professional Edition Calay Professional Edition Calay90 Professional Edition To create a netlist 1 Choose Netlist gt Make Netlist then select the desired netlist format from the list 2 Type aname for the new netlist then choose Save AutoPlacement
191. u change the characteristics of a component Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features 4 11 Option Package Label Value Designation Height Line Width Visible Top or Bottom Locked in Place Reference X Reference Y 4 12 Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features Lets You Change the component s Package name Renaming a component will not change the pattern or affect the library Change the component s Label Value For example change a capacitor s value from 0 1uF to 0 3uF Change the component s Designa tion For example change a resistor s name from R34 to R43 Change the height of the tracks used to draw Label Value and Designation text Change the thickness of the tracks used to draw Label Value and Designation text Specify whether the component s Label Value and Designation text appear with the component Specify whether the component is mounted on the top or bottom side of the board The default setting is Top Specify whether a component is free to move or locked in place when running the Auto Placement feature See Chapter 6 Nets and Netlists for more information about the AutoPlacement feature Change the location x coordinate of the component by typing a new value the coordinate reference is the center of Pin 1 Change the location y coordinate of the component by typing a new value the coordinate reference is the center of Pin 1 Finding C
192. u can autoroute your Board using one or more of the automated routing options available in the Route menu TraxMaker also gives you various unroute commands allowing you to easily make changes or adjust ments to the routing without starting over Route Menu Option What it Does Board Autoroutes the entire board using TraxMaker s built in autorouter Manual With Net Manually route connections using the internal nets Pad to Pad Without Net Automatically routes pad to pad without using nets Net Autoroutes an entire net by clicking on a rat line Net by Name Autoroutes an entire net by choosing the net name from a list Connection Autoroutes a single connection by clicking on a rat line Chapter 7 Routing 7 11 Note TraxMaker s default router settings are not optimal for every design so use the settings and optimization methods described in this chapter to achieve higher routing completion 7 12 Chapter 7 Routing Unroute All Unroutes all tracks over the entire board which were routed using any of the netlist based routing tools Unroute Net Unroutes a specific net by clicking on a track in that net Unroute Connection Unroutes a specific connection by clicking on a track in that connection ReRoute Manually reroute existing track Autorouting the Entire Board This feature uses TraxMaker s built in autorouter to route the entire board The autorouter first checks your design fo
193. upport NOTE Please be prepared to provide your name and registration number found on the back of the User Manual or on the CD jacket when contacting us Telephone 801 224 0433 FAX 801 224 0545 Internet http www circuitmaker com Email support circuitmaker com Future versions of TraxMaker are planned so please feel free to write and let us know what features or additions you would like to see Our goal is to provide a product that will meet your needs and expectations and feedback from you is essential if we are to achieve this goal Professional Edition About the Documentation TraxMaker comes with two manuals a User Manual and a Footprint Library Guide This User Manual has been designed to guide you through TraxMaker s many features and to simplify the retrieval of specific information once you have a working knowledge of the product The Footprint Library Guide lists all the component footprints in the TraxMaker libraries and shows actual size examples of these footprints Some of the information and features found in the User Manual are only available with the Professional Edition These features will be highlighted by the banner shown at the left The User Manual assumes that you are familiar with the Windows desktop and its use of icons menus windows and the mouse It also assumes a basic understanding about how Windows manages applications programs and utilities and documents data files to perform ro
194. us and manufacturers are good sources of general design advice which can save hours of frustration and prevent costly mistakes The Gerber Setup Dialog Box To create Gerber photoplot files you will be using the options on the Gerber Setup pictured in Figure 9 6 and the Gerber Options pictured in Figure 9 7 dialog boxes Chapter 9 Importing and Exporting Files 9 11 9 12 Adjustments 5 Aperture Matching X Offset 0 mils Oversize 0 mis Y Offset 0 mils Undersize 0 mis IV Auto Generate Aperture File IV Embedded Apertures RS274 E Alivavs Contin Matches IV Software Arcs 5 mils T Include G54 Code More Options Aperture Filename Untitled Apt Browse Gerber Filename Untitled Browse ce Figure 9 6 The Gerber Setup dialog box lets you setup default Gerber settings and name aperture and Gerber files The Gerber Setup dialog box lets you set up the parameters for photoplotter output The information is sent to a file so that you can take a disk to a photoplot bureau to produce the final artwork Adjusting Gerber Defaults Your next task is to make a few minor adjustments and settings that will affect how the photoplot will be produced To make adjustments choose File gt Create Gerber File to display the Gerber Setup dialog box then specify the settings as explained in the following table Option Lets You X and Y Offsets Position the
195. ut Net Tool on the Tool Bar Position the cursor over a pad until it changes color then click and hold the left mouse button Drag a track to another pad When the destination pad changes color release the mouse button The pads are automatically routed Autorouting a Net You can autoroute a specific net by clicking on it after choosing the Route Net command To autoroute a specific net Choose Netlist gt Show Nets gt UnRouted Nets Choose Route gt Net Click on a rat line that is part of the net that you want to autoroute Repeat step 2 for as many nets as you would like to autoroute then end by Right Clicking or pressing Esc Autorouting a Net by Name You can autoroute a specific net that you select from a list as shown in Figure 7 7 To autoroute a specific net 1 Choose Route gt Net by Name 2 Select the net that you want to autoroute from the list then choose OK Choose Net xj Net Name fovec INETUTE_11 NETUIF_12 NETUIF_13 Figure 7 7 Use the Choose Net dialog box to specify the name of the net that you want to autoroute Autorouting a Connection Connection routing requires that you have already loaded a netlist To route a connection 1 Choose Netlist gt Show Nets gt UnRouted Nets 2 Select the Zoom Tool on the Tool Bar then click in the Board to enlarge it Right click to turn off the Zoom Tool 3 Choose Route gt Connection 4 Click the desired connection that you want t
196. utine tasks such as starting applications opening documents and saving your work User Manual Contents If you are new to Windows please start with your Windows system software documentation TraxMaker is similar in operation to most other Windows applications Once you have mastered a few Windows basics you ll be ready to learn TraxMaker The TraxMaker User Manual contains the following sections Chapter 1 Getting Started This chapter gives you a general introduction to the TraxMaker program As you read further you will find guidelines for installing and configuring TraxMaker Chapter 2 Overview This chapter provides an overview of the TraxMaker design environment including many of the tools and features that you will be using key concepts and terminology used in printed circuit board design Chapter 1 Getting Started 1 5 1 6 Chapter 1 Getting Started Chapter 3 Tutorials A short guided tour of basic TraxMaker design opera tions setting up the layers placing components connecting components with tracks loading a netlist created in Circuit Maker auto placing components using the autorouter and checking your work Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features This chapter describes in detail the various placing and editing tools most of which are found on the Toolbar and provide direct access to key TraxMaker design features Chapter 5 Managing Libraries TraxMaker comes with a comprehensive set of
197. ve to the Y coordinate Specify a hole size used to create the Excellon N C drill guide Holes can be defined up to 2 mils larger than the current pad diameter This provides a convenient way to define a mechani cal hole with enough tolerance to ensure that it will be free of any Chapter 5 Managing Libraries 5 9 5 10 copper when manufactured If you try to enter a hole size that is more than 2 mils larger than the current pad diameter TraxMaker will truncate the value so that it is exactly 2 mils larger The maximum hole size is 1000 mils 1 inch Deleting a Pad from the Library Once a pad has been deleted from the library it is not recoverable It is suggested that you make a backup copy of your library before deleting pads To delete a pad from the library 1 Click the Place Pad tool on the Tool Bar 2 Select the pad you want to delete 3 Choose Delete OR To delete all pads choose Delete All 4 Click OK to confirm the deletion Creating a New Pad Library It might be to your advantage to have several pad library files For example you may want to have a different pad library for a particular PCB design To create a new pad library 1 Click the Place Pad tool on the Tool Bar 2 Click New Pad File 3 Typeanew name for the library then click Save Or type the name of an existing library filename to update or replace an existing library click Save then Yes to confirm the replacement Chapter 5 Managing Li
198. ver selecting moving deleting cutting pasting and copying is layer dependent Only selecting with the selection rectangle is layer independent Once something is selected it can be cut copied pasted and deleted without regard to layer Layers A Closer Look This section describes each layer in more detail All layers are viewed from the top side of the board Layer or Plane Top Layer Mid Layers Bottom Layer Top Overlay Bottom Overlay Ground Plane Power Plane Board Layer Keep Out Layer Definition The component side signal or top copper layer Any of up to four inner signal layers numbered Mid layer 1 Mid layer 2 and so on Solder side signal layer Top silkscreen layer that displays component shapes text Silkscreen for bottom side compo nents if any Copper ground plane mid layer assigned ground pins connect to this layer Copper power plane mid layer assigned power pins connect to this layer A special reference layer provided for placement of alignment targets board outline tracks or mechanical details Board layer details can be printed plotted with other layers A display only layer which defines the auto component placement and autorouter perimeter and no go areas Chapter 2 Overview of TraxMaker 2 5 Tip You can return to the Arrow Tool at any time by simply right clicking with the mouse Multi Layer Displays through hole pads a
199. vias can occupy a single layer or be through hole meaning they can occupy all layers of your PCB The Multi Layer allows you to display these items together distinct from single layer objects such as tracks To simplify editing of your design TraxMaker allows you to select the specific layers required for your design and to turn the display of these layers on or off as needed TraxMaker Conventions TraxMaker conforms to standard Windows user interface guidelines If you are experienced with other Windows applications you already know how to start and quit TraxMaker save your work navigate through the file system to locate and organize your documents and how to make menu selections using the mouse If you aren t familiar with these basic procedures see Basic PCB File Management later in this chapter TraxMaker has special features that are not common to other Windows applications These options let TraxMaker perform some of the special tasks unique to PCB design Most of these are introduced in this chapter and in Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features Starting TraxMaker Once you have installed TraxMaker on your hard disk simply launch it from the Taskbar choose Start gt Programs gt TraxMaker 2000 gt TraxMaker You can also create a short cut for TraxMaker and have the icon display on your desktop all the time The TraxMaker Workspace When you start TraxMaker the Board window is displayed This is
200. view of TraxMaker Snap Grid vs Visible Grid To allow the designer to fully exploit its built in accuracy TraxMaker provides two independent user definable grid systems an invisible Snap grid and a Visible grid The Snap Grid controls the position of items placed in the board window Objects automatically snap to the Snap Grid when they are placed or moved The Snap Grid also defines the autorouter grid By default this Snap Grid is set at 25 mils The Visible Grid is displayed as a system of small coordi nate dots or tick marks in the board window background This measurement is larger by default at 1000 mils Changing Snap and Visible Grid Values To change the snap and visible grid values 1 Choose Options gt Setup and click on the Grid Draw tab 2 Specify values in the Snap Grid and Visible Grid text boxes then choose OK Most of TraxMaker s editing and placement tools take advantage of the Snap Grid which allows for very accurate placement and adjustments The Coordinate System You can find out the cursor position relative to the Board window origin by looking at the coordinates displayed in the Status Bar at the lower left of the Board window see Figure 2 3 The coordinates measure the distance from the origin in mils or millimeters depending on the currently selected units of measure oe oo q Top Layer z xO yO mils Figure 2 3 The default Board window origin is a
201. when using the Autorouting feature see Chapter 7 Routing for more information or while using the Route Pad to Pad Without Net Tool However you may also place vias manually using the Place Via tool To place a via 1 Click the Place Via Tool on the Tool Bar 2 Position the cursor where you want to place a via then click the mouse 3 Position the cursor in a different place and click again to place another via Continue doing so until you have placed all the vias you want 4 Right click or press the Esc key to turn off the Place Via Tool Editing a Via Use the Edit Via dialog box see Figure 4 15 to change the via diameter or hole diameter of a via in 1 mil or 025mm increments Changes to either attribute are applied to the selected vias or globally using the options on the Edit Via dialog box Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features 4 29 VieSiee 50 Hole Size 8 x Position 2875 Y Position 250 M Global Change Yias Only this via Highlighted vias All vias same hole size C All vias same size Cancel Figure 4 15 The Edit Via dialog box lets you change the attributes of the select via or other related vias To edit a via 1 Click the Arrow Tool on the Tool Bar 2 Double click the via that you want to edit or select a group of vias to edit 3 Choose the attributes you wish to change and the scope of those changes See the following table Click OK Option Via
202. where components tracks text fills and so on are placed The maximum board area is 32 x 32 inches 81 cm square The TraxMaker workspace also includes the Tool Bar Menu Bar and Status Bar The Status Bar includes a special Layer selection list to the left The Layer selection Chapter 2 Overview of TraxMaker 2 3 box displays the color assigned to the currently defined layers The current filename is displayed above in the Title Bar Board Layers TraxMaker displays your design as a system of layers that correspond with some special exceptions to the artwork used to create a PCB These layers can be displayed or hidden as needed Use the Setup Layers dialog box choose Setup gt Layers to display or hide and assign individual colors to each layer Figure 2 2 shows the major parts of the workspace dP AHF OTCEFO AF Menu bar Board window a M Top Layer z k 7050 y 475 mas Layer selection Status bar Figure 2 2 The TraxMaker Workspace What is the Current Layer One layer is always the current layer at any given time The name and color assigned to this layer is displayed in the Layer selection box to the left of the Status Bar Tracks fills external planes arcs signal layer pads and text are placed on a single the current layer You can place components 2 4 Chapter 2 Overview of TraxMaker multilayer pads and vias without regard to the current layer selection howe
203. xporting DXF files To export a DXF file 1 Choose File gt Export gt DXF 2 Select the export and layer options you want see the following table Use the Browse button to choose a destination file or type in the filename by default TraxMaker will use the original filename with a DXF extension Click OK DXF Export Setup x Options Layers to Export Iv ShowYias SetAll ClearAll Set Used F Show Pad Holes M Top Layer I Mid Layer 1 Size and Position J Mid Layer 2 jeri fis gt I Mid Layer 3 I Mid Layer 4 X Offset 0 F Bottom Layer Y Offset 0 I Top Overlay T Bottom Overlay Seale I Ground Plane L T Power Plane DXF Output Layers Board Layer Individual layers I Keep Out Layer Single layer 10 7 Mobi Laver j Output Filename D Program Files CircuitMaker 2000 Pcb DXF Browse Chapter 9 Importing and Exporting Files Figure 9 3 The DXF Export Setup dialog box allows you to choose the export and layer options Professional Edition Option Show Vias Show Pad Holes Export In X Offset Y Offset Scale Individual Layers Single Layer Set All Clear All Set Used Layer Check Boxes Lets You Choose whether or not to show vias in the DXF file Choose whether or not to show pad holes in the DXF file Select mils millimeters or inches as the unit of measurement Give the design an offset position on the X axis based on the unit of measurement
204. ypad When you toggle between copper layers while placing a track a via is placed automatically Figure 4 11 Autorouting either with or without nets is subject to the settings specified under the Router tab of the Setup dialog box The Place Track Tool Use the Place Track tool to manually draw tracks on the board When tracks or any other primitives are placed or moved they are always located on the current snap grid If you move placed objects you will notice that they snap from grid point to grid point as they are dragged If you change the grid placed components may be left temporarily off grid until moved To manually place a track 1 Click the Place Track Tool on the Tool Bar 2 Position the cursor where you want to start the track then click 3 Move the cursor to another location Click again wherever you want the track to change directions gt Right click where you want to terminate the track 4 24 Chapter 4 Placing and Editing Features Changing Track Settings Use the Track and Drag Mode options of the Setup dialog box see Figure 4 12 to change the track shape and how or if tracks are dragged when you move items on the Board Figure 4 13 shows examples the different track shapes Track ae Mode Orthogonal All Tracks Any Angle Connected Tracks C Curved Fanta i 12 Default Width E Figure 4 12 Use the Setup Tracks dialog box to change the shape of tracks and to choose if and how
205. ze Aperture Matching 9 21 P Pad Hole Guide Size printing 8 6 Pad Libraries 5 6 browsing 5 8 copying pads between 5 11 creating new 5 10 opening 5 11 Pad Master 8 9 Pad to Pad Router using 7 14 using tutorial 3 12 Pads about 5 7 browsing libraries of 5 8 changing all matching 4 21 copying between libraries 5 11 creating new 5 8 creating new libraries of 5 10 cutting 4 6 deleting from library 5 10 designation 4 19 duplicating 4 8 editing 5 8 finding 4 18 free pads 4 20 hole size 4 20 5 7 layer type 4 19 libraries of 5 6 mirroring 4 14 opening libraries of 5 11 pasting 4 6 placing 4 14 rotating 4 13 selecting 4 3 shape 4 19 size 4 19 SMD type 5 8 thermal relief type 4 21 types 5 7 PADS PCB netlists loading 6 5 making 6 8 Panelizing 4 9 Panning 4 9 Paste Mask Enlargements 8 6 Paste Masks 8 8 Paste Tool 4 6 Pasting arcs 4 7 components 4 7 external planes 4 7 fills 4 7 pads 4 7 text strings 4 7 tracks 4 7 vias 4 7 Patterns missing in netlist 6 7 PCB before you print a 8 2 printing 8 2 PCB files closing 2 14 merging 2 15 opening 2 14 re opening 2 14 reverting to previous file 2 14 saving 2 14 starting 2 14 PCB Layout basic procedure 2 1 tutorials 3 1 Photoplotting about 9 10 always confirm matches 9 21 aperture files 9 18 aperture matching 9 20 creating Gerber files 9 11 G54 code 9 13 oversize aperture matching 9 21 selecting layers for 9 13 setting up Gerber defaults 9 11 software arcs 9

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