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Tool	Description
Hide Digitized Features	Hides all digitized components and features in the Gerber viewer.
Accept All Components Image RemovedImage Added	When selected, the system assigns all components in the buffer to their respective reference designators based on the loaded Centroid file.
Accept Component	When selected, the Commit Gerber Data dialog displays where you can assign reference designators to the all components in the buffer.
Accept Board Frame	Accepts the selected frame as the board frame.

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Icon	Tool	Description
	Single Select	Selects one or more parts. Ctrl+click to select multiple parts.
	Marquee Select	Selects one or more parts by dragging a rectangle around the desired parts.
	Lasso Select	Selects one or more parts by drawing an ellipse around several parts.
	Polygon Lasso Select	Allows for custom selection outlines.
	Hand Pan	Drag to move the ECAD.
	Selection Border	Specifies the line width of the border. Select the Selection Border icon again after changing the border width when to show or hide the border around selected parts.
Image RemovedImage Added	Selection Highlight	Specifies the highlight color for selected parts. Select the Selection Border icon again after changing the border width to show or hide the border around selected parts.
	View from Top	Sets the ECAD viewer to display the top-side parts.
	View from Bottom	Sets the ECAD viewer to display the bottom-side parts.
	Hide Gerber Inside a Rectangle	Hides all aperture data within a drawn rectangle.
	Hide Gerber Outside a Rectangle	Hides all aperture data from outside a drawn rectangle.
	Hide this Aperture	Hides the selected aperture.
	Align Layers	Aligns currently-selected layers.
	Reset Offset	Reverts offset Gerber layers back to their original loaded location.
	Selected Color	Indicates the currently-selected color.
	Select by Part	Selects all parts that have the same part number.
	Select by Footprint	Selects all parts that share the same Footprint.
	Select by Technology	Selects parts based on their installation method: SMT or through-hole.
	Show All Circuits	Sets the ECAD viewer to display all circuits of a panelized PCB.
Image RemovedImage Added	Show Root Circuit	Sets the ECAD viewer to display only the root circuit of a panelized PCB.
Image RemovedImage Added	Adjust Grid Spacing	Determines the spacing of the grid in the Gerber window.

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Use the Search tool to search for a specific reference designator on a PCB.

Tool	Description
Search

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Searches the board for a specific reference designator.

Enter a reference designator in the text box, then select Search (the binoculars).

The designator you enter is highlighted on the board image in a zoomed view.

Use the CAD controls

Use the CAD Controls tools to assign the PCB datum (origin), align Gerber layers with the ECAD, rotate a board, and assign Pin 1.

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Tool	Description
Assign Origin	Defines the datum (0,0 point) of the board. Enter X and Y coordinates, then select Apply (check mark) or click an area of the board). (Optional) Select the Snap To Feature to locate the datum at the coordinates closest to the corner you click on the board image.
Align Photoplots	Lines up any associated Gerber layers with the ECAD.
Rotate PCB	Adjusts the overall orientation of the board. Select 90 Degrees or select Rotate Free Form and enter a rotation angle.
Assign Pin 1	Defines which pin of a component is Pin 1.
Show Polarity	Toggles the display of the red Pin 1 for each polarized component on/off.
Crop Extended Pins	Crops all extended pins on the board.

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Note
Warning

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Cropping extended pins cannot be undone!

Export GENCAD File

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Exports the selected data as a GENCAD file.

Modify fiducials

The Fiducials tools on the PCB tab of the NPI Process Definition window control every aspect of PCB fiducials. You can create and edit fiducials, hide or display, convert fiducials to components, and create fiducials from leads.

Tip

Tip
When creating or editing board components and fiducials, you can use the toolbar tools or right-click the board image in the window and use these menu commands:

Tip

When creating or editing board components and fiducials, you can use the toolbar tools or right-click the board image in the window and use these menu commands:

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Tool

Description

Create Fiducial

Adds fiducials to the board for machine programming purposes.

Select Create Fiducial, then select the area of the board where you want the fiducial.

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Select the desired Fiducial Type and other settings in the Fiducial Properties dialog, then select OK.
If the fiducial is defined properly for the board, select Finish (check mark) in the upper-right corner of the window.

Edit Fiducial

Used to edit an existing fiducial.

Select a fiducial on the board image, then select Edit Fiducial.

Fiducial Properties Panel Fiducial dialog

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Image Added Modify the fiducial information in the Fiducial Properties dialog, then select OK.
Convert to Component	Converts a selected fiducial to a component.
From Lead	Creates a fiducial from a selected existing component lead. Select From Lead, select the lead on the board image, then select Finish (check mark) in the upper-right corner of the window.
Show All Fiducials	Displays a table of all fiducials on the board.

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Select a fiducial from the table to see it in a zoomed-in view.

Modify components

The two Components tool sets on the PCB tab of the NPI Process Definition window control every aspect of PCB components.

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Components tool set 2 Image Added

Tip

When creating or editing board components and fiducials, you can use the toolbar tools or right-click the board image in the window and use these menu commands:

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Tool

Description

Add Component

Creates a new component location.

Select a component on the board image (or the Components table if already displayed), then select Components > Add Component.
Select X/Y Coordinates from the drop-down or click a location on the board image.

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Enter the information for the component in the Add Component dialog, select OK, then select Finish (check mark) in the upper-right corner of the window.

Edit

Modifies the basic properties of a selected component.

Select the component you want to edit on the board image.
Select Components > Edit.
Edit the component details in the Edit Component dialog, then select OK.

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Duplicate

Creates a duplicate of the selected component.

Select the component you want to edit on the board image.
Select Components > Duplicate.
Edit the component details in the Duplicate Component dialog, then select OK.

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Delete

Removes a selected component.

Select the component you want to edit on the board image.
Select Components > Delete.
When you see the confirmation message, select Yes.

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Note
Warning

!

Deleting a component cannot be undone!

Show Components

Displays a table of all components on the board.

Select Components, Show Components to display all of the board components. (Select Show Components again to hide the components.)

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Select a component from the table to see it in a zoomed-in view.

Move Components

Modifies a selected component to a new location on the board.

Select the component you want to move on the board image.
Select Components > Move Components.
Enter the X and X coordinates of the new component location, then select OK.

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Opportunity Counts

Displays total opportunities for errors in the manufacturing process and options for reducing errors.

Select Components > Opportunity Counts to view the current counts.
Select the gear icon.
Change the dialog options as needed to help reduce opportunities for manufacturing errors.

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CAD to BOM Comparison

Displays discrepancies between the CAD and BOM so you can resolve errors before manufacturing the board.

Resolve a CAD reference

Select Components > CAD to BOM Comparison.
Select References Not In CAD.
Select a discrepancy from the table to view it on the board image in a zoomed view.

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Select Add Component

Image Added, enter X and Y coordinates for the reference or click a location on the board image.
Enter reference details in the Add Component dialog, then select Finish (check mark) in the upper-right corner of the window.

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Resolve a BOM reference

Select Components > CAD to BOM Comparison.
Select References Not In BOM.
Select a discrepancy from the table to view it on the board image in a zoomed view.

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Select Add Reference

Image Added, select a BOM line item to assign to the component reference, then select OK.

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Change Reference

Modifies the reference for the selected component.

Select a component on the board image, then select Components > Change Reference.
Select a new reference for the component in the Change Reference dialog, then select OK.

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Set Top/Bottom Side

Modifies which side of the board the selected component is found (top or bottom)

Select a component on the board image, then select Components > Set Top Side or Set Bottom Side.
When you see the confirmation message, select Yes.

Change Footprint

Modifies the footprint shape used to represent a component.

Select a component on the board image, then select Components > Change Footprint.
Select a new footprint for the component in the Change Footprint Information dialog.
(Optional) Use the Rotate drop down to rotate the component, then select OK.

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Create Socket

Adds a new, slightly larger footprint around the selected part to represent a socket.

Select a component on the board image, then select Components > Create Socket.

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Polarity

Toggles the Polarized setting on/off.

Select a component on the board image, select Components > Polarity, then select Set as Polarized or Set as Non-Polarized from the drop down.

Rotate

Changes the orientation of the selected component.

Select a component on the board image, select Components > Rotate.
Select a rotation angle from the drop down or select Rotate Free Form, enter an angle and press the Enter key on your keyboard.

Create and edit PCB frames

Each PCB can have two frames or outlines: A panel frame and a circuit frame. On the Frames tab of the NPI Process Definition window, you can add panel and circuit frames to a PCB in case the ECAD data doesn't include frames. There are also tools to edit PCB frames including changing the frame or panel color and frame shape.

Frames tab editing tools

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Tool

Description

Add Panel Frame

Adds a panel frame to a PCB.

Select Add Panel Frame.
Enter the frame Dimensions or select Create From Rails, then enter the Top, Bottom, Left, and Right dimensions.
Select a frame shape from the Frame Type drop down.
When you are finished specifying the frame information, click a blank area of the window to close the dialog and display the frame on the board image

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Note

title	Note:

If you select a Rounded Rectangle frame shape, you are prompted to a corner radius value

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The panel frame is created as soon as you complete the dialog fields and you are returned to the Process Definition window.

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Note

If you select a Rounded Rectangle frame shape, you are prompted to enter a corner radius value.

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Edit Panel Frame

When selected, enables editing tools to modify frame properties such as shape, line weight, and color.

Select the Edit Panel Frame tool.
Select a new line weight for the frame using the Line Weight drop down or enter a Custom line weight.
Select one of the Shapes tools (the Rectangle, for example), then drag in the window to add the shape to the board image.

When a shape is selected, it has editing handles around it to indicate that you can move, resize, duplicate, or delete it.

Edit Panel Frame tool - rectangular shape with handles

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Select Shape Options to display properties for a shape. For example, if using a rectangle shape, you can enter new values for X and Y coordinates, Width, and Height.
Select Duplicate to make a copy of a selected shape.
Select Delete

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Image Added to remove a shape from the board image.
Delete Panel Frame	Deletes a selected panel frame from the board image.
Copy Panel Frame to Circuit Frame	Copies a selected panel frame and its properties to a circuit frame.

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Note

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When you copy one frame type to another, the target frame is overwritten.

Create and edit reference designator labels

The Labels tab in the NPI Process Definition window allows you to change the appearance, size, and position of each reference designator on a PCB. The Auto Place Labels tool attempts to find the most suitable position and size. You can also enable Part Labels in addition to—or instead of—the CRD (Component Reference Designator) label with the Show Types options.

Labels tab editing tools

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Tool	Description
Font	Modifies the font, style, size, or color of selected reference designator labels.
Label Types	Displays CRD labels, Part labels, or both.
Auto Place Labels	Places labels on the board image automatically using optimal positioning. Before selecting Auto Place Labels, select a Priority from the drop-down to specify which label type should have priority over the other for label placement on the board image.
Rotate	Rotates a label on the board image. Use Rotate Free Form to rotate selected labels using an angle you specify.
Alignment Tools	Aligns selected labels on the board image.

Edit the panel layout

The Panel Layout tab in the NPI Process Definition window has tools to help you create a panelized assembly from a single-up (one-up) ECAD file. The Create Matrix tool defines the layout of the panel. It is also possible to create complex panel layouts with this tool such as panels with rotated or flipped circuits.

Panel layout tab editing tools

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Defines the layout of the panelized assembly you want to create from a single-up PCB ECAD file.

Select Create Matrix.

In the dialog, enter the Number of Circuits Wide and the Number of Circuits High contained in the X and Y axes.

Enter an Offset value or enter the spacing value between each circuit.
Create Matrix dialog

Image RemovedSelect Create Panel to create the panelized assembly.

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Creates a secondary matrix from one of the circuits already created with the Create Matrix option. For example, you would select this option if you needed to create a panel layout consisting of the original circuit, a circuit to the right in the X plane, and a circuit below on the Y plane (a 2x2 matrix without the diagonal circuit).

In the dialog, you can set up the spacing and offset measurements. When you select the Create Panel button, the panelization is completed using the parameters you specify.

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Provides a calculator to use when working on panelized layouts.

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Tool	Description	Create Matrix
Rotate	On a panelized layout, rotates selected board images a specified number of degrees. Use Rotate Free Form to rotate selected boards on the panelized layout using an angle you specify.
Flip Circuit Side	Flips the circuit on selected board images.
Step and Repeat
Duplicate	Duplicates selected circuits.
Delete	Deletes one or more selected circuits on a panelized layout. (You cannot delete the root circuit.)
Reset Panelization	Restores a panelized layout to a one-up board image.
Circuit Color	Changes the color of the circuit.
Line Weight	Modifies the line weight of the circuit.
Order Circuits	Specifies the order of the circuits on a panelized assembly. Click a number to reset Circuit 1. Image Removed
Alignment Tools	Aligns or distributes selected circuits on a panelized layout for optimal fit: Align Left Align Right Align Center Align Top Align Center Align Bottom Distribute Left Edge Distribute Centers Distribute Right Edge Distribute Top Distribute Centers Distribute Bottom
Show Components	Shows or hides all components on a panelized assembly.
Calculator

Modify footprints

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Modify footprints

The Footprints tab in the Process Definition window allows you to modify the graphical rendering of each component on the board. There are four aspects of each footprint that you can modify:

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Versions Compared

Old Version 5

New Version 6

Key

Use the CAD controls

Modify fiducials

Tip

Modify components

Tip

Create and edit PCB frames

Frames tab editing tools

Create and edit reference designator labels

Labels tab editing tools

Edit the panel layout

Panel layout tab editing tools

Modify footprints

Modify footprints

Page Comparison

Versions Compared

Old Version 5

New Version 6

Key

Use the CAD controls

Modify fiducials

Tip

Modify components

Tip

Create and edit PCB frames

Frames tab editing tools

Create and edit reference designator labels

Labels tab editing tools

Edit the panel layout

Panel layout tab editing tools

Modify footprints

Modify footprints