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Tool

Description

Delete Digitized Component

Deletes the highlighted (selected) digitized object.

Automatically Scan for Identical Components

Automatically Scan for Identical Components

Scans for and identifies identical components in a Gerber file. When identified, the components are placed in a buffer so that they can also be digitized.

Gerber Preferences

Gerber Preferences

Displays a dialog where you can specify preferences for handling Gerber files:

  • Master Aperture List - Displays the list of Gerber data shapes that are applied to all the loaded Gerber layers.

  • RS-274D Parsing Options - Displays the options used for parsing RS-274D Gerber files.

  • Gerber Footprint Matching Tolerance - Specifies the tolerance value to use (in thousandths of an inch) when matching user selections to existing footprints when digitizing Gerber data.

    • Automatically Generate Footprint Names - When set to True, generates names automatically for newly-created footprints.


Gerber Preferences dialog

Digitize Board Frame

Digitize Board Frame

Allows you to digitize the PCB board frame.

Image Frame

Image Frame

Used in conjunction with the Digitize Board Frame button. When the frame is digitized, it will be set as the Image (circuit) Frame.

Panel Frame

Panel Frame

Used in conjunction with the Digitize Board Frame button. When the frame is digitized, it will be set as the Panel Frame.

Clear Selection

Clear Selection

Clears all information in the buffer.

Show Gerber Information

Show Gerber Information

When selected, information on the Gerber component’s pads (D-Code, Location, and so on) is displayed. 

Import Aperture List

Import Aperture List

Displays a dialog where you can locate and select an aperture file to import.

Show Hidden Graphics

Show Hidden Graphics

When selected, all objects that were previously hidden (but not deleted) are displayed.

Link Gerber Files to Layers

Link Gerber Files to Layers

Allows you to link/assign Gerber files to the different layers of a PCB.

  1. Select the AddAdd button button, locate and select a Gerber file, then select Open.

  2. Select a layer from the ECAD Layer List, then select the Assign LayerAssign Layer button button.

  3. To unlink a Gerber file from an ECAD layer, select the layer, then select the Un-Assign Image Removed Un-Assign buttonImage Added button.

    Link Gerber Files to LayersImage RemovedLink Gerber Files to LayersImage Added

Delete All Hidden Data

Delete All Hidden Data

When selected, all objects that were previously hidden are deleted permanently.

Import Centroid File

Import Centroid File

Displays a dialog allowing you to locate and import a Centroid file so you can assign reference designators during digitization.

  • Under File Options, set the file format (Fixed or Delimited) and assign the Remark Trigger which is used to hide rows in the Centroid file that aren't needed.

  • Under Centroid Options, select the Units (Mils, for example) to be used for the Centroid file,. 

Import Centroid File options

Use the Confirmations tools

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Tool

Description

Create Matrix

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

  1. Select Create Matrix.

    Create Matrix dialog

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

  3. Enter an Offset value or enter the spacing value between each circuit.

  4. Select Create Panel to create the panelized assembly.

    Panelized assemblyImage Removed


    Panelized assemblyImage Added

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

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.

Step and Repeat dialog

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. 

panelized assembly reset Circuit 1Image Removed

Circuit orderImage Added

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

Provides a calculator to use when working on panelized layouts.

CalculatorImage RemovedCalculatorImage Added

Modify footprints

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