Design rules are used to set the basic design principles of the PCB. Entering a safety design rule in the design rules can ensure that there will be no design problems in the design of the PCB.
Steps:
Top Menu - Design - Design Rules
Rules management
Under the rule manager, you can add, modify, and delete rules under each type of rule. For networks without special rules, the default rules will be used.
Rules type introduction
There are currently four categories, and one or more rules are created under each specific rule
rules editing
Click the + icon to the right of the rule type to be added to add a new rule. After entering the rule name, click the mouse outside the input box to create the rule successfully.
After adding a new design rule, you need to rename the rule. It should be noted that the rule name of the same type cannot be repeated.
- Default rules
There is only one under the default rule type in the left column, and this rule will be pinned to the top.
If you want to set a rule as the default rule, click the Set as Default button in the rule view.
- Delete rules
Non-default rules support deletion. Click the delete button in the rule view to be deleted to delete the rule.
Safe spacing rules
The safe spacing table allows you to set spacing requirements between two different network elements.
Double-click any table to modify the value of the rule.
Click the name at the top to edit values in bulk.
Other spacing rules
Currently, the device-to-device spacing rule is supported, which is detected by a rectangle surrounded by the overall outline of the component.
Wire Rules
Minimum, default, and maximum line widths for wires can be set in a wire rule. If the line width of the wires in the PCB does not meet the range from the minimum line width to the maximum line width, it will be detected by DRC. The default line width refers to the default line width taken for each routing, but when routing starts from a wire, the line width of that wire will be used as the starting line width.
network length
The net length rule is used to set the overall length of the checklist net trace. This rule cannot be applied to design constraints, but can be viewed during wiring.
There will be an indication when the line meets the set rule length. In the case of conforming to the rule, the indication will be marked in green, and if it is larger or smaller than the rule, the indicator will be marked in red.
Blind and buried via rules
Blind and buried vias are usually used in the design of multi-layer boards. Before adding blind and buried vias, it is necessary to determine whether the designed PCB has been set to multi-layer. If it is not set, it needs to be set in the layer manager.
If the PCB needs blind and buried vias, it needs to be added in the design rules first.
- Added blind and buried vias
Click the Add button to add a blind-buried via in the blind-buried via list, enter the name of the blind-buried via, set the start layer and end layer, and click Apply to add successfully.
- Remove blind and buried vias
Select a blind-buried via in the blind-buried via list, and then click the delete button to delete the blind-buried via
- Move up/down blind buried via
Select a blind and buried via in the list of blind and buried vias, and click the Move Up and Move Down buttons to adjust its order in the list. Blind and buried vias will be placed according to the sorting order when routing.
Via Size Rules
The minimum, default and maximum dimensions of the via OD/ID can be set in the via size rule. If the via size in the PCB does not meet the minimum to maximum range, it will be detected by DRC. The default aperture refers to the default size taken each time a via is placed.
Internal electrical layer rules
- Network Spacing: Set the spacing between the copper filling and different network elements when placing copper.
- To border/slot spacing: Set the spacing from copper filling to border and slot area.
- Pad connection method: It is divided into divergent and direct connection. When set to divergent, divergent line width and divergence spacing can be set respectively.
- Divergence Spacing: Set the divergence spacing between the pad and the copper.
- Divergence line width: The setting of the divergence distance between the copper skin of the connection pad wire.
- Divergence angle: Supports the setting of the angle of the inner copper layer connection method.
Copper Laying Rules
The copper laying rules are the same as the internal electrical layer rules, and will not be repeated here.
Flux Extension Rules
The flux extension is used for the pad of the SMD footprint. When the flux extension property of the pad is set to general, the flux extension in the design rule will be used as its flux.
Solder Mask Extension Rules
The solder mask expansion of pads and vias can be set separately in the solder mask expansion. If you do not want to open the vias, set the solder mask expansion data to a number smaller than the aperture (such as -1000mil)
Similar to flux extension, the solder mask extension of the default pads and vias follows the rules
If you need to customize the solder mask of a pad or via, you need to modify its solder mask extension parameters in the properties panel
network rules
In the net rules, you can assign rules to all nets of the current PCB. First, select the type of rule you want to assign in the left tree, and then view the network list in the right view. By default, all networks are under the default rules. If you need to modify the rules of a network, directly in the drop-down box of the corresponding network rules Just switch.
In the network rules, the function of quickly creating a network class and adding a network class is provided. Right-click in the network list and select the function of creating a new network class to create a new network class.
After the new one is created, the network class will be pinned to the top.
In the network list, select multiple networks by ctrl, right-click to add the network class function, and add the selected network to the network class
Assign a design rule to a net class, and all nets under the net class will become this rule
network - network rules
Supports setting rule constraints between two different network rules, and supports rule settings for safe spacing, internal electrical layer, and copper laying.
Networks, or network classes, can be set up and assigned different rules.
