Added by Confluence Administrator, last edited by Shinichi Kawaguchi on Oct 27, 2011

Preparing the Board for Design Transfer

This tutorial shows how to define the board shape, configure the drawing sheet, setup the layers, and define any keepout requirements, inpreparation for transferring the design from the schematic editor.

ContentsCreating and Modifying Board Shapes

Importing a Board ShapeDefining the Board Shape From Selected ObjectsModifying a Board ShapeRedefining a Board ShapeDefining the Shape Using Jump LocationRedefining the Board Shape Using a 3D BodyMoving Board VerticesMoving the Board Shape

Using PCB SheetsDefining the Sheet From an Existing PCB TemplateDefining an All-layer KeepoutDefining a Layer-specific Keepout

Setting Up the PCB WorkspaceGridsDefining the Layer Stack and Other Non-electrical Layers in a View ConfigurationUsing the Layer Stack ManagerSetting up Design Rules

Ready to Transfer the Schematic Design to the PCB?

In this tutorial, we will look at what is needed to get started with a PCB design, such as creating and modifying the board shape and thesheet template, and defining any keepout requirements. We will also take a quick look at other PCB workspace setups that are requiredbefore you start placing components and routing, such as grids, layer stacks and design rules.

Creating and Modifying Board Shapes

The board shape defines the boundary, or extents, of the board in the PCB Editor. The board shape may also be referred to as a boardoutline and is essentially a closed polygon. It initially displays as a black area with the visible grid on by default when you create a newPCB document. It is used by Altium Designer to determine the extents of the power planes for plane edge pull back, used when splittingpower planes and for calculating the board edge when outputting design data to other tools.When a new board file is created by selecting File » New » PCB from the menus, a default board shape is created, sized 6000 x 4000mil.The shape can be resized, or redefined, using the commands in the Design » Board Shape menu. PCB documents created using the PCBtemplates or the PCB Board Wizard have the board shape already correctly sized.

Importing a Board Shape

You can also set the board shape to match the shape defined by a set of objects on one of the PCB Editor's mechanical layers. Using thisfeature in combination with the ability to import DWG or DXF data from a mechanical CAD package, provides a method of transferring theboard shape requirements from the mechanical CAD domain into Altium Designer.To import a DXF/DWG file into a newly created PCB:1. Select File » New » PCB.2. The new blank PCB will open. The black region on the sheet represents the board shape. We will now redefine the board's shape basedon data in a mechanical file created as a .DXF (or .DWG) file in AutoCAD. All versions of AutoCAD from 2.5 to 14 are supported. Pleasenote that the shape to be imported must be a closed shape and internal cutouts are not supported.3. Select File » Import. The Import File dialog appears.4. Select the file format by changing the Files of type option to AutoCAD (*.DXF,*DWG).5. Navigate to and select the file to be imported and click on Open.6. The Import from AutoCAD dialog displays to allow you to specify how you would like the AutoCAD layers imported to Altium Designerlayers. For example, you could map the AutoCAD '0' layer (left side) to Mechanical layer 4 in Altium Designer (selected from the drop-down list).7. Check that the other import options are set correctly and click on OK. Track segments forming a board outline will appear on thenominated layer, e.g. Mechanical Layer 4. The imported data will automatically be scaled if it is larger than the current PCB workspace.Now that you have a closed boundary defined on a mechanical layer, you can use these objects to define the board shape.

Defining the Board Shape From Selected Objects

As mentioned above, you can define an enclosed boundary, using lines and arcs, on a mechanical layer (or any layer) and use theseobjects to define the board shape.To define a board shape from selected objects:1. Create an enclosed boundary on a mechanical layer that will define the board shape you require. Use the placement commands suchas Place » Line or Place » Arc to create your new board shape.2. Select the new board shape boundary only. Use the Edit » Select » All on Layer command to quickly select all objects on the currentlayer [shortcut: S, Y].3. Select Design » Board Shape » Define from selected objects and the board shape will be redisplayed to fit the selected boundaryobjects.

Modifying a Board Shape

You can change a board shape by redefining (redrawing) it or by moving the vertices. You can move the board shape around the sheet aswell, with or without any placed objects.You can change the color of the board shape by selecting Design » Board Layers & Colors [shortcut: L] and selecting a new color for theBoard Area Color in the System Colors section of the View Configurations dialog.

Redefining a Board Shape

You can redefine the board shape if it does not already exist or you want to draw it again from scratch. If you need to change the entireboard shape, complete the following steps.1. Select Design » Board Shape » Redefine Board Shape. The cursor will change to a large cross, the background will change to black

and the original board shape will be displayed in green.2. Click (or press ENTER) to create the corners of the new board shape. Press the SPACEBAR to change the corner style while you aredefining the board shape. The Status bar at the bottom of the design window helps to locate the co-ordinates of the corners.3. When you have defined the board shape, right-click or press ESC to finish. There is no need to fully close the polygon, as AltiumDesigner will automatically complete the shape by joining the first point to the last point placed.The visible grid will be drawn to fill the area defined by the new board outline.

Defining the Shape Using Jump Location

To accurately define the shape based on a set of dimensions, you can use the Jump Location shortcut keys instead of the mouse. To dothis:1. Set the origin to define the location of the bottom left of the PCB (Edit » Origin » Set).2. Select Design » Board Shape » Redefine Board Shape and release the mouse.3. Press the J key to pop up the Jump submenu and then press the O key to jump to the origin you just defined. Press ENTER to definethe first corner of the new board shape.4. Press J, L to display the Jump to Location dialog. The X-Location field will be active, so simply type in the X location of the next cornerof the board (do not touch the mouse).5. Press the TAB key to move to the Y-Location field in the Jump to Location dialog and type in the appropriate Y value.6. Press ENTER to accept the values and close the dialog. The cursor will be at the correct location. Do not touch the mouse; simplypress the ENTER key again to define this corner.7. Press J, L again to display the Jump to Location dialog, type in the next X coordinate, press TAB, type in the Y coordinate, pressENTER to accept the values and press ENTER to define this corner.8. Repeat this process until all corners are defined, finishing back at the 0, 0 origin. Again, do not touch the mouse; press ENTER.

Redefining the Board Shape Using a 3D Body

This feature redefines the board shape based on a surface (face) of an imported 3D STEP model. It can be used to quickly create acomplex board shape and helps integration between electronic and mechanical design areas. To do this:1. Import the STEP model (.step or* .stp) using *Place » 3D Body* [shortcut: *P , B ].2. Select Design » Board Shape » Define from 3D body [shortcut: D , S , S ]. Prior to launching this command, you must have alreadyplaced a 3D body in the workspace and be in 3D mode [shortcut: 3 ] for the command to be available.3. Click the 3D body to select it, the cursor will change to a crosshair, ready to select the desired surface.4. Click on a flat surface of the STEP model - this surface will become the new board shape. As you move the cursor around the model, when a surface is found, it is highlighted by therest of the model being made somewhat transparent.Note : Only surfaces aligned with the X-Y plane can be used to create the board shape from. If you select a model surface that requiresalignment in the X-Y plane, you will be asked, via a Confirmation dialog, to align the surface before you can continue. This dialog alsoallows you to place the model, using the selected face, in relation to either the top or bottom surface of the board. This means that thevertical position of the model can also be set at the same time. After alignment you will need to select *Design » Board Shape » Definefrom 3D Body* again. After the board shape has been redefined, you will be given the option to hide the 3D body.

Moving Board Vertices

When modifying a board shape, e.g. resizing it, moving the board vertices will save you from having to redefine the entire board shape.1. Select Design » Board Shape » Move Board Vertices. The board outline displays with editing handles and the cursor changes to a largecross, ready to select and move vertices.2. Click on the vertex that you want to move and drag it to its new location.3. You can create new vertices by clicking on the small crosses that appear midway along the line segments and dragging the new vertexinto position.4. Right-click or press ESC to finish your board shape.

Moving the Board Shape

Using the Move Board Shape command to reposition the board shape will move the board outline only. Any components and connectionsalready placed will not be affected.If you need to reposition the board shape in relation to the design sheet, make sure the sheet is visible by enabling the Display Sheetoption in the Board Options dialog (Design » Board Options). See Using PCB sheets in this tutorial for more information about usingsheets in Altium Designer.To move a board shape only:

1. Select Design » Board Shape » Move Board Shape and the board outline will appear floating on the cursor.2. Drag the board shape to its new location and click to place.To move a board shape along with any components and connections already placed:1. Select all (CTRL + A) or select the objects you need to move, including the board shape.2. Click directly on a selected object and the cursor changes to a large arrow. Drag the selection bounding box to the new location on thesheet.Alternatively, select the objects required and select Edit » Move » Move Selection. Click within the selection to define a reference point,move the selection and click to place.

Using PCB Sheets

Sheets in the PCB Editor are a special drawing feature that represent the printed page and are controlled using the options in the BoardOptions dialog. When you create a new PCB file, a default sheet is automatically created with the default size of 10000 x 8000mil. It is notshown initially but, when displayed, it appears as the white shape behind the board outline.Most of the PCB example files supplied with Altium Designer ( Examples folder of your Altium Designer installation) display the board on awhite sheet which includes a border, grid reference and title block that have been drawn on one of the mechanical layers, Mechanical16.

By placing objects on mechanical layers and then linking those layers to the sheet, you can create your own drawing templates that canbe displayed or hidden. Sheets that include a border, grid reference and title block can be added to PCB files by copying from the existingPCB templates ( Templates folder of your Altium Designer installation).The sheet size and location of the sheet can be defined manually by the Size and Location settings in the Board Options dialog. The sheetcan be also be resized automatically to fit the objects on linked mechanical layer(s) when you select View » Fit Sheet or you can use theDesign » Board Shape » Auto-Position Sheet command to recalculate it when the contents of the linked mechanical layers change.

Displaying the SheetTo make the sheet is visible in the PCB Editor:1. Select Design » Board Options and enabling the Display Sheet option in the Sheet Position section of the Board Options dialog.The sheet can be hidden at any time by disabling the Display Sheet option. All linked mechanical layers will also be hidden. Click OK.2. Select View » Fit Sheet to display the sheet [shortcut: V, H (View Sheet) or Z, S (Zoom Sheet)]. A white space appears around theboard shape with the default size of 10000 x 8000mil.

3. You can change the color of the sheet by selecting Design » Board Layers & Colors [shortcut: L] and selecting a new color for theSheet Area Color and Sheet Line Color in the System Colors section of the View Configurations dialog. You can save any customviews you create as view configurations, which you can re-use time and again.4. If you have drawing template information such as a title block and border grid that you have drawn or imported onto a mechanical layer,link these layers to the sheet in the View Configurations dialog. Then select Design » Board Shape » Auto-Position Sheet to automaticallymatch size sheet to just enclose the objects on the chosen mechanical layers.

Defining the Sheet From an Existing PCB Template

You can define the sheet, including border, reference grid and title block, at any time by copying the objects from the supplied AltiumDesigner PCB template documents and pasting them into your PCB design document. Altium Designer includes a set of pre-defined PCBtemplates in the Templates folder. Use the sheet size templates only, i.e. A.pcbdoc through to A0.pcbdoc .1. Open the PCB document that you want to add the new sheet size to. Make sure that the existing default sheet is displayed to help youplace the new sheet by pressing V, H (view sheet) or Z, S (zoom sheet).2. Open an existing PCB sheet template that will fit all the objects on your PCB, e.g. A2.pcbdoc . To do this, click on PCB Templates inthe New from Template region of the Files panel. If this option is not visible, click on the up arrows to the right of each section in the Filespanel to contract the other options. The Choose existing Document dialog displays.Navigate to the PCB Templates folder and select A2.pcbdoc (for example), and click Open. The template is opened as a new PCB designdocument in the design window, named PCB1.PcbDoc.3. Select all the contents of the template file (CTRL + A) and copy (CTRL + C) the contents to the clipboard. Click once to set a copyreference point. Close Pcb1.pcbdoc without saving.4. Switch to your PCB document by clicking its tab at the top of the design window. Paste the new sheet into the existing PCB usingCTRL + V. The contents of the template are pasted onto Mechanical16 layer.5. Now we need to show the Mechanical16 layer and link it to the sheet. Select Design » Board Layers & Colors to display the ViewConfigurations dialog. Enable the Show, Enable and Linked to Sheet options for Mechanical16 .

6. Turn on Single Layer Mode to always show the sheet regardless of the status of Single Layer Mode as enabled in the View Options tabof the View Configurations dialog. Click OK to close the dialog.7. Finally, size the sheet to include the border. Press V, H (to view sheet) or Z, S (to zoom sheet). The sheet fits to the extents of theobjects on the layer linked to the sheet, i.e. it fits to include the sheet border defined on the Mechanical16 layer.8. You can now modify the title block, for example, by switching to Mechanical16 layer and adding or deleting objects. The sheet willresize to include all objects when you press V, H or Z, S again. You can save any custom views you create as view configurations, whichyou can re-use time and again.

KeepoutsAs well as the board shape, you should also define a placement and routing boundary around the edge of the board. This is done byplacing objects on the keepout layer. Objects placed on this layer define 'no-go' zones for components and routing. Typically, you woulddefine a shape just in from the edge of the board to restrict components and routing from being placed to close to the edge of the board.You can also define other routing and component keepouts areas for mechanical objects such as screw heads, or other mountingrequirements.Keepout boundaries can be defined using any standard objects, such as lines, arcs, fills and regions.A board keepout is also automatically included when using a PCB manufacturers' template to create a new PCB, e.g. AT or Eurocard. Thesheet size templates, e.g. A2.pcbdoc , do not include keepouts.

Defining an All-layer Keepout

If you create a new PCB in the following ways, you will need to define the keepout yourself by:

selecting File » New » PCB from the menus, or clicking on PCB File in the New section of the Files panel,using the PCB sheet size templates, e.g. A2.pcbdoc , by choosing PCB Templates from the New from Template section of theFiles panel.Only a default board shape is created by these commands, so the keepout has to be added once the board shape has beendefined.To define a keepout that applies on all copper layers:1. Click on the Keep-Out layer tab so you will be placing the tracks on this layer only.2. Select Place » Line. Click to define the vertex points of the keepout and create the closed shape.3. When you have finished placing keepout tracks, right-click or press ESC to exit line placement mode.

Defining a Layer-specific Keepout

You can also define layer-specific keepouts on any copper layer. To do this:1. Click on the layer tab of the required layer.2. Define the boundary or area of the keepout area by placing layer-specific keepout objects (Place » Keepout submenu). Layer specifickeepouts are simply standard objects with the Keepout attribute enabled. They are displayed in the same color as the layer, with akeepout colored edge. Note that layer-specific keepout objects are not included in the Gerber or ODB++ output files.

Setting Up the PCB Workspace

Now you have created your board shape, sheet and any keepout boundaries, we will take a quick look at setting up the grids, layers anddesign rules in the PCB Editor. Then you will be ready to start designing your board.

Grids

You need to ensure that the placement grid is set correctly before you start positioning any components on the board. Other than thecomponents, all the objects placed in the PCB Editor workspace are aligned on a grid called the Snap Grid. This grid needs to be set tosuit the routing technology that you intend to use.

To set the grids:1. Select Design » Board Options [shortcut: D, O] to open the Board Options dialog.2. Set the values of the Snap Grid and the Component Grid using the lists or typing in the value. The Snap Grid is usually set to a either amultiple or a fraction of the component pin pitch, e.g. to route a track between the pins of a component with a pin pitch of 100mil, a SnapGrid of 25mil could be used. The Component Grid controls the placement of components only.3. Note : This dialog is also used to define the Electrical Grid. The Electrical Grid operates when you place an electrical object; it overridesthe Snap Grid and snaps electrical objects together as soon as they come within the defined grid range.4. You could also set two different Visible Grids as well. These are for visual alignment only. Click OK to close the dialog.5. When you wish to change or override the grids, you can use the shortcut keys, e.g. G to pop up the Snap Grid menu, or SHIFT + E totoggle the Electrical Grid on or off.

Defining the Layer Stack and Other Non-electrical Layers in a View Configuration

The PCB Editor can display the PCB design in 2D or 3D modes with definitions for layers, surfaces, colors, visibility and other items,known as view configurations, available from the View Configurations dialog. You can save any 2D or 3D view configurations for use timeand again. Select Design » Board Layers & Colors [shortcut: L] to open the View Configurations dialog.2D mode is a multi-layered environment that is ideal for normal PCB design routines such as placing components, routing and connecting.3D mode is useful for examining your design both inside and out as a full 3D model (3D mode does not provide the full range offunctionality available in 2D mode). You can switch between 2D and 3D modes through *File » Switch To 3D* or *File » Switch To 2D*[shortcut: 2 (2D), 3 (3D)]. If you look at the bottom of the PCB Editor workspace, you will notice a series of layer tabs, most of the editingactions you perform will be on a particular layer.There are three types of layers in the PCB Editor:

Electrical layers - These include the 32 signal layers and 16 plane layers. Electrical layers are added to and removed from thedesign in the Layer Stack Manager dialog (Design » Layer Stack Manager). See Using the Layer Stack Manager for moreinformation.Mechanical layers - There are 32 general purpose mechanical layers for defining the board outline, placing dimensions on, including fabrication detailson, or any other mechanical details the design requires. These layers can be selectively included in print and Gerber outputgeneration. You can add, remove and name mechanical layers in the View Configurations dialog. You can save any custom viewsyou create as view configurations, which you can re-use time and again. Enable the Only show enabled mechanical layers option tolimit the list to only enabled layers.Before a Mechanical layer can be used, it must be enabled. Enable the option in the Enable column to specifically make thatmechanical layer part of the PCB file's database. Only enabled mechanical layers can be part of the database. You cannot disablemechanical layers that have design objects on them. To edit a mechanical layer name, click to select it then press F2 to edit it.The Show option allows you to control the visibility of a mechanical layer. The Display In Single Layer Mode option causes thatlayer to be displayed when Single Layer Mode is used (SHIFT + S).Enable the Linked To Sheet option to relate a mechanical layer to the PCB sheet object. Related linked mechanical layers arehidden when the Display Sheet option is disabled (Board Options dialog). They are also used to determine the extents of the sheetwhen the Auto-position sheet option is chosen in the Board Shape sub-menu.Special layers - These include the top and bottom silkscreen layers, the solder and paste mask layers, drill layers, the Keep-Outlayer (used to define the electrical boundaries), the multilayer (used for multilayer pads and vias), the connection layer, DRC errorlayer, grid layers and hole layers.

Using the Layer Stack Manager

Simple designs can be routed as a single-sided or double-sided board. If the design is more complex, you can add more layers by usingthe Layer Stack Manager dialog. Three kinds of layers - signal layers, internal plane layers and insulation (substrate) layers - can be addedto the layer stack. These must be correctly specified if you intend to perform a signal integrity analysis.1. Select Design » Layer Stack Manager [shortcut: D, K] to display the Layer Stack Manager dialog.

2. New signal and plane layers can be added to the design as required, by selecting an existing layer and clicking the Add Layer or AddPlane buttons respectively. New layers and planes are added below the currently selected layer. Once the required layers have beenadded, use the Move Up and Move Down buttons to configure the layer stack.3. Double-click on a layer name to edit the properties of that layer (alternatively, select the layer and press the Properties button). Layerproperties, such as copper thickness and dielectric properties are used for signal integrity analysis.4. The stack-up style refers to the order of the insulation layers through the layer stack. Three default stack-up styles are supported -Layer Pairs, Internal Layer Pairs and Build-Up. Changing the layer stack-up style changes the way that the core and prepreg layers aredistributed through the layer stack. Select the preferred stack-up style from the drop-down list located at the top-right of the dialog.Defining the stack-up style is important if you plan to use blind and buried vias, or perform a detailed signal integrity analysis of the design.If you require blind and buried vias, you must define the allowed drill pairs by clicking on the Configure Drill Pairs button.5. Click OK to close the dialog.

Setting up Design Rules

You are now ready to set up your design rules in the PCB Editor (Design » Rules) using the PCB Rules and Constraints Editor dialog.

Alternatively, you can use the Design Rule Wizard (Design » Rule Wizard) to get started. By creating a complete set of design rules atthis stage, not only will the online DRC (Design Rules Check) flag you immediately when violations occur, but you will actually beprevented from creating violations in the first place. The autorouter, when running, will look to the design rules you have set up as well.

Once you have created a set of rules that can be reused in similar projects, such as preferred track widths or a minimum clearancebetween components, you can import and export individual design rules by right-clicking in the Design Rule tree in the PCB Rules andConstraints Editor dialog.For more information, refer to

Design Rules

Creating Design Rules

Interrogating Violations

Ready to Transfer the Schematic Design to the PCB?

Before transferring the schematic information from a schematic document to the new PCB, make sure:

your PCB file is part of the same .PrjPCB project

check to make sure that all the libraries required for the PCB footprints are available.

For more information about using libraries, refer to Component, Model and Library Concepts

Once the project has been compiled (Project » Compile Project) in the Schematic Editor and any errors in the schematic fixed, usethe Design » Update PCB Document command to generate ECOs that will transfer the schematic information to the target PCB.For more information about updating a PCB, refer to the tutorial

Tutorial - Getting Started with PCB Design