Main window

Program main window consists of design area, main menu, panels, status bar.

In the design area you can create and edit PCB Design objects (patterns, connections, traces, shapes, tables etc).

Main menu contains all basic functions of the program. There are the following items: File, Edit, View, Objects, Library, Route, Layer, Programs, Help.

Program has six main tool panels:

Standard - contains tools to work with files, to edit, to print, to change scale and grid size.

Route - contains tools to create and edit traces, create board, run and setup autorouter, check desing rules, select current signal layer.

Elements - contains tools to switch to default mode, to place components, pads, mounting holes, copper pour and tables.

Libraries - contains active libraries. When selecting library, its content is shown in patterns panel.

Patterns - looks like a grid and contains all the patterns of the library selected. Active pattern is shown by image and pattern name and the rest - by names only.

Drawing - contains tools to create shapes, texts, images, to select shape and text placement layer.

Left side of the status bar shows current hint and the right one - cursor coordinates.

Tool panels - Program has six main tool panels:

Standard

Contains the following tools:

New - creates new PCB design. In case the previous was not saved it offers to do that. The program supports only one opened design.

Open - opens existing design (*.dip) or schematic (*.dch) file.

Save - saves current design. If design was not previously saved, the dialog box is opened to save it, otherwise the design is saved to the file selected previously. This tool is active only if the current design was not saved.

Print - opens print dialog box and prints current design. It is recommended to print from the preview window. Sheet settings and titles are set in titles and sheet setup dialog.

Preview - opens the preview window before printing.

Titles and Sheet Setup - opens titles and sheet setup window to set sheet size and orientation, border margins, titles, zones and to open title block editor, etc.

Cut - moves selected object to clipboard (except board).

Copy - copies selected objects (except board).

Paste - pastes objects from clipboard.

Undo - makes one step backward in editing.

Redo - makes one step forward. Activated after use of Undo tool. If you edit design after using Undo tool, Redo tool becomes inactive.

Zoom Window - sets current scale and scroll positions according to defined window.

Undo Zoom - returns to previous scale and scroll positions.

Scale - selection of design scale (from 25% to 400%). You can change scale by pressing " + " key to zoom in and " - " key to zoom out or by selecting corresponding main menu items.

Grid Size - selection of current grid size.

Route

Contains the following tools:

Route Manual - places traces manually.

Edit Traces - edits existing traces taking into account angles (90 and 45 degree). It is activated automatically when you try to edit traces in Default mode.

Free Edit Traces - edits existing traces by moving nodes and lines freely.

Route Setup - opens Route Setup window to set width of traces and clearance by default and to select autorouter.

Measure - measures spacing while designing PCB. To activate it you need to select it and click the left button of the mouse on the start point of the spacing and move cursor to the end point. Length of spacing is shown in the left low corner of the main window.

Run Autorouter - runs current autorouter.

Place Board - places board polygon.

Autorouter Setup - opens current autorouter setup dialog.

Check Design - checks current design and finds errors (crosses of traces, small clearance, etc). Errors are shown by red and blue circles circles. Restart of this function hides all current errors and finds new ones.

Design Rules - opens the dialog box where you can change design rules.

Elements

Contains the following tools:

Default Mode - enables default mode. Notice that you can also to switch to default mode by clicking right mouse button.

Place Component - opens component or pattern placement dialog.

Component Placement Side - select the board side to which you want to place components and patterns.

Place Pad - places pads. Type and size are set in placement setup dialog.

Place Mounting Hole - places mounting hole to the design. Hole diameters are set in placement setup dialog.

Pads and Mounting Holes are kinds of patterns.

Place Copper Pour - places copper pour into the current signal layer.

Place Table - places table to the design. Table can be in assy or silk layer.

Libraries

It shows active libraries. When you select a library its content is shown on patterns panel.

Patterns

It looks like a grid and contains all the patterns of the library selected. Active pattern is shown by image and pattern name and the rest - by names only.

Drawing

It contains tools to creat shapes, text, images:

Line, Arc, Rectangle, Filled Rectangle, Ellipse, Filled Ellipse, Polyline, Filled Polygon, Text, Image.

Modes of operation

There are several modes of operation in the program:

Default - is a mode set by default. It becomes active as soon as you ran the program. To enable this mode from any other mode you need to click the right button of the mouse or select "Default Mode" tool on the elements panel. This mode allows:

- To select and to move objects;

- To place connections;

- To edit existing traces taking into account angles (90 and 45 degree);

- To change size of the shapes, text and pictures;

- To edit board.

Place Pattern - to enable this mode click on the pattern on the pattern panel or on the "Place" button in the place component dialog or in the search patterns one.

Place Pad or Mounting Hole - to enable this mode select "Objects \ Place Pad" or "Objects \ Place Mounting Hole" in the main menu or a corresponding tools on the element panel.

Place Table - to enable this mode select "Objects \ Place Table" from main menu or a corresponding tool on the element panel.

Route Manual - to enable this mode select "Route \ Tools \ Route Manual" from main menu or a corresponding tool on the route panel. To place trace select a start pad or a trace segment and specify key points (placing is effected according to 90- and 45-degree angles) to the end pad or a trace segment.

Edit Traces - to enable this mode select "Route \ Tools \ Edit Traces" from main menu or a corresponding tool on the route panel. This mode allows to move trace segments according 90- and 45- degree angles.

Free Edit Traces - to enable this mode select "Route \ Tools \ Free Edit Traces" from main menu or a corresponding tool on the route panel. This mode allows to move trace segments and nodes freely.

Place Shape - to enable this mode select a shape or text placement tool from main menu ("Objects" item) or on the drawing panel.

Place Board - to enable this mode select "Route \ Place Board" from main menu or a corresponding tool on the route panel. Placing the board specify board polygon points.

Place copper pour - to enable this mode select "Objects \ Place Copper Pour" from main menu or a corresponding tool on the element panel. Copper pour is placed in the current signal layer specifying polygon points. To complete the placement click the right mouse button - copper pour properties dialog appears.

Measure - measures spacing while designing PCB. To activate it you need to select it and click the left button of the mouse on the start point of the spacing and move cursor to the end point. Length of spacing is shown in the left low corner of the main window.

Move Patterns Marking - to enable this mode select "View \ Patterns Marking \ Move Tool" from main menu or press "F10" key. This mode allows to move marking as respects to the pattern.

Pattern

The component pattern contains pads, shapes which specify pattern silk and mounting holes.
Patterns are created and edited by pattern editor (ComEdit).
The program enables to create patterns with variable numbers of pads and pad to pad spacings. Variable parameters can be changed in DipTrace program in the pattern properties dialog.

The program has ten different types of patterns:

1. Empty - does not depend on the pattern parameters. All the pads are defined freely.

2. Right corner - contains three pads which form right-angled triangle with right orientation. It depends on the pad to pad spacing.

3. Left corner - contains three pads which form right-angled triangle with left orientation. It depends on the pad to pad spacing.

4. Perpendicular - contains three pads which form a line and a perpendicular. It depends on two parameters: pad to pad spacing and pad to line spacing.

5. Circle - contains pads which form circle. It depends on the number of pads and pad to pad spacing.

6. Lines - contains defined number of pad lines. It depends on four parameters: number of lines, number of pads, pad to pad spacing and line to line spacing.

7. Square - contains four pad lines which form square. It depends on three parameters: number of pads, pad to pad spacing and line to line spacing.

8. Matrix - contains pads which form matrix. It depends on the number of columns, number of rows, column spacing and row spacing.

9. Pad - contains only one pad. It is created in DipTrace by the pad tool.

10. Mounting Hole - contains only one mounting hole. It is created in DipTrace by the mounting hole tool.

Properties

To open component properties dialog click on the pattern by the right mouse button to open submenu and select "Properties".

Use this dialog box to change RefDes, Type, Value of the pattern and parameters, which can be varied. Different pattern types depends on the different parameters.

It is possible to set marking for each pattern. Select "Default" to set general settings or specify marking and justify only for the current pattern.
Select "View \ Patterns Marking \ Move Tool" or press "F10" to edit shift and spacing by sight.

The pattern with newly set parameters is shown in the preview area. It is possible to change preview scale.

Pad properties

It is possible to set pad properties for a pattern or for each pad only.

To change pattern pad properties click on the pattern by the right mouse button and select "Pad Properties".

In the dialog box shown set current pad shape (ellipse, oval, rectangle or polygon), pad width and height, hole diameter, through or surface pad type.
To apply changes to all pattern pads check "Apply to All", otherwise changes will be set only for default pads.

To open pad properties dialog click on the pad by the right mouse button and select "Pad Properties".

In the dialog box shown set number and note of the pad, rotation, pad properties which can be set for the pattern by default or defined for this pad only.

To set points for the polygonal pad press "Points" button.

In the dialog box shown set the polygon type: regular or defined by points.

To define a regular polygon specify number of sides and rotation.

There are the following functions to edit polygon points:
- to add a new point enter coordinates to "X" and "Y" fields and press "Add" button;
- to delete points select them and press "Delete" button;
- to change point coordinates select them and specify new ones;
- to insert a new point select the position and press "Insert" button.

Net

DipTrace net contains pad to pad connections and routed traces. Connections are drawn as blue lines, colour of traces is specified in the signal layers setup dialog (black colour for all layers is set by default). It is possible to place connections in DipTrace program or to open schematic file (*.dch) with predefined net connections which are created in Schematic program. Traces are placed manually or by autorouter.

Trace segments can be of different width and placed to different signal layers. In case when two adjacent segments are placed to different layers a via is placed between them.

There are several modes to place traces for autorouter. There are the following route modes:
- existing traces are not changed and new ones are placed on the basis of net connections (this mode is set by default);
- unroute all existing traces and new ones are placed on the basis of net connections;
- existing traces can be corrected and new ones are placed on the basis of net connections;
- do not route the net.
All the modes are set in the net properties dialog.

Create connections

There are several ways to create connections:

1. To connect two pads by sight in default mode click on the first pad and on the second one by the left mouse button. To cancel connection mode click the right mouse button.

2. To connect the pad to any net of the design click on the pad by the right mouse button, select "Add to Net \ Select from List" from the submenu, select the net and click "OK". Connection will be placed from the current pad to the nearest one of the net selected.
3. To create from connection manager select "Route \ Connection Manager" from main menu or click on the net by the right mouse button and select "Connection Manager". In connection manager window you can add or delete pads for all design nets.

Create traces

Traces can be created manually or by autorouter.

To place trace select "Route \ Tools \ Route Manual" from main menu or a corresponding tool on the route panel, click on the start pad or trace segment and specify key points (placing is effected according to 90- and 45-degree angles) to the end pad or trace segment. To finish/cancel trace placement change trace width or switch layer click the right mouse button and select a corresponding item from the submenu shown.
If the start point object belongs to the net, the pads of this net are highlighted. If the end trace segment is placed in another layer the via is placed automatically. It is possible to disable "Connect to Inactive Layer" function in the route setup dialog.

If grid is enabled the key points of the trace are ajusted to grid.

Autorouter creates new traces on the basis of net connections. It is possible to check the design after the route and to find errors (crosses of traces, small clearance, etc) which are shown by red circles. To disable this option select "Route \ Route Setup" and uncheck "Check Design after Route" item.
To hide errors select "Route \ Hide Errors" from main menu.

Edit traces

There are several functions to edit traces:

Edit existing traces taking into account angles (90- and 45-degree). This mode is activated automatically when you try to edit traces in Default mode. To enable edit mode manually select "Route \ Tools \ Edit Traces" from main menu or a corresponding tool on the route panel. This mode allows to move trace segments according to 90- and 45-degree angles and to smooth 90-degree or sharp angles by transforming them into two angles and a segment.

Free edit traces. To enable this mode select "Route \ Tools \ Free Edit Traces" from main menu or a corresponding tool on the route panel. This mode allows to move trace segments and nodes freely.

To add nodes to the trace segment click on it by the right mouse button and select "Add Node" from submenu.

To change the segment width or the width of all the net traces click on it by the right mouse button and select "Line Width" or "Net Width" from submenu. It is possible to select width from the trace templates or to set a custom one.

To switch layer of the trace segment, the trace or the net click on it by the right mouse button and select "Switch Line Layer", "Switch Trace Layer" or "Switch Net Layer" from submenu. To change via properties of the net or the trace segment select "Via Properties" from submenu.

To delete trace click on it by the right mouse button and select "Delete Line" from submenu. If necessary the net structure will be changed automatically.

Also you can delete trace segments - to do this use "Delete Segment" command from the trace submenu.

Properties

To open net properties dialog click on the net trace by the right mouse button and select "Properties" from submenu or click the right mouse button on the pad which belogs to the net and select "Net Properties".

The dialog box shown allows to select route mode for the net:

Connections - existing traces are not changed and new ones are placed on the basis of net connections (this mode is set by default);

Correct Traces - unroutes all existing traces and new ones are placed on the basis of net connections;

Full - existing traces can be corrected and new ones are placed on the basis of net connections;

Don't Route - do not route the net.

It is possible to change net width and clearance for the net traces and for the net by default. If default parameters are not set the general ones will be used to create traces during autoroute. To set general width and clearance use the route setup dialog.

Vias

Vias are placed automatically between two trace segments which are in different layers. Vias can be through or only in neighbouring layers which contain the trace segments.

To set default via properties select "Layer \ Via Properties" from main menu. In the dialog box shown you can set the via type and size.
There are tree ways to apply changes:
- to set by default and not to apply to vias available;
- to set by default and to apply to all vias with the previous default parameters;
- to set by default and to apply to all vias available.

To change via properties of the net click on it by the right mouse button and select "Via Properties" from submenu. In the dialog box shown you can change via parameters and select the way to apply them: current trace segment, the trace or the net.

Connection manager

To change the net structure it is possible to use connection manager. To open it select "Route \ Connection Manager" from main menu or click on the net by the right mouse button and select "Connection Manager".

In the dialog box shown you can select a net and add or delete pads of this net.

To delete a pad select it in the table and press "Delete" button.

To add a pad select a pattern and a pad of this pattern and press "Add" button.

Trace templates

To setup trace templates (width and clearance) select "Route \ Trace Templates" from main menu.

In the dialog box shown you can add, delete and change trace templates.
Trace templates are shown in the net submenu to change trace segment or net width. Trace templates are used in the net properties and in route setup dialogs.

Shape

There are several types of graphical objects:
Line, Arc, Rectangle, Filled Rectangle, Ellipse, Filled Ellipse, Polyline, Polygon, Text and Picture.

All the graphical objects can be placed to assy, silk or signal layers.

Create

To create a shape select a corresponding tool on the drawing panel or from main menu ("Objects" item) and place the selected shape to the design area. To place text select a corresponding tool, click in the design area and enter text. When picture border is placed picture file selection dialog box will be opened. Program supports BMP and JPEG formats of raster pictures.
To change line and fill color, and font of the text, select "Objects \ Drawing Properties" item from main menu.

The shape, text or picture will be placed in the layer which is defined on the drawing panel (top assy, top silk, bottom assy, bottom silk or current signal layer). It is possible to change layer in the shape properties dialog.

Edit

To change shape size select the shape and move the key points by the left mouse button, scale of the picture and text font size will be changed automatically.

To change text click on it by the right mouse button and select the first item from submenu (current text is shown as item name). To change font size select "Font" from submenu.

To change coordinates of the shape key points use the shape properties dialog.

Properties

To change shape properties click on the shape by the right mouse button and select "Properties" from submenu.

In the dialog box shown you can change shape type (Top Assy, Top Silk, Route Obstacle, Signal, Bottom Silk or Bottom Assy). It is possible to change signal layer or to set all layers for the route obstacle and signal shape.
To change coordinates of the key point select it and enter new coordinates to "X" and "Y" fields.

To change line and fill color of the shape click on the corresponding rectangle. Rectangles are filled with the current colour of the line or of the fill.

To change font of the text object click on it by the right mouse button and select "Font" from submenu.

Board

In DipTrace the board is defined by polygon.

It is possible to place and edit board by sight or by editing points in the board points dialog.

To place board by sight select "Route \ Place Board" or a corresponding tool on the route panel and specify key points of the board polygon.

It is posible to remove current key points of the board polygon by the left mouse button or insert a new one by pressing left mouse button on the side of board polygon and moving.

To edit polygon by editing points select "Route \ Board Points" from main menu. In the dialog shown you can add, insert or delete points. To apply changes click "OK".

Board polygon is the area where the autorouter find traces. If there is no board polygon in the design, it will be created automatically before autoroute.

Place component

To place component from a component library (*.eli) or pattern from a pattern library (*.lib) select "Objects \ Place Component" from main menu or a corresponding tool on the elements panel.

In the dialog box shown make a library list. It is possible to add a component or pattern libraries.

To place a component or a pattern select the library which contains it, select the component or pattern name in the component list and press "Place" button.

Group

Group is an abstract object, which unites some design objects and defines similar edit properties to them: fixed position concerning each other, rotation concerning center of the group, all objects wil be selected when you try to select any object of the group.

Group is drawn by the light pink colour (borders and central point are shown). When any object of the group is highlighted the group is highlighted too.

To create group select the objects and select "Edit \ Group" from main menu. To ungroup objects select any object of the group and select "Edit \ Ungroup" from main menu.
It is possible to group and ungroup objects from the object submenus. Group and ungroup items are shown depending on the selection state.

Pad

In DipTrace a pad object is a pattern which contains only one pad.
The pad has two highlight areas:
1. Pattern highlight - to activate it move cursor to the side of the object. All the pattern edit properties and pattern submenu are available in this mode.
2. Pad highlight - to activate it move cursor to the pad. All the pad properties and pad submenu are available.

To place a pad select "Objects \ Place Pad" from main menu or a corresponding tool on the element panel and click by the left mouse button in the design area.

To change shape and size of the pad by default select "Objects \ Placement Setup" from main menu.

To change pad properties select "Pad Properties" from the pattern submenu or "Properties" from the pad submenu.

From properties dialog (select "Properties" from the pattern submenu) you can change pad coordinates.

Mounting hole

In DipTrace a mounting hole object is a pattern which contains only one mounting hole. Mounting hole is defined by two diameters: hole and unroutable area.

To place mounting hole select "Objects \ Place Mounting Hole" from main menu or a corresponding tool on the element panel. To set mounting hole properties by default select "Objects \ Placement Setup" from main menu.

To change mounting hole diameters and coordinates click on it by the right mouse button and select "Properties" from submenu shown.

Copper pour

To pour empty areas in the signal layers use the copper pour object.

To place copper pour select "Objects \ Place Copper Pour" from main menu or a corresponding tool on the element panel and define key points of the copper pour polygon.
To finish placement click the right mouse button.

In the dialog box shown specify the following parameters:

Fill Type - the type of copper pour fill (Solid, Horz Lines, Vert Lines, Cross 45 or Cross)

Clearance - minimum gap between signal/plane layer objects and copper pour.

Line Width - size of the lines which form copper pour object.

Line Spacing - line to line spacing in the fill. Used only with non-solid fill types.

Minimum Area - linear size of the minimal poured area. Also it is a smooth factor.

Connect to Net - select the net which will be connected with the poured area.

Thermals - type of connection to plated holes of the net that are conneted to the poured area.

Spoke Width - the width of connection lines in the thermals. Used only with non-direct connections (thermals).

Current State - current state of the poured object. There are two states: poured and unpoured, select the first state if you want to edit signal layer objects after placing copper pour, select the other one before printing or exporting to Gerber.

Depending on Board - if checked the the copper pour border will be counted using board outline and board outline to copper outline spacing (Border Clearance).

To change parameters of the copper pour click on it by the right mouse button and select "Properties" from submenu shown. To set "Poured" state select "Update" or "State \ Poured" from submenu.

Placement setup

To define parameters of the pad and mounting hole by default select "Objects \ Placement Setup".

In the dialog box shown you can change current pad shape, size and mounting hole diameters (hole and unroutable area).

Create connections and traces

There are several ways to create connections:

1. To connect two pads by sight in default mode click on the first pad and on the second one by the left mouse button. To cancel connection mode click the right mouse button.

2. To connect the pad to any net of the design click on the pad by the right mouse button, select "Add to Net \ Select from List" from the submenu, select the net and click "OK". Connection will be placed from the current pad to the nearest one of the net selected.

3. To create from connection manager select "Route \ Connection Manager" from main menu or click on the net by the right mouse button and select "Connection Manager". In connection manager window you can add or delete pads for all design nets.

Traces can be created manually or by autorouter.

To place trace select "Route \ Tools \ Route Manual" from main menu or a corresponding tool on the route panel, click on the start pad or trace segment and specify key points (placing is effected according to 90- and 45-degree angles) to the end pad or trace segment. To finish/cancel trace placement, change trace width or switch layer click the right mouse button and select a corresponding item from the submenu shown.
If the start point object belongs to the net, the pads of this net are highlighted. If the end trace segment is placed in another layer the via is placed automatically. It is possible to disable "Connect to Inactive Layer" function in the route setup dialog.

If grid is enabled the key points of the trace are adjusted to grid.

Autorouter creates new traces on the basis of net connections. It is possible to check the design after the route and to find errors (crosses of traces, small clearance, etc) which are shown by red circles. To disable this option select "Route \ Route Setup" and uncheck "Check Design after Route" item.
To hide errors select "Route \ Hide Errors" from main menu.

Edit traces

There are several functions to edit traces:

Edit existing traces taking into account angles (90- and 45-degree). This mode is activated automatically when you try to edit traces in Default mode. To enable edit mode manually select "Route \ Tools \ Edit Traces" from main menu or a corresponding tool on the route panel. This mode allows to move trace segments according to 90- and 45-degree angles and to smooth 90-degree or sharp angles by transforming them into two angles and a segment.

Free edit traces. To enable this mode select "Route \ Tools \ Free Edit Traces" from main menu or a corresponding tool on the route panel. This mode allows to move trace segments and nodes freely.

To add nodes to the trace segment click on it by the right mouse button and select "Add Node" from submenu.

To change the segment width or the width of all the net traces click on it by the right mouse button and select "Line Width" or "Net Width" from submenu. It is possible to select width from the trace templates or to set a custom one.

To switch layer of the trace segment, the trace or the net click on it by the right mouse button and select "Switch Line Layer", "Switch Trace Layer" or "Switch Net Layer" from submenu. To change via properties of the net or the trace segment select "Via Properties" from submenu.

To delete trace click on it by the right mouse button and select "Delete Line" from submenu. If necessary the net structure will be changed automatically.

Also you can delete trace segments - to do this use "Delete Segment" command from the trace submenu.

Route setup

To change route parameters select "Route \ Route Setup" from main menu or a corresponding tool on the route panel.

In the dialog box shown you can select autorouter and set trace width, trace to trace clearance by default, pad to trace clearance and board outline to objects clearance .
If "Check Design after Route" box is enabled the design will be checked automatically after autoroute.

To enable connection to the traces which are in inactive layer check "Connect to Inactive Layer".

To change autorouter settings press "Autoroute Setup" button which is in the top right corner of the dialog window.

Check design

To check the design and find errors (crosses of traces, too small clearance, too small size etc) select "Route \ Check Design" from main menu or a corresponding tool on the route panel. Errors are shown by red circles (clearance) or blue circles (too small size). Restart of this function hides all current errors and finds new ones.

The setting of DRC function you can change in the design rules dialog. To open this dialog box select "Route \ Design Rules" from main menu.

To hide design errors select "Route \ Hide Errors" from main menu.

The design is checked automatically after autoroute. You can disable this option from the route setup dialog.

It is possiple to compare the design to schematic. To open the dialog of schematic file selection (*.dch) and compare current design to the schematic from the specified file select "Route \ Compare to Schematic" from main menu. If there are any errors their list will be opened, otherwise the message that no errors found will be shown. New patterns and nets added to the design (VCC, GND, etc) cause no errors.

Autoroute

There is an autoroute function in the program. To start autoroute select "Route \ Run Autorouter" from main menu or a corresponding tool on the route panel.

To change settings of the current autorouter select "Route \ Autorouter Setup" from main menu or a corresponding tool on the route panel.

The program has one integrated autorouter called Grid Router, which can be used to autoroute the simple printed circuit boards. The autorouter is designed on the grid basis with 'rip-up and retry' technology and trace optimization. It is recommended to check board after route and correct traces manually.

There are several modes to place trace during autorouting:
- existing traces are not changed and new ones are placed on the basis of net connections (this mode is set by default);
- unroute all existing traces and new ones are placed on the basis of net connections;
- existing traces can be corrected and new ones are placed on the basis of net connections;
- do not route the net.

This modes can be assigned to the nets individually.

The autoroute progress is shown in the top right corner of the design area.

Grid Router

Grid Router is the grid based autorouter with 'rip up and retry' technology. It can be used to autoroute non-complex printed circuit boards. Number of signal layers is not limited, but the speed of autoroute depends on the number of layers processed.

There are three autoroute steps: trace placement with 'rip-up and retry' technology, trace optimization and trace correction.

The autorouters has four modes: Quick (set by default), Normal, Good and Best autorouting. To change the autorouter mode select "Route \ Autorouter Setup" from main menu or a corresponding tool on the route panel. For advanced designers it is posible to setup autorouter parameters manually.

Parameters

To change autorouter parameters select "Route \ Autorouter Setup" or a corresponding parameters on the route panel.

It is recommended to setup autorouter by selecting one of the modes (Quick, Normal, Good and Best).
You can set the following autorouter parameters manually:

1. Angles - enables to place traces according to angles 90- and 45-degree (it is set by default) or only 90-degree angles.

2. Number of Layers - number of signal layers which are used by autorouter. The additional layers will be added automatically if necessary. If number of layers is set to "1", the autorouting will be done in the bottom layer

3. Route without Vias - tries to route the board without vias. It is recommended to use "Normal" mode at least to route completely without vias. Also you can raise the number of signal layers if the autorouting result is unsuccessful.

4. Allow Jumper Wires - allows to use jumper wires for single layer autorouting. Jumper wires can be placed vertically or horizontally. It is recomended to use "Normal" mode at least to route with jumper wires.

5. Matrix Shift and Choice - enables shift of the routing grid before route attempts and chooses the best variant.

6. Number of Options - number of attempts for one grid shift variant.

7. Number of Optimizations - number of optimizations after creation of traces.

8. Via Value - value of the via which is used to calculate trace length. This parameter is very important in the autorouting strategy and result. For advanced users it is recommended to change via value (800-1000 mil for small designs, 2500-3000 mil for large designs) and to play with it to see how the result depends on this parameter.

9. First Route Limit, Second Route Limit - is used by 'rip-up and retry' technology to find traces. Limits are the maximum ratio of the trace length and 'start point to end point' spacing.

10. Maximium Number of Modifications - is used by 'rip-up and retry' technology to define maximum number of trace rerouting.

11. Correct Angles - enables angle correction (deleting sharp angles).

12. Correct Traces - set the correction step, number of steps per attempt and number of corection cycles.

Layers

By default there are two signal layers (Top and Bottom) which correspond to the board sides.

To add an additional signal or plane layer select "Layer \ Add Layer" from main menu and define the layer properties. All the inner layers created will be placed between "Top" and "Bottom".
To select current signal/plane layer use a list on the route panel.

It is possible to delete only empty signal or plane layers (except "Top" and "Bottom"). To do this select "Layer \ Delete Empty" from main menu.

Layer properties

To change layer properties select "Layer \ Layers Setup" from main menu.

In the dialog box shown you can select layer and change name, colour, define the layer type.
The layers can be signal or plane. Also for plane layers you can define the net and type of plated holes.
To learn how to place copper pour and define termals in the plane layer see copper pour topic.

Also in this dialog box you can Add or Delete layers. Only empty layers can be deleted.

Display modes

There are the following modes to display signal/plane layers:

1. Current - shows only the current layer.

2. All Layers - shows all signal layers. It is recomended to set different color for the traces of different signal layers.

3. Contrast - shows the current layer and reduces contrast of the inactive layers (it is set by default).

4. Contrast Edit - shows the current layer and reduces contrast of the inactive layers. Using this mode you can edit design object (components, shapes, tables) located in the inactive layers.

Notice that "Top Silk" and "Top Assy" layers are active when the top or inner signal layer is selected, "Bottom Silk" and "Bottom Assy" are active when bottom signal layer is selected.

To change the mode select "Layer \ Show" from main menu.

Titles and sheet setup

To setup the sheet size, margins, titles, etc select "File \ Titles and Sheet Setup" from main menu or a corresponding tool on the standard panel.

In the dialog box shown you can set the sheet size, border margins, zones, title blocks.
It is possible to place up to four title blocks inside the border (in all the corners) and two title blocks outside the border (in top left and bottom left corners). The last title block selected is shown in the title block preview.
Zones are marked with the numbers on the top and bottom sides and with the characters on the left and right sides of the border. It is possible to set two zone marking standards: ANSI or ISO. If "Display Zone Border" is checked the outside zone border is shown. In this case you can set the width of X and Y zone areas.
The titles and sheet size can be saved in the sheet templates. In this case you can set all the parameters by selecting a corresponding template.

Use the title block editor to create your own or edit existing title blocks. To open it press "Title Block Editor" button.

To change print settings and select the printer press "Print Settings" button.

The sheet size and orientation depend on the printer settings. To change parameters manually press "Sheet Size" button.

Title block editor

To open title block editor select "File \ Title and Sheet Setup" from main menu or a corresponding tool on the standard panel and in the dialog shown press "Title Block Editor" button.