PADS ES Suite

Evalua on Guide
Included in this guide:

A complete guided tour of the en re

PADS ES Suite including:
 Introduc on to the PADS ES Suite
 Design Capture with DxDesigner
 DxDesigner LineSim Link
 DxDesigner HyperLynx Analog
 PC Board Placement and Rou ng
with PADS Layout
 High Speed Rou ng and Autorou ng
with PADS Router
 Comple ng the Design
 HyperLynx BoardSim
 HyperLynx Thermal
 Crea ng CAM Outputs
 PADS 3D Viewer
 PADS Layout PDF
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 Contents
Introduc on 1
Introduc on .................................................................................................................. 2
Design Process Overview.............................................................................................. 4
Flow Graphic ................................................................................................................. 5
ES Suite Highlights ........................................................................................................ 6

Design Capture with DxDesigner 9

About This Evalua on ................................................................................................. 10
Lesson 1: DxDesigner Workspace ............................................................................... 10
Lesson 2: Se ng up a New Project ............................................................................ 21
Lesson 3: Crea ng a Symbol with the Symbol Editor ................................................. 28
Lesson 4: Selec ng and Verifying Parts with DxDataBook.......................................... 37
Lesson 5: Crea ng a New Schema c/Placing Parts .................................................... 47
Lesson 6: Wiring the Schema c.................................................................................. 56
Lesson 7: Rules and Constraints ................................................................................. 67
Lesson 8: Variant Manager ......................................................................................... 74
Lesson 9: Genera ng the BOM (Bill of Material) ........................................................ 85
Lesson 10: DxDesigner Integra on with HyperLynx LineSim ...................................... 89
Lesson 11: DxDesigner Integra on with HyperLynx Analog ....................................... 93
Lesson 12: DxDesigner and PADS Layout Integra on ................................................. 99

Contents i
 PC Board Placement and Rou ng with PADS Layout .................................. 109
Lesson 13: PADS Layout Environment ...................................................................... 110
Lesson 14: Se ng Up a New Design......................................................................... 116
Lesson 15: Crea ng Component Informa on........................................................... 118
Lesson 16: Placement ............................................................................................... 122
Lesson 17: Rules and Constraints ............................................................................. 128
Lesson 18: Interac ve Rou ng ................................................................................. 133
Lesson 19: Crea ng Plane Layers .............................................................................. 139
Lesson 20: RF Op ons .............................................................................................. 147
Lesson 21: Verifica on (in Layout) ............................................................................ 150

High Speed Rou ng and Autorou ng with PADS Router 153

Lesson 22: PADS Router Environment ...................................................................... 154
Lesson 23: Component Placement ........................................................................... 171
Lesson 24: Rules and Constraints ............................................................................. 175
Lesson 25: Interac ve Rou ng ................................................................................. 182
Lesson 26: High Speed Interac ve Rou ng .............................................................. 187
Lesson 27: Se ng up a Design for Autorou ng ....................................................... 194
Lesson 28: Verifica on.............................................................................................. 196

ii Contents
Simula on with HyperLynx BoardSim & HyperLynx Thermal 201
Lesson 29: Simula on with HyperLynx BoardSim ..................................................... 202
Lesson 30: Thermal Analysis with HyperLynx Thermal ............................................. 206

Comple ng the Design 211

Lesson 31: Genera ng Manufacturing Outputs (CAM) ............................................ 212
Lesson 32: 3D Layout View ....................................................................................... 219
Lesson 33: Crea ng PDFs .......................................................................................... 220

Contents iii
 List of Figures
Figure 1: Design Process Steps ..................................................................................... 4
Figure 2: PADS ES Suite Flow Diagram .......................................................................... 5
Figure 3: PADS Suites Configura ons ............................................................................ 6
Figure 4: DxDesigner Main Window ........................................................................... 11
Figure 5: DxDesigner Toolbars ...............................................................................12-13
Figure 6: PADS Layout Main Window ....................................................................... 111
Figure 7: PADS Layout Toolbars .........................................................................112-113
Figure 8: PADS Router Main Window ....................................................................... 155
Figure 9: PADS Router Toolbars .........................................................................156-157

List of Reference Tables

Table 1: PADS Router Table of Common Keyboard Commands ................................ 166

iv Contents
 Introduc on to
the PADS ES Suite
In this sec on:




Introduc on
Design Process Overview
The PADS Design Flow
W elcome to the PADS ES Suite Evalua on Guide. Our goal
is to introduce you to the broad spectrum of highly-inte-
grated PADS design tools and assist you in understanding how to
 ES Suite Feature Highlights apply them to your most complex design situa ons.
The PADS ES Suite is specifically configured to address the mul-
tude of design challenges faced by engineers trying to meet
the ever-increasing demands of the rapidly-expanding global
demand for electronic products. As component speeds increase
and product designs con nue to evolve into more complex
and higher-density packages, the design tools used by these
engineers must keep pace with these developments. The PADS
ES Suite has been specifically matched to these demanding
requirements and offers an outstanding breadth and depth of
features to meet these design challenges.
We invite you to use this guide to fully explore both the power
and ease of use of the PADS ES Suite.

1
 Introduc on
Uncommon is the design project that requires you to work in Seamless integra on between the applica ons allows the
only one applica on from start to finish. To get the job done in design to be returned to PADS Layout for verifica on checks and
today’s market, design engineers move back and forth between manufacturing output genera on. Addi onal simula ons can
numerous design, simula on and layout applica ons. Even the be performed in HyperLynx BoardSim and HyperLynx Thermal
simplest design, which you might capture in DxDesigner, o en to verify proper signal integrity and thermal performance of the
includes library content accessed through DxDataBook, as well completed design. Lastly, intelligent PDF files can be generated
as simula ons from HyperLynx Analog and HyperLynx LineSim. and the design can also be passed to the PADS 3D Viewer for
As the design develops, mul ple versions of the design are o en realis c visualiza on of the finished board.
created for produc on, each of which can be tracked with Vari- The PADS ES Suite fits perfectly into this world by providing a
ant Manager. Then, the design needs to be reviewed, verified, complete design solu on from design concept through manu-
and passed to PADS Layout for physical placement and rou ng. facture and test. This Evalua on Guide guide shows you how
Using the interac ve placement and rou ng tools in PADS Lay- the PADS ES Suite can be used effec vely to accomplish the full
out, the data develops into the physical representa on of the spectrum of design tasks.
design. Addi onal power and flexibility found in PADS Router
allows high-speed design rules and constraints to be enforced.
Once cri cal signals have been routed, the power of PADS Auto-
router can be used to quickly complete the rou ng tasks.

2 Introduc on
 Introduc on to the PADS ES Suite

A Complete Solu on Working Together

The PADS ES Suite is a complete design solu on that lets today’s This a en on to workflow means that we will also show you
crea ve engineers design and produce quality board designs— how to use the applica ons together with real-world design
faster, more easily, and more affordably than ever. The PADS ES examples. Along the way, we also introduce you to many of
Suite combines the full versions of DxDesigner, DxDataBook, the great new features in each applica on, highligh ng some
Variant Manager, PADS Layout, PADS Router, HyperLynx Analog, of the more interes ng techniques with steps and lots of
HyperLynx LineSim and BoardSim, HyperLynx Thermal, PADS illustra ons. To see which applica ons and features a sec on
PDF and the PADS 3D Viewer to deliver a feature rich, truly covers, scan the “In this sec on” list at the beginning of each
integrated solu on. In addi on, the PADS ES Suite features a sec on.
ghtly-integrated workflow, world-class support, and a compre-
hensive collec on of training resources to help you work more Further Explora on
efficiently. In short, the PADS ES Suite offers me-saving integra- Finally, remember that this document is an evalua on guide,
on, simplified workflows, and an unprecedented value. not a comprehensive user guide. Your most complete source
of detailed feature informa on is the Help in each applica on.
Purpose of This Guide In addi on, take me to examine the resource informa on
This Evalua on Guide will introduce you to the major features accessible through the InfoHub link within each applica on.
and capabili es of the applica ons and help you to understand There you’ll find informa on on a variety of PADS resources
how they work together to unify and simplify your design that will help you get started, get informed, and get inspired
process. We walk through the en re workflow from symbol while using the PADS ES Suite.
crea on to design capture, to layout, placement of components, We hope this evalua on guide helps you see some of the
rou ng, rules and constraints entry, interac ve rou ng, auto- exci ng possibili es available to you with the PADS ES Suite.
rou ng, design verifica on to final output. The focus through- Enjoy!
out is on using the en re PADS ES Suite, with special a en on
paid not only to those areas where the applica ons func on
similarly, but also to the transi on spots, providing ps on how
to get the job done more efficiently.

Introduc on 3
 Design Process Overview Steps In the Design Process
Taking a new design from concept to comple on requires a Though there are hundreds of opera ons you must perform to
designer to pay a en on to many details. We all know that de- produce a final design, we can dis ll the process down to a few
signing a printed circuit board is a con nuous process of making basic steps:
design decisions and tradeoffs. Throughout the design process, 1. Crea ng a Design Project
you must weigh a number of conflic ng factors and make calcu-
2. Performing Design Capture
lated design choices in order to obtain the best possible design
outputs.  Crea ng the Top Level Schema c
 Adding Components to the Schema c
Knowing that your design tools have the ability to provide and
 Connec ng the Components
manage the required content gives you a strong founda on
 Verifying the Design
on which to build your design. The PADS ES Suite offers a fully
 Defining Constraints
featured front-to-back design flow that allows you to balance
 Performing Design Analysis (pre-layout)
rules and constraints in an intelligent and predictable manner to
 Packaging and Forward Annota ng the Logical Design for
produce quality designs that can be easily produced.
Physical Design
3. Performing Layout Design
The Design Process  Impor ng Schema c Design Data to Layout
 Configuring for Physical Design
Crea ng a Design Project  Placing Parts
 Adding Physical Constraints
 Crea ng Fanouts
 Rou ng Cri cal Nets
 Auto Rou ng Nets
Performing Design Capture  Genera ng Plane Structures
 Checking Design Rules (DRC)
 Post Layout Verifica on
4. Crea ng Documenta on and Manufacturing Outputs
Performing Layout Design  Crea ng Schema c Release Documenta on
 Crea ng Manufacturing Outputs
 Performing Engineering Change Orders (ECO)
Par oning your workflow to align with these steps will help
Crea ng Documenta on and you establish a structured approach to organizing your design
Manufacturing Outputs tasks. It will also provide you with a number of checkpoints for
reviewing your design data.

4 Introduc on
 Introduc on to the PADS ES Suite

The PADS Design Flow

PADS
PADS ES
ES Suite
Suite
Design Flow
Design Flow

Symbol BOM
Editor DxDataBook BOM BOM
BOM

Decal
Editor

Variant Manager

DxDesigner Link
HyperLynx
Analog DxDesigner PADS PADS
Layout Router
Schematic
Schematic
Schematic

HyperLynx
Thermal

Layout PDF

LineSim LineSim HyperLynx BoardSim 3D Viewer

Link

Introduc on 5
 PADS ES Suite Highlights
Mentor Graphics, the world’s number one provider of PCB
design solu ons, has combined the expansive capabili es of
the PADS® product line into a series of affordable PADS Suites.
These suites have just the right mix of technology necessary
for complex PCB design, yet they can be supplemented with a
variety of add-on capabili es should your needs change.
PADS Suites are a complete family of integrated solu ons that
improve personal produc vity and speed me to market. Avail-
able in three configura ons of increasing func onality, the PADS
Suites provide low-risk entry points to the PADS flow.
A PADS Suite for Everyone
Each PADS suite is designed to meet the specialized needs and Design Without Compromise
job requirements of individual engineers and PCB designers: With PADS, your tools won’t limit your ability to design. Unlike
 PADS Design Sta on (the PADS DS Suite) is ideal for the other systems that adver se “price conscious” tools, the PADS
Electrical Design Engineer looking for rapid product defini- flow is infused with vibrant, dynamic technology for a complete
on. and comprehensive solu on. Because PADS is based on industry
 PADS Layout Sta on Suite (the PADS LS Suite) is designed standards such as Windows automa on, Visual Basic scrip ng,
for the Layout Designer who wants to quickly define and and an ASCII database, you can work the way you want and
complete PCB designs. customize the capabili es you need – such as crea ng special
 PADS Engineering Sta on (the PADS ES Suite) is created for func on keys or outputs forma ed to your standards.
Engineers who want complete product defini on within a
single solu on and Layout Designers who need high-speed Design Defini on
rou ng capabili es. The PADS flow delivers the most robust system design capture
This PADS ES Suite Evalua on Guide will let you explore the en- and defini on func onality available, including intui ve project
re depth and breadth of the PADS design flow and experience and design naviga on, unlimited hierarchical support, design
the incredible power and integra on available to accelerate reuse, advanced design a ribute and rules management, full
your product development cycle. forward/back annota on including design rules, cross-probing
with layout and rou ng, and a direct schema c-to-signal-integri-
ty analysis link. Component management is also available.

6 Introduc on
 Introduc on to the PADS ES Suite

Analog Analysis PCB Layout

TM
HyperLynx® Analog with EZwave is a board-level simula on As the standard in desktop PCB layout tools, PADS offers unpar-
analysis and verifica on environment that is integrated into alleled price-performance for the layout and design of complex
Mentor Graphics’ DxDesignerTM board design environment. circuit boards, including high-speed applica ons and RF circuits.
Using a single schema c to drive both the simula on and PCB PADS offers advanced design rules with real- me design rule
applica ons, it effec vely eliminates costly and error-prone checking, bi-direc onal crossprobing, RF design func onality,
schema c re-entry, therefore significantly shortening the overall split-plane genera on, auto-dimensioning, direct DXF import
development cycle. into both the board and part library editors, physical design
reuse, advanced fabrica on verifica on tools, and 3D viewing.
Signal Integrity Analysis Also available are assembly variant func ons, test coverage
Signal integrity (SI) analysis is an essen al part of modern audi ng, chip-on-board / advanced packaging, and an IDF link to
electronic design. Increasingly fast edge rates in today’s inte- third party CAD/CAM tools.
grated circuits (ICs) cause detrimental high-speed effects, even
in PCB designs running at low opera ng frequencies. As driver Interac ve & Automa c Rou ng
ICs switch faster, a growing number of boards suffer from issues Many designers of high-speed and/or dense designs require
such as crosstalk, over/undershoot, ringing, glitching, and m- exac ng manual control of cri cal signal traces, but could also
ing problems. PADS design solu ons offer powerful and easy-to- benefit from the speed and built-in intelligence of an auto-
use signal integrity capabili es on the engineer’s desktop. With router. The router provides both advanced interac ve and
pre-layout analysis capabili es for defining rou ng constraints, sophis cated autorou ng for all applica ons. Whether interac-
to verifica on of the routed board to ensure your design goals vely rou ng with orthogonal, diagonal, or any-angle styles, or
are met, PADS design solu ons offer a complete environment differen al pair rou ng with unique rule assignment or trace
for all your signal integrity analysis needs. length requirements, the router provides exac ng control.
Thermal Analysis Intui ve graphical monitoring tools provide real- me feedback
for correct-by-construc on methodology. Proven rou ng algo-
HyperLynx Thermal allows engineers and PCB designers to ana- rithms enable robust design rules and advanced design con-
lyze board-level thermal problems on placed, par ally routed, straints to be applied between objects or groups of objects such
or fully routed PCB designs from all popular PCB layout environ- as components, layers, nets, and vias.
ments. Temperature profiles, gradients, and excess tempera-
ture maps enable designers to resolve board and component The advanced autorouter simplifies rou ng opera ons most
overhea ng early in the design process. suited for an autorouter, including fanout and rou ng, by indi-
vidual components or groups of components.

Introduc on 7
8 Introduc on
 Design Capture
with DxDesigner
In this sec on:

 Installa on and Setup

 DxDesigner Environment and Workspace
 Se ng up a New Project
 Symbol Crea on
 Crea ng a New Schema c
 Placing Parts
 Wiring the Schema c
 Rules and Constraints
 Variant Manager
 DxDesigner Integra on with HyperLynx LineSim
 DxDesigner Integra on with HyperLynx Analog
 Genera ng the BOM (Bill of Materials)
 DxDesigner and PADS Layout Integra on

9
 About This Evalua on Lesson 1: DxDesigner Workspace
This Evalua on Guide and the accompanying lesson files will DxDesigner follows Windows naviga on standards. It supports
allow someone with limited experience with DxDesigner the op- pulldown menus, hot keys, tool bars, toolboxes and tool ps.
portunity to review several of its new features and capabili es. The so ware is object aware so the Right Mouse Bu on (RMB)
Keep in mind this presenta on is a snapshot of the full abili es menu selec ons will change automa cally based on the object
DxDesigner provides. selected when the RMB is used.
The Evalua on files should be unzipped and installed in to the It is these standard Windows features which make DxDesigner
C:\PADS_ES_Evalua on directory. This is necessary since the an easy and produc ve environment for schema c genera on.
so ware has specific parameters that are set up within the les-
son files enclosed.
The content of the evalua on material should include this PDF
file of the Evalua on Guide (located in the C:\PADS_ES_Evalu-
a on\Document directory), Schema c Lesson files (located in
the C:\PADS_ES_Evalua on directory), Datasheets (located in
the C:\PADS_ES_Evalua on\Datasheet directory), and PADS
PCB Board files (C:\PADS_ES_Evalua on\PADS_PCB_Files).
This Evalua on Guide is intended to be used with the PADS PCB
so ware. This par cular evalua on has Lessons dedicated to
interfacing with PADS Layout PCB so ware. Customers wishing
to run through DxDesigner in an Expedi on flow should request
a different DxDesigner evalua on from their local Mentor Sales
and Technical representa ves.

10 DxDesigner Environment and Workspace

 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Introduc on to the User Interface (Main Window)

Navigator Proper es
Menus Toolbars Workspace
Pane

PADS Decal
Preview

Symbol
Viewer

DxDataBook
Status Bar Search Window

DxDesigner Environment and Workspace 11

 Toolbars

The Main Toolbar

Import
Expedi on PCB IO Foreign
New Cut Paste Find Redo Package PCB Extrac on Designer Database

Print Copy File Undo Verify CES PCB Library Export

Viewer Interface Manager Foreign
Database

The View Toolbar

Zoom Fit Restore Proper es Selec on Push Route

Fit All Out Selected Zoom DxDataBook Filter Schema c Pop Mode

Zoom Zoom Save Navigator ICT Output Add Push Resize

In Area Zoom Viewer Proper es ICT Box
Mode

12 DxDesigner Environment and Workspace

 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Toolbars (ConƟnued)

The Add Toolbar

Add
Net Special Arc Missing
Select Components Circle Text Ports

Block Bus Array Box Line Cut PADS Decal

Nets Preview

The TransformToolbar

Rotate Align Align Snap to

Delete 90 Mirror Stretch Right Bo om Grid

Disconnect Flip Scale Align Align Grid

Le Top On/Off

DxDesigner Environment and Workspace 13

 Navigator Tree Pane
The Navigator Tree pane, as with all of DxDesigner panes, is beneficial in a dual monitor configura on.
dockable and can be moved anywhere you wish on the screen. The advantage of this window is the ability to view all of the de-
The so ware will also remember heights and widths of any sign files and to jump to various pages or nets quickly and easily.
pane modified during a working session. This is par cularly

The Navigator Tree Pane

❶ Select File > Open > Project and browse to C:\PADS_
ES_Evalua on\Lesson1\Lesson1.prj.
❷ If a previous lesson was open then select the Yes but-
ton acknowledging the so ware closing the previous
❹
documents. ❷
❸ Open the Navigator Tree by selec ng the bu on if it is
not already open.
❹ Double click the LMB over the name Corporate and
no ce the main window displays the sheet Corporate.1
(The sheet name is shown on the tab at the bo om of ❸
the design window).
❺ Next select the [+] located to the le of the Corporate
schema c name.
Note: The tree should be expanded to look similar to this ❺
example.

14 DxDesigner Environment and Workspace

 Design Capture with DxDesigner

The Navigator Tree Pane (conƟnued)

❻ Double click over Sheet 4 and watch the main screen

update to show page 4.
Note: No ce the schema c sheet tabs located at the bo om
display both Corporate.1 and Corporate.4.
❼ Select the [+] item to expand one of the sheets in the
Navigator tree.
❽ No ce there are 2 categories that appear in the dialog
for each schema c sheet. (Symbols and Nets).
❾ Select the item again to expand the Symbols and Nets
sec on of the dialog.
❿ Select any symbol listed and no ce the so ware auto-
ma cally cross probes to that item.
Note: You may need to zoom out to see item selected during
crossprobing.
❻

❼
❽

DxDesigner Environment and Workspace 15

 Tool ps
DxDesigner supports Tool Tips for Components and Nets. The
visible a ributes are configurable. Let’s take a closer look.
❶ Open the Project Se ngs by the pulldown menu Setup ❶
> Se ngs or select the CTRL-ALT-G hotkey.
❷ Click on Display and no ce the op ons for controlling
various display op ons including Show Tool ps. Com-
ponents and Nets should be checked.
❸ Select Apply and then OK.
❹ Enable the Navigator Tree dialog if not already open.
To do so select the Navigator Tree bu on.
❺ Using the cursor, double click the LMB over the sche-
❷
ma c name Corporate to open sheet 1 of the sche-
ma c.
❻ Place your cursor over any component to see the tool
p.
Note: Make sure the All selec on filter is enabled.
❼ Place your cursor over any net to view the netname
tool p. ❸
Note: This is a very convenient way to get informa on with-
out having to zoom in and out to view and iden fy an object
on the schema c.
❹
❺
❻
❼

16 DxDesigner Environment and Workspace

 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Naviga on (Pan and Zoom)

Zooming
❶ Using the LMB click on any open area in the working
area pane.
❷ Using the F7 (Zoom In) and F8 (Zoom Out) keyboard
keys. Zoom in and out for prac ce.
❸ Hit Home (Zoom to the Full) to restore the view to the
en re Schema c.
❹ Try hi ng F9 and begin framing the area you wish to
zoom in on. This is accomplished by holding the LMB
down and dragging a box around the area you wish to
zoom in on.
❺ This same procedure can be done by hi ng the z key,
then dragging a box around the area you wish to zoom
in on.

Help System
❶ No ce that there is a Help menu at the top of the tool.
From here you can access documenta on, support,
SupportNet and ps. Take a moment to view the
resources available from this menu.
❷ View all available shortcuts and system strokes by se-
lec ng Help > Show Bindings and Help > Show Strokes.
Note: Naviga onal controls can also be configured in Setup >
Se ngs > Schema c Editor > Strokes, Pan and Zoom

DxDesigner Environment and Workspace 17

 The Find Func on
Cross probing using the design hierarchy in the Navigator is one
way to work your way through a design. In addi on you can use
the Find func on.

Using the Find Func on

❶ Select Edit > Find/Replace or click the Find bu on.
❷ Click the More bu on to open all op ons.
❸ Take me to read through the op ons available.
❷
❹ Use the drop-down Within: to define which part of
the design you would like to search. In this case select
Design: Corporate (Corporate).
❹
❺ In Find what: type C2 and click Find All.
Note: The results of the search appear in the find dialog.
Note: When you search, the results will also show in the ❸
Output window. See item # 7 below. ❺
❻ No ce that several pages are now open. Each page
containing a reference to C2 has been opened.
❼ In the Output Window select the following hyperlink to
quickly jump to the capacitor with reference designator
C2.

❻ ❼

18 DxDesigner Environment and Workspace

 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Using the Find Func on (conƟnued)

No ce the sec on of the schema c that C2 resides within.

❽ In the Find and Replace dialog search for 698k across
the Corporate Schema c.
❾ No ce all parts mee ng this criterion are listed in the
output window
❿ Close all of the schema c pages using the small x to
close each sheet.
⓫ This method can also be used to find nets. ❼
⓬ Now enter the net name BSYNC- (make sure to include
the “-“character) in the Find and Replace dialog to
search across the Corporate schema c.
⓭ Select the Find All bu on to search the en re sche-
ma c.
⓮ There are four instances of BSYNC- across three sche-
ma c sheets.
Note: When selec ng the net, the appropriate schema c
sheet is opened and that por on of the BSYNC- net is ❾
selected. This func onality allows you to check connec vity
throughout your design very efficiently.
⓯ Select File> Close Project when you are finished to
close the current project.

DxDesigner Environment and Workspace 19

20 DxDesigner Environment and Workspace
 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Lesson 2: Se ng Up a New Project

Project Overview Directory Structure
A project (.prj) contains pointers to all DxDesigner files associ-
ated with the open project.
The project database is stored in binary format in the /database
directory. This is a change from the use of /sym, /sch and /
wir directories previously. This database structure provides a
framework for dynamic updates. When using DxDesigner you
never have to stop and remember to save your work. Every-
thing you do is always being stored. If you want to return to a
previous state you can use Undo to remove your edits. Ev-
erything you do between backups will be stored in the Undo
queue.
In addi on, you have the op on to create Backup points to roll-
back your design. You may choose to File > Backup at any me
to create a backup of the ac ve sheet. The Roll Back func on
in DxDesigner allows you to bring the schema c sheet back to
the last Backup version. Upon invoking DxDesigner, both the
Backup and Roll Back func ons are grayed out. Once a schemat-
ic is open, the Backup func on is enabled. You can then decide
to perform a File > Backup, the Roll Back is s ll grayed out un l
addi onal changes are performed on the schema c. Once
changes have been made following a backup then the Rollback
menu will be ac ve. You can use this menu to return the ac ve
sheet to the backup state. The tool also creates incremental
automa c backups for you.
The \wir (wire) directory contains files used to generate the
actual netlist going forward to the circuit board layout so ware.
These files represent the electrical version of the schema c.
When using DxDesigner in a netlist flow, these files will be
generated from the binary database at the me you choose to
forward annotate your work. They have an incremen ng exten-
sion for each sheet of schema c data.

Se ng Up a New Project 21
 Crea ng a Project
If it is not already running, start DxDesigner.

Crea ng a Project
❶ Select the Windows Start > Program > Mentor Graph-
ics SDD > Design Entry > DxDesigner ❸ ❹
❷ Click File > New > Project
❸ Another op on is to select the New bu on and then
select Project.
❹ Enter the name of your project in the Name prompt of
the Project dialog.
Note: For this exercise enter your (first name) and (last
name) for your project name (IE: JohnSmith).
❺ Confirm the project Loca on is poin ng to C:\PADS_
ES_Evalua on\Yourname (IE: JohnSmith).
❻ Select the appropriate Layout Tool from the list. In this
case select PADS9.XX.
❼ Select the OK bu on to create the project.
❽ No ce your project name now appears in the Project
Navigator Tree.

❻ ❺ ❼

22 Se ng Up a New Project
 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Opening a Project
There are many ways to open a project. We will learn two ways
here:

Using the .prj File Method

❶ Close down DxDesigner by selec ng File > Exit. When you open the project for the first me you may
see this message “This project was created on an earlier
❷ On the desktop double click on My Computer to
version of DxDesigner (see sample message below). If
open Microso Explorer. this message does appear simply select the Yes bu on to
❸ Select the C: Drive. update and con nue.
❹ Go to C:\PADS_ES_Evalua on\Lesson2 directory.
❺ Double click on the Lesson2.prj.
Note: This will launched DxDesigner and open the Les-
son1 project. If you get an error then try double clicking
the icon rather than the file name. If you s ll get an error
then open DxDesigner and move to the next step.
❺

Using the File Menu

❶ From DxDesigner, open a project using the menu
File > Open > Project.
❷ Browse to the C:\PADS_ES_Evalua on\Lesson2\
loca on.
❸ Either select Open or Double Click the Lesson2.prj
file.

Se ng Up a New Project 23
 Adding Libraries
A er you create a project, you need to add the libraries for your tools if you are new to DxDesigner. Refer to www.suppportnet.
design. If you have libraries from previous versions of DxDesign- mentor.com for schema c and library translators if you are com-
er you can easily add them for use in this newer version. You ing from a different schema c tool.
can also use libraries which were created for other schema c
Using the .prj File Method
❶ To open the se ngs dialog pick Setup > Se ngs. ❶
❷ Using the cursor, select the Symbol Libraries selec on
located within the Project/Designs sec on of the se ngs ❷ ❸
hierarchy.
❸ In the Library dialog box, you can add a new library,
remove an exis ng library or modify the order of the
libraries. To add a library, click the New bu on and then
browse to the correct Path. In this case just note the op-
ons available but don’t add a library.
The available library types can be Megafile, Read Only, or
Writable. ❸
• A Megafile is a library that contains all symbols but in
a condensed format.
• A Read Only library is a library that has not been ❹
condensed and lists each symbol uniquely within the
library directory. The content of this type of library
cannot be edited or changed.
• A Writable library is a library that lists each symbol
uniquely in a directory with the ability to read and
write to it.
❹ Click Cancel to leave the New Library window and return
to the Se ngs dialog.
❺ When adding a part to the schema c, the libraries are
Note: The only real advantage to a Megafile
searched in the order they are defined within the project. ❺
library is that it contains a reduced set of files
The library structure is maintained from within the Set- associated with the library so archiving is
ngs Dialog. Use the arrows to control the order of the much easier with fewer data files being saved.
library list.
24 Se ng Up a New Project
 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Crea ng New Libraries

Some mes you may need to create an en rely new library. This
is also done within the Se ngs dialog.

Crea ng New Libraries

❶ Open the Se ngs dialog using Setup > Se ngs and ❶
then return to the Symbol Libraries sec on.
❷ To add a library, click the New Library bu on.
❸ In the Library window you will browse to create a new
library loca on. Modify the exis ng Path so it appears
as shown below.
❷
❹ No ce as you add \new_lib to the path, the so ware
adds new_lib to the Alias. ❸
❹
❺ Try to change the Type and no ce that Readonly is the ❺
only op on right now.
❻ Click OK and you will see the following:
❼ Click Yes to create this new directory. ❻
❽ A new directory was created at C:\PADS_ES_Evalua-
on\Libs\new_lib and new_lib is a library in our list.
NOTE: Keep in mind that this new directory called \new_lib
❼
is s ll an empty directory. It will con nue to remain empty
un l we decide to create new symbols that we wish to place
in this loca on.

Se ng Up a New Project 25
 Crea ng New Libraries (conƟnued)

❾ Now that we have a directory created we can modify

the type to Writeable. Double click on new_lib to open
the configura on and change the type to Writeable as
shown. ❾
Note: At this me you have a red X through the W symbol
because you s ll can’t write to it. Before this step you are ❿
missing the appropriate directory structure within new_lib.
❿ Click OK to close this window and then click Apply in
the Se ngs dialog. At this me a new directory struc-
ture is generated within the C:\PADS_ES_Evalua on\
Libs\new_lib directory.
⓫ Using Windows Explorer, browse to C:\PADS_ES_Evalu-
a on\Libs\new_lib to observe this new directory.
⓬ Now that the appropriate directory structure exists
within the library directory you can open the configura- ⓫
on for new_lib again and see the red X is gone.
⓭ At this me you s ll don’t have any symbols available
in the library. Saving symbols in libraries is covered in
Lesson 3.
Note: You will not see the library in your Symbol View list
un l a er you have saved a symbol in the library. Once you
have done so you will also need to re-invoke DxDesigner
(close the tool and then open it again).

26 Se ng Up a New Project
 Design Capture with DxDesigner

PADS Layout Decal Preview Pane

The PADS Layout Decal Preview pane allows you to graphically
verify the correct PCB Package will be used in Layout. The
preview window will update when a symbol is selected on a
schema c. The pane requires PADS Layout to be installed on
the system with the proper links to the PCB library located on
the network or the local computer. This pane does not require a
❶
PADS Layout license.

❹
Enabling the PADS Decal Preview Pane
❶ Select PADS Decal Preview bu on or hit the CTRL-ALT-J
hotkey.
Note: If you don’t see this bu on then you may need to
enable the toolbar in View > Toolbars > Addins should be
checked.
❷ Double click the LMB over the name Corporate to open
the first sheet of the schema c.
❸ Next select the [+] located to the le of the Corporate
schema c name and double click Sheet 3 to display it
in the workspace.
❹ Select one of the symbols on schema c Sheet 3. The
PCB decal appears in the PADS Decal Previewer.
Note: If you are not able see the decal preview then you will
need to add the PADS library paths.
❺ Open PADS Layout and pick File > Library > Manage Lib
List… Then click Add and browse to add the following
two libraries:
C:\PADS_ES_Evalua on\Libs\Corporate.pt09
C:\PADS_ES_Evalua on\Libs\fpga.pt09

Se ng Up a New Project 27
 Lesson 3: Crea ng a Symbol with the Symbol Editor
The symbol editor allows you to generate new symbols very editor will provide a basic symbol automa cally and allow you
quickly. You can use a spreadsheet to copy and paste pin infor- to modify the symbol in any way you desire.
ma on into the symbol or you can enter the data manually. The

Open the Symbol Editor and Set the Grid

❶ Select File > Open > Project then picking C:\PADS_ES_ ❸
Evalua on\Lesson3\Lesson3.prj.
❷ Open the Symbol Editor using File > New > Local Sym- ❷
bol
❸ Prior to adding pins ensure the appropriate grid is set.
This is done by reviewing the grid se ngs located at
the top of the Symbol Pane.
❹ Select the Down Arrow to view all the available grids.
Select the .050 grid if not already selected.
❹
Adding Pins to a Symbol
❶ To add pins select the Add-Pin & Edit bu on.
❷ Place the pin on the upper le corner of the symbol ❶
body as shown below. Then type the Pin Name CLK.
❷
Use the ESC key to exit pin placement mode a er
placed.
❸ Now define this pin to be pin 1. Select the pin and then
click <new_property> in the Proper es window.
❹ Now click in the drop-down to select the property #. ❸
❹
❺ Enter a value of 1 in the value field.

❺
28 Symbol Crea on
 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Add an Array of Pins

❶
❶ Add an array of both input and output pins using Add
Pin Array.
❷ Use the following se ngs:
1. Range 7 to 0 ❷
2. Step = 1. ❺
3. Pin type = IN
4. Pin loca on = Le
5. Pin spacing = 4
❸ Select the OK bu on to create the array of pins.
❹ Place on le side approximately 2 grids down from
Pin 0
❺ Add another array for output pins using the following
❸
se ngs:
1. Range 18 to 11
2. Step = 1.
3. Pin type = OUT
4. Pin loca on = Right ❻
5. Pin spacing = 4
❻ Place on right side of symbol equaling the same Y
value as Pin 0 placement.

Symbol Crea on 29
 Adding Pin Numbers
❶ The next step is to select the IN pins (other than CLK)
from the Pins window.
Note: The pins highlight in all windows even the working
area. ❶
❷ To update the Pin Numbers select the Add Proper es
bu on.
❸ Set the values as shown below. Make sure Type =
Property, Name = #, Prefix is Empty, Value = 2, Suffix is
Empty and Posi on and Visibility are set to Under Pin
and Value.
❹ This will automa cally add and increment the Pin
Numbers.
❺ Repeat this step for the OUT pins. Use a start Value =
18 and Delta = -1 to decrement the Pin Numbers down
to 11.

❸ ❹ ❺

30 Symbol Crea on
 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Note: We need to shrink to symbol shape and the symbol outline to

create a symbol that is complete.

Adjus ng the Symbol Outline

❶
❶ To shrink the outline first make sure the Select Graph- ❷
ics bu on is selected.
❷ Select the symbol shape and no ce pick points appear
on the shape.
❸ Select the middle pick point using the LMB. Hold the
LMB down and drag which will allow you to reposi on
the bo om of the symbol so it’s closer to the lowest
pins. Place it two grid points below the lowest pins.
❸
❹ Now manually move the symbol outline in a similar
fashion as the symbol shape.
❹
❺ The bounding box can also be moved automa cally by
selec ng the Symbol > Update Symbol Outline menu
pick.
Note: The symbol outline helps with avoidance rules when
connec ng nets in the schema c.
Note: The symbol outline maybe set to update automa -
cally as you adjust the symbol shape. If it is and you wish to
manually adjust it you may need to turn off the automa c
adjustment mode first. This can be done by selec ng the File
> Preferences > General > Symbol and unchecking the “Auto-
ma c Outline Update” checkbox.

❺
Moving the Symbol Origin
❶ To complete the graphical modifica ons we should
move the origin to the appropriate loca on. ❷
❷ This can be done by selec ng the origin marker with ❶
the LMB. Then while holding the LMB down, drag to
marker to the lowest le pin on the new symbol. Re-
lease the LMB once you have it placed as desired.

Symbol Crea on 31
 Associa ng a Part Decal
❶ Now we will associate a physical part decal with our
new symbol. Select Tools > PADS Decal Browser. ❶
Note: If this dialog does not appear for you then you will
need to setup your PADS libraries. In PADS use File > Library
> Manage Lib List > Add and browse to add C:\PADS_ES_Eval-
ua on\Libs\Corporate.pt09 and C:\PADS_ES_Evalua on\
Libs\fpga.pt09.
❷ The PADS Decal Browser reads all of your PADS libraries
pointed to in your PADS list. You can search for the ap-
propriate decal By Name or By Pin Count. In this case
filter on Pin Count = 20 and click Apply Filter.
❸ Select a DIP20 and click the Assign bu on to move it to
❷
Assigned Decals.
❹ Click Apply to Symbol and then Close. No ce in the
proper es window the symbol now has a new Property
PKG_TYPE = DIP20.
Note: If PKG_TYPE is not added automa cally, you can add it
manually by selec ng PKG_TYPE from the drop down menu.
You can then select the appropriate decal value (DIP20 in this
case).

32 Symbol Crea on
 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Saving the Symbol

❶ The last step is to save the symbol. To save this as a
local symbol use File > Save As… name the symbol
SymbolTest.1.
Note: You may want to add a symbol to an exis ng symbol
library. To do this you will use File > Export Symbol. Now
you can see the file will be saved as a.1 and you can place it
in your library’s /SYM directory.
❷ In the Proper es window you will no ce that the ❶
Symbol Name has been updated to match the name
you used.
❸ The symbol is now complete and ready for use.

Verifying the Symbol Availability

❶ Select File > Close then File > Exit to exit the Symbol
editor.
❷
❷ Back in DxDesigner select the DxDataBook/Symbols
bu on to open the DxDataBook pane.
❸ In the DxDataBook pane, select the Show CL View but-
ton to open the symbol viewing dialog. ❸
❹ Select the [+] symbol to expand the Local Symbol par -
on. ❹
❺ No ce the Symboltest.1 symbol has been save and is ❺
ready for use.

Symbol Crea on 33
 Crea ng a Symbol from a Spreadsheet
Entering all of the pins manually can be tedious and error prone.
If you have all of your pins entered into a spreadsheet then you
can quickly and easily import them into the Symbol Editor for
placement on a symbol.

Start a New Symbol and Load the Pin Data ❶

❶ Start a new symbol in the Symbol Editor (Select

File>New Local Symbol from the main pulldown
menus.)
❷ If the Pins Window is not open then open it using View
> Windows > Pins List.
❸ Place the cursor in the Pins List pane, select RMB and
pick Import Pins. ❷
❹ Browse to C:\PADS_ES_Evalua on\Lesson3 and select
SerialIO.csv to import all of the pins in this file.
❺ All unplaced pins are marked with an *. You can add
pins to the symbol by selec ng them from this list.

34 Symbol Crea on
 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Adding Pins to the Symbol

❶ Select pins from the pins list by le clicking and drag
them into the Symbol window to place them on the
symbol body. As you place each pin the * is removed. ❶
❷ Place ~RST_N on the Symbol body. Using the LMB,
select the ~RST_N pin name in the pins list.
❸ Select and hold the LMB so you can drag that pin into
the Symbol view.
No ce the pin a aches itself to the cursor so it can be placed
in the Symbols working pane.
❹ Release the mouse bu on when the pin is in the de-
sired loca on on the symbol body.
❷
❺ No ce there is in invert bubble on the pin and a strike
over the name. If you open the .csv file you will see
why. This is because the pin was set as inverted which
resulted in the bubble. The Pin Label began with ~
which results in the strike over.

Symbol Crea on 35
 Adding Mul ple Pins to the Symbol
❶
❶ You can also add mul ple pins at once from the pins
list. Click on the DIR column in the pins list to sort the
pins by IN versus OUT.
❷ Now le click on the first OUT pin. Hold the shi key
and select using the LMB on the last OUT pin further
down the list. Now you should have all the OUT pins
selected.
❸ Using the LMB, selected and hold anywhere within the
highlight pins (blue area) dragging the list of pins to
a desired des na on on the right side of the symbol
body.
❹ Experiment with adding other pins and modifying the
symbol graphics. No ce that as you place pins the * is ❷
removed so that it’s easy to sort for unplaced pins.
❺ When you are done, exit Symbol Editor without saving.

❸
❹

36 Symbol Crea on
 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Lesson 4: Selec ng and Verifying Parts with DxDataBook

DxDataBook is a component informa on system that allows When the part is added to the schema c, the property data is
companies to benefit from a centralized component database also added so the part is complete when it is released onto the
system. The DxDataBook u lity allows customers to manage schema c. DxDataBook also provides component verifica on
their library data more efficiently than ever before. It increases checks to ensure the property data contained on the symbol in
efficiency by decreasing the number of symbols required to the schema c matches the content contained within the data
support the parts in their design environment. DxDataBook con- source. This prevents incomplete or inaccurate data from being
nects to any ODBC compliant database and makes the necessary passed into the PCB design phase.
content available to aid in the part selec on process.

Selec ng and Verifying Parts in DxDataBook 37

 Configure DxDataBook
The system allows for easy searching and selec ng of compo-
nents. It can e into a company’s purchasing database so that
engineering can make more intelligent part selec ons based on ❸
lead me, cost, stock availability, etc.

Configuring DxDataBook
❶ Select File > Open > Project and select C:\PADS_ES_ ❹
Evalua on\Lesson4\Lesson4.prj.
❷ In the Navigator Pane, double click the LMB on 1 to
enable Sheet 1.
❸ Select the Navigator bu on, DxDataBook bu on and
the PADS Decal Preview bu on to open the window
panes. The PADS Decal previewer pane can also be
enable through the View>Other Window> PADS Decal
Previewer pull down menu. You can also use Ctrl+Alt+J
to open the PADS Decal previewer.
❹ If the Output pane is open select the Output pane but-
ton to close it.
❺ Using the RMB, Place the cursor any where within the
❸
DxDataBook pane, select Configure > Open pop-up
menu.
❻ Using the Browse bu on, navigate to the C:\PADS_ES_
❺
Evalua on\Libs directory.
❼ Once there, select the Corporate.DBC file to ac vate
the DxDataBook configura on se ngs.

NOTE: To use DxDataBook an ODBC data source must be created to

point to the database. Then DxDataBook must be a ached to this
data source. If Configura on: None is displayed in the lower sec on
of the DxDataBook applica on window, this indicates that no database
is a ached. See Appendix A at the end of this document for details on
performing the setup if steps 1-4 in this exercise don’t work.

38 Selec ng and Verifying Parts in DxDataBook

 Design Capture with DxDesigner
❶
Libraries with DxDataBook
❶ The Library pulldown sec on contains a list of all avail-
❷
able libraries as described in the database source. All
of the libraries listed are those that are defined as
Tables directly in the Access Database.
❷ Choose ICs from the Library pulldown.
Note: The system now searches the access database and lists
all the components in this library.
❸ Select the scroll bar located at the bo om of the Dx- ❸
DataBook window and scroll the dialog window all the
way to the right.
❹ You should see a column labeled Datasheet. These are
links to Datasheets that describe more about the parts Note: Any field can be configured as an ac ve link. For example, you
listed in DxDataBook. may want to open a simula on model from the schema c. To modify
the configura on right click in DxDataBook > Configure> Edit Configu-
❺ Using the LMB, select on one of the datasheet links.
ra on. Then select the desired library and find the Property Name
Note: No ce the Datasheet opens and displays the PDF you’d like to turn into an ac ve link. Select the cell un l the bu on is
content. the same as shown for DATASHEET.
Note: If you didn’t install the DxDesigner Evalua on in the
default loca on under C:\PADS_ES_Evalua on, then these
links will not work.
❻ If you opened the configura on click Cancel. Scroll the
main DxDataBook window back fully to the le .
❹

Selec ng and Verifying Parts in DxDataBook 39

 Component Selec on with DxDataBook
When using a standard library configura on without DxData- of extra schema c symbols. In this exercise you will see how
Book you must take the me to enter proper es for every DxDataBook reduces the need for extra symbols. You will also
existence of a part. This can be very me consuming and error see how easy it is to search and select specific parts from a list
prone. This process may also force the crea on of hundreds of poten ally thousands of parts.

Building a Component Query

❶ From the Library pull down menu select the Resistors
❷
library.
❷ Select the Query bu on to start se ng the query
criteria.
❸ With the Query Builder dialog open, select the Condi-
on bu on. ❸
❹ Select the pulldown arrows in each se ng in the dialog
so it matches the example below. (VALUE, =, 10K).
Select the Add bu on to set the criteria.
❺ This will place the search criteria into the dialog so it
can be applied. ❹
❻ Select the OK bu on to ac vate the search based on
the criteria.
Note: No ce the resul ng data is based on value equaling
10K.

40 Selec ng and Verifying Parts in DxDataBook

 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Narrowing the Search

❶ Now narrow the search down further to Resistors with
10K Values and CC1206 Pkg_Type. Select the Query
bu on again, select the Add bu on, select the Condi-
on bu on, set the 1st field to Pkg_Type, set the 2nd
to =, set the 3rd to CC1206 then select Add bu on.
❷ Select the OK bu on to apply the addi onal search
based on the new criteria.
Note: No ce the amount of available parts has reduced sig-
nificantly based on the search criteria just set.

❷ ❷

Selec ng and Verifying Parts in DxDataBook 41

 ❷

Search and Place

❶ Now let’s search for a part with a value of 10K, Pkg_ ❸
Type of CC1206 and a Cost of less than .040 (cents).
❷ Select the Query bu on once more, select the AND
bu on, select the Condi on bu on, set the 1st field to
Cost, set the 2nd field to <, set the 3rd field to .040. ❹
❸ Select the Add bu on to include this addi on search
criteria.
❹ Select the OK bu on to apply the new search require-
ment.
❺ The column headers can also be used to sort the results
ascending or descending. In this case we have already
filtered to only four results but we could have used ❺
fewer filters and then sorted the value column to find
the desired part.
❻ Using the LMB select the Part 103-RES. No ce the
en re line is highlighted and both the symbol and decal
preview are shown for the part.
❼ While the LMB is s ll pressed, drag that symbol onto
the schema c and release your mouse bu on where
you would like the resistor to be placed. You can also
drag the symbol directly from the Symbol Preview win-
dow into the Schema c.

42 Selec ng and Verifying Parts in DxDataBook

 Design Capture with DxDesigner

View and Edit Proper es

❶ Click on the Proper es bu on or use the modeless
command CTRL-ALT-A to open the Proper es window.
All the proper es are on the symbol. These proper-
es were added to the generic symbol by the Access
Database when the part was added to the schema c.
The user does not have to worry about making manual
errors in adding the proper es.
❷ While in the Proper es Editor, change the Value prop-
erty field from 10K to 100K by entering the new value
in the Instance Value column.
❸ With DxDataBook s ll ac ve and s ll lis ng available ❷
resistors, select and drag another schema c symbol ❶
onto the schema c sheet so there are two new ones
displayed. (Follow the instruc ons in step 15).
❹ Change the Libraries: se ng from Resistors to Capaci- Note: We made a unique change to a part so the part number no
tors. longer matches the defined power ra ng. This condi on could lead to
❺ Now assume you need a decoupling capacitor but have a very expensive problem due to the way parts are ordered through a
company’s purchasing department. Part numbers that do not match
not decided on what value of decoupling cap to use.
corresponding proper es generally lead to overstocks and delays
Select on any available capacitor listed in the DxData- in schedule. Both are costly to and can be avoided if a DxDataBook
Book pane, then click on the Add new component with configura on is in place. Let’s look how DxDataBook can find these
common Proper es bu on to add a generic compo- inconsistencies and resolve them quickly. ❻
nent to the schema c.
❻ With the new part ac ve on your cursor, move both the
cursor and the symbol over the working area and select
the LMB to complete the part placement.
Note: If you look at the Proper es Editor, you will no ce the
capacitor has no value property not to men on many other
missing proper es. DxDataBook can run a complete verifica-
on to ensure all parts are compliant with the database.

❸ ❺
Selec ng and Verifying Parts in DxDataBook 43
 Verifica on in DxDataBook
DxDataBook has the ability to run verifica on on a group of se- is similar but for this exercise you will do a verifica on of the
lected items, a single page, or an en re design. The func onality parts we just placed.

Verifica on ❶

❶ Select the Filter bu on located on the toolbar. Enable only

the Symbol check box.
❷ While using the LMB (or Cntrl+LMB) drag a select box around ❷
the three symbols we just added via DxDataBook.
❸ Click on the New Live Verifica on Window bu on located in
the DxDataBook dialog..
Note: This bu on is also used for verifying an en re page if no items
are selected when it is ac vated.
❹ A new window will open showing the three parts color-coded.
If we click on any of the parts, that part is highlighted in the ❶
schema c.
❺
(Yellow) Indicates a component has mul ple matches. This is the
generic we added.
(Green) Indicates the proper es on the schema c match the data-
base and only one part matches. ❸
(Red) Indicates that there is a conflict between the database and the
schema c and no parts match. This is the part where we changed
the Power Ra ng so it no longer matches the Part Number. ❹
❺ Fix the problem with the capacitor which is not correctly
specified. Using the LMB, double click on the Yellow Circle.
❻ On the right hand side a search window opens up with the
common proper es automa cally applied as filters. ❻ ❼
❼ Using the LMB, select any part listed in the DxDataBook
dialog. ❽
❽ Using the LMB select the Annotate Component with all Prop-
er es to add the correct part informa on.
No ce the circle changes from yellow to green and the Proper es
Editor now shows the capacitor as a completely defined symbol/Part.

44 Selec ng and Verifying Parts in DxDataBook

 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Correc ng Database Conflicts

Now we will correct the part that we created the problem on
when we changed the Value to 100K.
❷
Correc ng a Database Conflict
❶ Double-click on the part that contains the last remain-
ing red circle.
❷ On the right hand side, a window is displayed. Scroll
through it and no ce the proper es in red. No ce the
Value is in red because it does not match the database.
❸ Using the LMB, scroll over to Value property name,
select the RMB then Remove Condi on. ❶ ❸
❹ The system will search the database and find the part
that matches the previously defined condi ons. No ce ❹
that verify rou ne has locked onto a single part.
❺ Using the LMB, click on the new part number.
❻ Using the LMB, select the Annotate component with
Common Proper es bu on to change to the new part.
❼ We have now corrected the problem of the proper es ❻
and the part number not being equal.
Note: The Proper es window now shows the resistor has all
the proper es of the part you selected. ❺
❽ Select all three parts you placed using the CNTRL + LMB
keys.
❾ Hit the DEL keyboard key to delete the added parts.

Selec ng and Verifying Parts in DxDataBook 45

 Appendix - ODBC Setup
The acronym ODBC stands for Open Database Connec vity.
Most databases developed or upgraded since the 1980s will
support this standard. This standard is the technology DxData-
Book uses to connect to databases. DxDataBook can also sup-
port a web sever connec on u lizing ODBC. In this example, you
will set up the ODBC connec on for using a Microso Access
Database format.

Establishing ODBC Connec vity

❶ Select Start Menu and then select Se ngs > Control ❺
Panel.
❷ Using the LMB, double click on Administra ve Tools.
❸ Using the LMB again, double click on Data Sources
(ODBC).
❹ Under the User DSN tab select the Add bu on. ❻
❺ Next, select the Microso Access Driver (*.mdb) item
from the list.
❼
❻ Select the Finish bu on to con nue the process.
❼ Type CORPORATE (all capitalized) in the field called
Data Source Name. ❿
❽ Click the Select bu on located under Database:
❾ When prompted, browse to the access database called ❾
Corporate.mdb which will be located in the C:\PADS_
ES_Evalua on\Libs\ directory.
❿ Select the Corporate.MDB file and then click the OK
bu on as needed to accept the selec on.
⓫ You have now successfully setup an ODBC connec on
to the Access Database.

46 Selec ng and Verifying Parts in DxDataBook

 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Lesson 5: Crea ng a New Schema c

DxDesigner is a comprehensive schema c entry tool which
combines a feature rich environment with an easy to use GUI.
DxDesigner is simple to navigate; whether you are adding parts,
connec ons, busses or text ❶

Crea ng a New Design

❶ Open C:\PADS_ES_Evalua on\Lesson5\Lesson5.prj
and then select File > New pull down selec on or select
the New bu on then Schema c.
❷ Right click on the schema c and rename it to Logic.
YourName (ie Logic.JohnSmith)
Note: Schema c to be drawn:

Note: The schema c shown will be constructed during the following exercises.

Crea ng a New Schema c 47

 Adding and Placing a Border
Adding borders into a schema c can be done several ways. The
process can be automa c or manual. You can change borders
at any me to reflect a sheet size modifica on. We will cover a ❷
few ways to add borders in some of the exercise below.

Adding a Border
❶ A border may be added automa cally based on Setup
> Se ngs > Project > Borders. The border mapping
should be in your company’s template project so that
you don’t have to change this.
❷ You can also add a border manually by placing the cur-
sor in the working area, select the RMB the selec ng
the Insert Border menu selec on.
Note: When adding a border using this method it is taking the
symbol defined in Setup > Se ngs > Project > Borders ❸
❸ Change the sheet size of this new sheet to a C size
sheet. This is done using the Drawing Size drop-down ❺
in the Proper es window.
❹ RMB and pick Change Border from the pop-up menu.
Select mentorpageother.1 from the CorporateDemo
library.
❺ Press F8 a few mes to Zoom Out or hit the Home but-
ton to change the view so it centers on the format.

48 Crea ng a New Schema c

 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Placing Parts
Placing Parts into the Schema c (Manually)
❶ Within the Symbol View dialog, enter a symbols filter ❶
RES. Only symbols star ng with RES are shown. Select
resistor from the library CorporateDemo.
❷ Place the cursor over the resistor.1 shape, hold the
LMB down and drag the symbol into the schema c
working area. Release the LMB to drop the part.
❸ Let’s add a second symbol. First select Clear Filter.
Then enter capn in the Symbol filter entry. The pro-
gram will automa cally select capnonpol.
❹ Place the cursor over the symbol displayed, hold the
LMB and drag the shape into the working area. Release
the LMB to drop the part.

Crea ng a New Schema c 49

 ❺
Placing Parts into the Schema c (conƟnued)
❺ Click Clear Filters and then expand the library Cor-
porateDemo by selec ng the item. Find and place
145421 using the same method define in step #4.
❻ Find and place symbol 74192 again using same method
as above.
❼ You should now have 4 symbols on your schema c.
❺

50 Placing Parts
 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Adding Power and Ground Connec ons

❷
❶ Open the Se ngs dialog using Setup > Se ngs.
❷ Navigate to Project > Special Components. Then,
select Power from the dropdown menu and click the
New bu on.
❸ A new dialog will open and allow you to browse the
libraries for a power symbol. Select the PWR.1 symbol
from the Buil n library. Click OK.
❹ Follow the same process but this me select Ground in
the Special Components dialog. Then, from the buil n ❺
library select GND.1 and select OK.
❺ Select the OK bu on to exit the Se ngs dialog.
❻ Now, in your toolbar for DxDesigner you will have a
Power and Ground shortcut ac ve. When you place
symbols from these bu ons they will default based on
your se ngs from steps 3 and 4.
❼ Click on the Power symbol bu on. Select the
buil n:PWR.1 symbol for the available choices. ❸
Note: No ce a Power pin should be on your cursor. ❹
❽ Select the LMB to place the power symbol in the work- ❸
ing area. When you have placed it click RMB to release
the command.
❾ Follow the same steps to add a Ground symbol to the
schema c.

❼
❻ ❾

Placing Parts 51
 Copying Symbols
❶ You are going to need two resistors in this schema c
example. Hold the CTRL key. With the key pressed use
the LMB to select and drag away from the 1st resistor.
As you drag your mouse, a copy of the resistor will be
on your cursor and ready for placement.
❷ Make sure there is plenty of room next to the capacitor ❻ ❼ ❹❺
for 2 copies. If not, move it by selec ng the part and
holding down the LMB to drag it to a new loca on.
❸ Using the previous method (CNTRL + LMB drag) add ❿❾ ❽
two more caps. ⓫
❹ Using the LMB, hold and drag a select box around the
Power pin completely enclosing it so the en re sec on
is selected. ❶
❺ With the items s ll selected, hold down the LMB and
the CTRL key to create another copy. Place the new
power pin next to the original.
❻ Using the same process as the power pin, create a
second GND symbol.
❼ Place it next to the original GND symbol.
❽ Using the LMB, draw a box around the second GND
symbol.
❾ Select the CTRL + C keys to create a new copy and place
it into the Paste Buffer. ❷ ❸
❿ Select the CTRL + V keyboard keys to paste the symbol.
⓫ Select the LMB to place the new GND pin under the
other two.

52 Placing Parts
 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Arrays
The Array feature can be used to add components and to add
net labels. It can also be used to add mul ple objects.

Using Arrays ❷

❶ Using the LMB, click on a capacitor so it is selected.

❷ Select the Array bu on to begin the arraying process.
❸ Fill in the dialogue as seen below: Rows = 3, Columns =
1, Row Spacing = 0.100.
❹ Select the OK bu on to complete the ac on. The ❸
parts are automa cally added ver cally (3 rows and 1
column).
Note: Using a nega ve spacing value will add the objects in a
nega ve direc on (Down or Le ).

Placing Parts 53
 Rota ng Symbols
There are three ways within DxDesigner to rotate objects. The
first is to use the Rotate bu on. The second way uses the F9
bu on during a move. The third way is through the RMB pull-
down menu. Let’s review a few examples.

Rotate a Symbol
❶ Using the LMB, select one of the resistors. Select the
Rotate bu on and no ce the part rotates 90 degrees.
Note: The Rotate bu on is located on the Transform toolbox. ❶
If the toolbar is not ac ve, go to View > Toolbars and
select the Transform toolbar.
❷ Using the LMB, select one of the resistors. Hold the
LMB down and move the cursor.
Note: No ce the symbol moves with the cursor.
❸ While the part is moving, hit the F9 key and no ce the
part rotates.
❹ Release the LMB to place the rotated resistor.
❺ Using the RMB, select one of the capacitors.
❻ From the RMB pulldown menu, select Rotate
Note: No ce the part rotates at the cursor.
❼ Use the Ctrl + Z key combina on to undo this rota on.

54 Placing Parts
 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Moving Components
❶ Arrange the components as seen in the figure below.
❷ To move components, select and hold the LMB down
while the cursor is over the part you wish to move.
Drag the cursor to the desired loca on.
❸ Release the LMB to drop the part.
NOTE: The two capacitors located in the lower right can be
deleted by selec ng them and hi ng the Delete key located
on the keyboard.
❹ You can select and move mul ple components simul-
taneously using the CTRL key + LMB (to execute a mul-
ple select). Hold down the CTRL key while selec ng
all desired parts with the LMB.
❺ Release the CTRL key and con nue to hold the LMB to
drag the cursor and any selected parts to a new loca-
on.
❻ Release the LMB to place the parts.

Placing Parts 55
 Lesson 6: Wiring the Schema c
❶
Connec ng the Components with Nets
There are a few ways to add nets to components. This sec on
will experiment with a few different op ons.

Connec ng by Abutment
❷❸
❶ Let’s zoom in closer to the ICs. To do this select the
Zoom bu on and create a frame around those two
symbols.
❷ Select one of the two IC’s located in the schema c. Se-
lect and hold the LMB, to drag the first IC over toward
the second IC placing the pin edges directly over each
other. ❹
❸ Release the part by releasing the LMB.
❹ Reselect the part again and drag it away from the first
IC. The pins are automa cally connected as we drag
the second IC away from the first.

Crea ng Nets Using Net Mode

❶
❶ Select the Net bu on (or enter n using the keyboard) to
put the so ware in Add Net mode.
❷ Add a connec on to Pin 4 of the IC located on the le
hand side. Using the LMB, select the pin and hold the ❷
bu on as you drag the connec on to the le . When
the net is long enough release the LMB to drop the
connec on.
❸ Do the same thing for pins 5, 9, and 6 on the IC located
on the le hand side.
❹ Hit ESC or select the Select bu on to exit net mode.
❸

56 Wiring the Schema c

 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Crea ng Nets Outside of Net Mode

❶ For the IC on the le hand side, select the RMB on the
le side of pin 7.
❷ Move the cursor to the resistor located next to it on its
lower le hand side.
Note: As you move the cursor, a net is added and follows the
cursor loca on.
❸ Using the RMB, select the resistor’s upper pin to con-
nect the net to it.
❹ Create the connec on shown on the schema c on page
2. Do not worry about assigning signal names at this ❷ ❶
point. You will do that next.

Wiring the Schema c 57

 Naming Nets and Placing Labels
Naming Nets
❶ Double click on the net in the lower le hand corner
from pin 13 (bo om of device).
❷ The Proper es window will open and wait for you to ❷
enter a name. Enter C/BE3.
❸ Using the LMB, select and drag the label you just cre-
ated.
❹ Place it to the Le of the net.
NOTE: If you move the net when a emp ng to move the
label, then you have the net selected in addi on to the label.
Try zooming in closer or using the RMB Selec on Filter op on
to limit selec on to the label.
❺ Using the LMB, double click on the connec on end of
the signal just above the one we assigned our fist signal
name to. Name this one C/BE2.
❻ Select the LMB to release the signal and the selected
connec on.
❼ Now select the signal again and hold the LMB and drag
❺
the signal to its desired loca on.

58 Wiring the Schema c

 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Adding Names Using the Navigator

❶ In the design view select the net connected to pin 4 of
the IC on the le and it will cross-probe to the naviga-
tor.
❷ In the Navigator use the RMB menu to select Rename.
Then enter the desired name and click Enter. Rename
the net connected to pin 4 to ~CE. Using a ~ will create
an inverted pin name.
❸ Another way to control if the pin name is inverted or ❸
not is using True/False in the Proper es window.

Adding Symbols with Named Net Stubs

Another op on would have been to add the nets when we
placed the symbols in the schema c.

❶ From the Symbol viewer open the CorporateDemo

library and find 74192.
❷ Before placing the symbol on the schema c check
Add Nets and Add Net Names on the right side of the
Symbol viewer. ❷
❸ Now, place the symbol into the schema c.
❹ No ce that all pins have net stubs connected and they
are all named according to the corresponding to the
pin.
❺ Remove this symbol and its connected net stubs. ❹

Wiring the Schema c 59

 Se ng Proper es for Parts
Property Visibility
❶ If it’s not already open, then open the Property editor
by selec ng the Proper es bu on or by selec ng the
modeless command CTRL-ALT-A.
❷ Using the LMB, select the IC on the le side.
Note: The Proper es for that component are displayed in the
Property editor
❸ To make a property type visible you can check the box
next to the Property. Check the box next to PKG_TYPE.
No ce PKG_TYPE is now shown below the symbol.
❹ To make only the value visible check the box next to
SO24L and uncheck the box next to PKG_TYPE. Now
❶
only the value SO24 is visible.

❸
❷

60 Wiring the Schema c

 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Adding New Proper es

❶ To add a new property on the schema c the property
must be defined in the Property Defini on Editor (Tools ❷❸
> Property Defini on Editor). This helps users stan-
dardize on required proper es within the company and
also prevents typing mistakes.
Note: A er making a change you will have to exit and re-
invoke DxDesigner before the Proper es are available for
assignment.
❷ If the Property window is s ll open and the IC on the
le is s ll selected then we will add a property. In the
Property window click in the blank cell below Name
and add PART_NUMBER.
❹
❸ Enter 510_5V_IC for Value.
❹ Using the LMB select the IC on the right side of the
schema c. ❶
❺ Enter the following Property informa on:
PART_NUMBER = 506-5.0V_IC
DATASHEET = C:\PADS_ES_Evalua on\Datasheets\CD-
54HC192.PD ❼
Note: This last step links the part to a datasheet. A link can be
made to any type of document or website. The document can
be launched directly from the schema c.
❻ Select the symbol and then use the RMB menu and
select Open Hyperlink > DATASHEET.
Note: This process launches Adobe Acrobat with the appro-
priate datasheet.
❼ Select the Close Window bu on in the upper right, to
close down Adobe Acrobat. ❻

Wiring the Schema c 61

 Change/Edit Proper es
❶ Select the resistor on the bo om le .
❷ Add or Change the following Proper es:
DEVICE RESISTOR1206
PART_NUMBER 107-RES
❶
PKG_TYPE CC1206
VALUE 5.1K
TOLERANCE 1%
POWER 250mW
❸ Select the resistor on the top le .
❹ Add or Change the following Proper es:
DEVICE RESISTOR1206
PART_NUMBER 101-RES
PKG_TYPE CC1206
VALUE 10K
TOLERANCE 1%
POWER 250mW

62 Wiring the Schema c

 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Adding Proper es to Parts Simultaneously

❶ Using the LMB, select one of the capacitors.
❶
❷ Holding the CTRL key and using LMB, click on each of
the other two capacitors.
Note: All three of the capacitors are selected and their Prop-
er es are listed in the Property editor.
❸ In the Proper es window select the cell below Name
to add a new property.
❹ In the Property field select PART_NUMBER.
❺ In the Value field enter 12301-CAP.
❻ Select Enter to complete the property assignment.
Now if you select each capacitor individually you will
no ce they all have the same PART_NUMBER property.
❷
❼ Add the following Proper es to all three capacitors.
DEVICE CAPNONPOL
PKG_TYPE CC1206
VALUE 10U
TOLERANCE 5%
VOLTAGE 16V

❹ ❺

Wiring the Schema c 63

 Working with the Bus Model
Crea ng a Bus
❶ Begin by star ng a new schema c: File > New > Sche-
ma c.
❷ The new schema c is now found in the Blocks sec on
on the Project Navigator and it is called Schema c1. ❸
❸ Place 2 instances of the local symbol SymbolTest.1. To
accomplish this, select the DxDataBook bu on then
select the Show CL View bu on. Once this is complete ❶
expand the [Local Symbol] column using the [+]char-
acter and highlight the SymbolTest.1 symbol. At this
point you can click the Place Symbol bu on to place
them on the schema c.
❹ Next, zoom in to the le side of the symbols.
❺ Using the Add-Bus bu on place a ver cal bus labeled
“A[15:0]” to the le of the symbols. ❹

64 Wiring the Schema c

 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Connec ng a Bus to Component Nets

There are 2 ways to connect these symbols to this bus. The
first method connects the nets from the bus to the compo-
nent.
❶
❶ The first step is selec ng the bus and using the
RMB>Rip Nets menu pick. Click with the RMB where
you would like the first net to connect (Directly across
from the second pin on the le …below CLK). This will
display a dialog box allowing the user to select the nets
are to be used. In this example, we are going to use
A[15:8] from the Rip Nets dialog to connect to the top
symbol.
NOTE: If you do not see the Rip Nets menu pick then you may
need to click into the design view to unselect the bus and
then try again.
❷ Clicking the OK bu on will place them nets on the bus
star ng where you last clicked. The spacing defaults to
2 Grid spaces but our symbol pins are at 4 Grid spaces. ❷

❸ With the nets s ll selected open the resize box (Edit >
Resize Box).
❹ Use your mouse to drag the green box around the nets
wider and longer un l all nets connect with the ends of
the pins. When you release your mouse the nets will
be connected.
NOTE: The yellow proper es are the “ripped bit indicator.”
These indicate which bit of the bus is a ached to a par cular
net.
❹

Wiring the Schema c 65

 Connec ng Component Nets to a Bus
This is the second way to connect these symbols to this bus.
This method connects the nets from the component to the
bus..

❶ Connect unnamed nets to the component using the

Add Nets bu on. Once all nets are added be sure they
are all selected. ❶
❷ Next use the RMB > Add Proper es pop-up menu pick
to invoke the Add Proper es dialog box. In this dialog
box set the following. ❶
• Type = Net
• Property = Name
• Prefix = A
• Value Dec= 7 and Delta = -1
❸ This will name all of the nets and allow you to use the
resize box to drag them to connect up to the bus.

66 Wiring the Schema c

 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Lesson 7: Rules and Constraints

DxDesigner has a built-in constraint system. This constraint class rules can also be defined and managed directly from DxDe-
management system allows PCB physical constraints to be signer. When you select an object in the schema c, it appears
passed with netlist/partlist data into a compa ble CAD tool with currently assigned constraints in the editor. In this editor,
(PADS Layout). The constraint informa on can consist of rou ng constraint modifica ons are as easy as changing a ributes.
clearance constraints, rou ng constraints, and high speed con- Constraint passing is controlled either during netlist genera on
straints. Advanced rules like differen al pairs, component and or through direct integra on with PADS Layout.

Entering Constraints
Switching Projects
❶ Open the Navigator window by selec ng the Navigator
bu on or by using the CTRL-ALT-T hotkey. ❷ ❸
❷ Using the RMB click on Lesson7 (or the ac ve project) ❶
to ac vate the pop-up menu.
❸ Select Open Project.
❹ Browse back to C:\PADS_ES_Evalua on\Lesson7
❺ Select the Lesson7.prj file.
❻ Select the Open bu on to complete the process.
❼ If any files were open, a dialog like the one below will ❼
pop up. Select Yes.
❽ Hit the [+] next to the Boards to expand it.
❾ Double Click LMB on Corporate to open the first sheet
of the schema c. ❾
❿ Select the [+] next to Corporate and then expand Sche-
ma c1 to see all the schema c sheets. ❽
❿

Rules and Constraints 67

 Review the Constraints Defini on
❶ Place the cursor in a vacant part of the schema c work- ❷❶
ing area.
❷ Select the Zoom Area bu on and generate a zoom box
around the upper le hand corner of the screen.
❸ To open the Constraint Defini on dialog select View >
Other Windows > Constraints. ❸
Note: The constraints file is part of your project se ngs in
Setup > Se ngs > Project dialog.
❹ If you reviewed the Constraint setup dialog previously
defined, select Cancel bu on to exit the Setup > Set-
ngs dialog.
❺ Using the LMB click on the CLK_IN net from within the
working area of the schema c.
Note: If you are not able to select the net you may need to
modify your selec on filter se ngs. You can do this with the
bu on.
❻ With the net selected the constraint editor now shows ❹
the constraints associated with this net. We can change
constraints just like we changed proper es.

❺ ❻

68 Rules and Constraints

 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Changing Constraints
❶ With the CLK_IN net s ll selected, we will edit the
constraints.
❷ Using the LMB, double click on the constraint value
for Length Min and change it to 1000. Then change
Length Max to 2000.
❸ On the bo om of the Constraints dialog, no ce the Route
tab.
❹ Select the Route tab and change the Autoroute se ng
to False.
❷
❺ On the bo om of the Constraints window, select the Clear-
ance tab and change the Trace-to-Trace Clearance from 4
to 6.

❹
❺

Rules and Constraints 69

 Crea ng a Constraints Class
❶ While CLK_IN is s ll selected click Create New Class
from Se ngs in the bo om of the Constraints win-
dow.
❷ At the prompt enter the New Class name CLOCK2.
❸ Select the OK bu on to add the new class name. If you
see a pop-up asking for permission to overwrite the
exis ng class pick Yes. No ce the net CLK_IN automa - ❶
cally gets assigned that class name.
❹ Let’s reset CLK_IN back to default by selec ng the
down arrow to the right of the PCBCLASS a ribute.
Select CLOCKS from the list.

70 Rules and Constraints

 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Applying a Constraints Class

❶ Use the Home key to zoom full and then use the Zoom
bu on, create a box over the upper right hand corner
of the page.
❷ Select the net CLK_3584MEG.
❸ From within the Constraint dialog, select pull down ar-
row inside the value box next to PCBCLASS.
❷
❹ Select the class called CLOCKS. This will add
CLK_3584MEG net to the class along with other nets
assigned to that class.

❸
❹

Rules and Constraints 71

 Crea ng a Differen al Pair
❶ Use the Home key to zoom full and then use the Zoom
bu on, create a scroll box over the upper le hand
corner of the page.
❷ Using the LMB double click the signal called BSYNC-. ❶
❸ Open the Proper es window if it’s not open already.
Note: If it was not open already, then it will open near the
Constraints window.
❹ Where Diff Pair is located assign BSYNC+.
❺ While holding down the CTRL key, use the LMB key to ❸
❷
select the BSYNC+ signal.
Note: At this point both BSYNC+ and BSYNC- should be se-
lected and seen in the Constraints window.
Also note: A new tab named “Differen al Pair” will appear in
the Constraints window.

❺
❺

72 Rules and Constraints

 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Crea ng a Differen al Pair (ConƟnued)

❻ Select the Differen al Pair tab to view the constraint

op ons.
❼ Select the Constraint name Gap in the Differen al Pair ❼
tab to first select the en re row.
❽ Then select the cell for BSYNC+ (the le -most net cell)
in the Gap Constraint row.
❾ At the prompt “Are you sure you want to edit this Cell?
The value will be applied to all 2 selected Cells”, select
the Yes box. ❽
❿ Set the Gap to 4.0 mils and press Enter. Both values
changed to the 4.0000 mil gap se ng.
Note: You may need to adjust the column sizes so you can see
the a ribute values for both nets. To do so, simply place the
cursor over the column edge, hold the LMB and drag to the
appropriate direc on.

Rules and Constraints 73

 Lesson 8: Variant Manager
The Variant Manager is a u lity that helps manage PCB Sub Variants defined in DxDesigner can be exported to PADS Layout
Assemblies from the schema c level. The bill-of-materials is so the Assembly Variant u lity inside PADS Layout can generate
typically generated here and can represent the en re schema c the necessary Assembly Drawings based on each variant passed
or any Variant defined in the Variant Manager dialog. from DxDesigner. This capability accommodates the passing of
Variant modifica ons can include Populated Components, Sub- variants from the front end tool all of the way through to the
s tuted Components and Depopulated Components. Mul ple backend tools so that required documenta on can be processed
variants can exist in a single design with the ability to automa - quickly and easily with accuracy.
cally generate schema cs and BOMs represen ng each listed
variant.

Crea ng New Variants

Variant Manager is used to create a unique BOM for variants
❶
of schema cs. For example, you may need to produce designs
which are basically the same except one has an extra bank of
memory installed. Variant Manager will allow you to create a
unique BOM, schema c for documenta on, and reports of the
variant differences.

❸
Launching Variant Manager
❶ Start DxDesigner, select File > Open> Project and select
C:\PADS_ES_Evalua on\Lesson8\Lesson8.prj.
❷ Launch Variant Manager using View > Other Windows
> Variants ❷
❸ A new window will open for Variant Manager. If it shows “No
Project Loaded” then you simply need to Click on Corporate
in the Navigator to open a schema c sheet.

74 Variant Manager
 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Reviewing the Variant Manager Se ngs

Before crea ng new variants, review the current se ngs and
familiarize yourself with the available op ons.

The General Tab

❶ First review the Se ngs for the Variants you are about ❶
to create by clicking the Se ngs bu on.
❷ There are four tabs in this dialog. First, look at the
General tab. The General Tab will have se ngs for
the naming of unplaced parts as well as several report
op ons. The Unplaced Keyword will show in the appro-
priate cell for parts that you choose to Unplace. You
can control the keyword used in this tab of the Se ngs
❷
Dialog.

The CAE Interac on Tab

❶ The CAE Interac on tab provides display op ons for
variant schema cs. You can Delete, Markup or Color
the unplaced symbols in each variant.

Variant Manager 75
 The Library Query Setup Tab
❶ The Library Query Setup tab will allow you to define
and edit how the project will interact with the Library
database. In the first sec on you will point to the cor-
rect .dbc file using the browse bu on.
❶ ❶
The Define Libraries bu on will allow you to edit your
DxDataBook configura on. For this lesson the setup is
done for you but you can refer to the Appendix at the
end of thislLesson if you are using your own database.
❷
❷ The Query se ngs sec on allows you to control the
database search when using the Replace func on.
You want to allow enough results to be returned from
each library by se ng the Results/library value large
enough. You can use replacement parts from many
libraries but to do so you need to make the Results to-
tal number larger than the number of results returned ❸
from each individual library. The Part number a ribute
should be set to DEVICE.
❸ The Output format will also control your database
query results. The Part number feedback line will al-
low you to display more informa on about a par cular
part. This will be shown later.
❹ The Query results format will control the results shown
for the Replace func on. This will control the columns ❹
displayed and filter op ons to help you choose a re-
placement part.
Note: Because we have Part Number A ribute ed to DEVICE
we also want to be sure DEVICE is included in the Query
results format.

76 Variant Manager
 Design Capture with DxDesigner

The PADS Tab

❶ The last tab is PADS. This allows you to define the
correct property to associate with Part Number for the
output files. In this case use DEVICE.

Crea ng Variants
❶ As you can see nothing has been defined yet. Start by
selec ng the Variant Defini on bu on.
❷ From the Variant Defini on dialog create two Variants ❷
by clicking on the Create New Variant bu on twice.
❸ Rename the two variants Variant1 and Variant2 respec-
vely. ❺
Note: Using the LMB, double click the cell to edit.
❹ Fill in the Number and Descrip ons as shown.
❺ The Variant Groups Tab in the dialog above is helpful
for sor ng or filtering specific variants when there are
many in a single project. The groups you setup here
❸ ❹
will be available from the drop-down shown below in
the main window. ❻
❻ Click OK to exit this dialog.

Variant Manager 77
 Defining Variants
Now that you have configured Variant Manager and created two
variants you will define the specific variant parameters.

Unplacing Parts
❶ Using the LMB, select in the cell under the Variant1
column, next to C35. Variant Manager allows the
cross-probing from the schema c into a variant and
❶
vise-versa.
❷ Be sure the Transmit and Receive mode bu ons are
both depressed to enable cross-probing.
❸ Select the [-] next to the schema c sheet Analog_
switch to compress the view. ❷

❹ Find IOPort1 and Unplace all of the components in that

block. This can be done by selec ng the LMB to select
cell next to the IO_Port defini on in Variant1, followed
❸
by selec ng the RMB to open the pop-up menu. Select
the Unplaced op on from this menu to unplace all
parts on this Hier sheet.

78 Variant Manager
 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Change Mul ple Parts Simultaneously

❶ To change a few select parts simultaneously, using the
LMB select C32 first within the Variant1 column. Using
the LMB and holding the Ctrl key, select C33 and C34.
Select the RMB while over one of those Ref Des and ❶
select Reset. No ce only those 3 reset and contain no
variant instruc ons within Variant1 column.

Replacing (Subs tu ng) Parts

❶ Now, instead of unplacing all parts, we will subs tute
new parts. For Variant2 select the cell for C16, select
the RMB popup and select Replace.
❷ A er selec ng Replace you will see a new window of
possible parts for replacement.
❶
Note: The columns come from the se ngs in a previous les-
son. All of the replacement parts have the same PKG_TYPE as
the original part because we set the VM Match to PKG_TYPE
= in our .dbc configura on as shown in the Appendix at the
end of this Lesson document.

Variant Manager 79
 Sor ng Parts
❶ The columns in this window not only provide addi onal ❶
informa on but they also act as filters. Select one of
the column headers and no ce you can either sort
(Ascending or Descending) or filter (on available values)
based upon the part you are looking for.
❷ Replace C16 with the smallest value available for a
capacitor. This can be done by selec ng the VALUE
column and then sort Ascending and double click the
first part available.

Fla en the Design View

❶ Select the check box next to a Flat Design View to flat-
ten the schema c Ref Des list.
❷ Now use the design view to find Sheet 1 and select R8
in the upper right corner. When you select the part in ❶
the design view it will also select in the Variant Man-
ager.

80 Variant Manager
 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Replacing Parts Across Libraries

❶ We are going to swap this resistor with a capacitor in
Variant2. With R8 highlighted, select the RMB over the
cell contained within the Variant2 column and select
Replace.
No ce that you also have the op on to replace parts across
libraries!
Note: Don’t forget that you can also filter on Library if you
know what Library your replacement part is in! ❶
❷ Using the LMB, double click the first capacitor in the list
to apply it.
❸ Save your work by clicking the Save bu on.

Variant Manager 81
 ❷
Genera ng Variant Outputs
Now that you have created two variants we will need to gener-
ate schema cs, pass the informa on to PADS for Layout and
create BOMs.

Create Variant/Func on Schema cs

❶ Begin by closing all schema c sheets but one so the ❸
Variant Manager remains ac ve.
❷ To create the variant schema cs simply click to select
the Variant1 column and then click the Create Variant/
Func on Schema cs bu on.
❸ A er doing so you will no ce a prompt opens in the de- ❹
sign view informing you that “DxDesigner is in Variant
Manager Mode (All schema cs are read only). Variant
name: Variant1”
❹ Use the navigator to find Sheet 5 and select IO_port1.
Select the RMB while over IO_Port1 and select Push
Schema c.
Note: The parts represented in blue are the ones we un-
placed in Variant1.
Note: We set a par cular color for all unplaced variant parts
(teal). This was setup in a previous lesson.

Note: W
We also
l h had
d the
h op on to Markup
M k rather h than
h colorl Or, we could
O have confi
ld h figured
d the
h VVariant
i Man-
M
unplaced parts which would have resulted in the following: ager to delete unplaced parts as shown:

82 Variant Manager
 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Genera ng the Variant BOM Reports

❶ To generate the BOMs you can select the RMB in the
variant window and select Report > BOM Reports from ❶
the pop-up menu.
❷ A new dialog opens and you can choose the desired
output file type. Select Microso Excel.
❸ Select Variant1 and 2. Define an output loca on. In
this case we will output to C:\PADS_ES_Evalua on\Les-
son8 and name it Variant_BOM.xls.
❹ Generate a BOM report for the Master and both Vari- ❸
❷
ants using the se ngs shown above.
❺ A er clicking OK all three reports are generated in the
C:\PADS_ES_Evalua on\Lesson8 directory as shown.
❻ Open each report in Excel and observe the differences. ❺
In this graphic no ce the file names at the top show
master on the le , then Variant1 middle and Variant2 ❹
on the right. A few differences have been highlighted
so you can see that Variant Manager has generated the
BOMs correctly.
❼ From the Report menu you can also generate spread-
sheet views of your variants for documenta on. ❻
Experiment by crea ng a report for your variant and
then view the output file. For example, select HTML
Document.
❽ The last step in variant genera on is to create an out-
put for PADS Layout. To generate this output click the
Export Data for PADS bu on.
❾ No ce the ASCII file C:\PADS_ES_Evalua on\Lesson8\ ❼
❽
Lesson8_DxDVariants.asc is available for use in PADS.
❿ This file can be imported into PADS Layout.

Variant Manager 83
 Appendix: Configuring Variant Manager
This appendix contains some of the errors you might see if your
session of Variant Manager is not configured properly.

Configura on
❶ Before crea ng a variant you will need to set the Vari-
ant Match condi on in your Databook .dbc file.
❶
Note: This VM Match condi on column is only visible from
the configura on within Variant Manager. If you try to edit
the configura on from DxDataBook then you will not see this
column.
Be sure you have the VM Match column in each library
set so PKG_TYPE is =.
❷ If you fail to configure the VM Match condi on correct- ❷
ly then you will see mul ple package types available for
replacement as shown.
❸ Be sure DEVICE is added to the Query results.
❹ If you fail to do this then you may see an error message
when choosing a replacement part.
❺ Be sure the PADS tab links Part Number to DEVICE. If
you haven’t done this then the replace menu will be ❸
grayed out and you will not have parts listed in the Part
Number column.
❻ The proper es are case sensi ve. Check your data-
base configura on for property cases. For example, a
configura on might show the value Device rather than
DEVICE.
❼ If you have a case sensi vity problem then you may see ❺
an error message when replacing a part.

84 Variant Manager
 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Lesson 9: Genera ng the BOM (Bill of Materials)

This exercise will show you how to export BOM’S from DxDe-
signer. There are several op onal output formats available but
for this exercise we will focus on crea ng an HTML output file
format.

Opening the Partlister

❷
❶ Select File > Open> Project to Open C:\PADS_ES_Evalu-
a on\Lesson9\Lesson9.prj.
❷ From the pull down menu, select Tools > Part Lister.
❸ If a Prompt appears “One or more documents are
modified. Save before Running Command?” appears,
select the Yes bu on to save the edits.
❹ A new Part Lister dialog will appear. These op ons af-
fect the partlist content.

Genera ng the BOM (Bill of Material) 85

 Partlister A ribute Selec on
❶
❶ Select the Columns tab.
❷ Place the cursor into the A ribute Fields area, select
the RMB and you will be able to add, remove and
modify the order of the a ribute columns included in
the output.

Adding An A ribute
❶ To add or remove a ributes, place the cursor over one
of the a ributes in the list and select the RMB. This
will enable a popup menu that will allow you to select
an ac on.
❸
❷ Selec ng the “Add at End” op on adds a new a ribute
to the end of the list of a ributes to be extracted. The ❷
“Add Here” op on adds an a ribute at the posi on ❶
currently selected
❸ Select the Add at End selec on.
❹ Enter the Property Name DESCRIPTION.
Note: This dialog is Context sensi ve. Be sure to use upper
case for Property Names.
❺ Enter the Column Label name Descrip on.
❹
❻ Enter a Column width of 50.
❺
❼ Click OK to keep the selec ons. ❻

86 Genera ng the BOM (Bill of Materials)

 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Edi ng An A ribute
❶ Place the cursor over the property name COST.
❷ Select the RMB followed by selec ng Edit.
❸ Change the Property Name from C0ST to COST. ❸
Note: COST is spelled with a Zero and it should be an O.

❶
❷

Increasing the Page Size

❶ Keep in mind if you add addi onal a ributes you may
have to increase the page size. To do this, select the ❶
Page tab and enter the appropriate values for Length.
For this exercise set it to 150.

Specifying the Output Type

❶ Select the Se ngs tab. ❶
❷ You can setup the desired output type (Excel, Plain Text,
HTML or Delimited Text) by selec ng the pull-down
located next to the “Type” parameter. Set this output
to Plain Text.
❷

Genera ng the BOM (Bill of Material) 87

 Run the Partlister
❶ Using the LMB select Run at the bo om of the Part
Lister. ❶
❷ At the prompt to “Save Before Running?” select OK.
❸ With the LMB select the “View” bu on to review the
results. ❷
❹ Expand the View of the BOM to fit the full screen.
Note: This is just one example of a BOM. Many different
formats can be created including a Comma Delimited version
that can be opened inside excel or other Windows applica-
ons.
❺ Select File/Exit to close the Notepad file.
❻ Select File/Exit to exit the BOM dialog. ❸

88 Genera ng the BOM (Bill of Materials)

 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Lesson 10: DxDesigner Integra on with HyperLynx LineSim

Using LineSim Link and Simula on
This exercise will walk you through the process of selec ng a
net for simula on, reviewing Simula on Models assigned in De-
signer, impor ng a net into HyperLynx, performing an analysis
and saving the results for future use

DxDesigner LineSim Link

DxDesigner LineSim Link can export a net to HyperLynx Lin-
eSim for pre-layout simula on.
❶ In DxDesigner Select File > Open > Project and select ❹ Using the MMB zoom around upper le IC shown on
C:\PADS_ES_Evalua on\Lesson10\Lesson10.prj. ‘memory’ page
❷ Using the LMB, double click the schema c called COR- ❺ Using the LMB select the IC U14. In the Proper es
PORATE in the Project Navigator. pane review the Simula on models assigned (you may
❸ Using the LMB, double click on ‘memory’ in the project need to scroll down to see it).
tree

❶ ❹

DxDesigner Integra on with HyperLynx LineSim 89

 DxDesigner LineSim Link (conƟnued)

❻ Using the LMB select net DATA_BUS0 star ng from

U14.13. When the net highlights, click the RMB and
select LineSim Link from the menu.
❼ In the LineSim Link dialog, select Load Data from ❼
DxDesigner and check the radio bu on Complete
Schema c (export including interconnec ons) in the
Schema c Contents sec on.
Note: In the LineSim dialog the user can change parameters ❻
to the Transmission Line Proper es. We will not make any
changes and use the default se ngs.
❽ In the LineSim Link dialog, select the Schema c Topol-
ogy tab where we will review the drivers and receivers
for this net. Expand both Electrical Net 1 and DATA-
BUS0 by selec ng the [+] next to each of them. Select
the U11.M26 pin and change it from a receiver to a
driver by selec ng Change Direc on in Pin sec on. ❽
❾
❾ In the LineSim Link dialog, switch back to Op ons tab
and select Export to HyperLynx. This will launch Hyper-
Lynx LineSim with this net loaded for simula on and
models assigned from DxDesigner.
❿ In HyperLynx, select the Edit Stackup bu on. The cross
sec on of the future board is defined as a 6 layer board
and we will use it as is.

90 DxDesigner Integra on with HyperLynx LineSim

 Design Capture with DxDesigner

DxDesigner LineSim Link (conƟnued)

⓫
⓫ In HyperLynx, select the Run Interac ve Simula on
bu on and select the Rising Edge radio bu on. Make
sure different colors are assigned to the probes, and
select Start Simula on.
⓬ Using the LMB, click two points in the Oscilloscope
window as shown at the top and bo om of the
overshoot of the waveform to review the span of the
voltage overshoot. Receivers have a lot of voltage over-
shoot (about 2.9V).
⓭ We want to save results of simula on for future use
with the routed board. In the Digital Oscilloscope win-
dow, select the Save/Load bu on, select the HyperL-
ynx .LIS radio bu on and then click the Save As bu on.
Save the file with name DATA_BUS0_no_termina on.
lis.

DxDesigner Integra on with HyperLynx LineSim 91

 DxDesigner LineSim Link (conƟnued)

⓮ To fix the Signal Integrity problems, we will add RC

Termina on to the U28.13 receiver. Select the Add RC
Termina on bu on and posi on the top of the resistor
so that it touches the le blue dot at the output of TL2 .
⓯ To assign values to terminators, select the Run Termi-
nator Wizard bu on. Select the Apply Tolerance pull
down and use the 5% se ng. Select the Apply Values ⓮
bu on to assign the value to the terminators and select
the OK bu on.
⓰ Rerun the simula on with RC Termina on and the
values assigned. You will no ce that we cut down the
overshoot by more than double (about 1.25V). We can
con nue to refine it to make it be er but we will leave
as is.
⓱ Save the results as we did in Step 12 with file name:
DATA_BUS0_terminated.lis.

92 DxDesigner Integra on with HyperLynx LineSim

 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Lesson 11: DxDesigner Integra on with HyperLynx Analog

This exercise will walk you through the process of simula ng and polarity errors. HyperLynx Analog is easy to use, fast to
with HyperLynx Analog. Assigning simula on models to compo- setup and no longer requires library prepara on.
nents, and running DC, transient, and AC simula ons. For a video demo, using a similar circuit for the features in this lesson
Simula ng circuits prior to or concurrently with pcb design en- and more, see: h p://www.mentor.com/products/pcb-system-
sures the circuit works right the first me by elimina ng wiring design/mul media/be er-pcb-analog-design-webinar

HyperLynx Analog Setup ❷

This sec on will demonstrate how to use the simula on capabili- ❹
es of HyperLynx Analog.
❶ In DxDesigner, select File > Open > Project and select C:\
PADS_ES_Evalua on\Lesson11\Lesson11.prj.
❷ Using the DxDesigner menu, turn on the licensing for Hy-
perLynx Analog:
a. Setup > Licensing > HyperLynx Analog and Press OK.
❸
b. The HyperLynx Analog toolbar should appear. If not use
the DxDesigner Menu, View > Toolbars > HLA Simula on.
❸ Using the LMB, double click on ‘Inst_Amp’ in the Navigator ❹
Block sec on.
❹ Click the Testbench Op ons bu on, the le most bu on on
the HyperLynx Analog toolbar.
In the Testbench Op ons: Inst_Amp dialog, select the
HyperLynx Analog radio bu on and OK.
❺ This step is op onal for a demo, if you have me constraints, it has
been completed.
The passive components have had SPICE proper es added.
but if the proper es are not in a library, it is easy to add the ❺
SPICE proper es to the capacitors C1 and C2. Select C1 and
RMB on the symbols and select Simula on Model Proper-
es to view that a model is assigned as Built In (Spice). C2
While C1 is s ll selected verify Select the Capacitors and
in the Proper es Window, verify Order=VALUE$ and
VALUE=0.22u.

DxDesigner Integra on with HyperLynx Analog 93

 ❷
Adding SPICE Proper es
This step is opƟonal for the evaluaƟon, if you have Ɵme con-
straints, it has been completed.
❶ Add the SPICE proper es to the Op Amp. Go to www.ana-
log.com, search for ad8638 spice and download the SPICE ❸
model (a copy AD8638.cir is in the project directory)
❷ Select the DxDesigner menu, Tools > Convert PSPICE librar-
ies, and select the downloaded file. The file AD8638.cir has
been saved in the project directory.
This converts the file to one with an HLA prefix, and .lib suffix.
❸ Select the first OPAMP and RMB Simula on Model Dialog. ❹
❹ Con nue adding the SPICE proper es to the op amp...
• Select SPICE from the dropdown
• Select the Model File radio bu on
• Browse to the converted model file, HLA_AD8638.lib
• Select AD8638 ❺
❺ Press OK, to close Model Proper es, but stay in the Simula-
on Model Proper es dialog.
❻ Con nuing on adding the SPICE proper es to the op amp…
Select the Pin Mapping tab, and then View Model bu on,
and arrange it to see the pin numbers.
Press OK when finished.
❼ For the remaining 3 OPAMPS, make assignmets for each in
the Spice Model Proper es. The pin assignment changes
made for the first opamp will be cached. Simply RMB on
the opamp symbol, select Spice Model Proper es and press ❽
OK to a ach the model to the symbol.
1. Unselect incorrect
ecct
❽ Select all 4 opamps, and verify the Proper es, especially items to create a list
the Order property . Verify this property: Order=Model$ 2. Select the correct
pinout from the list

94 DxDesigner Integra on with HyperLynx Analog

 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Se ng Up the Signal Sources

This step is opƟonal for the evaluaƟon, if you have Ɵme con- ❶
straints, it has been completed. Simply open the source dialog
to show how sources can be prepared. ❷
❶ Here we will setup the signal sources; this is done by
ac va ng the Sources bu on. ❸❹
❷ We will add 2 DC sources.
❸ Add VDD as a DC source at 10V with input nodes of
PWR and 0, 0 is the GND node.
❹ Add Offset as a DC source at 5V with input nodes of
NEG_INPUT and 0.
❺ The result appear as shown in the Sources dialog.
❻ Add a third source, this will be a combina on source
❺
with DC, AC and Transient proper es
❼ The completed Sources dialog should appear as shown.

DxDesigner Integra on with HyperLynx Analog 95

 Edi ng the Simula on Dialog ❶

❶ The final setup step is to edit the Simula on dialog by

pressing the Simulate Design bu on.
❷
❷ Review the Simula ons informa on.
❸ Review the DC Analysis informa on.
❹ Review the Time Domain Analysis informa on.
❺ Review the Frequency Analysis informa on. ❸
❻ Review the Opera ng Point Values informa on.
❼ Press the Simulate bu on.
❽ Review the results in the output window

96 DxDesigner Integra on with HyperLynx Analog

 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Back Annota on to the Schema c

Show the Back annota on on the schema c by:
❶ LMB click the schema c window, to make it the ac ve ❷ ❶❸
window.
❷ LMB click the Show Back Annota on bu on.
❸ LMB click on schema c again.

Viewing the Results in EZwave

❶ When simula on completes, EZWave opens automa -
cally, it can also be opened with the toolbar.
❷ Select AC to show the waveform names in the lower
le window pane and drag V(amp_out) onto the work-
space to view the AC results.
❸ Select TRAN to show the transient waveform results
and drag (Vamp_out) next to Workspace1 to create a
new Transient waveform window.
❶

❷ ❸

DxDesigner Integra on with HyperLynx Analog 97

 Using the Measurement Tool
❶ Use the Measurement tool, Tools > Measurement to
find the Peak to Peak voltage and the frequency.
❷ Select the Measurement type. ❷
Hint: Select desired waveform and press this bu on to as-
sign.
❸ The measurement annota on can be selected and
moved to view.
For more power, EzWave has a tutorial, see Help >Tuto-
rial!

98 DxDesigner Integra on with HyperLynx Analog

 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Lesson 12: DxDesigner and PADS Layout Integra on

This exercise will walk you through the process of crea ng a ful feature known as cross-probing. This allows you to easily
netlist and sending the design to PADS for Layout. In addi on select parts in DxDesigner and then see those parts ready for
you will see how to save yourself me and effort using a power- placement in PADS.

So ware Integra on
DxDesigner has the ability to netlist to many different layout sys-
tems. This lesson will walk you through Forward and Backward
Annota on with PADS Layout.

DxDesigner and PADS Layout Integra on 99

 PCB Forward Annota on Automated Process
A second, way to pass data into PADS Layout is through DxDe-
signer Link. This is available within PADS Layout from the menu
Tools > DxDesigner.

Connec ng Applica ons with DxDesigner Link

❶ Open PADS Layout by clicking on the PADS Layout icon ❷
on the Desktop (or by selec ng it from the Windows
Start bu on > Programs > Mentor Graphics SDD >
PADS 9.XX > Design Layout & Rou ng > PADS Layout).
Note: This loca on may vary depending on the install direc-
tory and version of PADS Layout so ware. Make the appro-
priate adjustments based on the installa on.
❷ Split the screen so you have half the screen with DxDe-
signer and half the screen with PADS Layout.
❸ From the PADS Layout pull down menu, select File >
Open.
❹ Browse for C:\PADS_ES_Evalua on\Lesson12\Les-
son12.pcb and select the Open bu on. ❻
❺ From the PADS Layout pull down menu, select Tools >
DxDesigner…
❻ The DxDesigner link dialog will pop up. ❼
❼ In the “DxDesigner Project File” field, select the
Browse bu on and search for the C:\PADS_ES_Evalu-
a on\Lesson12\Lesson12.prj file. Select the Connect
bu on to establish the link.
❽ You have now established a bi-direc onal link between
the applica ons.
❽

100 DxDesigner and PADS Layout Integra on

 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Forward Annota ng the Design to PADS Layout

❶ Select the Browse bu on in the “Forward/Backward
configura on file” por on of the dialog. Select the C:\
PADS_ES_Evalua on\Libs\padsNetlist.cfg configura-
on file.
Note: From this window, you can Forward Annotate a netlist
file to create a new PCB or forward an ECO to update an
exis ng pcb file. You can also Backward Annotate changes
from the PCB Layout to the Schema c. The last op on is to
Compare a schema c with a PCB layout and report the differ-
ences.
❷ Select the Forward to PCB bu on from the DxDesigner
Link dialog.
❸ Set the parameters in the Forward Annota on dialog ❶ ❷
as shown.
❹ Select OK to start the netlist passing ac vity.
Note: The next window should indicate that the events were ❸
successful by placing a check next to each item. If there was a
problem, an X would appear instead of the check. Then, you
could select Show PCB.err or Show Report to see what the
problem was.
Note: During the Forward Annota on process, PADS Layout
may remove single pin nets from the connec vity list as they
are not candidates for rou ng. If an error report appears,
❹
read the contents to familiarize yourself with the types of ❻
reports that PADS Layout provides, and then close it
❺ Select Close to exit the Process Indicator window. ❺
❻ Now minimize the DxDesigner Link window by selec ng
the Minimize bu on located in the upper right corner
of the DxDesigner Link dialog.

DxDesigner and PADS Layout Integra on 101

 Dispersing Components
❶ From the PADS Layout pull down menu, select Tools >
Disperse Components
❷ At the prompt, select Yes to start dispersing compo-
nents.
❷
❸ At the prompt, select Yes to allow undo.
No ce the parts disperse around the board outline. ❶

102 DxDesigner and PADS Layout Integra on

 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Cross Probing
Experiment selec ng components and nets in either the sche-
ma c or the PCB layout and watch the other program automa -
cally highlight the corresponding item.
Note: The cross probing func onality is supported in the DxDesigner
pane windows as well as the PADS Layout window.

DxDesigner and PADS Layout Integra on 103

 Selec ng and Placing a Single Part
❶ In DxDesigner, enable the Navigator dialog (if not
already visible). Select the memory sheet in the list of
sheets. Note: You can use the PGDN keyboard key as
well to switch sheets.
❷ In PADS Layout, select the Design bu on located on the ❶
main toolbar, to open it.
❸ From the design toolbar that just opened, select the
Move bu on.
❹ From within the DxDesigner memory sheet, select the
component shown.

104 DxDesigner and PADS Layout Integra on

 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Selec ng and Placing a Single Part (conƟnued)

❺ Move your cursor over to PADS Layout and watch the

part come to your cursor. It is ready for placement.
❻ Select the LMB to place the part anywhere within the
board outline. Go back to DxDesigner and select a dif-
ferent component on this page.
❼ Move your cursor over to PADS Layout a second me
and watch the part come to your cursor again. This
interac ve feature improves your placement efficiency
drama cally.
❽ Again, using the LMB, place the second part some-
where on the board.

❺ ❻

DxDesigner and PADS Layout Integra on 105

 Selec ng and Placing Mul ple Parts
You can use the following procedure to quickly select and place
all components related to each other on a single page.

Selec ng a Different Schema c Page

❶
❶ From within PADS Layout, select the Select Mode but-
ton from the Design Toolbar. (It is located next to the
move bu on you selected previously.)
❷ Go back to DxDesigner. Using the LMB select an empty
area on the screen. ❷

❸ Hit the PAGE Dn keyboard key to jump to the next

page.

Se ng the Selec on Filter

❶ Pick the Selec on Filter Bu on found in DxDesigner
View toolbar. ❷
❹
❶
❷ Uncheck the All selec on.
❸ Check only the Symbol filter.
❹ Select the Close bu on in the upper right to close the
Selec on Filter dialog.
❸

106 DxDesigner and PADS Layout Integra on

 Design Capture with DxDesigner

Group Selec on in DxDesigner

❶ While on the schema c sheet control_buffers, select
all the components associated with the CLK CONTROL
SYSTEM circuit (as shown). ❶
Note: This can be accomplished by pressing and holding the
LMB while dragging to create a selec on box which can be
used to surround the en re circuit.
❷ This will select all the equivalent parts inside the PADS
❷
Layout via the OLE object linking capability.
❸ Move the cursor into the PADS Layout window

Move Sequen al
❶ Select the RMB and select Move Sequen al from the pop-
up menu.
❶
❷ At the prompt to Proceed with next object, select Yes
to All.
Note: One of the components selected in the schema c
will now warp to your cursor, ready to be placed. No ce the
equivalent part is also selected in DxDesigner. ❷
❸ With the part located at the cursor, and the cursor over
PADS Layout, select the RMB followed by Rotate 90 ❸
from the pop-up menu.
❹ Using the mouse, place the component somewhere on
the board. The part can be release from the cursor by
clicking the LMB in the desired placement loca on.

DxDesigner and PADS Layout Integra on 107

 Move Sequen al (conƟnued)

❺ Watch as the next component comes to your cursor.

Place this component somewhere on the board near ❼
the other one. ❻
Note: The order of the parts moving to the cursor may vary
based on selec on order in the schema c. You also have the
op on to place parts in alphabe cal order (this is the default).
❻ The next part snaps to your cursor and is highlighted in
DxDesigner. Select the RMB followed by Flip Sides to
move the part to the bo om side of the design.
❼ To complete the placement process on any remaining ❺
parts simply move the cursor to the desired loca on
followed by selec ng the LMB.
❽ From within the PADS Layout applica on, select File/
Exit to close PADS Layout.
❾ At the prompt “Save before qui ng”, select No.
❿ From within DxDesigner, select the File/Exit to close
out DxDesigner.

❽
❿

108 DxDesigner and PADS Layout Integra on

 Placement & Rou ng
with PADS Layout
In this sec on:

 Environment
 Se ng Up a New Design
 Crea ng a New Component
 Placement
 Rules and Constraints
 Interac ve Rou ng
 Crea ng Plane Layers
 RF Related Op ons
 Verifica on

109
 Lesson 13: The PADS Layout Environment
This sec on will walk you through the PADS Layout user inter- Welcome screen, the use of toolbars, mouse func ons, mode-
face. You will become familiar with PADS Layout’s legendary less commands and hot-keys. There are many ways to accom-
“Ease of Use” design environment. Topics covered include: the plish your design tasks with minimal effort.

Welcome Screen
The PADS Welcome screen is a collec on of helpful links that
will help you to become a PADS expert very quickly. This
screen contains tutorial informa on, videos, help features
and a concept guide to help minimize the learning curve. This
content will help you to become produc ve in a very short
me.
❶ Open PADS Layout so ware by either clicking on the
PADS Layout icon located on the desktop or by select-
ing it from the Start > Programs > Mentor Graphics
SDD > PADS9.XX > PCB Layout > PADS Layout pull-
down.
❷ Now that PADS Layout is open we can make ourselves
familiar with the working environment. Let’s take a
look at the Welcome screen.
NOTE: Do not select “Start a New Design” or “Open a Explore the Welcome Screen
Design” item at this me. Just review the content. If you • You can start a new design by selec ng the “Start a New
select either of these items you will need to close and restart
Design” folder shown at the top of the window.
PADS Layout to gain access to this welcome screen again.
• There is a lis ng of recently opened designs located in the
❸ Select Help and take note of all of the resources avail-
“Open a Design” sec on of the Welcome screen. This will
able. From the Help menu select Documenta on and
provide quick access to designs you have worked on.
open the InfoHub to see addi onal documents for all
products in the flow and links to customer support on • You have access to Quick Start Guides and Tutorials from
SupportNet. within this main screen.
❹ Select Help > Modeless Command to gain access to all • PADS Layout and Router help documents will help answer
the modeless keyboard commands available to PADS any ques ons you may have on the PADS products.
Layout. These are quick access tool func ons available • There is a Concept Guide to help with advanced ques ons
from your keyboard.

110 PADS Layout Environment

 Placement and Rou ng with PADS Layout

Introduc on to the User Interface (Main Window)

Project
Menus Toolbars Workspace
Explorer

Status Bar Output Window

PADS Layout Environment 111

 Toolbars

The Standard Toolbar

Project
Design ECO BGA Explorer
Open Layer Cycle Toolbar Toolbar Toolbar Zoom Redraw Window

Save Proper es Dra ing Dimensioning Undo Redo Board Output Route
Toolbar Toolbar Window

The Dra ing Toolbar

Board
Select Copper Outline & From Plane Area Import
Mode Copper Pour Cut Out Text Library Cut Out Hatch DXF File

2D Line Copper Copper Keepout Flood Plane Auto Add Dra ing
Cut Out Pour Area Plane New Op ons
Cut Out Separate Label

112 PADS Layout Environment

 Placement and Rou ng with PADS Layout

Toolbars (conƟnued)

The Design Toolbar

Move
Select Radial Reference Add Add Sketch Bus Add Test Design
Mode Move Spin Designators Corner Route Route Route Point Op ons

Move Rotate Swap View Split Dynamic Auto Add Make Like
Part Clusters Route Route Jumper Reuse

The Dimensioning Toolbar

Select Aligned
Mode Horizontal Angular Leader

Auto- Ver cal Rotated Arc Dimension

dimension Op ons

PADS Layout Environment 113

 Naviga on
Open a Design File for Reviewing Commands
❶ Select the Windows Start > Program > Mentor Graph-
ics SDD > PADS 9.XX > Design Layout and Rou ng >
PADS Layout or double-click the PADS Layout icon on
your desktop.
❷ Select File > Open. Browse to the C:\PADS_ES_Evalua-
on\Lesson13\Lesson13.pcb.
This will open a design file so that you can experiment
with some of the PADS Layout naviga on commands.

Keyboard Keys
There are several keyboard keys that act as short-cuts. Let’s
review just a few. ❶
❶ Select and hold down the Arrow Keys to move the cur-
sor at grid increments.
❷ Click the Page Up and Page Down keys to change the
zoom level.
❸ Click the Home key to zoom around the en re board.
Modeless Commands
Modeless commands are a more efficient alterna ve to ❷
menus. Modeless commands are ac vated by selec ng a key
on the keyboard prior to or during an ac vity. The Modeless
command dialog can be deac vated by selec ng the ESC key.
❶ Select the W key and no ce the Width modeless com-
mand dialog appears.
❷ Select the L key and no ce the Layer modeless com-
mand dialog appears.
❸ Full lists of Modeless commands are available. Experi-
ment with the modeless commands available in the
Help > Modeless Commands pull-down.

114 PADS Layout Environment

 Placement and Rou ng with PADS Layout

Mouse Usage
This topic will explain the various ways the mouse can be used
to manipulate PADS. The mouse bu ons will ac vate different
menus depending upon the selec on.
❶ The LMB (Le Mouse Bu on) can be used to select
things by clicking on them. Select the BGA as show ❶
below using the LMB.
❷ The RMB (Right Mouse Bu on) is used to ac vate ❸
pop-up menus containing lists of func ons available for
the selected object. The content of these menus will
change based on the selected object.
❸ With the BGA selected click the RMB to view the op-
ons in the pop-up menu.
Note: When the RMB is ac vated (without anything selected)
it brings up a selec on filter that can be used to filter your
selec on criteria.
❹ The MMB (Middle Mouse Bu on) is used to either
zoom in or zoom out. Click and hold the MMB while
dragging toward the upper le . This creates zoom-in ❹
box around the area which will now be visible.
❺ Click the MMB and hold it to drag the cursor toward
the lower right. This will ini ate a zoom out box. The
amount you zoom out is based on the rela onal size
of the outer box to the inner box that is created during
the zoom out process.
❻ Select the Alt key + Scroll wheel forward/backward to
move the display window in the ver cal plane.
❼ Select the Shi key + Scroll wheel forward/ backward
to move the display along the horizontal plane. ❺
❽ When you have finished experimen ng with the naviga-
on features and commands, close the design file.

PADS Layout Environment 115

 Lesson 14: Se ng Up a New Design
Crea ng a board outline for your PCB Layout is cri cal. PADS All shapes (including board Board Outline Coordinates
Layout will allow you to create board outlines of any shape outlines) can be generated using
X Coordinate Y Coordinate
including round, rectangular and irregular polygons. coordinates entered manually as
well as with the mouse iden fy- 0 0
Cutouts and keep-outs can also be added to help manage more
complex board requirements. Cutouts create void areas in the ing each coordinate. 0 3300
board outline while keep-outs are u lized to for placement and ⓫ 6133 3300
rou ng requirements. 6133 324
Drawing the Board Outline 4720 324
❷ 4720 0
❶ Select File > New to open a new PCB instance.
2248 0
❷ At the Prompt to Set Start-up File select System Default
2248 324
Start-up file, followed by the OK bu on.
2175 324
❸ Select the Dra ing bu on
2175 0
❹ Select the Board Outline and Cutout bu on
1606 0
❺ Click the RMB and select the shape you wish to draw
1606 324
with. For this exercise select Polygon.
❸ 590 324
❻ Type G <space> 1
590 0
❼ Type S <space> 0 <space> 0
❹ 0 0
(Note: <space> indicates to push the space bar. This will place
the cursor at the origin of the design.)
❽ Click the Space Bar to drop the first corner at the origin
loca on.
❾ Type S <space> 0 <space> 3300 for the second corner
loca on.
❿ Click Space Bar again to drop the second corner.
⓫ Follow the same steps for the remaining corners shown in
the table (you have already entered the first two):
⓬ Click the RMB followed by Complete to finish the board
outline. The end result should appear as shown.
Note: To save me, the completed outline can be opened at C:\
PADS_ES_Evalua on\Lesson14\Lesson14(Board Outline).pcb.

116 Se ng Up a New Design

 Placement and Rou ng with PADS Layout

Modifying the Board Outline

Board outlines can be edited, but in order to do so, the proper
selec on filter must be enabled. Once the selec on filter is
set for Board Outline, then you can select the board outline
and make the desired modifica ons.
You can add corners to a board outline, you can add arcs to a
board outline and you can change the width of a board out-
line all at the snap of a finger.
❶ Click the RMB (with nothing selected).
❷ Select the Select Board Outline entry from the pop-up
menu.
❸ Select any board outline edge and no ce it highlights. ❷
❹ Once the edge is select, click the RMB and no ce the
edi ng choices available.
❺ Select Add Corner and no ce you can add corners to
the side you edited
❻ Select the ESC key to abort the last command.
❼ Click the RMB again and select Pull Arc. No ce you are
now stretching an arc on one side of the board outline.
❺

Se ng Up a New Design 117

 Lesson 15: Crea ng Component Informa on
This lesson will walk you through crea ng a PCB Layout decal
and the associated electrical informa on that will represent
the part when it is added to the circuit board. It will cover us- ❶
ing wizards to create both the physical representa on as well
as the electrical part informa on.

Crea ng a New Component

Crea ng components in PADS Layout is quick and easy.
Components can either be created with wizards or manually
depending on the complexity of the device. Devices are made ❷
up of two pieces: the electrical informa on (Part Type) and
the physical informa on (Decal). In this exercise we will build
components using the decal wizard and then show how easily
they can be modified.
❶ Select the File > Library pull-down menu. ❸
❷ From the Library dialog select the Decal bu on.
❸ Click the Pull-down arrow in the Library list (located at
the top of the dialog).
❹ Select the Usr Library. ❹
❺ Click the New bu on to begin crea ng a new symbol.
Click Close.
No ce the PADS Layout background changes to an empty
view.

118 Crea ng Component Informa on

 Placement and Rou ng with PADS Layout

Crea ng a Decal with the Decal Wizard

❶ ❷
There are two types of wizards available in PADS Layout.
The first wizard is for crea ng PADS Decals. A Decal is a part
footprint or the physical descrip on of the part. The following
steps show how easy it is to make a PADS Decal. ❸
❶ Select the Dra ing bu on. ❹
❷ Select the Wizard bu on.
❸ Select the Quad tab. No ce the required parameters
are specific to the defini on of a Quad Flat Pack device.
❹ Set the parameters so they match the se ngs defined
in the dialog below. Use zoom in your PDF reader if you
have having trouble seeing the se ngs in this graphic.
❺ Select the Wizard Op ons bu on.
❻ Use the Decal Wizard Op ons Global tab to enable or
disable supplemental documenta on layers and set-
ngs.
❼ Use the Decal Wizard Op ons Package Types tab to set
the defaults for each of the package types used by the
Decal Calculator. ❺ ❽
❽ Select the OK bu on once all the edits have been ❻ ❼
made.
No ce how quickly you have created a 400 pin quad flat pack.

Crea ng Component Informa on 119

 Crea ng a Decal with the Decal Wizard (conƟnued)

❾ Select File > Save > Decal.

❿
❿ Enter QuadFlatpack+<your ini als>.
Note: Do not use any spaces in the filename.
⓫ At the prompt "Would you like to create a new Part
Type", click Yes.
⓬ Click OK to accept the defaults.
⓭ At the prompt to "Save Part Type to Library", select OK
to accept the defaults.
⓮ Select File > Exit Decal Editor to close the decal.
⓫

120 Crea ng Component Informa on

 Placement and Rou ng with PADS Layout

Modifying Decals and Part Types

❶ Select File > Library to open the Library Manager again. ❶
❷ Click the Decals bu on.
❸ Enter Quad* in the Filter sec on followed by selec ng
Apply.
❷
❹ Select the Part type called Quadflatpack<your ini al>
followed by clicking the Edit bu on.
❺ Click Edit Part. ❸
❻ No ce the Electrical informa on appears for your part
type.
❼ This is where you can set the PCB Decal you would like ❹
to assign using the PCB Decal tab. You can also define
the gate swapping capabili es (GATES Tab), the pin
swapping capabili es (PINS Tab), custom a ributes (AT-
TRIBUTES Tab) and Alpha numeric pin defini ons (PIN
MAPPING Tab).
Open each tab and review the content. ❺
❽ Click OK once you have reviewed each tab and its con-
tent. Change informa on if you like but do not save the
modifica ons.

❻ ❼

Crea ng Component Informa on 121

 Lesson 16: Placement
This lesson will show you how to place parts in PADS Layout. part and use the cursor to drag it to a new loca on. If using the
Placement can be driven from the schema c or directly within Verb mode you can select the part and it will automa cally snap
PADS Layout. to the cursor for placement.
Cross-probing from the schema c is one way to quickly and Modeless commands are also available to drive placement in
easily target specific parts for placement. You will select the conjunc on with Verb mode. If you enter the Verb mode and
part in the schema c and it will automa cally snap to the cursor then ini ate the modeless command, the specified part will
in PADS Layout allowing you to quickly place based on the part snap to the cursor ready for placement.
loca on defined in the schema c. This is available from either Parts can be rotated, spun, flipped and glued on an individual
PADS Logic or DxDesigner. basis or as a group. Parts can also be placed at specific coor-
When placing parts within PADs Layout you may chose a stan- dinates using either a Proper es dialog box or via a modeless
dard select-and-drag method or you may use the Verb mode. command (SS).
The select-and-drag method allows you to select the desired

Open a Design File for Placement

❶ Select File > Open. Browse to the C:\PADS_ES_Evalua-
on\Lesson16\Lesson16A.pcb.
❷ Go to File > Library… > Manage Lib List and make sure
C:\PADS_ES_Evalua on\Libs\Corporate is at the top of
the list. If it is not then you can add it by clicking Add…
and browsing to the appropriate loca on.
❸ Select File > Import to import C:\PADS_ES_Evalua on\
Lessons\Evalua onStart.asc. Select the Open but-
ton to complete the process of impor ng the project
netlist.
Note: You have imported your netlist into PADS Layout. Do-
ing so required the Parts libraries to be available and now you
can see the decals are at the board origin loca on (0,0) as
shown in the screen shot.
This is not the typical import method used with DxDe-
signer. For DxDesigner you would use Tools > DxDe-
signer Link to import your schema c design into PADS.

122 Placement
 Placement and Rou ng with PADS Layout

Manually Place a Component

Manually placing parts can be a lengthy process. Using
features of PADS to reduce placement me will help reduce
the overall design me. This exercise will review op ons to
improve placement efficiency.
❷
❶ Select Edit > Find.
❷ Select the Ref Des prefix U followed by the Ref Des U1.
❸ Click the Apply bu on and no ce the part highlights.
❸
❹ Click the RMB and select the Move command from the
pop-up menu.
No ce the part snaps to the cursor.
❺ Click the ESC key to abort the Move command. ❶
❻ Select the Ctrl + E hotkey and no ce the part again
snaps to the cursor.
❼ With a part moving with the cursor, enter the mode- ❹ ❺
less command S <space> 3000 <space> 3000 <enter>.
Where <space>=spacebar and <enter> is the Enter
keyboard key.
No ce the part moves to the X=3000 Y=3000 loca on.
❽ Click the Spacebar to place the part at that loca on. ❻
Now you are free to move the cursor and to place ❽
another part.
❾ Select the Cancel bu on on the Find dialog to close ❼
that dialog.

Placement 123
 Disperse the Components
❶ Select Tools > Disperse Components from the menu.
❷ At the prompt “OK to start dispersion?” click the Yes
bu on.
❸ At the prompt “Do you want to be able to undo this
ac on” click the Yes bu on. ❷
Note: This will automa cally move all components outside
the board outline.
❶

124 Placement
 Placement and Rou ng with PADS Layout

Select and Move a Component

❶ Click the Design bu on from the main toolbar.
❷ Click the Move bu on to enable the Verb mode com- ❷
mand.
❸ Enter SS <space> U1. No ce the part snaps to the cur-
sor and is ready for placement. ❶
❹ Click the LMB to place the part in the desired loca on.

❸
❹

Placement 125
 Group Selec on and Placement
❶ Click the Select bu on.
❷ Group-select the components in the upper le by drag-
ging a selec on box around them. To do so click and
hold the LMB and drag.
❸ Use Ctrl + E and no ce they all move with the cursor.
❹ Use the ESC key to abort the move command.
❺ Click the RMB and select Flip Side from the pop-up
menu. ❶
Note: All the parts flip to the bo om side.

❸❹
❷

126 Placement
 Placement and Rou ng with PADS Layout

Radial Placement
PADS Layout has the ability to place parts in a radial array.
The array can be defined and refined as needed for op mal
placement and rou ng. The radial array rou ne has auto
calculators available for Angle Ranges, Delta Angles, required
Start Angles as well as a Maximum number of sites. Any of ❸
these categories can be locked to allow for auto-calcula on of
the remaining parameters.
❶ Select File > Open. Open C:\PADS_ES_Evalua on\Les-
❷
son16\Lesson16B.pcb.
❷ RMB and set the filter Select Components. ❹
❸ Area select the components to the right of the board
outline.
❹ RMB > Radial Move.
No ce a radial grid appears and the components snap to it.
❺ RMB > Radial Move Setup…
❺
❻ Configure the Radial Move Setup to match the se ngs
below.
❼ Stretch the components so they form 3 rows toward
the board outline. ❻
❽ Using the MMB, zoom into a sec on of the pads while
you are placing. You will no ce a finer grid appears ❼
when you zoom in.
❾ Click the LMB when you are ready to set the compo-
nents down.

❾
❽

Placement 127
 Lesson 17: Rules and Constraints
Design Rules are the heart of a design. Without design rules rules and Item-to-Item or Condi onal Rules. Rules can include
Designers might waste me on component placement and trace clearance rules, special layer rules, trace length and more. De-
rou ng which will not func on properly. Design rules can be sign rules can be unique for each applica on. In this lesson we
net rules, pin-pair rules, class rules, group rules, differen al pair will inves gate how to assign design rules.

Define Default Design Rules

Defining design rules is an essen al part of design prepara-
on. Default design rules are used to set proper clearances
that apply to all items in a design. You will also define the
❸
permi ed rou ng layers and vias for the design.
❶ Select File > Open. Browse to and open C:\PADS_ES_
Evalua on\Lesson17\Lesson17.pcb.
❷ Select Setup > Design Rules. ❷
❸ Select the Default bu on.
❹ Select the Clearance bu on. ❹
❺ Select the All bu on and set the new design rule clear-
ance to 5 mils.
No ce the items in the Clearance sec on of the dialog
change to the new se ng.
❻ Set the Recommended Trace width to 5 mils as well
❼ Click OK once the design rule changes have been made. ❺
❼

128 Placement
 Placement and Rou ng with PADS Layout

Define Default Design Rules (conƟnued)

❽ Select the Rou ng bu on to enable layers for rou ng.

❾ Select Component Side Layer 1, Rou ng Layer 2, Rout-
ing Layer 5 and Solder Side Layer 6 followed by clicking
the Add bu on. Dong so will enable these layers for
rou ng. ❽
❿ Repeat the same steps to enable the STANDARDVIA
and TESTPOINT vias as available vias.
⓫ Click OK once you are done.

Rules and Constraints 129

 Crea ng a Class Rule
Crea ng class rules is an easy way to apply a common rule
to mul ple nets without having to redefine the same design
rules over and over again for each net.
❶ Click the Class bu on.
❶ ❷
❷ Enter in the Name Class 1 followed by clicking the Add
bu on.
❸ From the Nets Available column, select the net called
IMP_D0.
❹ Scroll down un l you can see the net IMP_D0. Hold
the Shi key and LMB when you select IMP_D7. No ce
it selects all the nets in a range.
❸❹
❺ Click the Add bu on to move them over into the Se- ❻
lected column.
❻ Click the Clearance bu on so you can assign custom
spacing between Class1 and all other items in the
design.
❼ Click the All bu on and assign a custom clearance ❺
requirement of 10 mils.
❽ Set a custom Trace Width of 10 mils to the class as
well.
❾ Click OK on both dialog boxes to exit the Class defini-
on.
❼
❽ ❾

130 Rules and Constraints

 Placement and Rou ng with PADS Layout

Se ng Differen al Pair Rules

Se ng differen al pair rules is one of the most common
design constraints being used today. They are becoming more
common due to the popularity of SERDES interfaces for high-
speed design.
❶
❶ Select the Differen al Pairs bu on. ❷
❷ Select the net Bsync+. Click the Select bu on in the
upper middle area of the dialog to assign the first net
of the differen al pair.
❸ Select the net called Bsync-. Click the lower Select but-
ton to assign the second net of the differen al pair.
❹ Click the ADD bu on to create the differen al pair.
❺ Set the GAP to 5 mils.
❸
❻ Set the Length Min = 5000 and Max = 15000 and click
OK to complete the assignment.

❻
❺

Rules and Constraints 131

 Defining Condi onal Rules
Condi onal Rules take basic rules to the next level. These
rules allow you to assign an item-to-item design rule. That
is you can set rules Net-to-Net, Net-to-Class, Class-to-Class,
Net per Layer, Class per Layer and more. U lizing this type of
constraint provides a higher level of flexibility o en required
for more complex designs.
❶ Select the Condi onal Rules bu on.
❷ Click the Nets radio bu on on the Source Rule Object ❶
and select the Clk_IN signal.
❸ Click the Classes radio bu on on the Against Rule Ob-
jects and select the Class1 name.
❹ Click the Create bu on and the rule appears in the
Exis ng Rule Set sec on.
❻
❺ Select the rule in the Exis ng Rule Set sec on and
enter a value of 15 in the Current Rule Set sec on of
❸
the dialog.
❷
❻ When you are done exit out to complete the exercise
by clicking Close. ❹

132 Rules and Constraints

 Placement and Rou ng with PADS Layout

Lesson 18: Interac ve Rou ng

PADS Layout offers a number of op ons for adding trace data to Batch verifica on is available for checking your work at the end
a PCB. There are manual modes that do not error check during regardless of whether DRC was on during rou ng or not. It is
the rou ng process, there are manual modes that will error always a good idea to run these checks prior to genera ng films.
check and prevent DRC (Design Rule Check) errors, there are
interac ve auto modes without DRC and there are fully interac- ❶
ve auto modes that will not make errors. You can add traces
using an automated method as well as by copying and pas ng.

Manually Rou ng Traces (DRC OFF)

Adding traces to a design is one of the most me consuming ❷
elements in printed circuit board layout. Being able to route
efficiently can make-or-break mee ng your project deadline.
This exercise will take you through the rou ng op ons avail-
able in PADS Layout.
❶ Select File > Open. Browse to and open C:\PADS_ES_
Evalua on\Lesson18\Lesson18.pcb.
❷ Using the MMB, zoom into the middle right side of the
design where the 4 SOICs are located.
No ce that the connec ons are offset so that overlap- ❺
ping connec ons are visible and considered during the ❹
❸
route planning process.
❸ Select the Design bu on.
❹ Select the Add Route bu on.
❺ Using the Modeless command type S <space> U10.15.
No ce the cursor moves to this loca on (second pin on
top).

Interac ve Rou ng 133

 Manually Rou ng Traces (DRC OFF) (conƟnued)

❻ Select pin U10.15 and no ce the connec on converts to

a trace.
No ce the connec on stays at the end of the trace.
❼ Drag the trace over the bo om row of pads and no ce
the trace routes right over the pad. Do not add any cor-
ners at this point.
Note: This is due to the online DRC being turned off.
❽ Move the cursor back toward U10.15. Click the LMB, to
define ver ces. Add several corners in the trace.
❾ Click the ESC key to abort the rou ng process.

134 Interac ve Rou ng

 Placement and Rou ng with PADS Layout

Manually Adding Traces with DRC ON

This topic will review the benefits provided by online DRC
❶
checks.
❶ Type the modeless command DRP to turn on online
DRC.
❷
❷ Select the Dynamic Route bu on.
❸ Select U10.15 again and no ce the trace starts rou ng
again. ❸❹ ❺
No ce the corners are added automa cally.
❹ Hold the Shi key + LMB to add a via.
❺ Press the Backspace key to remove the via.
❻ Drag the trace toward the lower row of pads on U10.
Drag the trace through the pads. No ce that the trace ❼
automa cally goes between the pads effortlessly.
❼ Drag the trace around and through the pads of U10 in a
serpen ne pa ern. ❻
Again, no ce how easily the trace flows through the
pads. Keep in mind that the trace is being added into
the design, maintaining all the design rules that were
set.
❽ Click the RMB, select End Via Mode and End No Via.
❾ Drag the trace back through the pads un l your route
looks like the one shown.
❾
❿ Click Ctrl + LMB simultaneously and no ce the trace is
released without adding any vias.

Interac ve Rou ng 135

 Rou ng Busses
This exercise will show you how quickly mul ple traces can be
❸
routed while manipula ng a single trace.
❶ Make sure that DRC is on by using the modeless com-
mand DRP.
❷ Use the MMB to zoom in on U14 in the middle center
of the board.
❸ Using the modeless command, type S<space>U14.27.
❺
Note the cursor will move to pin 27 making it easy to visually
locate it. ❹
❹ Click the Bus Route bu on.
❺ Select U14 pins 27, 28, 29 and 30 by holding down the
LMB while drawing a selc on box around them.
❻ Begin adding traces up and toward the le as shown. ❼ ❻
❼ Move the first trace toward the le adding a corner us-
ing the LMB, as shown below.
No ce as you add the first corner the other selected
traces catch up.
❽ Drag the first trace a bit further toward the le . Click
the LMB to add another corner. ❽
No ce the other traces catch up again.
❾ Press the Tab key and no ce that the lead trace toggles
to the next available trace.
❿ Stop toggling at the top trace so it becomes the leading
trace.
❾❿

136 Interac ve Rou ng

 Placement and Rou ng with PADS Layout

Rou ng Busses (conƟnued)

⓫ Move the cursor around the SMD pads just above the
new lead trace.
⓬ Click the LMB to add a corner so the following traces ⓫
can go around the corner and catch up.
⓭ Con nue rou ng the traces ver cally, adding corners
with the LMB, as you go.
⓮ Move the lead trace toward the right as shown.
⓯ Click the LMB + Shi key to add vias to the buss route.
⓰ Use the Ctrl+Tab key to toggle between different via
⓬ ⓭
pa erns.
⓱ Press the Backspace key to remove any previously
routed undesired traces.
⓲ Use the Ctrl key + LMB combina on to end the buss
route.

⓯ ⓰

⓱⓲

Interac ve Rou ng 137

138 Interac ve Rou ng
 Placement and Rou ng with PADS Layout

Lesson 19: Crea ng Plane Layers ❶

PADS Layout supports mul ple plane types including: posi ve
image (WYSIWYG), nega ve image planes and standard pour
❷
type planes. Nega ve image planes were common for many
years due to display and memory limita ons. Posi ve image
and Poured Planes are standard now but PADS Layout con nues
to support all three.
❸
Nega ve Image Planes ❹

❶ Select File > Open. Browse to and open C:\PADS_ES_

Evalua on\Lesson19\Lesson19A.pcb.
❷ Select Setup >, then Layer Defini on from the menu.
❸ With the LMB, select the layer called GND PLANE
LAYER 3 from the list that appears in the Layers Setup
dialog.
No ce this layer is defined as a CAM Plane layer.
This represents a Nega ve Image Plane Layer.
❹ Click the Assign Nets bu on and review the net name ❺
assigned to this plane layer.
No ce the GND net is assigned. This automa cally
a aches all through hole pads a ached to this net, to
❻
the “Gnd Plane Layer 3” layer. All surface mount pads
need to be fanned out to a via so the via can a ach to
the inner plane layer.
❺ Using the MMB, zoom into the row of components
located in the bo om le por on of the design.
❻ Type N <space> gnd followed by the Enter key.
No ce the Gnd net highlights showing you which pads
are going to get connected to the GND Layer.

Crea ng Plane Layers 139

 ❽
Nega ve Image Planes (conƟnued)
❿
❼ Click the RMB, and set the filter mode to Select Any-
thing.
❾
❽ Using the LMB, select any of the highlighted vias, click
the RMB and select Proper es.
❾ No ce the Check box for Plane Thermal. When this
is checked the pad will get a thermal on the nega ve
⓫
image plane.
❿ Select OK to close this dialog.
⓫ Select the File > Cam pull-down menu.
⓬ Select the GND Plane Layer 3 entry from the list. ⓰
⓭ Click the Preview bu on.
⓮ Using the RMB, create a zoom box around the area
where the previously viewed components are located.
⓬
The pads that will get thermals when the Gerber data is
generated.
⓯ Select the Close bu on to close the Preview window.
⓰ Select the Close bu on to close the CAM window. ⓭

140 Crea ng Plane Layers

 Placement and Rou ng with PADS Layout

Crea ng a Copper Poured Plane

❶ ❹
Posi ve image plane layers provide a user with the ability
to see plane data prior to genera ng Gerber files. Posi ve
planes are known as “What You See Is What You Get“ (WYSY-
WIG). ❺
The main difference is that you pour the area you wish to fill
with copper so that anything that appears is copper. With
nega ve planes the blank areas will become copper.
❻
You can turn on and off the pour area visibility by entering ❼
the modeless command PO. This command acts as an Off/On
toggle switch.
❶ Select the modeless command n followed by the Enter
key. This will turn off highlight mode.
❷ Press the Home key to zoom out around the whole
board.
❸ From the keyboard type L <space> 1 to change the ac-
ve layer to Layer 1.
❹ Click the Dra ing bu on.
❺ Click the Copper Pour bu on.
❻ Click the RMB and select the Rectangle shape type.
❼ Draw a copper pour shape around an area on Layer 1 as
shown in white.
Note: Draw the rectangle by clicking the LMB at the loca on
of the first corner, releasing the bu on, and then clicking
again with the LMB at the loca on of the opposite corner of
the rectangle. (Dragging a rectangle with the LMB will not
work for this opera on as the system interprets it as a selec-
on box.)
❽ Scroll down the popup dialog list un l you see VDD. ❽
You may type V to jump to nets star ng with the le er
V. Select VDD followed by the OK bu on.

Crea ng Plane Layers 141

 Copper Poured Planes (conƟnued)

❾ Select the Tools > Pour Manager to bring up the Pour

Manager dialog.
❿ Once the Manager is open, select the Flood Tab.
⓫ Select the Flood All op on followed by the Start but-
ton.
⓬ At the Prompt to “Proceed with flood?” Click Yes.
No ce the copper pour polygon fills.
⓭ If thermals are not generated for specific pads an error
report will appear. Review the content. ❿
⓮ Select File > Close to exit the dialog.
⓯ Click the Close bu on to exit the Pour Manager and
view the flooded area.
⓰ Type the modeless command PO to see how to turn off
the pour visibility.
⓱ Type PO again to turn it back on and no ce the pour ⓬
data returns. ⓫ ⓯

142 Crea ng Plane Layers

 Placement and Rou ng with PADS Layout

Crea ng Split/Mixed Planes (Solid)

Split/mixed plane layers are posi ve and resemble the copper
pour planes we just created. This layer type also uses the Line ❷
width and the Hatch grid to determine how the polygon will
be filled. If you use a larger hatch grid than line width then
you will see the polygon appears hatched rather than filled.
By making the Hatch grid equal to the line width you will see
the polygon as solid.
To turn the fill data on and off you will use the modeless
command SPO to turn it off and SPD to turn it on. To show
thermal indicators on pads and vias you can use SPI modeless
command to control their visibility.
❶ File > Open to browse to and open C:\PADS_ES_Evalu-
a on\Lesson19\Lesson19A.pcb.
❷ Type L <space> 4 to change layers so the VDD split/
mixed plane layer is ac ve or select the pull-down ar-
row shown on the current Layer selec on, followed by
selec ng the (H) VDD Mixed Plane Layer 3 layer. ❹
❸ Press the HOME key to see the whole board.
❺
❹ With nothing selected RMB and set the selec on filter
to Select Board Outline.
❺ Select any side of the board outline and click the RMB
and select Select Shape.
No ce the en re board outline highlights.

Crea ng Plane Layers 143

 Crea ng Split/Mixed Planes (Solid) (conƟnued)

❻ Click the RMB followed by selec ng Create Plane Area.

No ce an inner outline appears around the inside edge
of the board outline.
❼ Select the VDD net at the prompt followed by clicking
OK.
❽ Select the Tools > Pour Manager pull-down.
❾ Select the Plane Connect Tab.
❿ Click the Start bu on. Click Yes to OK to connect.
⓫ Click the Close bu on to close the pour manager dia-
log.
⓬ Using the MMB, zoom into the area shown below. ❻
No ce the plane area is solid or filled completely.
⓭ Select the Home Keyboard key to zoom out around the ❼
en re board.

❾ ⓬ ⓭

144 Crea ng Plane Layers

 Placement and Rou ng with PADS Layout

Crea ng Split/Mixed Planes (Split)

This topic will show you how to create a posi ve image plane
that is split into mul ple voltages. We will place a new volt- ❹
age plane in the middle of the main plane VDDQ3.3V.
❶ File > Open to browse to and open C:\PADS_ES_Evalu-
a on\Lesson19\Lesson19B.pcb.
❷ From the keyboard ac vate the modeless command by
typing: SPO
Note: This will change the plane visibility so it is easier to
determine where to create the split. ❸
❸ Press the Home key to see the en re board. ❼
❹ Type L <space> 4 to change layers so the VDD split/
mixed plane layer is ac ve or select the pull-down ar-
row shown on the current Layer selec on, followed by ❻
selec ng the (H) VDD Mixed Plane Layer 4 layer. ❾
❺ We are going to create a plane are that will define the ❺
connec ons to the VDDQ3.3V net.
Note: To save me, the outline of this shape has been pre-
defined in the design.
❻ From the Project Explorer, expand the Nets object and
select the net VDDQ3.3V from the list.
No ce that the pads associated with the net are highlighted
in the workspace view and the system zooms in to show all of
the connec ons. You will also no ce that a polygon line sur-
rounds all of these connec ons.
❼ Click the LMB bu on in a blank area to unselect the
net. ❽
❽ With nothing selected RMB and set the selec on filter
to Select Shapes. ❿
❾ Using the LMB, click on the outline of the VDDQ3.3V
polygon to select it.
❿ Click the RMB and select Flood from the pop-up menu.

Crea ng Plane Layers 145

 Crea ng Split/Mixed Planes (Split) (conƟnued)

⓫ At the prompt “OK to Connect Plane(s)?” Click the Yes

bu on.
The polygon will fill with the VDDQ3.3V net color.
⓬ With nothing selected RMB and set the selec on filter
to Select Board Outline.
⓭ Select any side of the board outline and click the RMB
and select Select Shape. ⓬
No ce the en re board outline highlights.
⓭
⓮ Click the RMB followed by selec ng Create Plane Area.
⓯ Select the VDD net in the Add Dra ing dialog followed
by clicking OK.
No ce an inner outline appears around the inside edge of the
board outline.
⓰ With the plane area s ll selected, click the RMB and
select Flood from the pop-up menu.
⓱ At the prompt “OK to Connect Plane(s)?” Click the Yes
bu on.
No ce the plane area is solid or filled completely. ⓯
⓲ Select the Home keyboard key to zoom out and view
the en re board.
⓳ When you are finished, close the design.

146 Crea ng Plane Layers

 Placement and Rou ng with PADS Layout

Lesson 20: RF Op ons

RF design requires specialized features for layout. This lesson
will introduce you to some of the key features available in PADS
to assist with RF design.

Configuring S tching Vias ❸

This topic will walk you through the process of adding S tch- ❷
ing Vias to a copper plane.
❶ File > Open to browse to and open C:\PADS_ES_Evalu- ❹
a on\Lesson20\Lesson20.pcb.
❷ Configure the via op ons using Tools > Op ons > Via
Pa erns. Review the “When s tching Shapes” por on
of the dialog to be er understand the op ons avail-
able.
❸ Click the Add bu on located in the When S tching
Shapes sec on of the dialog. This will allow you to con-
trol which vias are used for various shapes by assigning
a via type to a net. ❺
❹ In the Nets sec on select GND. Remember you can
also use the “G” key to jump to nets star ng with G.
❺ Change the via from STANDARDVIA to STITCHVIA.
❻ No ce the default Pa ern is set to Fill mode with the ❻
vias set to Aligned.
❼ Set the Via to shape value to 1 to allow vias up to the
edge of the copper area.
❼ Set the Via Spacing to 25 (center to center distance
between vias)
No ce: There are op ons for locking down (Glue) ❽
s tch vias as well as ignoring via grids.
❾ ❼
❽ Click the OK bu on to complete the assignment.

RF Op ons 147
 ❷
Adding S tching Vias
❶ Using the MMB, zoom into the lower le sec on of the
board.
❷ Enable the Dra ing toolbar if it is not already open.
❸ Select the Copper bu on.
❹ Draw a copper polygon as shown in white. ❶ ❸
❺ In the Add Dra ing dialog use the following se ngs:
• Width = 10
• Layer = Component Side Layer 1 ❹
• Net = GND
❻ Click the OK bu on to complete the shape.
❼ Select the Select Arrow bu on (If not already enabled).
❽ Use ESC to exit the Create Copper mode. ❺
❾ RMB, and enable the Select Shapes filter mode.
❿ Select the Copper shape you just created in the lower
le part of the board.
⓫ RMB and select the Via S tch op on from the pop-up
menu. ❻
⓬ Vias are placed within the copper polygon maintaining ❼
the 25 mil center to center se ng from the Via Pat-
terns tab.

148 RF Op ons
 Placement and Rou ng with PADS Layout

Adding Via Shields

❷
This topic will show you how to add a via shield around key
traces in your delicate high speed designs. Via shields can be ❸
created based on pin pairs as well as en re nets. The s tch
mode is determined by what is selected in the design.
Via shields can also be placed around copper paths or geom-
etries as well as trace data. If part of your design includes ❽ ❼
metal objects requiring shielding you can add via shields
quickly and accurately.
❶ Click the Home keyboard key to view the en re design. ❺
❷ Select Tools > Op ons > Via Pa ern.
❸ Set the Add via from net to Gnd.
❿
❹ Set the Via type to STITCHVIA.
❺ The Via Spacing op on controls the spacing between
the vias placed as a shield. Change the value to 30.
❻ Click OK to complete the setup.
❼ Using the MMB, zoom in to the area located in the
lower le por on of the board, more specifically U13. ⓫
❽ No ce the yellow ver cal trace.
❾ Using the RMB pop-up menu, set the filter mode to
Select Pin Pairs.
❿ Select the yellow ver cal; it highlights in white.
⓫ Click the RMB followed by Add Via Shield.
⓬ Vias are now placed on each side of the trace.
Note: If plane thermals are visible, select Tools > Op ons >
Thermals and uncheck Show general plane indicators. ⓯
⓭ Press the ESC key to release the trace.
⓮ Click the RMB, set the filter mode to Select Anything.
⓯ Select one of the newly added s tch vias and no ce it
is ed to the net assigned per the Via Pa erns dialog
(GND signal) and that the via type is STITCHVIA.

RF Op ons 149
 Lesson 21: Verifica on
This sec on will show how to verify clearance requirements,
connec vity requirements and Cam Plane requirements. The
❶
verifica on rou ne will allow you to search for any viola ons
and iden fy their loca ons for resolu on

Clearance Verifica on
This topic will show you how to validate your design rule
constraints. The verify rou ne will review class rules, default
rules, condi onal rules, Pin-Pair rules and Group Rules to
ensure compliance within the design.
❷
❶ Select File > Open. Browse to and open C:\PADS_ES_
Evalua on\Lesson21\Lesson21.pcb.
❷ Select Tools > Verify Design…
❸ In the dialog select the Clearance radio bu on. ❻
❹ Click the Setup bu on and review the verifica on op-
❸ ❼
ons available.
❺ In this example you will only enable the Net to All
check. Then select the OK bu on to close the dialog.
❹
❻ Uncheck the Disable Panning check box.
❼ Click the Start bu on to begin the verifica on.
❺

150 Verifica on
 Placement and Rou ng with PADS Layout

Clearance Verifica on (conƟnued)

❽ The verifica on rou ne returns with 4 errors.

❽
❾ Click the OK bu on to con nue with the verifica on
process.
❿ The 4 errors are updated in the verify design dialog.
⓫ Select one of the errors in the dialog and no ce the
screen adjusts automa cally to center the selected er- ❾
ror loca on in the working area.
⓬ If you are unable to see the error, place the cursor over
the error dialog and while holding the LMB drag the
Verify dialog off to the side. Also, the MMB zoom fea-
ture will allow you to zoom into any area of the design
(working area) to be er see the viola ons.
⓭ Select one of the errors located in the verify dialog and
you will no ce the screen will bring the error to the
middle of the display so you can view it easier hence
resolve the issue much easier.

⓫
⓭

Verifica on 151
 Con nuity Checks
This exercise will show you how to ensure all design connec-
ons are routed or interconnected with some type of copper
data. The Verify > Connec vity op on will ensure you have ❶
either trace data, copper data or copper pour data connec ng ❷
all pads that have a net assigned to it. If there are any con-
nec ons missing they will be reported so you can make the
appropriate modifica ons.
❶ Make sure that the planes nets are connected by select- ❸
ing Tools > Pour Manager > Plane Connect > Start.
❹
❷ Keep the Verify Design dialog open.
❸ Select the Connec vity radio bu on.
❺
❹ Click the Start bu on to begin the verifica on.
❺ At the prompt Number of Errors Found click the OK
bu on.
❻ The con nuity errors found in the design are listed.
❼
❼ If the Disable Panning checkbox is checked uncheck it.
❽ Using the MMB, zoom in several mes so when you ❻
select an error it will be easy to see.
Note: If the planes are solid filled, use the SPO modeless
command to turn them so that the errors are more visible.
❾ Select one of the errors from the Verify Design dialog.
❽
❿ The view changes and centers the error in the working
area.
Note: If you do not see any errors you may need to move the
verify design dialog to the far right, far le , top or bo om ❾
since the error will move to the center of the screen.

152 Verifica on
 High Speed Rou ng
& Autorou ng with
PADS Router
In this sec on:

 Environment
 Component Placement
 Rules and Constraints
 Interac ve Rou ng
 High Speed Interac ve Rou ng
 Se ng up a Design for Autorou ng
 Verifica on (in Router)

153
 Lesson 22: The PADS Router
This sec on will walk you through the PADS Router user inter- Welcome screen, the use of toolbars, mouse func ons, mode-
face. You will become familiar with PADS Router’s excep onal less commands and hot-keys. There are many ways to accom-
“Ease of Use” design environment. Topics covered include: the plish your design tasks with minimal effort.

Welcome Screen
The PADS Welcome screen is a collec on of helpful links that
will help you to become a PADS expert very quickly. This
screen contains tutorial informa on, videos, help features
and a concept guide to help minimize the learning curve. This
content will help you to become produc ve in a very short
me.
❶ Open PADS Router so ware by either clicking on the
PADS Router icon located on the desktop or by select-
ing it from the Start > Programs > Mentor Graphics
SDD > PADS9.XX > PCB Layout > PADS Router pull-
down.
❷ Now that PADS Router is open we can make ourselves
familiar with the working environment. Let’s take a
look at the Welcome screen.
NOTE: Do not select “Start a New Design” or “Open a EExplore
Ex plore
l the
th
h Welcome
Wellcome SScreen
creen
Design” item at this me. Just review the content. If you • You can start a new design by selec ng the “Start a New
select either of these items you will need to close and restart
Design” folder shown at the top of the window.
PADS Router to gain access to this welcome screen again.
• There is a lis ng of recently opened designs located in the
❸ Select Help and take note of all of the resources avail-
“Open a Design” sec on of the Welcome screen. This will
able. From the Help menu select Documenta on and
provide quick access to designs you have worked on.
open the InfoHub to see addi onal documents for all
products in the flow and links to customer support on • You have access to Quick Start Guides and Tutorials from
SupportNet. within this main screen.
❹ Select Help > Modeless Command to gain access to all • PADS Layout and Router help documents will help answer
the modeless keyboard commands available to PADS any ques ons you may have on the PADS products.
Router. These are quick access tool func ons available • There is a Concept Guide to help with advanced ques ons
from your keyboard.

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Introduc on to the User Interface (Main Window)

Project
Menus Toolbars Workspace
Explorer

Status Bar Output Window Spreadsheet Window Naviga on Window

PADS Router Environment 155

Toolbars

The Standard Toolbar

DRC View Project Layout

Open Print Layer Op ons Cycle Filter Placement Rou ng Undo Cycle Board Explorer Spreadsheet

Save Proper es In-Place Selec on Suspend Design Route Redo Zoom Output Naviga on Shortcut
Query Filter Verifica on Edi ng Window Window Dialog

The Selec on Filter Toolbar The Placement Toolbar

Select Pin Select Rotate

Anything All Pins Pairs Unroutes Coppers Keepouts Errors Path Layers Mode 90 Flip

Nothing Components Nets Traces Vias Pours Text Segments Cycle Move Spin
and Corners Component

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Toolbars (conƟnued)

The Route Edi ng Toolbar The Rou ng Toolbar

Select Quick Add Test Start Pause Select

Mode Route Stretch Split Protect Point Reschedule Autorou ng Autorou ng Mode Fanout Tune

Interac ve Move Add Smooth Unprotect Unroute Resume Stop Route Op mize Center
Route Corner Autorou ng Autorou ng

The DRC Filter Toolbar The Design Verifica on Toolbar The Suspend Toolbar

DRC Select Trace DRC Design Verifica on Clear Go Con nue

On/Off None DRC Width Placement Se ngs Scheme Errors Back With Errors

Enable Clearance Same Length Verify Display Explain

All DRC Net Design Ignored
Errors

PADS Router Environment 157

 The PADS Router Workspace
The PADS Router is a true Windows-compliant tool. It supports
pulldown menus, hot keys, drag-rights, toolbars, tool boxes, as
well as toolbar tool ps.
We have maintained many of these Microso -supported user
interface features across the en re PADS ES Suite environment.
Things like similar icons, similar hot keys and similar pulldown
names are all supported and help to minimize the transi on
me between the products.

Project Explorer
The Project Explorer Pane allows you to leverage typical Micro-
so Explorer style technology for an added increase in ease of
use. Since most Windows users work with Windows Explorer
❸ ❸
everyday, it becomes very natural to use the similar feature inte-
Output Naviga on
gral to the PADS Router environment.
Window Window
Opening the Project Explorer
This dialog allows you real- me access to database informa-
on found inside the design with a single mouse click. You
can quickly realize the power that the PADS Router environ-
ment brings just by u lizing this single feature.
Project Spread-
❶ Select File > Open. Browse to the C:\PADS_ES_Evalua- Explorer sheet
on\Lesson22 directory and select Lesson22A.pcb.
❷ ❸
❷ Click on the Project Explorer bu on located on the
main toolbar.
❸ The Naviga on Window, Spreadsheet and Output
Window can also be ac vated and deac vated by tog-
gling the corresponding bu ons.
❹ You can select any of these windows to view their con-
tents. Feel free to inves gate.

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Project Explorer Interface Behaviors

The Project Explorer windows are dockable or undockable, like view layer informa on, net informa on, design rule informa-
all other window within PADS Router. This provides you with on, and intricate details of the design such as pin pair data.
the ability to further customize your working environment. It You can use the Expandable/Collapsible topics to view addi on-
allows you to pick up the dialog box and move it to a more al informa on defined in the database. You can create design
desirable loca on. You can resize and reshape the dialog box as rules constraints by simply dragging and dropping data into the
you like thereby providing you complete flexibility. The windows appropriate areas. The design rule crea on will be covered in a
can even be placed on a second monitor if you are using a dual future lesson.
monitor environment. Once the panes are arranged, you can

Resizing the Project Explorer

❶
❶ If the Output Window pane is not enabled, enable it Output
by selec ng the Output Window bu on located on the Window
main toolbar.
❷ Withe the LMB, select and drag the right edge of the
Project Explorer window and move it toward the right
making the pane wider. Once at the desired width
simply let go of the LMB.
❸ Select the bo om edge of the Project Explorer (or top
of the Output Window pane) while holding the LMB.
Drag the Explorer pane toward the bo om side of the
PADS Router window. Release the LMB to drop the ❷
pane. This will make the Explorer Window larger and
the Output Window smaller.
❹ Now that you have experienced how to modify a win-
dow pane, follow the same steps defined above, in the
reverse direc on, to restore the Project Explorer back
to its original se ngs.

PADS Router Environment 159

 Concurrent Database Selec on
The Interac on with design view is also in real me. As you of the database allowing quick iden fica on and modifica on
select data in the Project Explorer pane, the data updates in the of the design. The Project Explorer can be expanded to view
design. This process also works in the reverse direc on, hence content down to individual pin-pair for greater detail. A key
giving you a type of bi-direc onal communica on capability bet- feature of PADS Router is its ability to edit mul ple data types
ter knows as Concurrent Database SelecƟon capabili es. from within same dialog. Its features like these that contribute
Scroll through the design database viewing each part of the de- to the overall ease of use of the product.
sign via this single pane. No ce that you can select key pieces

Selec ng and Moving a Component

❶ Expand Components by select the plus [+]on its le .
❷ Now select different components with a single click ❶
and no ce that they become highlighted in the working
area.
❸ Select the Placement Toolbar to provide access to the
placement bu on group.
❹ Select the Move bu on to enable the Move verb
❸
mode.
❺ Withe the LMB, single click on a component from the
Project Explorer pane and then move your cursor over
to the working area. No ce the component will snap to
your cursor so it can be precisely placed.
❻ To complete the placement, click the LMB when the
component is in its final des na on.

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Selec ng Pin Pairs in the Project Explorer

❶ Select the Select bu on.
❷ From within the Project Explorer dialog, select the
scroll bar, sliding it down un l U1 is within sight. ❶
Note: On some 3-bu on mice, you can use the middle scroll
wheel to also scroll down through the dialog.
❸ Select the plus [+] located to the le of U1 to expand
the data associated with that device. (No ce the nets
❸ ❷
a ached to U1 are displayed)
❺
❹ Try selec ng several Pin Pairs and no ce that they high- ❹
light in the working area.
❺ Close the Components database sec on by select the
minus [-] located to the le of the word Component.

Selec ng Nets in the Project Explorer

❶ Select and expand the Net Objects database sec on by
select the plus [+] to the le of the word Net Objects.
❷ Next select the [+] beside the Nets selec on as well from the
list. ❶
❸ While the nets are displayed, net cross probing can be
ac vated from within the dialog as well. Let’s try select- ❷
ing several nets now from within the Project Explorer ❺ ❹
pane and no ce they highlight in the working area.
❹ Using the scroll wheel again, let’s scroll un l the net ❸
ADDR_BUS1 is visible in the Project Explorer pane.
❺ To expand the content of bus ADDR_BUS1, select the
plus [+] on its le . All the pin pairs will be displayed.
(Note: cross probing to pin pairs is also available from
this pane by simply selec ng it).

PADS Router Environment 161

 Viewing Classes in the Project Explorer
❸
❶ To view the content of the classes in our design and to re-
❶
view their constraints, select the plus [+] located to the le
of the database category called Net Classes.
❷ With the cursor placed over the class called MatchTrack, ❹
select the RMB followed by selec ng Proper es from the
pulldown menu. ❷
❸ Select the Length Tab to view the Length Constraints as-
signed to this class. The “hand /paper/red circle” graphic to
the le of any tab indicates the assignment of a constraint
unique from the default constraints.
No ce that restrict length, min, and max are in yellow. The yellow
tells the user that those par cular items have been modified mak-
ing them different from the defaults level constraints.
❹ Select the Cancel bu on a er reviewing the content, to
❺
close the dialog.
❺ Select the [+] located to the le of the net Match Track to ❻
expand the class and view the nets assigned to this class.
❻ You can expand the pin pairs associated with each net by
simply selec ng the [+] symbol to the le of any net.

Crea ng a Class in the Project Explorer

❶ To create a class from mul ple nets, go back to the Nets
category, select the net ADDR_BUS1 as your star ng net.
Hold the SHIFT key down and move the cursor over to
ADDR_BUS19. Select it and no ce all nets in between are ❶ ❷
selected include the first and last nets selected.
No ce the nets are highlighted in the working area.
❷ Select the RMB (from within the working area) and no ce
there is a Make Class item on the pulldown menu.
❸ Click on the Project Explorer Bu on once again to close the
Project Explorer pane.

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Keyboard Commands
PADS Router has keyboard commands similar to PADS Layout. Command Descrip on
Some of the most commonly used commands are shown in G <x> {<y>} All grids set, except the display grid.
the table.
GD <x> {<y>} Display grid se ng.
We will try a few of the Modeless commands to get familiar H {<net>} Net highligh ng on or off.
with how some of these commands func on.
I Dis nguish protected objects on and off.
❶ Type SS <space> U1. This will search and select U1. L <n> Layer, set current layer to the number or name
❷ Hold down CTRL + E at the same me. This will put U1 S <x> <y> Search absolute. Moves pointer to the specified X and Y
in move mode. coordinates.
❸ Type S <space> 400 <space> 3350. This will move U1 to S <s> Search string. Moves pointer to the named object
the coordinate 400, 3350. SR <x> <y> Search rela ve. Moves pointer by the specified X and Y offset
❹ Select the Space Bar key located at the bo om of the SS <s> Search and select. Moves the pointer to the named object
keyboard to release the part at the designated x/y loca- W<n> Trace width
on. Backspace Unroute or backup.
❺ Feel free to try some of the other commands listed in Delete Unroute selected object.
the table. Home Zooms to board.
PageDown Zooms out at pointer.
PageUp Zooms in at pointer.
Ctrl+B Zoom to board. Fits the board outline into the workspace.
Ctrl+E Move component
❶ Ctrl+I Spins component
❷ Ctrl+N New file.
Ctrl+O Open file.
❸ Ctrl+P Print file.
Ctrl+R Rotates component 90 degrees.
Ctrl+S Save file
Shi +A Accordion beginning, interac ve rou ng mode.
Shi +F Flips component.
Shi +click Adds via, interac ve rou ng.

PADS Router Environment 163

 Toolbars
You can dock and undock toolbars allowing you to customize the toolbars can also be accessed by keyboard commands, pull
your work environment. You can display descrip ve text and/ downs, and the right click menus.
or bu ons on toolbars to help learn the interface quicker. You We will prac ce using some of the toolbar features to get
can view Tool ps to help iden fy interface items as you use the familiar with the working environment. No ce the bu on
tool. You can u lize large icons to make it easier to determine groups that appear when you go into each main toolbar u lity.
func onality. You create new toolbars with drag and drop to Remember to place your cursor over each bu on to see the
help op mize your working environment. Most of the items in individual func ons.

Reviewing the Toolbars

❸
❶ Select the Placement bu on to enable the placement ❶ ❺
DRC
toolbar. The placement toolbar allows you to move,
Filter Placement Rou ng
spin, flip, or rotate components. Select the Placement
bu on again to close the Placement toolbar.
❷ Select the Selec on Filter bu on to enable the filter
toolbar. The filter toolbar allows the user to specify
what objects can be selected. Select the Selec on Filter
bu on again to close the Selec on Filter toolbar.
❸ Select the DRC Filter bu on to enable the DRC Filter Selec on Suspend Design Route
toolbar. The DRC Filter toolbar allows the user to spec- Filter Verifica on Edi ng
ify which DRC se ngs are enabled or disabled. Select ❷ ❹ ❻
the DRC Filter bu on again close the toolbar.
❹ Select the Design Verifica on bu on to enable the De-
sign Verifica on toolbar. The Design Verifica on Toolbar
allows the user to run different design verifica ons
schemes. When finished, close the toolbar.
Note: Place the cursor to the extreme le of the toolbar.
❺ Select the Rou ng bu on to enable the Rou ng Hold the LMB down and drag the toolbar to the right hand
toolbar. The Rou ng toolbar allows the user to run full side of the working area. Release the mouse to release the
autorou ng or a single autorou ng pass. Select the en re toolbar. This is how a toolbar can be moved. All of
Rou ng bu on again to disable the Rou ng toolbar. the toolbars can be moved in a similar fashion. The tool
remembers where the toolbar was last.
❻ Select the Route Edi ng bu on to enable the route
edi ng toolbar. The Route Edi ng toolbar contains the
different manual and interac ve rou ng op ons. Close
the Route Edi ng toolbar when finished.

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The Naviga on Window

PADS Router allows you to view specific PCB data without dis-
turbing the main display. To u lize this feature you simply need
to enable the Naviga on Window, then move the mouse over
areas you wish to view.
You can zoom in and zoom out depending on the informa on ❶
you are trying to evaluate. This window will also display feed-
back when rou ng such as showing color feedback for match
length pairs. This func onality will be demonstrated in a future
lesson.

Viewing the Design in the Naviga on Window ❹

❶ Select File > Open. Select the Lesson22B.pcb located at
C:\PADS_ES_Evalua on\Lesson22 directory.
❷ Click on the Project Naviga on bu on located on the
main toolbar at the top.
❸ Move the cursor around the window. The Naviga on
screen will show another view of the window. ❸
❹ Place the cursor in the working area and select F5
(Zoom In) and F6 (Zoom Out) a few mes. No ce
the Naviga on window zooms in where the cursor is
located in the main window.
❺ You can zoom into an area in the working pane by ❷
holding down the MMB and dragging toward the up-
per le , or zoom out by holding down the MMB and
dragging toward the lower right. As you do so, no ce
the changes in the Naviga on window. The amount
dragged determines the amount to zoom in or out for
the Naviga on window as well.

PADS Router Environment 165

 Viewing Design Objects in the Naviga on Window
❶ To clear any previous selec ons move the cursor into
an open area and select the LMB.
❷ Select the RMB in an empty area and from the pull- ❼
down menu select the filter item Select Components.
❸ Manually select different single components. No ce
how the naviga on window adjusts based on the part ❶
selected. No ce it zooms as well so the part can be
inspected. ❸
❹ There is a special Naviga on Window Toolbar available ❷
that allows the user to decide what elements are view-
able in the Naviga on Window area.
❺ To view the choices, place your cursor above each but- ❹
ton and the tool p will appear illustra ng the use for
each available bu on.
❻ Experiment with these bu ons. For example, the Show
All Layers bu on allows all layers to be viewed or only
the ac ve layer to be viewed. Try enabling/disabling
each of the bu ons to see the differences in the views
contained in the Naviga on Window pane. ❻
❼ Select the Naviga on Window bu on again to close
the Naviga on Window.

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The Spreadsheet Window

The PADS Router Spreadsheet Pane allows component informa-
on, net informa on, constraint informa on and error informa- ❷❻
on to be viewed quickly in a spreadsheet format that can be
sorted by columns and exported to a report file (HTML). (Note:
The error features will be reviewed in a future lesson.)

Viewing Design Data In the Spreadsheet Window

The spreadsheet pane is a fully customizable dialog that al-
lows users to modify the display of columns of design infor- ❸
ma on. This allows the user to quickly view, edit, delete or
save the data. Most relevant data can be edited directly from
the spreadsheet and copy/pasted to and from Microso Excel.
The following example illustrates some of these capabili es:
❶ Select File > Open. Select the Lesson22B.pcb located at
C:\PADS_ES_Evalua on\Lesson22 directory.
❷ Click on the Spreadsheet bu on located on the main
toolbar to open the pane and view the toolbars.
❹
❸ From within the Spreadsheet view, select Net on the
right pull down, and then select Net Length Monitor on
the le pull down, as shown.
❹ The results display all the nets in the PCB file with
restricted length. Since the nets are not routed, Routed
Lengths are all listed as zeros. The Es mated Length
displays "rats nest" length, and displays a color based
on whether it is below the defined constraint (yellow),
within the defined constraint (green), or above the
defined constraint (red).
❺
Note: This is very useful to check ini al placement. If the nets
were routed, the same visual feedback would be given in the
routed length category.
❺ There are many other categories of data we can view in
this spreadsheet window pane (see the dropdown list).
❻ Click on the Spreadsheet bu on close the window.

PADS Router Environment 167

 Proper es
With any object selected you can open and show rules to see via graphics you can also see Component data. A Component
what special proper es were set. These proper es can quickly preview dialog shows you a graphical representa on of the
be reviewed, edited, or set directly by just selec ng the object. part selected. It can be of the component itself or the pins of a
This allows you to be more efficient when working with data component.
inside your design. The Proper es dialog will also allow you to You also can view Design Property informa on as graphical data
view graphical data as well. If you select a via, you can actu- as well as Parts and Vias data. The layer stack for the design can
ally view the layer breakdown of the pad stack. Along with be displayed graphically as well as numerically.

Viewing Net Proper es

❶ Select the File > Open bu on. Select the Lesson22C. ❸ ❹
pcb located at C:\PADS_ES_Evalua on\Lesson22 direc-
tory. ❷
❺❻
❷ Click on the Project Explorer bu on to open the Project
Explorer.
❸ Select Net Objects > Net and note the net CLK_IN. The
red star means that it has proper es different from the
defaults.
❹ Using the mouse, place the cursor over the net CLK_IN,
select the RMB then Proper es from the pull-down
menu. The symbol no fies the user which tabs have
the proper es different from the defaults.
❺ Select the three tabs and no ce that many items are in
yellow. These are the items that are different from the
defaults.
❻ Flip through the different tabs to see what proper es ❽
nets have assigned.
❼
❼ Select the Rou ng Tab. Set Minimum, Recommended
and Maximum width to 6.
❽ Select the Apply bu on and no ce the white boxes
turn yellow and the icon that appears on the rou ng
tab has a red circle on it now.

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Viewing Component Proper es

❶
❶ Using the cursor, drag the Net Proper es dialog box to
the le side of the screen so the Project Explorer pane
is clearly in sight. ❸
❷ Minimize the Nets list by selec ng the minus next to
Nets data type. ❹
❸ Select the [+] to the le of component and scroll down ❷
un l you can see C1.
❹ Select C1 and no ce the Property box changes to show
C1 proper es instead.
❺ Hold down the Shi key and select C10. The proper es
box now displays all the items that are similar between
these 10 capacitors. If one wanted to, they could
change something for all these items at once.
❻ Click on the Project Explorer bu on to close the Project
Explorer.
Viewing the Default Proper es
❶ Select the RMB and choose Select Component from
the selec on filter. ❶
❷ Now select any component. No ce how the proper- ❷❸
es again change to accommodate the new selec on
without ever having to close the dialog.
❸ Place the cursor in an open area within the working
area and hit the LMB to select. The Proper es will now
display the Default Proper es.
Note: Alterna vely, RMB click on an empty area and select
Proper es to view the default proper es.
❹ Select any object and use the RMB menu or the Prop-
er es bu on to view the Proper es . ❹
❺ Flip through the different tabs to view the default Prop-
er es values.

PADS Router Environment 169

 Op ons
There are numerous op ons within PADS Autorouter. The PADS different colors. You can copy layer of colors and apply them to
Autorouter has the op on to set the units from within the tool. other layers.
You can set the Pick Radius and also the Backup Number and You have a choice over some of the route biasing. As you
Instance. You can set the working directories as well. change the se ngs you can preview what the results will be
You have the ability to set custom colors for different informa- like. Along with se ng the Rou ng Biasing, you also can set the
on in the layout. You have a pale e that will support up to 32 Fanout pa erns enabling and disabling various op ons.

Exploring the Op ons Tabs

❶
❶ Select the Op ons bu on or go to the Tools > Op ons
pulldown menu (or use the CTL + Enter keyboard short-
cut). All of these items will open the Op ons window
pane.
❷ Flip through the different tabs to see all the different
op ons in PADS Router. Familiarize yourself with some
of the important op ons so you will know which dialog
to go to if a modifica on is required.
❸ The mostly commonly used tabs you will work with are:
• General (Basic usability se ngs),
• Display (Used to set up colors in the design),
• Rou ng (Sets so ware parameters that affect rout-
ing ac vi es)
• Strategy (Sets up the rou ng sequence for auto-
rou ng a printed circuit board)
❹ Spend a few minutes reviewing these dialogs making
yourself familiar with their contents.
• Change colors.
• Change Rou ng and Placement Op ons.
• Turn on and off the Guard bands op on se ng.
• Set different Highlight modes.

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Lesson 23: Component Placement

Users can easily move components within the rou ng environ- real- me during moving, a er component is release, or not at
ment using window’s move ac vi es know as “Select and Drag” all.
or by using the tradi onal PADS Router format known as the PADS Router can determine placement viola ons using visible
“verb mode” method. real- me feedback through the use of errors markers or by
Performing placement altera on in a routed area can auto- cross-hatching viola ng parts. The autorou ng environment
ma cally update exis ng traces and vias based on the design makes it easy to spin, rotate, and Flip components using stan-
constraints set. PADS Router can be set to adjust traces and vias dard RMB selec ons or though the use of verb mode bu ons.

Move Components with Drag and Drop Mode ❶

❶ Select File > Open. Select the Lesson23A.pcb located at
C:\PADS_ES_Evalua on\Lesson23 directory.
❷ Using the RMB, select on an empty area followed by
selec ng the Select Components filter.
❸ Place the cursor over any component. While over the ❹
component select the LMB.
❸
❹ With the part highlighted, select and hold the LMB.
No ce the part moves with the cursor. Place the part ❷
anywhere within the board outline. Release it by se-
lec ng the LMB a third me.

Component Placement 171

 Moving a Component Using Verb Mode ❷

❶ You can also move components using a Verb Mode

❶
process.
Note: If the Placement Toolbar is not enabled, turn it on by
selec ng the Placement bu on.
❷ Select the Move Component bu on.
❸ Select a component in the design and no ce the com-
ponent warps directly to the cursor. ❸
❹ You can use the SS modeless command to call a part
out as well so it moves to the cursor, ready for final
placement. Type SS <space> U1 to simulate this capa-
bility.
❺ Select the LMB to place the part down (or hit ESC key
to release).
❹
❻ Select any single part again, hit the RMB and no ce
you can Rotate, Spin and Flip parts as well. Hit ESC to
release the parts as they were.
❼ Hold down the LMB down and drag a select box around
a group of components. No ce they highlight and
move with the cursor.
❽ Con nue trying out all of the various placement op-
ons. Use the mode that you prefer, whichever pro-
vides the highest level of produc vity. ❼
❺
❽
❻

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Rota ng a Component in Verb Mode

❶ ❸
❶ Select the Select bu on from the Placement toolbar.
❷ Select mul ple components (one at a me) by holding
down the CTRL key while selec ng.
❸ Select the Rotate 90 bu on on the Placement toolbar.
The selected components will automa cally be rotated
90 degrees.
❹ While parts are selected, hit the RMB menu. No ce
the Op ons that are available.
❺ Using the LMB select Rotate 90.
❻ You can also use the Flip command as well to flip a part
to the opposite side of the board.
❼ Spin is another op on available when you select a part ❺
and hit the RMB. This command allows the user to spin ❼ ❹
the component to any angle. The Rotate, Flip, and Spin
❻
commands can also be used in verb mode using the ap-
propriate bu on located on the Placement Toolbar.
❽ There is also an op on to use DRC (Design Rule Check-
ing) during a move. This would perform a DRC check
before allowing you to place the component down. If
there was a viola on, the part would not be able to be
place. This op on will automa cally be enabled if you
have Design Rule Checking already on.

Component Placement 173

 ❸
Moving a Component with a Fanout
❷
❶ Select File > Open. Select the Lesson23B.pcb located at
C:\PADS_ES_Evalua on\Lesson23 directory.
❷ Type the modeless command DRC followed by hi ng
the Enter key to turn on Design Rule Check Prevent ❹
mode.
❸ Select the Tools > Op ons pulldown. Select the Place-
ment Tab.
❹ Enable the Move Component with Fanout check box (if
not already selected). ❺
❺ Select the OK bu on to complete and close the dialog.
❻ Use keyboard command SS <space> U8 to search and
select U8. ❻❼
❼ Select the RMB followed by Move from the pulldown
menu.
❽ Move the component around. No ce how the fanout
moves with the component. This is an op on which can
be disabled or enabled via the Tools >Op ons > Rout-
ing Tab dialog as instructed in step #4.
❽
❾ Try to place the part over another part. Yellow circles
will appear over the overlap. This occurs because the
Design Rule Check Prevent mode was enabled.

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Lesson 24: Design Rules and Constraints

The PADS Router Design Proper es were reviewed in the previ-
ous lesson.. For review, when nothing is selected and the prop-
er es dialog is ac vated, the Design Proper es window displays
the global se ng or defaults. When an object is selected and
the Proper es dialog enabled, the design proper es for that
object is queried and displayed. The Design Proper es dialog
box can also be used to display all the different rules that PADS
Router allows as well. Some example tabs include:
• The Clearance tab is used to set minimum clearance rules
for the design.
• The Rou ng tab is used to set minimum, recommended
and maximum trace widths for the design.
• The Via Biasing tab is used to allow or disallow vias from
being used during rou ng.
• The Test Points tab is used to set the minimum clearance
between probe and objects.
• The Fanout tab is used to define how devices are intercon-
nected to internal pwr/gnd planes.
• The Pad Entry tab is used to set how traces should enter
and exit a pad (side, corner, or any angle).
• The Topology tab is used to determine the order the Pin-
pairs will reconnect during the length minimiza on process.
• The Layer/Layer Biasing tab is used to enable or disable
layers from rou ng. Also is used to set layer direc on for
autorou ng.
• The Same Net tab is used to help control the quality of
rou ng both entering a pad/via and exi ng a pad/via. Val-
ues are constraints to help control rou ng.
Generally users will set up their design rules before they begin
placement or rou ng. The design rules checking, verifica on
rou nes, and autorouter can follow most of these rules.

Design Rules and Constraints 175

 Defining a Net Constraint
❶ Select File > Open. Select the Lesson24.pcb located at
C:\PADS_ES_Evalua on\Lesson24 directory.
❷ Click on the Project Explorer bu on to open the win- ❷
dow.
❸ Select RMB over the Project Explorer window and
select Horizontal Split.
Note: This will create a second version of the Project Explorer. ❻
These two windows can be u lized together.
❹ Select the [+] located to the le of Net Objects. This ❹
will open up all the categories available for constraint ❼
❸
assignment.
❺ Select [+] to the le of Nets to expand the list of nets ❽
contained in this design.
❻ While using the cursor, select the net called Backdr, ❾
followed by hi ng the RMB and selec ng Proper es.
This will open the Proper es dialog so a constraint can
be assigned to this net. ❿
❼ If not already viewable, select the Clearance Tab lo-
cated at the top of the dialog. ⓫
❽ Select the All bu on to enable the capability of se ng ⓭
all clearances to a specific value.
❾ When the Clearance Value dialog appears, enter the
value 10.
Note: This will set all objects to 10 mils clearance require-
⓬
ment throughout the en re design.
❿ Select the OK bu on to complete the defini on.
⓫ Next, select the Rou ng tab.
⓬ Set the Minimum Trace width to 10, set the Recom-
mended to 10 and the Maximum Trace width to 10.
⓭ Select the OK bu on to complete the constraint assign-
ment.
176 Design Rules and Constraints
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Defining a Net Class

Net classes are created to set rules different from the default
se ngs for a group of nets. They are one of the most efficient
ways to apply a single constraint to mul ple nets. You can set ❷
width requirements, clearance requirements, fanout require-
ments and other important constraints. ❶
❷ ❾
❶ In the upper pane of the Project Explorer window,
❺
select the [+] to the le of Net Objects and Net Classes
to expand those categories.
❷ Place the cursor over Net Classes and select the RMB,
❸
then New to create a new net class. Type in a name
ADDR_BUS at the prompt for the new net class.
❸ In the lower pane of the Explorer window, select the
[+] next to the Net sec on to expand this category.
❹ Using the LMB, select the net ADDR_BUS1. While hold
down the SHIFT key, select ADDR_BUS19 as well.
❹
❺ With the cursor over the highlighted nets, select and
❻
hold the LMB to drag the group of nets over to the Net
Class called ADDR_BUS. Release the LMB once the
nets are over the new class. This will add them to the
class.
❻ Using the RMB, select the ADDR_BUS Net Class fol-
lowed by selec ng Proper es. The Design Proper es
menu is where you can enter the rules for this class.
❽
❼ Select the Rou ng tab and set the Minimum, Recom-
mended and Maximums to 10.
❽ Select the OK bu on to complete the defini on.
❾ Click the minus [-]next to the Net Classes on the top
Project Explorer to close the expanded view. ❼

Design Rules and Constraints 177

 Defining a Differen al Pair
Differen al pair rules assign length, gap parameters, layer
assignment and obstacle handling to selected pairs of nets or
pin pairs. A user can pair two nets or two pin pairs and define
rules related to the pair to help guide them through the rout-
ing phase of the design.
❶ Place the cursor over the Project Explorer pane and
select the RMB, followed by selec ng Ver cal.
❷ Select the [+] next to Net Objects (on both sides of the
dialog) and expand the content. On the right side split, ❺❻
select the [+] next to the Nets category.
❸ On the le side of the Explorer pane, select the [+] Dif-
feren al Pair category.
❹ On the right side Explorer pane, with the Net Objects > ❽
Nets expanded, scroll down to the net DIFF3 and DIFF4.
❺ Using the LMB, select the DIFF3 net name.
❻ Press the CTRL key and select the LMB over the net
DIFF4 so it adds to your previously selected items ❾
(DIFF3). ❿
❼ Hold the LMB while over one of the selected nets.
❽ Drag the pair of nets toward the le side Project Explor-
er dialog. Once over the Differen al Pairs constraint
category release the nets by releasing the LMB. This
will deposit the two nets as a differen al pair and cre-
ate a new constraint called DIFF3<->DIFF4.
❾ Select the [+] next to the new diff pair to expand the
list of nets in that diff pair.
❿ Place the cursor over the diff pair called DIFF3<->DIFF4.

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Defining a Differen al Pair (conƟnued)

⓫ Select the RMB followed by selec ng the Proper es

menu selec on from the pull down menu.
⓬ From within the Differen al Pair Proper es dialog, ⓫
select the Add bu on twice to add 2 addi onal param-
eter fields under the Set trace width and gap for the ⓬
pair in the layer sec on of the dialog.
⓭ Enter the parameters shown followed by selec ng the
OK bu on. This will complete the constraint assign-
ment for our differen al pair.
⓭

Design Rules and Constraints 179

 Crea ng a Matched Length Group
Matched length constraints are usually defined as two or more
nets (or pin pairs) having equal total length. Matched length nets
are typically specified with a tolerance to allow the trace rou ng
some flexibility while s ll being able to meet the desired ming ❶
requirements.
❶ Using the RMB, select the Matched Length Net Groups on
the le Project Explorer. Select New to create a new group.
❸
❷ Enter the name BUSBARS for the Matched Length Group.
❸ Using the LMB, expand the Net Objects > Nets sec on of
the right Explorer dialog (if not already done). ❷
❹ Scroll down to the net called BUSBAR0. ❽ ❹
❺ Select BUSBAR0 with the LMB so it highlighted. ❺
❻ Hold down the SHIFT key and select BUSBAR8.
Note: This will highlight all the nets in between Busbar0 and
Busbar8. ❼
❼ Holding the LMB over the nets, drag the group to the
Matched Length Net Groups called BUSBARS.
❽ Let go of the LMB once over the constraint so the nets can ❻
be added to the new constraint.
❾ Select the RMB while over the BUSBARS Matched Length
Net Groups. Select the Proper es pulldown and no ce the ❾
constraint informa on that can added as a design rule.
❿ Click Cancel to abort the constraint crea on. ❿
⓫ Click the minus [-] next to the Match Length Group on the
top Project Explorer.
⓬ On the right Project Explorer, click the minus [-] next to the
Nets.
⓭ Crea ng a matched length pin pair group is similar to creat-
ing a matched length net group, except that this group
contains pin pairs either from the same net or from differ-
ent nets.

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 High Speed Rou ng and Autorou ng with PADS Router

Condi onal Rules

Condi onal rules provide more control over complex designs.
For example, you can set a condi onal rule for the width of a ❶
net on a par cular layer.
❶ Select the [+] next to Layer to expand this entry. Do the
same for Electrical Layers. ❷
❷ Select Component Side Layer 1.
❸ Select the [+] next to the Nets sec on to expand this ❸
entry from within the same le side explorer dialog.
Scroll down un l you see the net called BACKDR.
❹ With the Component Side Layer 1 s ll selected use the
CTRL key plus the LMB to select the net called BACKDR.
❺ With both items s ll selected, use the LMB to drag the
two objects over to Condi onal Rules entry located in ❹
the right Project Explorer.
❺
No ce a [+] sign appears indica ng an entry was added
under the condi onal rules.
❻ Select the [+] next to Condi on Rules to see the new
item that was added. ❻
❼
❼ To change the proper es of the Condi onal Rule, click
RMB while the cursor is over the new condi onal Rule
and select Proper es. ❽
Note the content.
❽ Select the OK bu on once you have had a chance to
review the variety of constraints that can be set on an
item on a given layer.
❾ Click on the Project Explorer bu on to close.
❿ Select File > Save As and save it with name Lesson22.
pcb.

Design Rules and Constraints 181

 Lesson 25: Interac ve Rou ng
PCB Layout engineers all have their own style when laying out maintains design rules during rou ng that includes se ng trace
their boards. The PADS Router environment allows designers widths, clearance rules, layer rules and via rules so the designer
to either manually route cri cal nets or use other op ons as can concentrate on rou ng rather than monitoring the enforce-
well. PADS Router gives the designer full control over the route ment of the rules.
topology. It’s Automa c Interac ve Rou ng modes provide the The Route Monitor provides trace length informa on as rout-
ability to Fanout, Autoroute, or Op mize right at the designers ing data is added. The Push and Shove capability allows trace
finger ps. segments to be pushed around obstacles while simultaneously
The Autoroute and Op mizing Nets/Components features can preven ng other traces from rou ng through specified areas, all
help to reduce the amount of manual work the designer has to the me while maintaining design rules. This will allow quick ad-
complete. Many designers use the interac ve rou ng capabili- di ons to the design while s ll maintaining design constraints.
es to help complete traces through sensi ve areas while using All the op ons that will affect interac ve rou ng can be set
the autorouter to finish the remaining por ons. using the Rou ng tab of the Op ons window.
When using the PADS Router autoroute rou ne, the so ware
Interac ve and Manual Route
❶ Select File > Open. Select the Lesson25A.pcb located at
C:\PADS_ES_Evalua on\Lesson25 directory.
❷ Select the RMB and set the filter mode to select Un-
routes/Pins.
❺
❸ Type S <space> P2.8. This command will automa cally ❹
move the cursor to P2 and point out where the 8th pin
of that device is located.
❻
❹ Using the LMB, click on that pin. This will select the pin.
Note: You can use the SS modeless command to search and
select P2.8 to reduce the number of step.
❺ Using the MMB, zoom in on the area where the pin is ❼
by holding down the middle mouse bu on and drag-
ging the mouse toward the upper le .
❻ With the pin s ll selected, hit the RMB and select Inter-
ac ve Route.
❼ Start moving the cursor. No ce how the trace follows
the cursor. This is called interac ve rou ng.

182 Interac ve Rou ng

 High Speed Rou ng and Autorou ng with PADS Router

Interac ve and Manual Route (conƟnued)

❽ Start moving the cursor up. No ce how the cursor reads

RT=<some number> and ET=<some number>. The number
next to RT stands for the actual current routed length. As
you move the cursor, no ce the routed length increases. ET
❽
stands for the es mated length if the route were completed
from where it is to the ending pin on that pin pair using the
shortest path. ❾
❾ Con nue moving the trace to the right. Make sure and
move the trace toward the closest trace located on its right ❿
side. No ce how that trace forces the adjacent trace over.
This push and shove technology will allow objects to be
pushed as long as they are not protected or the movement
will cause some type of constraints viola ons (IE: trace ⓫
widths, clearance, layer constraints, or via viola ons).
❿ Move the cursor/trace back toward P2.8. If you have added
corners use the Backspace keyboard key to remove any
previously locked rou ng corners.
⓫ Place a via, toggling to the solder side layer by selec ng the ⓬
Shi key + LMB.
Note: Before proceeding to the next step, make sure that the
Check Clearance tab is checked. This tab can be accessed by click-
ing the RMB while rou ng.
⓬ Using the LMB, click while rou ng to add a fixed corner. This
⓭
creates a fixed route corner and keeps all the rou ng before
it from changing. Hit the Backspace bu on again on the
keyboard to remove this corner.
⓭ Drag the mouse following along side this adjacent trace and
up through the board.
No ce how adjacent traces move away from trace being added.
Traces are separated real- me, based on the design constraints set
in the design. Without this capability, a user would have to hand
move every object to make room for the trace to get by.

Interac ve Rou ng 183

 Rou ng Op ons
When selec ng an object for rou ng, the RMB pulldown provides
many op ons available to help users place traces into a design
with minimal effort. This topic will allow you to experiment with
some of the op ons.
❶ There are several plowing op ons for the interac ve router.
The current se ng is Plow with pointer. ❶
This means as the pointer moves the plowing occurs. On
the right click menu there is the ability to use No plowing,
Plow aŌer click, and Rip up obstrucƟng traces.
❷
Try out these different plowing techniques. To do so, simply select
your preference from the pulldown menu and drag the trace
through the design. Behavior of the different plow mechanisms
will depend on which one has been enabled. Experiment freely.
❷ Select a connec on you wish to route. Select the RMB
while rou ng and deselect the Check Clearance op on.
Now drag the cursor around and no ce how the system no
longer prevents the trace from going into areas that would ❸
normally create a viola on.
❸ Route a por on of the trace over another trace. Select the
LMB to add a corner. No ce an error appears at the inter-
sect point of the two traces.
❹
❹ Select the Backspace keyboard key to remove the viola ng
corner.
❺
❺ While s ll rou ng a trace, hit the RMB, select the Check
Clearance op on from the pulldown to re-enable it.
❻ With the trace s ll moving with the cursor, select the RMB
and deselect the Dynamic Route op on. Now drag the cur- ❻
sor around.
No ce that the system moves in only one direc on at a me but
s ll pushes and shoves traces out of the way. Each me the user
clicks it places an anchor point and allows the users to change
direc ons.

184 Interac ve Rou ng

 High Speed Rou ng and Autorou ng with PADS Router

Rou ng Op ons (conƟnued)

❼ While the trace is s ll being routed select the RMB and

select the Dynamic Route check mark to re-enable it.
❽ To change the width of a trace you can select the RMB ❼
(while rou ng), select the Width pull-right arrow and
select the desired width from a menu.
You can also use a keyboard modeless command to ac-
complish the same results. Type W <space> 8 and then
hit enter. The trace width will change to 8 mils from the ❽
last corner point.
❾ To change layers, click to add a corner where you would
like to place via and type the modeless command L
<space> 2 (make sure you are currently not on layer 2).
Make sure you hit the OK bu on (or the Enter Key) to
execute the modeless command.
No ce: You are now rou ng on layer 2 and via was ❾
added at the loca on of the last corner prior to ini at-
ing the modeless command.
❿ To complete the trace you can hit the RMB and select
Complete, you can double click the LMB or you can
place the cursor over the termina ng pad and se- ❿
lect using the LMB. All styles are available for you to
choose from.

Interac ve Rou ng 185

 Route and Fanout
❶ Select File > Open. Select the Lesson25B.pcb located at ❷
C:\PADS_ES_Evalua on\Lesson25 directory.
❷ Select the RMB and set your filter mode to Select ❸
Components.
❸ Using the LMB select U8. Select the RMB and select
Fanout from the pulldown menu. No ce how the se-
lected component fanout’s automa cally appear.
Note: The Fanout style can be set using the Default Proper-
es for global applica on (with nothing selected hit RMB
then Proper es/Fanout) or from Component Proper es for
individual fanout applica ons (select Component then hit
RMB then Proper es/Fanout).
❹ Using the LMB select U6.
❺ Select the RMB followed by Route. No ce how the nets
connected to any of the component pins get routed
automa cally.

❺ ❹

186 Interac ve Rou ng

 High Speed Rou ng and Autorou ng with PADS Router

Lesson 26: PADS Interac ve High Speed Rou ng and Autorou ng

The PADS Interac ve HSD manual rou ng features allows inter- Differen al Pair rou ng can be completed quickly and accurately
ac ve rou ng of trace lengths based constraints like Matched by selec ng one of the two nets defined. The second net auto-
Length, Min/Max Length, and Differen al Pair constraints set. ma cally couples the first maintaining the set spacing defined in
During interac ve rou ng the system gives real- me feedback the design rules. Accordion style rou ng can be applied to Dif-
on length constraints assigned to those nets. Length-based Con- feren al Pair traces as well allowing you to maximize your trace
straints are recognized in real- me to allow accurate and mely length in minimum space.
rou ng of cri cal nets. Tuning differen al pair traces can also be done so the two
The Length Monitor can iden fy when a trace is within the lengths of the differen al pair are iden cal in length.
defined length constraint by changing the color of the monitor. Traces that require special length considera ons can be selected
The color coding on the monitor also helps users to determine and routed prior to all others using interac ve mode. Saves
when they are close, within or have exceeded the length con- me and increases accuracy. Tune will a adjust nets to their
straint defined on the net, while they are adding the trace data. defined lengths. This can be done to individual nets selected in-
The HSD op on also allows for rou ng using accordions. Users terac vely. These features further help designers to meet their
can add accordions quickly based on default parameters or by design constraints with efficiency.
re-defining the shape on the fly. Autorou ng is also available for batch rou ng of all nets making
The Spreadsheet window provides real- me feedback on trace it even easier to complete your rou ng requirement using an
lengths as their routed in the design. You can also receive real- automated format.
me color codes on nets that fall short, fall within and exceed
length limits set via rules right from within the spreadsheet
view.

Interac ve High Speed Rou ng and Autorou ng 187

 Tuning Nets with Accordions
❶ Select File > Open. Select the Lesson26.pcb located at
C:\PADS_ES_Evalua on\Lesson26 directory.
❷ Zoom In on the pink net on the bo om center of the
board using the MMB.
❸ With nothing selected hit the RMB and set the select ❷
mode to Select Unroute/Pins.
❹ Now select the pink rats net with the LMB.
❺ Open up the Naviga on window by selec ng Project
Navigator bu on.
❻ Press the F3 bu on (or right click on layout and select
Interac ve Rou ng) to start interac vely rou ng.
❼ No ce how the Naviga on windows adjusts the color
of the net (Yellow, Green, Red) as you route with dif-
ferent lengths. The yellow stands for the fact that the
route is under the rule minimum length, the green is ❺
within limits and the red means you have exceeded the
limit. Look at the Status bar in the lower right hand ❼
corner and review the contents.
This shows the user the routed length, es mated length
if trace was completed, min and max length rule.
❽ Using the modeless command, type AO then press En-
ter. This will put the interac ve router in an orthogonal ❽
route angle mode forcing all corners into a 90 degree ❾
corner mode.
❾ Start rou ng to the right as shown.
❿ Select the RMB (while rou ng), followed by selec ng
Add Accordion (or hit the SHIFT + A at the same me).
This will put you in Accordion mode so that you can
add an accordion to add length to the net.

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 High Speed Rou ng and Autorou ng with PADS Router

Tuning Nets with Accordions (conƟnued)

⓫ Drag the cursor to the right and no ce an accordion

starts drawing.
⓬ Move the cursor back to where the accordion started.
⓫
⓭ Start moving the mouse down un l it is close to the
connector pads. Once there select the LMB to set one
side of the accordion amplitude.
⓮ Start moving the mouse up un l it is close to row of
component pads (on U26) and select the LMB a second
me. This will reset the total accordion amplitude.
⓯ Now drag your cursor to the right and watch the pro-
gram automa cally add a new accordion using the new
values.
⓰ Drag the cursor slowly and watch the Project Naviga-
on window change the trace color to green and then ⓮
red. The green informs the user the length is within the
design rule constraint range and the red tells the user it
is above the maximum design rule.
⓱ Press the ESC key twice to exit the rou ng.
⓬
⓲ Select the Naviga on Window bu on to close the
navigator window.

Interac ve High Speed Rou ng and Autorou ng 189

 Rou ng Differen al Pairs
❶ Select the HOME keyboard key or the Zoom to Board
bu on to zoom up around the en re board outline.
❷ Find the bright blue nets located on the le side of the ❶
edge connector ❸
❸ Zoom in (using MMB) on the diff pair nets. Remember, ❷
you can use the PageUp key as well to zoom in.
❹ Change the angle mode again to diagonal using the
modeless command AD. Hit the Enter key to complete
the ac vity.
❺ Select the Interac ve Route bu on from the Route
Edi ng Tool bar.
❻ Select one of the two green nets with the LMB. No ce ❺
how the rou ng environment automa cally recognizes
that the net is part of a differen al pair based on the
rule and begins rou ng both nets as a Diff Pair.
❼ No ce how the program automa cally brings the differ-
en al pairs matching the preset GAP distances. When
the rou ng seems to neck out of the pads appropri-
ately, select the LMB to lock down the traces exi ng
the pads.
❽ Select the Backspace key to remove the previous cor-
ners if you wish to change the rou ng pa ern. ❿

❾ With the two traces s ll coupled together, con nue

rou ng the differen al pair as you would a single net.
No ce how the program maintains the gap even when ❾
moving at an angle.
❼
❿ Move the differen al pair past the pads from the com-
ponent above it and watch the pair automa cally split
around the pad. ❻
NOTE: This will only occur if a corner has not been added
prior to coming in contact with objects that will force the
separa on of the diff pair.

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Rou ng Differen al Pairs (conƟnued)

⓫ Move the cursor below the pad to remove the sec on of trace
that separated due to the obstacles. Select the LMB to add a ⓭
corner and route up toward the termina ng pad.
⓬ The user also has the ability to route part of the differen al
⓫ ⓬
pair separately. While s ll rou ng the diff pair, select the RMB
and select Route Separately.
⓭ Route the first trace around one of the pads as shown.
⓮ Select the RMB again and select Switch Trace (or Tab Key) to
toggle to the second of the two diff pair traces. Route this
one around an obstacle as well. ⓯
⓯ Once completed, select the LMB again followed by the Route
Separately command (or Shi + Z) to rejoin the pair together. ⓮
Note: This will only work if the vias and traces are unprotected. Go to
Tools>Op ons>Rou ng Tab and under the Interac ve Rou ng sec-
on, uncheck Protect Traces and Vias when crea ng segments.
⓰ Now hold down SHIFT and LMB. This will place vias on the
differen al pair.
Make sure that the Layer Pair is chosen correctly (choose one of
the Rou ng Layers as the Second Layer) or else rou ng might not
con nue from the vias dropping to the VDD or GND planes due to ⓯
restric ons on the par cular differen al pairs.
⓱ Select the Cntrl + Tab key to toggle between the different
available via pa ern that can be added to the selected dif-
feren al pair. ⓳
⓰
⓲ Select the Backspace key to remove the other corners just in
case you need to change direc on.
⓳ You can add accordions to the differen al pair as well. While
rou ng the diff pair select the RMB followed by selec ng the
Add Accordion entry from the pulldown menu (or select the
Shi + A key).
⓴ Con nue experimen ng with rou ng differen al pairs.

Interac ve High Speed Rou ng and Autorou ng 191

 Rou ng Matched Length Traces
❶ Select the HOME key or the Zoom to Board bu on to
zoom full board.
❷ Open up the Project Explorer pane by selec ng the
Project Explorer bu on. ❶ ❷

❸ Select the [+] sign next to Net Objects to expand that

design category.
❹ Select the [+] sign next to the Matched Length Net
Groups to expand that as well.
❺ Select the [+] sign one more me expand the MLNet-
Group1 design item.
❻ Select the [+] sign next to MatchTrack and no ce there
are two nets that lie beneath this group. No ce when
you select the nets in the Explorer pane, the items are
selected on the bo om of the board.
❸ ❹❺ ❼
❼ With the nets highlighted, place the cursor in the work-
ing area, hit the RMB and select Route.
❽ Select the Modeless command U to turn off connec-
ons.
Note: To enable the display of connec ons again just enable
the modeless command U a second me.
❾ Click on MLNetGroup1 in the Project Explorer pane.
No ce it highlights even when routed.
❿ Using the cursor from within the Explorer Pane, select ❻ ❾
ASYNC- net.
❿

192 Interac ve High Speed Rou ng and Autorou ng

 High Speed Rou ng and Autorou ng with PADS Router

Rou ng Matched Length Traces (conƟnued)

⓫ From the same Pane, select ASYNC+ using the CTRL +

LMB.
⓬ Close the Project Explorer window by selec ng the
⓬ ⓭
Project Explorer bu on.
⓭ Open up the Spreadsheet window by selec ng the
Spreadsheet bu on.
⓮ Select the Object Type called Net.
⓯ Select the Net Length Monitor from the right pull
down. No ce how the Routed Length of both traces is
the same.
Also no ce how the value is equivalent to the minimum
⓮
length rule. PADS Autorouter always tries to route to
the minimum length. The accordions were added to
create this length.

Interac ve High Speed Rou ng and Autorou ng 193

 Lesson 27: Se ng Up a Design for Autorou ng
Autorouter Strategy Setup
❶ Select File > Open. Select the Lesson27.pcb located at
❸
C:\PADS_ES_Evalua on\Lesson27 directory.
❷ Select the Tools > Op ons pull down menu.
❸ Select the Rou ng tab. ❹❺

❹ Toggle through the different Rou ng Angles (Orthogo-

nal, Diagonal, Any Angle).
❺ No ce the Preview image changes to present a visual
image of your selec on. ❻
❻ Select the Strategy tab. No ce the Pass Names
(Fanout, PaƩerns, Route, OpƟmize, Center, Test point,
Tune and Miters).
❼
❼ No ce the column op ons:
Pass, Protect, Pause, and Intensity.
❽ Using the cursor double click on top of the word Com- ❾ ❽
ponents. No ce all the parts in the design become
displayed. ❿
❾ Select the [-] sign to minimize the Components.
⓫
❿ Using the cursor double click on top of Net Objects to
expand that por on of the dialog.
⓫ Double click over the Nets item and no ce a list of nets
appear that are contained in the design.
⓬
⓬ Place the cursor directly over the Pass Type named
Route and select it with the LMB. No ce all the items
associated with the pass highlights.

194 Interac ve High Speed Rou ng and Autorou ng

 High Speed Rou ng and Autorou ng with PADS Router

Autorouter Strategy Setup (conƟnued)

⓭ From the list of nets scroll down to the net called

ADDR_BUS2. Select it so it’s highlighted.
⓮ Select the Select bu on so the nets moves over to the
ROUTING ORDER list. The rou ng order is the order
that the Autorouter is going to follow when you start
the autorouter. Keep in mind the pass must be enabled ⓮
of course.
⓯ You should no ce that as you select the parts and nets ⓭
from this menu, they highlight in the working area. The
same would hold true if you selected the parts from
within the working area first.
This is be er know as Concurrent Database Selec on.
When u lizing this feature you can highlight a net in
the working area which will then highlight in the strat-
egy dialog so you can immediately select the SELECTED
bu on to add them to the Rou ng Order.
⓰ Use the Down Arrow bu on you can move the ADDR_
BUS2 net up or down through the list. Se ng up the
Route Order for other passes works similarly.
⓱ Click the OK bu on to close the Op ons Dialog.
⓲ Select Tools > Autoroute > Start (or F9) to begin the ⓯
autorouter.
⓰
Note: PADS Autoroute pops up the Command Pane and
shows the pre-route analysis and the progress of the design.
⓱
⓳ Watch the board complete rou ng.
⓴ Examine the results.

Interac ve High Speed Rou ng and Autorou ng 195

 Lesson 28: Verifica on
Verifying constraints, connec vity and high speed requirements
is easily accomplished with complete accuracy. Ac va ng all
types of checks is available through one simple dialog that pro-
vides custom reports that can be exported and reviewed.
Clearance checking quickly ensures all spacing requirements
have been made in the en re design. Connec vity check
ensures all interconnects are created with some type of conduc-
ve data.
In cases where traces were mistakenly forgo en, reports help
to iden fy those quickly so addi ons can be made to account
for those interconnects. High Speed checks verify all high speed
constraints have been taken into considera on during rou ng.
Fabrica on checks verify that manufacturing considera ons
have been accounted for during rou ng. Testpoint checks en-
sure proper clearances were maintained while testpoints were
added or their loca ons modified.

196 Design Verifica on

 High Speed Rou ng and Autorou ng with PADS Router

Verifica on Setup
❶ Select File > Open. Select the Lesson28.pcb located at C:\ ❷
PADS_ES_Evalua on\Lesson28 directory. ❸ ❹
❷ Select the Op ons bu on.
❸ Select the Fabrica on Tab to view the Fabrica on Op ons
that can be set. ❺
❹ Select the Design Verifica on Tab.
❻
❺ The Design Verifica on Scheme Area allows you to select
pre-created verifica on checks. ❿
❻ Select the Clearances entry from the pulldown arrow.
❼ Review the list of op ons that can be enabled that correlate
to items that can be clearance checked.
❽ You can select different categories of items to check. For
example, select Fabrica on in an entry available from the
Check Design For sec on of the dialog. ❼ ❽
❾ Design verifica on schemes can be saved by selec ng the
items you wish to enable, followed by selec ng the Save
As op on. You can enter the name of the Manufacturer
that has special clearance requirements to ensure you meet
their manufacturing requirements.
❿ The Conduct checks area of the dialog allows a user to
describe what data will be considered during the checking
analysis. These se ngs can effec vely disable or enable
informa on from being checked when is not displayed.
Select On visible objects and layers only as the mode for
checking.
❾

Design Verifica on 197

 Running Verifica on
❸ ❽
❶ Select Object Type Clearance in the Design Verifica on
Scheme area.
❷ Click OK in the dialogue box to close the Op ons dialog.
❸ Select the Design Verifica on bu on.
❹ ❺
❹ This will enable the Verifica on toolbar.
❺ The Clearance verifica on scheme should be showing.
❻
❻ Select the Verify bu on to enable the verify clearance
check.
❼ No ce the viola ons that appear on the le side of the
design and on the edge connector located at the bot-
tom as well.
❽ Enable the Spreadsheet pane by selec ng the Spread-
sheet bu on.
❾ Select the Error category from the spreadsheet pane. ❼

198 Design Verifica on

 High Speed Rou ng and Autorou ng with PADS Router

Running Verifica on (conƟnued)

❿ No ce a list of errors appear in the spreadsheet win-

dow. To expand the list hit the [+] sign next to the error ❿
of interest.
⓫ If you select on the error listed under the Type column
the so ware will adjust the window to display the er-
ror in the middle of the screen helping you to iden fy
where the error is located.

Design Verifica on 199

 Understanding Verifica on Issues
❶ Select the Selec on Filter bu on to open up the Selec-
on Filter toolbar.
❶❹
❷ Disable all selec on criteria by clicking on the Deselect
bu on.
❸ Enable the selec on of Errors by selec ng the Error ❷
bu on.
❹ Select the Selec on Filter bu on to close up the Selec-
on Filter toolbar. ❸
❺ Now select any on of the errors markers in the working
area. ❻
❻ Select the RMB with the error selected followed by ❾
Proper es.
❼ No ce how the error message explains what the prob-
lem is and where it is located.
❽ You can also select the Ignore error during verifica on ❼
opera ons feature if he would prefer to disable an er-
ror from being seen, during any future verifica on.
❾ Select the OK bu on to close dialog box.
Now that the clearance problems have been iden fied, ❽
resolving the issue should be very clear.

200 Design Verifica on

 Simula on with
HyperLynx BoardSim
& HyperLynx Thermal
In this sec on:

 Simula on with HyperLynx BoardSim

 Thermal Analysis with HyperLynx Thermal

201
 Lesson 29: HyperLynx BoardSim Simula on
This exercise will walk you through the process of sending
finished design from PADS Layout to HyperLynx BoardSim and
selec ng a net for simula on. We will also compare simula on
results with pre-layout stage we have done earlier in LineSim.

HyperLynx BoardSim ❷

❶ In PADS Layout, select File > Open > Project and open
C:\PADS_ES_Evalua on\Lesson29\Lesson29.pcb. ❸
❷ Select Tools > Analysis > Signal/Power Integrity …
❸ In the BoardSim dialog, select the check box next to the
.REF IC Automapping file, then select the radio bu on
next to Export pour and plane outlines and finally se-
lect the OK bu on. This will extract all of the data and
load design into HyperLynx
❹ In HyperLynx BoardSim select NET bu on.
❺ In the Select Net by Name dialog, scroll down and se-
lect DATA_BUS0 net and then click the OK bu on. This ❹
will only show that specific net routed on the board.

202 HyperLynx BoardSim Simula on

 Simula on with HyperLynx BoardSim & HyperLynx Thermal

HyperLynx BoardSim Simula on (conƟnued)

❻ Select the COMP bu on.

❼ In Assign Models dialog we need to assign pin U11.
M26 as a driver (just like we did in LineSim pre-layout ❻
simula on). A er selec ng the pin, click the Close
bu on..
❽ Select Run Simula on bu on.
❾ In the Digital Oscilloscope dialog, select the radio but- ❼
ton next to Rising edge. Make sure you have a probe
color assigned to pins and select the Start Simula on
bu on. Using the LMB, click two points in the Oscil-
loscope window as shown on the top and bo om of
the overshoot of the waveform to review the span of
the voltage overshoot. Receivers have a lot of voltage ❽
overshoot (about 2.85V, in LineSim we had 2.9V).

HyperLynx BoardSim Simula on 203

 HyperLynx BoardSim Simula on (conƟnued)

❿ Now we want to compare pre-layout simula on results

from LineSim with BoardSim results that we just ob-
served. In Digital Oscilloscope dialog, select the Save/
Load bu on and then select the HyperLynx .LIS radio
bu on. Select the Load bu on and browse to the loca-
on where you have saved the file DATA_BUS0_no_
termina on.lis.
⓫ You can toggle to see both pre-layout and post layout
results of simula on by checking the Loaded results
check box.
Note: Differences between pre and post-layout simula on re-
sults for receivers propaga on delay (Green and Carrot color
❿
wave forms) are due to topology and trace length differences.
However, the overshoot is almost the same (2.9V versa 2.85V)
⓬ To fix the Signal Integrity problem, select the Termina-
on Wizard bu on.
⓭ The Termina on Wizard dialog suggests using AC ter-
mina on at the U28.13 receiver pin. Select the Apply
tolerance pull down and use the Exact value se ng.
Selec ng the Apply Values bu on will assign the termi-
nator and its value. Lastly, select the OK bu on.
⓫

204 HyperLynx BoardSim Simula on

 Simula on with HyperLynx BoardSim & HyperLynx Thermal

HyperLynx BoardSim Simula on (conƟnued)

⓮ Rerun the simula on with the AC Termina on in place.

You will no ce that we removed almost all of the Signal
Integrity problems related to overshoot.
⓯ Now we want to compare pre-layout simula on results
from LineSim with BoardSim results a er termina on.
In the Digital Oscilloscope, dialog select the Save/Load ⓮
bu on and then select the HyperLynx .LIS radio but-
ton. Select the Load bu on and browse to the loca on
where you have saved the file DATA_BUS0 _termi-
na on.lis. You can toggle to see both the pre-layout
and post-layout results of the simula on by checking
Loaded results.
Note: Differences between pre and post-layout simula on
results with Termina on in place for receivers propaga on
delay are due to topology and trace length differences.

HyperLynx BoardSim Simula on 205

 Lesson 30: HyperLynx Thermal Analysis
This exercise will walk you through the process of sending a
finished design from PADS Layout to HyperLynx Thermal for ❷
evalua ng any possible heat problems and possible solu ons to
eliminate excessive heat areas. This exercise does not cover all ❷
of the aspects of the HyperLynx Thermal so ware but highlights
a few important features.
HyperLynx Thermal Analysis
This sec on will demonstarte how to perform a HyperLynx
Thermal simula on.
❶ In PADS Layout, select File > Open and select C:\PADS_
ES_Evalua on\Lesson30\Lesson30.pcb.
❷ We need to pour Copper and Split/Mixed planes before
we transfer design to HyperLynx Thermal. Select Tools
> Pour Manager and in the Flood Tab, select Flood All.
Then click the Start bu on. Now select the select Plane
Connect tab and click the Start bu on (if any messages ❸
❹
about missing thermal connec on warning come up,
please ignore).
❸ Select Tools > Analysis > Thermal Analysis.
❹ In the Missing Height dialog, enable the check box For
All Parts, then select the OK bu on. This will extract all
of the data and load design into HyperLynx Thermal. ❺
❺ In HyperLynx Thermal, select the Run Analysis bu on.
Note: Some components are running hot at 113degC. We will
try to resolve two component problems.

206 HyperLynx Thermal Analysis

 Simula on with HyperLynx BoardSim & HyperLynx Thermal

HyperLynx Thermal Analysis (conƟnued)

❻ First, we will create a Screw Component in the Mas-

ter Library. Select Library\Master. In the Edit Master
Library dialog highlight the first component and select ❻
the Copy Part bu on., Type in the name for the new
part ‘Screw_#6’ and select the OK bu on.
❼ Scroll down in the Edit Master Library dialog, select the
Screw_#6 part and select the Edit part bu on.
❽ In the Edit part dialog, change the parameters for this
screw as shown and select the OK bu on.

HyperLynx Thermal Analysis 207

 HyperLynx Thermal Analysis (conƟnued)

❾ In the Edit Master Library dialog, select Save to disk

and click the Close bu on.
❿ Now we will need to copy the ‘Screw_#6’ part from the
Master Library to the Working Library to be used in
this design. Select Library\Working.
⓫ In the Edit Working Library dialog (in the le -hand win-
dow) Master library: scroll down and select Screw_#6,
then select the >> bu on to copy it to Working
Library: window and select the Close bu on.
⓬ Select Placement\Screw and the part will get a ached
to your cursor. Place it the layout approximately in the ❿
two loca ons as shown. For the Component proper- ❾
es dialog, select the OK bu on for both screws

208 HyperLynx Thermal Analysis

 Simula on with HyperLynx BoardSim & HyperLynx Thermal

HyperLynx Thermal Analysis (conƟnued)

⓭ Rerun the analysis by selec ng the Run Analysis but-

ton.
⓭
Note: A er we added screws around the lower right
components, the temperature decreased from 113degC to
66degC. Overall temperature for the board also lowered from
113degC to 102degC. One component in the upper le corner
is s ll hot and we will try a different technique below
⓮ Select the Specify environment proper es bu on and
in the Environment Condi on Defini on dialog, change
Incoming air velocity to 250 /m for Front and Back
sides and select the OK bu on.
⓯ Rerun the analysis by selec ng the Run Analysis bu on
a er changing the airflow velocity.
Note: A er we changed the airflow velocity, the component
and overall board temperature lowered to 93.3degC from
102degC.

HyperLynx Thermal Analysis 209

210 HyperLynx Thermal Analysis
 Comple ng the
Design
In this sec on:

 Genera ng Manufacturing Outputs (CAM)

 3D Layout View
 Crea ng PDFs

211
 Lesson 31: Genera ng Manufacturing Outputs
This sec on will step you through the process of crea ng Gerber ❶
outputs. Gerber outputs are usually required to fabricate a PCB.
Gerber files contain design informa on for each layer. There are
also other cri cal outputs such as Drill Files and Drill Drawings.
In this exercise, you will learn how to generate several types of
design output files using the powerful manufacturing documen-
ta on features in PADS Layout .

Crea ng Rou ng Layers (Gerbers or Laser Prints) ❷

❶ In PADS Layout, select File > Open. Browse to and open

C:\PADS_ES_Evalua on\Lesson31\ Lesson31.PCB.
❷ Use the menu File > CAM to open the dialog for defin-
ing output documents.
❸ From the dialog shown below scroll through the list of
gerber files that are pre-defined. ❺

❹ You will create the outputs for the Top Rou ng layer,
The GND Plane Layer 3 and the Silkscreen layer.
❸❹
❺ Select the Add bu on located on the main CAM dialog.
❻ This will bring up a second dialog where you can
iden fy the new plot name, plot type, and set the Size/
Scale and Offsets. ❻
❼ To complete the output for Route Layer 1 use the fol- ❼
lowing se ngs:
• Document Name = Route Layer 1
• Document Type = Rou ng/Split Plane
• Layer Associa on = Component Side Layer 1

212 Crea ng CAM Outputs

 Comple ng the Design

Crea ng Rou ng Layers (conƟnued)

❽ No ce the Summary includes default se ngs which

can be edited. ❽
❾ Select the Layers bu on located in the Customize
Document sec on of the dialog.
❿ Select the Board Outline check box so it can be in-
cluded in the output.
❿
Note: You will see the “Items on Primary” become selectable
when you select a layer listed in the Selected sec on of this ⓫
dialog.
⓫ Select the Preview bu on to see what the Gerber file ❾
would contain with the current se ngs.
⓬ To zoom in on the display, select and hold the LMB to
drag a frame around the area you want to zoom into.
You can also click the Board bu on to zoom around the
board.
⓭ Click the Close bu on to close the Preview dialog.
⓮ Click OK to close the Layer dialog which will place you ⓭
at the Add Document dialog.

Crea ng CAM Outputs 213

 CAM Op ons and Setup Informa on ❷
❶ Click the Op ons bu on to review the available Plot Op-
ons.
Note: For this exercise you will not change anything. However, ❶
if you decide to make changes later you can see the effects in
the Preview window on the right hand side. ❹
❷ Click OK to close the Plot Op ons dialog.
❸ The Device Setup bu on will allow you to choose your
desired output.
❹ This op on is used to setup Laser printers, Penplo ers, ❸
and Gerber output se ngs. The following dialog will
change based on the desired target device. ❺
• PRINT (Print Manager)
• PEN (Penplo er)
• PHOTO (Gerber Output) ❽ ❻
❼
❺ Click the Print bu on then Device Setup. No ce the
content. It works just like Print Manger. ⓬
❻ Click the OK bu on to close the dialog. ❿
❾
❼ Click the Pen bu on then Device Setup. This allows you ⓫
to set your penplot op ons.
❽ Click the OK bu on to close the dialog. ⓭
❾ Click the Photo bu on then Device Setup. This allows
you to set the op ons for genera ng Gerber output for
each layer.
❿ Click the Advanced bu on. No ce this sets many of your
Gerber output preferences like RS-274X vs. RS-274D.
⓫ For this exercise we will leave this dialog as it is. Click OK
to close this dialog.
⓬ Click OK to close the Photoplo er setup dialog.
⓭ Leave the Output Device set to PHOTO and click OK to
complete the crea on of Route Layer 1.

214 Crea ng CAM Outputs

 Comple ng the Design

Crea ng Nega ve Image Plane Layers

In this exercise you learn how to create outputs for nega ve
plane layers. Posi ve image plane layers use the Route/Split
mixed Plot types while Nega ve Image planes require special
handling.
❶ If you closed out then use File > CAM… and click the
Add bu on again. Choose Document Type = CAM ❶
Plane and Layer = Gnd Plane Layer 3.
❷ Click the Layers bu on and use the se ngs shown.
❸ Click the Preview bu on located on the right side of
this dialog.
❹ Review the content of the Nega ve image layer. When
you are done close all windows un l you return to the ❸
❷
“Define CAM Documents” dialog.
Note: Everywhere that is black will actually be void of con-
duc ve material. Anywhere within the board that is white
will be conduc ve material. Think in reverse when viewing
this area. Also Note the thermal reliefs are clearly seen.

Crea ng CAM Outputs 215

 Crea ng Silkscreen Top
This exercise will show you how to create documenta on out-
puts like Silkscreen top and bo om views, Soldermask top and
bo om views, Pastemask top and bo om views and Assembly
drawing top and bo om views. In this Exercise you will only ❸
generate one but the methodology for crea ng the others is ❷❹
the same.
❶ Select the ADD bu on again.
❷ At the Layer Associa on dialog select the Component
Side Layer 1 selec on.
❸ Set the op ons as shown: ❺

❹ Click the OK bu on once the Layer is selected. ❼

❺ Click the Layers bu on. ❽
❾
❻ Select the Board Outline check box.
No ce there are two layers listed in the Selected sec- ❻
on of the dialog. More than one layer can be included
in one output plot. By selec ng each layer indepen-
dently you can enable different items on each layer.
❼ Select Component Side Layer 1 in the Selected sec on.
(No ce the items selected in the “Items on Primary”
sec on of dialog). ❿
❽ Select the Silkscreen Top layer in the Selected sec on.
(No ce the items selected in the “Items on Primary”
sec on of the dialog).
❾ Click the Preview bu on and review the contents.
No ce the contents are not desirable. The silkscreen
names are not present. This is one of the main benefits
of previewing the output prior to genera ng the Gerber
output.
❿ Click the Close bu on to exit the preview window.

216 Crea ng CAM Outputs

 Comple ng the Design

Crea ng Silkscreen Top (conƟnued)

⓫ Select the Component Side Layer 1 entry in the Se-

lected sec on. ⓱

⓬ Uncheck Ref Des and Part Type from the “Items on ⓯

Primary” sec on.
⓭ Select the Silkscreen Top item in the Selected sec on. ⓬⓮
⓬
⓮ Check the Ref Des entry to add it to the list of outputs.
⓯ Click the Preview bu on and review the results.
⓰ Select Close to close the Preview dialog.
⓱ Select OK to close the Selected Items dialog.
⓲ Select OK to close the Add Document dialog.

Crea ng CAM Outputs 217

 Execu ng Output
This exercise will show you how to output the required Gerber ❶
files using the CAM rou ng. The same method for expor ng
mul ple documents also works for single documents. ❷
❶ Select the first document listed in the CAM dialog.
❷ Scroll down through the list using the right side scroll
bar.
❸ Hold the Shi key and select the last document in the
list using the LMB.
No ce all documents are selected.
❹ Click the Run bu on.
❺ At the Prompt: Do you wish to generate the following
outputs? Click Yes.

❸
❹

218 Crea ng CAM Outputs

 Comple ng the Design

Lesson 32: Addi onal Views

There are two addi onal viewing op ons which may be useful models or by simple part extrusion. The other op ons which
for PCB designers and design reviewers. One op on is the abil- can be helpful is a PDF view of the board. By crea ng a PDF the
ity to generate a 3D view of the board and any components on design is easy to email to other designers and can also be used
the board. The 3D view can be generated with 3D component as part of the documenta on process.

3D Layout View
This exercise will demonstrate the 3D viewer available within
PADS Layout. The 3 dimensional view will provide a realis c
representa on of what the board will look like a er fabrica-
on. This is an easy way to visually analyze the extents of the
board and its components to determine if you will need to
worry about collision.
❸
❶ Close all windows and open Lesson32.pcb in the C:\
PADS_ES_Evalua on\Lesson32 directory.
❷ Select View > 3D View > Dynamic View. ❷
❸ Select File > Batch Import 3D Cells. Browse to the C:\
PADS_ES_Evalua on\Lesson32 directory and select the ❹
3D Cells folder.
❹ The 3D viewer will appear. Take me to review the vis-
ibility op ons.
❺ If the board appears too small to view simply click the
“fit all” bu on to bring it into be er view.
Note: Review the Toolbar bu ons to get an overview of the
available func onality.
❻

❻ LMB and hold the mouse on any part of the board and
then drag and release in any direc on to rotate the im-
age. Using the mouse scroll wheel will allow for zoom
in/out of the display.
Note: The display will stop moving if the mouse is removed
from the display window, and it will con nue once again
❺
when the mouse is placed back in the view.

PADS 3D View 219

 Lesson 33: Crea ng PDFs
The PADS PDF u lity allows you to communicate very effec vely using search in the PDF file. These advanced features include
through an advanced PDF document which can be opened the ability to jump automa cally to a subsequent instance of
and viewed by anyone using Adobe Acrobat. By genera ng the net by simply selec ng the first instance. The PADS PDF file
an advanced PDF file, you can send single files to teammates, also contains net and part informa on including a complete list
providing them with the ability to perform design reviews using of property names and values assigned. Proper es can be re-
a free copy of Adobe Acrobat reader as the viewer. The PDF viewed by placing the cursor over a part, clicking the le mouse
file created by PADS PDF not only contains the graphical data of bu on and selec ng the pop-up with a list of a ributes for the
the Layout, but it also contains Components and Nets informa- part.
on. This func onality allows you to easily locate nets or parts

Crea ng a PDF Document

❶ Select File > Open. Browse to and open C:\PADS_ES_
Evalua on\Lesson33\ Lesson33.pcb. ❸
❷ Select File > Create PDF
❸ The PDF Configura on dialog box displays its controls
in two views--a “document” view and a “page” view.
The document view appears when the root item (PDF
Document) is selected in the page list at the top le of
the dialog box. Se ngs made in the Document view
affect all pages in the document.

Note: For detailed informa on about the func onality of the

various controls on these dialogs, please refer to the Help
system and the documenta on in the InfoHub.

220 Crea ng PDFs

 Comple ng the Design

Crea ng PDFs (conƟnued)

❹ The page view appears when a single page is selected

in the page list. Now the se ngs will only affect the
selected page.
❺ Click Create PDF
❻ Save Lesson.pdf
❹
When Adobe Acrobat Reader launches you should see
the first “Component Side Layer 1” layer of the design
on the right and a list of all the layers on the le .
❼ Try clicking different Layers on the le side and watch
Adobe Acrobat jump to corresponding Layers. ❺
❽ Select Component Side Layer 1 to jump to Layer 1.
❾ Expand Component Side Layer 1 by clicking the plus [+]
next to the name in the navigator to expose Compo-
nents and Nets.
❿ Expand Components and select C1. No ce how the
screen zooms into C1.
⓫ Using the LMB select the component in the design area
and you will see a list of a ributes associated with C1.

Crea ng PDFs 221

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