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Board CREATOR
Q. To create a via
from a surface mount pad to a trace on the other side of the
board. So the pad on layer
1 connects with the trace on layer 2 directly under it?
A. VIA
PAD is used for connecting two different layer traces on PCB
file when you need VIA PAD in your LAYOUT you can add VIA PAD
just pressing twice a Enter key when you are in Draw/Line
command. You can use multiple VIA PAD in your file as per your
requirement.
You have to select
VIA PAD from your EDIT/PAD TABLE as per your requirement.
Q. I have a layout
almost finished and I am trying to rotate a couple of Pad
layouts in
Board Creator but I have already done the auto routing. Is this
possible?
A. Yes
it is possible. You have to select the PAD that you want rotate
after that you have to make sure about the connectivity of those
PADS you want to rotate. You can do this by changing information
of PAD and then re-auto route those Pads or you can relay out
those Pads by manually using DRAW/Line command.
Q. I am having a
problem with Board Creator when I try to create a board with
more than 6 layers. In the Edit Board Format window, if I
have 8 layers selected and I try to select layer 7 or 8
(anything above six) to edit the net name, the window
disappears. The scroll bar is still there but the layer numbers
on the left disappear.
A. It
is happened only because of refreshing the screen. For doing
this go to File/New and create a new file and click on Ok
button. Now go to EDIT/Board format menu and edit the name of
the layers you want when you change the format of layer 7 and 8
each time refresh the screen so you don’t have any difficulty
to do that.
Q. I have a board
that I'm almost finished with that has a ground plane on most
but not all of the
board. The parts are on it. Some parts connect to it and some
will not. Will I see the clear area around the pad. On my board
It shows up as being connected.
I have used Draw/Solid area to create the ground plane.
A. When you need to
create a Ground plane on One-Layer or Two-Layer Board you must
have to select Draw/ Region Pour command or Press R from
Keyboard and apply the Net Name, Line Width, Layer type and
Different Clearances and run it on PCB file.
Q. This is a 2-layer
board and I need a ground plane on layer 1. The ground plane
is about 1.6 in. wide from left to right, and 4.80 in high
from top to bottom. Where the Resistors, IC's and
connectors are should be no copper around the pad
except 2 diagonal traces to the 4 G pads.
A. Run the Region
Pour command from DRAW Menu and given net name you need to do
copper filling and given the clearance and other information to
do that after that from where you start to do go there and press
Enter to start the Pour filling and select board by rectangular
shape and press Enter when you want end. After that you will see
the process running on the screen if you given GND net to do
Pour the command connected to all ground layer pads and Lines.
Q. I am working on
an analog board that has 6 different power rails, so I need 6
different power layers plus 2 signal layers. Please let me
know when you fix this problem so that it refreshes the
screen correctly. When do you think that might be?
A. This is not a
problem you are talking about for doing that you need to take
some extra care to setup for 8-Layer PCB. You can create your
PCB file with following layers setup.
| (1)
COMPONENT SIDE - |
SIGNAL
LAYER-1 |
| (2) POWER
TOP - |
POWER LAYER |
| (3) POWER
TOP - |
POWER
LAYER1 |
| (4) POWER
TOP - |
POWER
LAYER2 |
| (5) POWER
BOTTOM - |
GND LAYER2 |
| (6) POWER
BOTTOM - |
GND LAYER1 |
| (7) POWER
BOTTOM - |
GND LAYER |
| (8) SOLDER
SIDE - |
SIGNAL
LAYER-2 |
Q. I am having a
problem with Board Creator. I have created my own symbol,
however when I print out the layer 1 Solder Mask it does not
show a Solder Mask for the Symbol that I created. I tried to
view just the solder mask using the layers/mask function
under the View command, but it will not show me the solder
mask. Moreover, I need to add a solder mask to my symbol or the
circuit will not work properly. Also, I have saved the
symbol and am unable to bring it upon
the load symbol command.
A. Check
your symbol you have created. Solder Mask is automatically
generates only when we used and put PAD in a Board Creator
Symbol. If you want line in a Solder Mask you must have to draw
on Board.
Q. How do I specify
drill holes for mounting the board that is where the holes go on
the board and the size of
the hole?
A. In
Board Creator you go in Edit menu by typing Alt + E go in "
Pad Table " you get the 50 pad types. Now you specify drill
hole for mounting holes or any other holes you want to put on
board.
Q. How do I specify
cutout on the board?
A. Where
you want cutout on board or you want to draw outline of the
board you draw " Conductor line" by selecting All
Layer.
Q. How do I specify
the solder mask? Do I need to specify the solder mask for the
footprint for a given
part?
A. Solder
Mask for PAD it is automatically generated when you go to solder
mask layer. If you want to put solder mask for given part you
can draw by using solid and line command. Make sure the on which
layer you want solder mask you can also specify the layer.
Q. I am confused on
how to cutout a hole on my board. I need to cutout a hole 2
inches in diameter
centered at X = 2.0 inches Y = 3.0 inches.
A. You
can create a PAD by using Draw/Solid command and put it where
you want a cutout PAD.
Q. I have been
trying to make a footprint for a part. The part has mounting
holes. The holes sizes
are not listed in the standard pad sizes. I tried to edit the
pad size, but when I loaded the part for viewing, after I
exited and then restarted the Board Creator program, the
part hole sizes had changed back to the original setting
for the hole I started with. How can I add these holes to my
footprint for the
part, so they do not change each time I restart the Board
Creator program?
A. In
Circuit Creator we give two types of PAD table. One is system
pad table and other is board pad table. So if you want to use
those pad or footprint each and every time you change it in
system pad table pad type. It is excess from File/ Preferences
Manu you select edit system pad table. So, now when you restart
Board creator you get all pads exactly you get in board. So
remember you can create your own PAD library by changing edit
system pad table. Make sure the pad is not used in other
footprint symbols.
Q. Is there a way to
change the grid to mm instead of mils? I know how to change
the board ruler to mm.
A. Board
Creator default grid is Inches so when you create a new PCB file
it is take the entire dimension in Inches. When you want to mm
rulers on your PCB file you have to change units in Edit/Board
Format so after that you can see all dimension in MM on screen.
But when you generate Summary reports all dimension comes in
Mils format. So at the work time you can change grid and Units
in an mm, Inch or Mils but when you generates any reports all
the reports comes in Mils or Inch format.
Q. How do I add
mounting holes to a board layout? Both Plated-Through and Non-
Plated-Through.
A. Mounting
hole is a one type of PAD. Go to Edit Pad table and select one
PAD and put it where u wants a mounting hole and same type in
non-PTH. In Plated Through hole you can connect Top and Bottom
side layer with this PAD this pad is bigger then it holes size
For Example: Hole: 120 Top Layer: 160 Bottom Layer: 160 so we
can get 20 mils annual ring on this PAD. In Non Plated Through
hole you can not connect Top and Bottom side layer with this PAD
this pad is smaller then it holes size For Example: Hole: 120
Top Layer: 120 Bottom Layer: 120 so we can not get annual ring
on this PAD.
Q .
Made a board layout created from an .upd file, and layer out
all the components and routed the traces. Now if I
make a part (or trace) change in the Logic Creator schematic
drawing, how can I keep the previous Board Creator board
layout (except for the changed part and connecting
traces) without having to start over again and re-download the
.upd file and manually re-layout all the parts and traces? I
only want the changed part and connected traces to be
changed on the new layout. I know about the back-annotate
feature, but I think this feature was to change the
schematic when a board layout was changed.
A. This
is good practice to do layout manually.
Direct Change in UPD
File:
Now if you want to
change .upd file directly you can do this with using any text
editor to edit the file and make changes you want and then go to
the board editor and use "Update from Logic Creator"
and then run check schedule and make manual route for remaining
scheduled trace.
Change BY using
Schematic:
Now if you want to
update the schematic. So first make all the change you have in
schematic and then generate the .upd file by using the formal
/export command in Report menu. After generating .UPD file run
Board Creator program and save as your old PCB and then load
(Footprint) .pcs file of all new parts you added in schematic
and delete all the .pcs (Footprint) parts you don't want to use
in PCB file. Than run update from Logic Creator command and run
check schedule form reports menu and route the schedule trace
manually or Autoroutes.
Back-Annotate
Command:
This command is use
for change the Section, Part-Name, Instance etc. You can’t
change or updated any net-name or wire using this command (Like
U1-a, u1-b, u1-b, u1-b), Part instance. This command not reroute
any trace in schematic file directly.
Q. The company
building the boards is asking for a file type of
"RS274X". Can I
generate this type of file
using Board Creator Version 3.01?
A. Yes
the software can output RS274D as well as RS274X format files.
Please refer to " How to output Gerber file" section
and select RS274X options in Photo plotter Print menu.
Q. After I
downloaded your pc board program I tried to run it but it asked
me for a missing
cg32.dll file where could I obtain this file.
A. You
can download the Supporting DLLs from following website. http://www.advancedmsinc/update/
Downloaded file will be a zipped file. Unzip it and copy all the
four .dll files into the same directory in which you have
installed the software. You should be able to use the software.
Q. Every time that I
have tried to pull down your PC Board design Cad software, I
get a time out error! I've been trying to retrieve same fm
the following site: http://216.150.88.190/pcbdesignandfab/software/ecad.exe
A. Please
download the software from following website. http://www.advancedmsinc.com/download/cktdwnld.htm
Follow the instructions of the download page to copy cc32.akf
file to the circuit creator directory. It should not ask you to
register again. However, to protect yourself save the current
Circuit Creator directory as back up. If it asks you to register
again, try to register. If the registration fails then send the
file cc32.akf to us and we will help complete the registration.
Q. I need to know
how to connect a Through Hole Pad to a power plane. This is
required for surface mount parts since you need to put a
Through Hole pad nearby and hook it up to a power plane
then run track from the pad to the surface
mount pad.
A. Yes,
You need to do exactly same when you don't have any POWER and
GND through hole components pad near the SMD component pad you
are talking about.
Q. I am working on
an analog board that has 6 different power rails, so I need 6
different power layers plus 2 signal layers. Please let me
know when you fix this problem so that it refreshes the
screen correctly. When do you think that might be?
A. That
is Ok. We have to check it out and get back to you soon. This is
not a major problem you are talking about, for that you need to
take some extra care to do setup for 8-Layer PCB.
Here is the
setup of 8-LAYER
(1) COMPONENT
SIDE - SIGNAL LAYER-1
(2) POWER TOP -
POWER LAYER
(3) POWER TOP -
POWER LAYER1
(4) POWER TOP -
POWER LAYER2
(5) POWER
BOTTOM - GND LAYER2
(6) POWER
BOTTOM - GND LAYER1
(7) POWER
BOTTOM - GND LAYER
(8) SOLDER SIDE
- SIGNAL LAYER-2
Q. I am having a
problem with Board Creator when I try to create a board with
more than 6 layers. In the Edit Board Format window, if I
have 8 layers selected and I try to select layer 7 or 8
(anything above six) to edit the net name, the window
disappears. The scroll bar is still there but the layer numbers
on the left disappear.
I need to work with 8 layer boards.
A. You
have to select LAYER FORMAT form the EDIT BOARD FORAMT menu.
After that you can edit NET NAME for those layers you have to
use for particular net.
Q. Please tell me if
this schematic is ok for your program to convert in board
creator. The board is 1 layer but 2 are fine. The Width is
25.39 mm and Length is 20.32. The only part that has to
go in an exact place is the Right Angle Headers. The 2
pins start 2.83mm from left and 3.95mm from top. The 4 pins start
4.20mm from left side and 3.95mm from top. The Moc3011 is a Moc3011sm,
which is a so6 footprint that I didn’t see in the library. Raj
recommended me sending this at first and now I wish I did!!
When you receive this
please let me know what you can help me with. Thanks
A. If
your schematic file is Ok. You have to generate .UPD file using
Report/Formal/Export command for go to Board Creator program you
can generate other reports for your manufacturing purpose. Now
you have to run Board Creator program and go to I/O menu and
select "Create from Logic Creator" command and you
must have to select your .UPD file for creating PCB. After
selecting this command options Board Creator automatically
generate PCB file and place your components on your PC Board
files and writing Net Names on components PAD. After this
process you have to select Edit Board Format from Edit menu and
fill up your Board Dimensions and you have choose layers for
your PCB file.
Q. I have a board
that I'm almost finished with that has a ground plane on most
but not all of the
board. The parts are on it. Some parts connect to it and some
will not. Will I see the clear area around the pad? On my
board it shows up as being connected.
I have used draw/solid area to create the ground plane.
A. No.
You cannot use solid command to create ground plane. When you
have create a Ground/Power plane Board Creator give it you on
all over the board area so you do not need to create it
separately in ground/power plane you can see the cleared COPPER
are around the PAD and which PAD is connected to same layer you
can see TIE BAR on this particular PAD. For Ex. in 74ls00 you
can see PIN=7 in GND PLANE AS A TIE BAR and PIN=14 in +5V PLANE
AS A TIE BAR PAD.
For more you
can see DEMO.PCB file in your CKTCRT directory.
Q. I have a board
that I'm almost finished with that has a ground plane on most
but not all of the
board. The parts are on it. Some parts connect to it and some
will not. Will I see the clear area around the pad? On my
board it shows up as being connected.
I have used draw/solid area to create the ground plane.
A. When
you put any PAD on GROUND PLANE LAYER Board Creator
automatically give you copper free area grounding the PAD. If
you put this pad on GND net so it is connected to GND PLAYER or
if you put this pad for another signal layer it is given you
clear area grounding this PAD. Default clear area size is 10 %
of the PAD size if you want more you can select it from PRINT
Manu.
Q. I can alter pads
and save them but they will not stay in memory after I open
another board.
A. Board
Creator has two PAD tables (1) System PAD Table and (2) PCB EDIT
pad table. So when you create new PCB file you get the systems
pad table in your EDIT pad table. Now you changed change PAD
from pressing P (PAD) and then O (Options) so you get PCB PAD
Edit table. If yes then you can’t get your Pads shapes and
size in another board. If you want same Pads in a every PC Board
file you must have to change Systems Pad Tables from
File/Preference menu so you can get it in every PCB file.
Q. I was able to
create a footprint for the QFP-208 last night. It's a fine-pitch
part with 0.5mm
between pins. There seems to be some rounding in the math when I
place a pad. Instead of 10.00, 10.50, 11.00, etc., it goes to
9.98, 9.48, 10.98, etc. This makes me think that the
layout portion of the product is at the limits of its resolution.
Is there a limit to how fine I can place things?
A. When
you have to create a new footprints in this type of co-ordinate
you always use mils units so you can put your pad at actual
dimension you need for your physical part dimensions. For
example: 0.5mm = 20 mils = .020 inch. In that case you can draw
your footprint symbol very easily.
Q. I have another
similar Question. After creating and saving a system pad set how
do I keep the information there? After I started a new board
all my custom parts reverted
back to the original pad settings for the system even after I
reloaded.
A. In
Circuit Creator you must have to change System Pad Tables from
File/Preference/System Pad Table. After changing Systems pad
table all the information is stored in a Board Creator
configuration file this files stored in current directory as a
bc32.cfg. So when you start working on New PCB file Board
Creator automatically give you those pads in new PCB file. You
don’t need to reload it again. If you change Edit pad table in
PCB file this will change your board pad table not your Systems
PAD table so when you start new PCB file you can’t get those
pads in your new PCB file.
Q. I try to load it
again, but the pads have reverted to their original shape and
size. Am I doing
something wrong? (I edited the pad table on pad 50, but the book
says it only goes up to
25.)
A. In
Board Creator you have up to 50 types of Pads. So when you want
to change your component pad you can change what number you want
but make sure you are not used this number of Pads any were in
your PCB file you are currently working on it and you must have
to change Pad’s shapes and size in System Pad Table so when
you save and reload it in Board Creator you get same as you
saved last time.
Q. Why in System PAD
Table? :
A. SYSTEM
PAD TABLE is a default pad table of Board Creator program. When
you run this program and create a new board file Board Creator
load SYSTEM PAD TABLE as a Board EDIT PAD TABLE. So when you
Edit PAD TABLE in PCB file board no change made in SYSTEM PAD
Table it are change only EDIT PAD TABLE and you can see effect
on your PCB files library you are currently using.
Q. I found what
looks like a bug in the Board Creator SW. I have been creating
all of my footprints
in a separate file called noname2.pcb. On more than 1 occasion,
the system has gotten into a strange state. When I draw on
the silkscreen layer, sometimes the lines attach and
become 1 line. In other words, when I select one line,
both lines are selected, and I can't select an individual line.
I started noticing this when the lines touch, but now it
happens even when the line is on the other side of the
board. (For example, the lines don't touch and are separated
by a distance of 6 inches or more. The only way I have found
to rectify this problem is to delete all of the affected
lines, and start over. This is very time consuming.
Is there a way to keep lines from attaching?
A. No.
There are no bugs in Board Creator program you are talking
about. It seems like you are doing some wrong operation with the
Board Creator program. Creating footprint in a different PCB
file it will be good for making separate library of footprint
files. Selecting segments Board Creator have options for
selecting all the segments separately. You can enable and
disable all the options by just check mark in the options
window. When you run select command you can see the select
options menu by just press "O" key from keyboard or
you can click on the options button at bottom of your PC Board
edit screen.
Q. Also regarding
the system pad table. I have found that the pad table will
sometimes revert to factory settings. Is there a way to
Import/Export the Edit Pad table so I can use this if I
have a schematic with similar parts? Or is there a text
file that I can edit to achieve the same goal?
A. Yes
CKTCRT directory have one file name bc32.cfg. This files have
all the information about the Board Creator program you can edit
this file for any modifications. Bc32.cfg file is a factory
default setting files this have all information of Systems PAD
Tables and other settings of Board Creator program.
Q. To create via
from a surface mount pad to a trace on the other side of the
board. So
the pad on layer 1 connects with the trace on layer 2 directly
under it?
A. Yes.
For doing this you have to press Enter twice when you are in
Draw / Line command mode. You have to start draw line from SMD
pad in a same layer (you have created SMD symbol) and then add
via hole for go to other layer.
Q. In case of PCB
design, while using board creator, when we choose the option as
create from logic creator it gives all the components that we
have used in schematic.
A. Yes
this options gives you all the components you have used in
schematic For Designing PC Board:
(1) Without making
Schematic you can direct design PCB using Board Creator.
(2) With making
schematic you can design PCB.
Q. All components
are placed horizontally.
A. No.
It is depend on .pcs file when you make a footprint if you make
it horizontally and store it in a library as a .pcs this
footprint come horizontally when you call back as a Load Symbol
and same type in Create from Logic Creator option.
Q. If I want to
rotate any particular Component is it possible because I have
tried every
option but couldn’t find any suitable option?
A. Yes
you can do this very well. You have select particular component
by pressing Enter twice on component object or you have use
select command and click on component and after that press F10
you can rotate it in four different angle, 0, 90, 180, 270.
Q. Board
creator/Load symbol/ Displays footprint dialog box & if u
click on Newdisplays as
only available on platinum version.
A. Yes
you are right. You can't load footprint editor program. If you
have to create a new footprint symbol you have to use Board
Creator program and save it in footprint library. You can view
and select (Load Symbol) footprint symbol from this Menu. For
creating footprint symbols Load Board Creator and open a new
board file then Draw your footprint with his actual mechanical
dimension. Select whole footprint symbol you draw and go to File
Manu and select Save Symbol you will get new Save Symbol menu
just write down symbol name and press on OK button.
Q. I created a board
layout using Logic Creator option in Board Creator. I started
to work on my file and moved components around. I realized I
had to delete and add some new components to my Schematic
in Logic creator. I made some changes in my design using
Logic Creator. I checked my design and got the message
"No error detected". Then I created the Update file
using Report function. I went back to Board creator and
activate the function update from Logic Creator and
selected the appropriate file. However, my changes didn't updated
in my Board Creator. What should I do to make sure my
changes are being updated in Board Creator when
I make changes in Logic Creator and/or Symbol Creator?
A. When
you make changes in you schematic file and generate UPD file and
back to Board Creator program you have add those all parts
footprints (Board Creator symbol) manually in board you have to
delete those all the parts you are deleted from schematic file
and then you can update your board file using "Update from
Logic Creator " function from Reports menu in Board
Creator. You can check this by generating schedule lines from
Report menu using check schedule function.
Q. When I export my
file to dxf, all of the line thick nesses drop to a single pixel
wide, arcs are not displayed, and line thickness appears as
trace "height." In
other words, the thickness is shown on the z-axis when the
board is viewed isometric.
How do I resolve these issues?
A. There
must be a problem with your Auto Cad program you can try to
check same DXF file in Corel Draw program because Corel Draw
support this format file.
Q. Can your
Circuit Creator program do tab routing or "v" notch
routing (scoring), to create panelized configured boards
on a single panel? If so how is this
done in the software?
A. Yes,
Circuit Creator program capable to draw routing tab or " V
" scoring tab routing and panelize board in a single panel.
But you have to ask your PCB fabricator for panel size and
scoring tool size or TAB size so you can figure out how many
space you have to left for panelizing board in a single panel.
In Circuit Creator program it is very easy to do that you have
to know size of the overall panel size after that you have place
your board by using copy paste command in to your panelized
area.
Q. So if I
understand you, your saying that the board house must supply the
template that will be cut apart and I then drop my design
into the given cut areas. Rather than me supplying the
cutting routes to the board house. In my present design,
I have a board that is not square and I wish to make several
cuts per board for the irregular shape, then I want to
panelize this design. Is this possible
in circuit creator and if so how do I do this?
A. Yes.
Board house giving you his panel size and tool size they are
using for routing. So you have to setting up as per his data.
Other wise they are setup penalization process in house. Now if
you are want to do from your side you have to use Draw/Line
command and draw a boarder as per your board size. After that
you have use Edit /Copy command and paste your board as per how
much boards you wants in a one panel.
Q. How I putting a
pad on a ground plane. How do I clear some of the area around
the pad so it doesn't connect to the ground plane?
A. When you
put any PAD on GROUND PLANE LAYER Board Creator automatically
give you copper free area grounding the PAD. If you put this pad
on GND net so it is connected to GND PLAYER or if you put this
pad for another signal layer it is given you clear area
grounding this PAD. Default clear area size is 10 % of the PAD
size if you want more you can select it from PRINT Manu.
Q. I completed my
board layout in Board Creator, and then I went to Report and
selected Check/Schedule. I selected the default values for
line width (0.010) in the message box and pressed OK. The
program completed its checks and I got in
Note message box: Routes not complete: 93 (No Error massage)
A. That
means still you have to layout 93 traces in your board layout.
This message is for uncompleted trace on your PC board file and
Check/Schedule command is use for preparing PC Board file for
Auto routing or Manual routing traces between two components
pads with the help of trace and via pads.
Q. In the past we
have used Tango software to make Circuit Board schematics and
board layouts. Is it possible to import our previously
created circuit boards schematic / Layout from Tango into
Board Creator? Could you explain what is the
best way to import from Tango (DOS Version) to Circuit/Board
Creator?
A. Board
Creator is not supporting to import Tango net list in to Board
Creator directly. Board Creator support following program net
list file directly import in to Board Creator if your Tango
program have facility to export net list file in following CAD
program format you can generate the net list file in following
program format and import it in to Board Creator program using
I/O Import function command. Board Creator Support Following CAD
Program to import their Net list file directly
to the Board
Creator:
(1) Application
Bravo
(2) Cadnetix
(3) EDIF
(4) Futurenet
(5) Intergraph
(6) Orcad
(7) Pcad
(8) Schema
(9) Scicards
(10) Protel
(11) Gerber
Q. If I select an
area of the board, highlighting the area, then press
"C" I am told that
"Cannot open file: C:\circuit\ezbpaste. $$$." I do not
find that file in my "circuit" directory or on
the program disk. What do I need to do to achieve the copy
function?
A. First
make sure you have configure your Circuit Creator program in
your computer if not Please go to File Pull-down menu and click
on Preference/Paths/Options and write down your current Circuit
Creator program working directory path on
Preference/Paths/Options
menu then Click to OK and Exit from Board Creator Program and
restart Board Creator Program and then open your file and try to
Copy one object and do paste it on your PC Board file.
Q. Board Creator was
working. My production board is 4 layer, 10x12 and has over
600 traces and I cannot get the pour region to work properly
for the two inner layers. If I specify a start and stop
point for the region, the program starts shading in the
region above that rectangle and then goes into a permanent busy
state and Task Manager must stop the application. I have
tried this numerous times with different parameters for
the step and line widths. It always seems to reset to a
minus step value. Perhaps something got corrupted in the PCB
file. Attached is the
PCB file and our gid license file.
A. Region
Pour command is use full when you are going to create one or two
layer board. When you are using 4-Layer board you don’t need
to create Region pour using Region pour command because in
4-layer board you have to just assign name of the signal layer
in board format. Board Creator program generate region pour
automatically for this layers.
Q. How to do setup
4-Layer Board?
A. 0
= This Layer must be ALL LAYER
1 = This Layer must
be TOP COMPONENT LAYER (Component Side)
2 = This Layer must
be INNER TOP LAYER You can set this layer as a GND or +5V
but you have to sure
which net name you given in you schematic Like (+5V, VCC, +5VDC)
in your PCB you given net name "=+5VDC" in schematic
or Manual given but in board setup you given "+5V" so
you can’t see thermal relief pad on your pcb file I changed it
in this file so you can see the Circuit Creator feature in this
board.
3 = This Layer must
be INNER BOTTOM LAYER You can set this layer as a GND or +5V but
you have to sure which net name you given in you schematic Like
(GND, VSS) in your PCB you given net name "=GND" in
schematic or Manual given but in board setup you given "GND"
so you can’t see thermal relief pad on your pcb file I changed
it in this file so you can see the Circuit Creator feature in
this board.
4 = This Layer must
be BOTTOM COMPONENT LAYER (Solder Side)
Q. I have created my
schematic using OrCAD schematic capture program. I
created a net list in PCAD (I used to do this previously when
I used OrCAD and Circuit Creator). I have also created a
board in the Circuit Creator and have placed my
components in there too. I recall that previously when I used
this package I had to create a parts.pkg file and
associate my components in the schematic to those of the
board. So, please tell me know how I go about using my net
list in OrCAD to create a schedule so that I could automatically
route the board. I need the answer as soon as possible as
I have to have this board made before
the next week is up.
A. When
you use CAD program all the program have own format and setup in
program when you import any net list file after that it asking
for "parts.pkg" file. When you import OrCAD list in
Circuit Creator at that time program doesn't need this file but
when you import .upd Update list file in Board Creator at that
time it is giving error message this part not in parts.pkg file
on screen. This is info file of PKG type list. For Ex. OrCAD use
footprint package DIP300.PCS for 74ls00.prt and we use
dip-14.pcs so for that purpose we may have to edit Parts.PKG
file. Same thing you have to do in OrCAD when you import
otherwise OrCAD put single PAD in PCB file. Parts.pkg file is
the best way to import net list file from any other CAD
Application program. For using your Net list file in to OrCAD
you need to export from Board Creator to OrCAD and then create .MNL
or .MAX file for OrCAD.
Q. I am still
confused how to create the parts.pkg file. Why doesn't it talk
about it anywhere in
the manual or the help? Please tell me step by step, like
1, 2, 3, how should I convert my OrCAD schematic to an
appropriate net list (do I need to create it as an OrCAD or PCAD
or what net list). Then, tell me how do I associate my net list
with the board that I have created in the Circuit
Creator. And then how do I create the schedule
and route the board automatically.
A. You
don’t need to confused here are the steps for that.
(1) Start your OrCAD
Program and open you schematic file (U created in OrCAD).
(2) Export Net-List
from schematic using (PCAD, OrCAD or any other supported by
Circuit Creator)
(3) Now Start Board
Creator program
(4) Now go to
I/O/Import/ASCII command (In I/O Menu).
(5) Click on PCAD
and write your net list file with current part or select it via
brows
features (In FROM)
and (In TO) write UPD name for Circuit Creator and click on OK
Button
(6) When you click
on OK you see the error "This part not in PARTS.PKG
file" on
your screen this
file locate in your Circuit Creator current directory. This file
in a text format you can edit or update using any text editor
program. Below is the text format of PARTS.PKG file without any
headers and footers. You have to make sure whatever part you add
in parts.pkg file all footprints are available in Circuit
Creator root directory.
CTS256A-AL2 DIP-40
74LS373 DIP-20
SP0256A-AL2 DIP-40
RS232-25PIN RS232-25
MC1489 DIP-14
22P DISC-2
10M DISC-2
(7) Now open Circuit
Creator .UPD file you define (In TO) in I/O/Creator from logic
creator command in Board Creator program or If you have PC board
ready with component placement you must have to use I/O/Update
from logic creator command.
(8) Now you can run
Check Schedule command from Report menu after this run you can
see schedule line on your PC Board file.
Q. When I start
Circuit Creator an error message appears (Printer config-Cannot
open config file: 6pindin(a). pcf) I get the same error when
I try to print other files.
Please let me know how to fix the problem.
A. Start
Board Creator program and go to File/Preference/Gerber printer
setup and change .PCF file to Gerber.PCF file this is Gerber
Photo Plotter .PCF file then Click on Ok and Press I Setup
Printer options set you current default printer in this and
Click on Ok to exit.
Q. If I am making a
circuit board with board creator only, can I copy a foot print
pad to a new location as apposed to calling up a new pad
every time I need a new one?
A. In
Board Creator you can use footprint symbols (.PCS) for placing
your component physically on board. Yes you can copy this PAD.
But in Board Creator we have one feature Load symbol you can
create your own footprint symbol and call it every time when you
need.
Q. Component
FUSE3AG.PCS shows a black hole and no pad. My background
color is set black. When I select the fuse the hole turns red
I am not convinced that
the hole has a pad in it.
A. Yes
for that reason the PAD hole are show Black. When you set your
background color blue it come blue. You can change the PAD type
by selecting the PAD from Board's PAD table under Edit Menu. In
Board Creator we provide 50 types of PAD Library you can create
your own PAD library for PCB design purpose.
Q. I can't rotate
the parts when I try to do Printed Circuit Design. I have no
idea haw
works?
A. When
you want to rotate your footprint parts in board Creator program
you have to use Select command and click on any Footprint object
(Pads, Component Reference, Lines, Arcs) twice and then press
F10 for rotating the footprint symbols.
Q. In Circuit Board
Design I can't set the width of the copper line, only when I
double click on the line. But I like to set before I start to
make the PCB. It is possible?
A. Yes
in Circuit Board designing you can set your copper line width as
per your requirement. If you are going to route your PC Board
manually you can modify your copper traces manually and if you
are going to use Auto router you can generate schedule using
Report/Check schedule function and apply your trace width in
this menu. For Ex. First you draw your VCC and GND signals in
that time you need 50 mils line with after that you want to draw
other signal line in that case you need 10 mils or more then 10
mils. You can change line with at any time and any ware. Also
you can change via pad different size for different signals (VCC,
GND, Other Signals) Go to Draw Manu and click on line or Press
"L" directly from Keyboard and then Press "O:
Options". Now you can select your line width you want.
Board Creator support 255 mils line width.
Q. No, the question
is. Is there a pad in the hole, on component FUSE3AG.PCS? I
do not believe there is one. Yes or no but before you answer
this question call up the
component and place it on a board and see it for your self.
A. YES
you can copy and paste the footprint. As far as background color
is concerned, it will be better if you set it up as Green. This
is a standard color of PC Board. You must have RED color set up
as your top or bottom layer that is why it shows RED.
Q. I didn't get what
u exactly wants to say. Its default setting or settings changed
by user
as per requirement.
A. Yes
it is default setting and it possible to change by users as per
they require. In Board Creator we provide two types of PAD
definition table one is Systems PAD table and other one is Edit
PAD Table.
Q. What is different
between Systems pad table and Edit pad table?
A. System
Pad Table: It is default pad settings of Board Creator program
when you create a New PC Board file you get same System pad
table as a Edit pad table it is stored in bc32.cfg file in a
Circuit Creator root directory. When you modify systems pad
table this file will be updated automatically. When you modify
systems pad table it is affected all the new PC board file you
created it is not updated old PC board files you all ready saved
in your directory when you want to updated those PC board file
you have to load system pad table from File/Preference/Load
system pad table/ command. Edit Pad Table: It is user's pad
table for particular PC Board file. When you change this pad
table it is not affected your other PC board pad size.
Q. I tried it &
found that after creating a new footprint & saving it using
save symbol, in board
creator when I open new file & select load symbol to load
the previously drawn symbol, then all the pads get
automatically changed to their default settings. So again
I have to set all the pads according to my requirement. Logically
it shouldn't happen. Once u save a symbol it should get saved
along with pad setting so that we can directly use that
symbol without making any changes.
A. Yes
you must change all pad's shapes and size again because you did
not update System pad table if you change it this problem will
not comes and you get your footprint symbol exactly you need on
your PC board.
Q. Only if I select
a pad with default setting & use it as it is then only it
retains its setting.
But every time it’s not necessary that I should select a pad
with default setting
only.
A. Then
you have to update your footprint pad every time when you want
it on PC board file. This is one time job what we want to tell
you everybody did not want same pad shapes and size for their
component. Define your standard pad table and used your
footprint symbol you want. You can use up to 50 types of PAD. So
define your own standard pad table and saved your footprint
symbols using own pad table and enjoy using Board Creator.
Q. I'm a long time
user of EZRoute and Board Creator. It seems that many of the
circuit board fabrication houses will now accept only RS274x
Gerber board files that have the aperture information
embedded in the layer files instead of the separate
aperture file that Board Creator produces. Does the
latest version of Board Creator support the embedded aperture
information Gerber layer files - RS274x? I would gladly
upgrade if this were the case.
A. Yes.
You can generate Gerber file using Board Creator program in
RS274x format as per your board fabricator house. If you have
older version of Board Creator you can download it from our
following website www.advancedmsinc.com
Because the latest version of Board Creator is export
both format file for Gerber Photo Plotter you are talking about
(1) RS 274D and (2) RS 274X.
Q. Why the footprint
looks RED when you select?
A. You
because you have setup RED color in your Select color under
File/Preference Manu so for that purpose when you select any
component or Object it show RED color.
Q. If I want to
change some footprint for e.g. say footprint of resistor. So if
I create a new
footprint then is it possible to change all the resistors in my
PCB globally with new footprint on board creator? I have
tried it but didn't find any option to change it
globally. Only in Edit menu there is option called as Change all
but in that it’s not possible to change foot print
directly. Also I tried option as Update from Edit menu
but there also I didn't able to change it. So I just want to
know how to change any
footprint globally in case of Board creator?
A. You
can’t change footprint directly from Board Creator. If you
want to change footprint from board creator you have to place
new footprint instead of old footprint with same instance
"R1, C1, U1, X1" then update it from I/O menu using
update from logic creator option and run upd file again.
UPDATE From EDIT
menu:
From EDIT menu you
can’t do that because this update options is using for object.
(Like. LINE, PAD, TEXT, etc.)
Change footprints
Using UPD file:
You have only one
option to change you footprint globally editing UPD file here is
sample file of UPD file you have to change only footprint name
in UPD file in below sample I highlight footprint name you have
put your footprint name as per your specification after change
all the footprint name you have to go Board Creator program and
select I/O/Creator from Logic Creator options and select your
updated UPD file from list after that you get what you want.
Board Creator update list
UPDATE_LIST
PART .01UF C22 DISC-C
PAD C22 1 GND
PAD C22 2 3.3VCC
END_UPDATE_LIST
Q. I have drawn
footprints of R, C & D according to my requirement &
changed the distance
between the pads. But automatically outlines of resistor,
capacitor & diodes have changed but distance between
the pads that I have adjusted is retained. Why this has
happened? Before that I just change parameters of one of the
pads of other component &just selected Load system pad table
from File/Preferences.
But this shouldn't cause above problem.
A. I think
your are doing something wrong with Board Creator program if you
need to update your footprint file you have to move Pad’s by
using EDIT/Select option from edit menu and press O you get
option Manu and enable FLAT options click on OK to exit. Now
change your footprint accordingly you want. You must have to
know which number of PAD is used in footprint file after that
you can change parameter of PAD from Edit/Pad table after doing
this don't load system pad table when you load system pad table
Board Creator update you edit menu and you get original PAD
parameter so please don't do that.
Q. I had recently
created a footprint using board creator. Following the example
you gave in the book, I selected a pad that was not in use by
another footprint (in this case pad #31), and then
modified the width and length of this pad created my
footprint and saved it. But when I brought up the footprint
later using load footprint, I noticed that the pad sizes
had reverted to the original 200mil by 100mil, thus
making the footprint unrecognizable. How do I save the changes
that I made to the footprint table such that they are
recalled the next time board creator
is used?
A. The
way you created footprint it is Ok but at the same time you need
to change your systems pad table files in you CKTCRT library so
whenever you create or open a new pcb file you get PAD#31 with
same modification. For this go to FILE/PREFERANCE/EDIT SYSTEMS
PAD TABLE and make a modification for PAD #31
Q. With all the
parts placed on a new Board Creator file, is there a way to jump
to a part, or do I
have to manually scan the screen to look for it. It is difficult
to find a certain U
number on large boards with many parts.
A. Board
Creator program have locate feature so you can use "K"
Locate command from View menu also same thing for jump by
co-ordinate use F4 or go to View menu and select Pan point
command for that.
Q. When I open the
board creator software I get the following error. Printer Config
- Cannot open the config
file: JMCB-GL15E.pcf
A. This
is not an error. When you generate Gerber Photo file Board
Creator is automatically update Gerber Photo plotter
configuration file when you have use this function. So you just
have to go to File Menu and Select Preference/Paths/Options and
Select Plotter PCF and enter Gerber.PCF and click on SAVE button
and Exit.
Q. When I create a
hole in the board with no plating (for a screw), I would type in
hole size (.118) and the other choices would be 0.00. Then
select silkscreen. Is this
correct.
A. No. It is not
true. When you want to use or create Non PTH hole (NPTH) for
mounting or for any other parts you don’t have to fill up 0.00
in holes. If you have fill up "0.00" in hole size that
means you want solid hole or 118 mils round copper are on PC
Board file.
You have to fill up
following information to your PAD Table.
Hole Size: 118 mil
Component: Round:
118 x 118 mil
Solder: Round: 118 x
118 mil
Inner: Round: 118 x
118 mil
After that you have
to select ALL:0 Layer mask to put this type of holes so you can
see this holes on every layer mask.
Q. Even if my upd
file shows all the components used in the schematic, actually
while designing PCB when I followed above procedure its not
showing footprints of
all the components used in the schematic.
A. UPD
file is the update list of you design schematic with no error
message. When you generate upd file in update list you get all
the parts and it's footprint name you used in schematic. After
generating upd file from Logic Creator go to Board Creator and
select I/O/Create from Logic Creator command and open your upd
file in this menu. Board Creator put all the component footprint
put on board in this time you getting error for .PCS file not
open that means in your CKTCRT folder you don't have this file
place create footprint files with same name and save it in to
CKTCRT library then try it again.
Q. As per the manual
it should create initial board as per the information contained
in the update list file. I have checked my update list file
properly & found all the components
used in the schematic. Then also I am facing above problem.
A. It
is problem with your footprint library or maybe in upd file it
is not define any footprint files so you can edit upd file in
any text editor and make a change as per you required. You have
to do is first find out footprint name of all your component you
used in schematic file then replace all footprint name in upd
file then import upd file using IO/Create from Logic Creator
command line.
Q. Also there seems
to be some requirement to use consecutive pad numbers in the
pad table if you use a rectangular pad and want to rotate a
part. For example if I use a rectangular pad that in pad
number 24 is 30 x 70, I cannot rotate the part unless I
create another pad immediately following pad number 24, (25 in
this case) that is defined as 70 x 30. I know in some
cases that you have defined footprints with a vertical
and a horizontal orientation, but this is not needed if you
create the vertical and horizontal representation of the pad as
consecutive pad numbers. This does not work if the
horizontal and vertical representations are not
consecutive pad number. Is this true?
A. For
that purpose you have to create two pads for horizontal and
Vertical for all this type of footprint. So when you rotate this
footprint Board Creator is automatically change the PAD number
for that orientation you select.
Q. When I update
wires it works fine but when I make any changes to parts
(deleting, adding new parts or renaming parts) they either do
not take effect in the case of deleted parts that always
remain or else cause error messages (and don't
appear) in the case of adding new parts/renaming parts.
A. When
you order Circuit Creator Platinum, you receive Circuit Creator
Pro and Spice Creator Pro. You received these two; hence, you
have Circuit Creator Platinum. The extended library is for the
customers who have Circuit Creator Standard. You have Circuit
Creator Pro and as such you already have the extended library.
The two books you received with the software are the ones
available. There is a Student Workbook version of Circuit
Creator Manual that has Exercises at the end of each chapter.
The solutions to these exercises are available in an
Instructor's Manual.
Q. I have the
circuit Creator Pro and there seems to be some problem with the
software keeping track of footprint information. When I go to
update a part, the footprint information that comes up in
the box is not always the last footprint I assigned
to the part.
A. Yes.
When you update this particular part it use the space where is
saved last time he just over right on that part. PCS VIEW
program do not have any shortlist facility. For FOOTPRINT
INFORMATION you have to make a track on your current library you
are using and updating.
Q. Also, Board
Creator does not update part information on the "update
from" function.
It only updates net list information. Is this correct?
A. Yes.
Because UPDATE LIST is generated by Logic Creator program so if
you want to change PCS name you can open this UPD file in any
text editor program and update it.
Q. I go to save my
file I get the following message: CAN NOT OPEN FILE:
c\pico\cb\2805-4.pcb Pico is my directory, CB, my
subdirectory where I keep my file, 2805-4 is the part
number, the file is already open, I just want to save it, and it
totally gives me an
odd respond, please advise how to proceed.
A. There
must be a problem with your Circuit Creator program
configuration so please check your program configuration in
Board Creator program. Go to File menu and select preference and
Paths/Options and apply your current directory of Circuit
Creator and then try to open new PCB file and save it using save
command or Save As command. When you start the Board Creator
program and Create a new PC Board file when you save this file
it is store in to a C:\CKTCRT directory. Now if you want to save
your file in to your Data directory you have to select save as
command and select the PCB save directory and give the name of
PCB file program is save your PCB file in to your data directory
with the name you given and extension of PCB file is must be
(.PCB) it is automatically taken by program. After save the PCB
file go to Open file and select the Data directory you save the
file click on the .PCB file name and press Ok button you can see
your saved file on screen. When you open your existing saved
file from your data directory it doesn't give any error like
this. When you done all the changes made in PCB file go to file
menu and try to save the file using FILE SAVE command. If it is
not working try to SAVE PC Board file using FILE SAVE AS command
do not write PCB file name directly go to your data directory
menu and select the file you had all ready open. If above both
methods is not working check you Windows XP operating systems if
you made XP in NTFS partition type may be it is possible you
restrict your data directory by any other users. (You can make
it read only directory).
Q. I have the
Circuit Creator Pro and there seems to be some problem with the
software keeping track of footprint information. When I go to
update a part, the footprint information that comes up in
the box is not always the last footprint I assigned
to the part.
A. Yes. But you can
find it out with pressing the name of the footprint you can
directly reach to the footprints. For Example: When you need to
search 2x12SH.PCS file go to Load Symbol or press Ctrl+L you can
see Load Symbol menu on your monitor screen and type 2x12SH you
can see following screen on your monitor.
Now you have to just
click on Select button so you can get it in to your PCB file.
Q. After creating an
update file from Logic Creator, some footprints (created
by myself) end up like
this:
Board Creator update
list
UPDATE_LIST
PART SCSI3_68 J1?
Footprint
PAD J1 1 GND
PAD J1 2 +15V
PAD J1 3 -15V
PAD J1 4 TGO
PAD J1 5 CLKO
PAD J1 6 NC
Board Creator gives
me an error...
A. Check
your part (SCSI3_68) in your library. You can leave to fill out
footprint details in Symbol Creator / Part. So write it in parts
and then refresh your schematic by using Freshen command by
typing "F" form keyboard and select parts in options
and then generate update list.
Q. I have never been
able to open the Photo Plot set up window as your first reply
showed. I am talking about
the Photo Plot Setup window.
A. Below
screen is for Photo plotter setup screen it is open from File
menu File/Photo Plotter options. Then you have to select your
layer mask and always use Direct/Tile Method and never use color
pen and always generate print out in same size (1.000) when you
are need Gerber Photo Print file. At the first go to
File/Preference/Path-Options menu and click on the photo plotter
button and select Gerber.pcf file and click ok and exit. Now go
to File/Photo plotter and set your layer-mask you want to print
and then click ok.
Make sure following
defaults:
(1) Print Size must
be in 1x
(2) Do not select
color Pen for plotting it gives you error at plotting time.
(3) Generate all the
file separate.
(4) Also use 274 -X
Gerber format.
(5) You can
automatically generate Excellon Drill file from Gerber print
menu.
Q. When I
"create from logic creator", I cannot make the board
size large enough to
access all the components.Therefore, if I exit the file &
re-enter, it says that there are objects outside the
board limits & have been rejected. I need these parts!
They will all fit on a board that is 22" x 12" if they
are arranged properly so
I don't see why it arranges them on a 16" x 16" board
while inserting.
A. When
you select "Create From Logic Creator" this will have
default Board size 16.0" x 16.0" to place all the
components. When you are done with Importing in Board Creator
you don't need to exit from Board Creator. After get done with
"Create From Logic Creator" go to EDIT Menu and select
Board Format (E) then apply board Size you can apply 32.0"
x 32.0" at a time after that you can reduce size as per you
need for your PC Board.
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