Session 2 - System Basics
PowerPCB Tutorial I - Session 2
SYSTEM BASICS
This section describes the use of popular Commands & Menus
Chapter Description Page
1 Object Verb / Verb Object Modes 2.4
2 Pan & Zoom Controls 2.5
3 Color Display 2.8
4 Query Mode 2.13
5 Preference Menus 2.20
6 Filter 2.34
6 2D-Line Exercise 2.40
7 Find Command 2.49
8 Tool Boxes 2.51
9 Modeless and Key Board Commands 2.52
10 Status Dialog 2.61
Control-menu box Program Title bar Close button
Menu bar (MB) Main Tool Bar (MTB) Restore button
Tool Box (TBX) Minimize button
Cursor Scroll Bar Scroll Box Trace Width Grid Cursor Location
Scroll Arrow Status Bar Relative Location
When Moving an Object
0.1 LMB [Select – Start]
0.2
0.3 LMB [Select – Programs – PADS-PowerPCB – PowerPCB]
0.4
0.5 LMB [MB - File/Open]
0.6 or
0.7 LMB [Select file - Demo.pcb] (C:\Padspwr\Files\Start\Demo.pcb)
0.8
1. OBJECT VERB/VERB OBJECT MODES
Object/Verb
The Object/Verb mode allows the user to select any item found in the database and then apply an action to that object. Use the Right Mouse Button first to filter your selection between components, routes & documentation. Then select the object of your choice and the selection should highlight. The Right Mouse Button will give you a list of action Verbs to apply to the selected object, or use the Verbs found in the Tool Boxes to apply action to the object. If you use the Tool Box Verbs, only that single action will apply, and the Tool Box selection will default back to the Select Mode after the action is completed.
This mode is very useful for performing multiple tasks in different categories, like jumping around a design going from moving one part, to fixing it’s reference designator, then rerouting the traces that go to the moved part.
Verb/Object
The Verb/Object mode is available through the use of the 4 Tool boxes. Use this mode when you want to do a series of actions that are similar.
IE: Placing lots of Components, manually Routing a lot of traces, etc.
Select a Verb Icon in any Tool Box before selecting an Object and a “V” will appear at the cursor. This is to identify that the user is in the Verb mode.
The Verb/Object mode is also used for inserting 2D-Lines & Copper.
NOTE: When finished using the VERB Mode, go back to Select Mode (Object/Verb) as soon as you have completed the Verb task. It is not a good practice to stay in the VERB Mode, and then decide to open the Decal Editor for instance. Always be in the Select Mode when entering into other menu driven program features.
Both modes are available throughout PADS PowerPCB and can be interchangeably used depending on the application.
2. PAN & ZOOM CONTROLS
2.1 MAIN TOOL BAR – ZOOM
2.2 LMB [MTB - ZOOM] (to turn zoom on)
2.3
2.4 LMB [Select an object to zoom in]
2.5 RMB [Select an object to zoom out]
2.6 LMB - CD [Move mouse up to zoom in window]
2.7
2.8 LMB - CD [Move mouse down to zoom out window]
2.9
2.10 MMB [Select object to center on]
2.11 LMB [MTB - ZOOM] (to turn zoom off)
2.12
2.13 LMB (Select – View/Board)
2.14
2.15 LMB (Select – View/Extents)
2.16
2.17 LMB (Select – View/Previous View)
2.18
2.19 MIDDLE MOUSE BUTTON ZOOM
2.20 MMB - CD [Move mouse up to zoom in window]
2.21
2.22 MMB - CD [Move mouse down to zoom out window]
2.23
2.24 MMB [Select an object will center the view]
2.25 USING KEYBOARD
2.26 (use the Number Keypad, NUMLOCK On)
2.27 HOME (will fit the board to the screen)
2.28 END (will redraw or repaint) or Main Tool Bar MTB
2.29 PAGE UP (zoom in on cursor location)
2.30 PAGE DOWN (zoom out on cursor location)
2.31 INSERT (center the view on cursor location)
2.32 DELETE (ON NUMBER PAD) [Drag Mouse and LMB to complete Zoom area]
2.33 ¬ (Left Arrow) pan to left
2.34 ® (Right Arrow) pan to right
2.35 (Up Arrow) pan up
2.36 ¯ (Down Arrow) pan down
KEYBOARD
Center Fit Board Redraw
at Cursor in Window
Double Left Zoom In
Mouse Click Back Delete
(Carriage Return) Space Selected Zoom Out
(CR)
Space Bar –Single LMB Move 1 Grid Unit
Control
KEYPAD COMMANDS WITH NUMLOCK LIGHT OFF
Fit Board in Window Move 1 Grid Unit Zoom In Zoom Out
Redraw Center at Cursor Delete Selected Double Left Mouse Click
KEYPAD COMMANDS THAT CHANGE IF NUMLOCK LIGHT IS ON
Pan Left Draw Zoom in Box Pan Up Pan Right
Pan Down Precision Zoom
2.1
Rev. 2412 ©2002 ACUCAD ~ 1011 Glacier Pkwy, Algonquin, IL 60102-5004 Voice (847) 854-6052 FAX (847) 854-6053
Session 2 - System Basics
3. COLOR DISPLAY
3.1 LMB [MB - Setup/Display Colors] or Ctrl+Alt+C
3.2
3.3 LMB [Select – Turn on – Visible Only]
3.4 LMB - CD [Color by Layer - Scroll Box (view all layers)]
3.5 LMB [Select - Palette]
3.6
3.7 LMB [Select - Define Custom Colors]
3.8
3.9 LMB [Color Scroll Bar - to change default colors or assign custom colors]
3.10 LMB [Select - Cancel]
3.11
3.12 LMB [Configuration - Select - Save]
3.13 Type - ‘4Layer’
3.14
3.15 LMB [OK]
3.16 LMB [Apply]
3.17 LMB [Select Checked Boxes to the right of Inner Layer 2 & Inner Layer 3]
3.18 This turns off the two inner layers
3.19
3.20 LMB [Configuration - Select - Save]
3.21 Type - ‘4Layer1-4’
3.22
3.23 LMB [OK]
3.24 LMB [Apply]
3.25 LMB [Configuration - Scroll - Select – 4Layer]
3.26
3.27
3.28 LMB [Select - OK]
3.29 LMB [MB – Setup]
3.30 Notice the color configurations used show up at the bottom of the Dialog Box.
3.31
3.32 (This allows you to quickly switch to different commonly use color configurations.)
3.33 ESC
3.34 (Important: In order to open a color configuration your existing layering definition must match your saved color configuration layer definition. Consider - if you want to create a new color configuration you must duplicate this color configuration for each layer definition. That is why the color configurations should be named after the different layering definitions i.e. LAYER4A, LAYER6B etc. See Page 4.2.1 for Cadpro layer configurations)
3.35 Below is an error message that you will get if your color configuration you try to use do not match the layer definition of you existing design.
3.36
4. QUERY/MODIFY MODE
The Query Item allows the user to display (and possibly change) the properties that are associated with a particular item. The Query command can be activated by selecting an item and then turn on the Query Modify mode. There are 5 different ways to turn on Query, after an item has been selected:
- After selecting ~ Left Mouse Button ~ Double Click on a drafting or component (with silkscreen turned on) item, or select the item and hit “ENTER”. (The Enter Key is a Left Mouse Button Double Click)
Note: Left Mouse Button ~ Double Click on net list items (i.e. vias, pins & rats nest) turns on route mode.
- Right Mouse Button ~ Query/Modify…
- CTRL “Q”
- Select the Query Icon located in the middle of the tool bar and is displayed as a lower case i.
- Menu Bar: Edit / Query/Modify…
The Query Dialog Box changes in regards to the selected item. The following is a list of the different Query Dialog Boxes:
4.1 COMPONENT (also used for Ref Des)
4.2
4.3 COMPONENT REFERENCE DESIGNATOR
4.4
4.5 DIMENSION TEXT
4.6
4.7 DIMENSION EXTENSION
4.8
4.9 DRAFTING
4.10
4.11 DRAFTING CORNER
4.12
4.13 DRAFTING EDGE
4.14
4.15 Drafting & Drafting Edge are used for 2D-Lines, Copper & Board Outline.
4.16 NET
4.17
4.18 PAD STACK
4.19
4.20 PIN
4.21
4.22 PIN PAIR
4.23
4.24 TACK
4.25
4.26 TEAR DROP
4.27
4.28 TEXT
4.29
4.30 TRACE
4.31
4.32 TRACE CORNER
4.33
4.34 VIA
4.35
5. PREFERENCE MENUS
5.1 LMB [MB – Setup/Preferences] or Ctrl+Alt+G
5.2
5.3 Edit the following Dialog Boxes on screen to match these in this section.
5.4 LMB [Select – Global]
5.5
5.6 LMB [Select – Design]
5.7
5.8 LMB [Select – Routing]
5.9
5.10 LMB [Select – Thermals]
5.11
5.12 LMB [Select – Pad Shape - Change to Square]
5.13
5.14 LMB [Select – Pad Shape – Change to Rectangle]
5.15
5.16 LMB [Select – Pad Shape – Change to Oval]
5.17
5.18 Note: Drilled Thermals = Through hole component Pads & Vias.
5.19 Note: Non-Drilled Thermals = Surface mount pads.
5.20 Note: Width = Spoke Width.
5.21 LMB [Select – Auto Dimensioning]
5.22
5.23 LMB [Select – General Settings – Change to Alignment and Arrows]
5.24
5.25 LMB [Select – Alignment and Arrows – Change to Text]
5.26
5.27 LMB [Select – Teardrops]
5.28
5.29 LMB [Select – Drafting]
5.30
5.31 LMB [Select – Grids]
5.32
5.33 LMB [Select – Split/Mixed Plane]
5.34
5.35 LMB [Select – Split/Mixed Plane]
5.36
5.37 LMB [Select - OK]
5.38 ESC
5.39 LMB [Select - Tools\Decal Editor]
5.40
5.41 LMB [MB – Setup/Preferences…]
5.42
5.43 Edit the following menus to match the below dialog boxes
5.44
5.45 LMB [Select – ‘Design’ Tab]
5.46
5.47 LMB [Select – ‘Routing’ Tab]
5.48
5.49 LMB [Select – ‘Auto Dimensioning’ Tab]
5.50
5.51 LMB [Select – General Settings – Change to Alignment and Arrows]
5.52
5.53 LMB [Select – Alignment and Arrows – Change to Text]
5.54
5.55 LMB [Select – ‘Drafting’ Tab]
5.56
5.57 LMB [Select – ‘Grids’ Tab]
5.58
5.59 LMB [OK]
5.60 LMB [Select – File\Exit Decal Editor]
5.61
5.62 LMB [Select – ‘No’]
5.63
5.64 ESC
6. FILTER
6.1 RMB [Select - Filter]
6.2
6.3 LMB [Select – Nothing]
6.4 LMB - CD [Drag filter dialog box to the right side of screen]
6.5
6.6 RMB [Select - Select Anything] ( watch the filter dialog box change )
6.7
6.8
6.9 RMB [Select - Select Components] ( watch the filter dialog box change )
6.10
6.11 ( Continue selecting different sub filters while watching the filter dialog )
6.12 ( Note: SELECT DOCUMENTATION is used to select a piece, edge or corner of a 2D Line, copper or copper pour outline. It is also used to select Text. SELECT SHAPE is used to select the entire shape of a 2D Line, copper or copper pour. It is not used for text.)
6.13 RMB [Select - ‘Select Shape’]
6.14
6.15 LMB [Select – Title Block outline]
6.16
6.17 RMB [Select – Query/Modify]
6.18
6.19
6.20 Notice how you can change line width & layer
6.21 LMB [OK]
6.22 ESC
6.23 RMB [Select - Documentation]
6.24
6.25 LMB [Select – The top edge of Title Block outline]
6.26
6.27 RMB [Select – Query/Modify]
6.28
6.29 Notice the difference in the Query dialog box
6.30
6.31 LMB [OK]
6.32 ESC
6.33 2D-LINE EXERCISE
6.34 The difference between SELECT SHAPE & SELECT DOCUMENTATION is SELECT SHAPE will select entire polygon or entire path. Used to move the entire polygon shape and to QUERY MODIFY the line width and layer of the polygon. SELECT DOCUMENTATION will select an edge or corner of a polygon. Used to move an edge or corner of a polygon and to QUERY MODIFY the coordinates of the edge. Also used to move or QUERY MODIFY TEXT.
6.35 Let’s add 4 different 2D-LINE shapes
6.36 LMB [MTB - Drafting]
6.37
6.38 TBX [2D-LINE]
6.39
6.40 L19
6.41
6.42 ENTER
6.43 W.5
6.44
6.45 ENTER
6.46 G2.5
6.47
6.48 ENTER
6.49 GD2.5
6.50
6.51 ENTER
6.52 RMB [Diagonal]
6.53
6.54 RMB [Polygon]
6.55
6.56 LMB [Digitize an irregular polygon in your database, and Double Click to end or close the polygon]
6.57
6.58 RMB [Rectangle]
6.59
6.60 LMB [Digitize a rectangle in your database]
6.61
6.62 RMB [Circle]
6.63
6.64 LMB [Select – The center of the circle]
6.65 Mouse [Drag – To size Circle]
6.66 LMB [Select - Circle Edge size]
6.67
6.68 RMB [Path]
6.69
6.70 LBM [Digitize a line path in your database. Double Click to end the path.]
6.71
6.72 LMB [TBX - Select]
6.73
6.74 RMB [Select Shapes]
6.75
6.76 (Use CTRL to select multiple shapes – then use CTRL to deselect)
6.77 LMB [Select one of the edges of the 2D-Line polygon. The entire polygon will highlight.]
6.78 LMB-CD [The polygon to move it.]
6.79 Note: You can lift your finger off the LMB after the polygon starts to move.
6.80 LMB [To drop the polygon]
6.81 ESC
6.82 RMB [Select Documentation]
6.83
6.84 LMB [Select the same edge of the 2D-Line polygon. Only that edge will highlight.]
6.85 LMB-CD [The edge to move it.]
6.86 Note: You can lift your finger off the LMB after the edge starts to move.
6.87 LMB [To drop the edge]
6.88 ESC
6.89 RMB [Select Shapes]
6.90