PCB_Cmd-LegacyTearDropSelectedPadsLegacyTearDropSelectedPads_AD

Applied Parameters: None

Summary

This command is used to add teardropping to, or remove teardropping from, pads and/or vias in the active design. Teardropping is a common technique for improving the strength of connections and also guarding against drill breakout during the board fabrication phase. What it does is add extra copper to the connection points, beginning a short distance from the pad/via and expanding as it approaches the pad/via.

Access

This command can be accessed from the PCB Editor by choosing the Tools » Legacy Tools » Legacy Teardrops command, from the main menus.

Use

If you want to add/remove teardropping from selected objects only, first ensure those objects (pads, vias) are selected in the workspace, prior to running the command.

After launching the command, the Teardrop Options dialog appears. Use this dialog to define the scope of teardropping as required. The teardropping style can either use arcs or tracks to create the additional copper at the applicable confluence points. If you are working with selected objects only, ensure the Selected Objects Only option is enabled.

After clicking OK in the dialog, teardrops will be either applied to, or removed from, the applicable objects, in accordance with defined settings.

If you opted to do so, a report (<PCBDocumentName>.REP) will be created. The report will be stored in the same folder as the PCB document and will automatically be opened as the active document. The report shows how many pads and/or vias were visited and how many instances of failed teardrops, along with their designator, location and layer information.

Tips

1. Both component pads and free pads will be teardropped.
2. The report will be added to the Projects panel as a free document, under the Documentation\Text Documents sub-folder.