CAMTASTIC_Cmd-ToolsCreateToolPathCamToolsCreateToolPathCam_AD

Applied Parameters: CommandMode=NC

Summary

This command is used to create rout paths from selected traces in the current document.

Access

This command is accessed from the CAMtastic Editor by choosing the Rout » Create Rout Path(s) command from the main menus.

Use

Firstly, ensure that drill tools have been defined. If you have previously loaded an NC Drill file, tools for the design will have automatically been loaded and will appear in the Tool Table dialog (Tables » NC Tools). If no tools are currently defined, a dialog will appear alerting you to this fact when you try to launch the command, and you will have to define tools by importing a drill file, or by manual entry.

Once tools have been defined as required, launching the command will open the Select Mill/Drill Tool dialog. The dialog provides a drop-down list of all drill tools that are currently defined for the design. Select the tool that you wish to use for the routing and click OK. The cursor will change to a small square and you will be prompted to select the objects that you want to rout. Simply position the cursor over individual objects and click to add them to the selection, or use one of the many selection tools available. When all objects have been selected as required, right-click.

The selected objects will be routed and a rout layer will be created and added to the Layers list in the CAMtastic panel. The Create Rout Path(s) dialog will appear, from where you can change the tool used for the routing and its offset. You can also toggle the direction of the rout path(s) - plunge points will become retract points and vice versa. These changes are virtual and will only be applied permanently when the OK button is clicked.

Tips

1. Routing is normally associated with traces. Often, pads are included in the selection and encountered along rout paths. Use the options in the Rout Pads Options dialog (Rout » Rout Pads Options) to determine how such pads should be handled. By default, round pads will be converted to drill points.
2. Individually connected line segments will each have their own plunge and retract points. To have a single plunge and retract point, you must first join the individual segments. Conversely, plunge and retract points may be added to a rout path by breaking the path into segments.
3. The rout layer will contain all rout paths and will, if enabled, display a number of rout-related symbols. These symbols reflect the plunge and retract points, and also the direction of each path.
4. The following apertures cannot be used in a rout path: Custom, Diamond, Donut, Target, and Thermal.
5. Be careful not to rout tracks and pads on signal/plane layers.
6. Plunge and retract points will be inserted in default locations when a rout path is created. These, along with tool, offset, and routing direction, can be modified at any stage using the corresponding Modify Rout Path(s) command.