PCB_Cmd-FanoutFanout_AD

Applied Parameters: Action=All

Summary

This command is used to fanout the pads of all surface mount components in the current design that connect to both signal and power plane nets, in accordance with specified fanout options, and applicable design rules. This procedure can be particularly useful in determining whether a design - especially a complex, high-density design - is likely to be successfully routed when passed to the Autorouter.

Access

This command is accessed from the PCB Editor by choosing the Auto Route » Fanout » All command, from the main menus.

Use

After launching the command, the Fanout Options dialog will appear. Use this dialog to specify fanout and escape routing options. Typical fanout behavior is for used inner pads to first be fanned out using the traditional dog-bone (a short route with a via on the end) to access another layer, and then from the via they are escape routed out just beyond the edge of the device, working through the available routing layers until all pads have been escape routed. Ultimately, this makes routing connections to them much easier.

With options configured as required, click OK - each surface mount component in the design will have its signal and power pads fanned out, where possible. Fanout and escape routing is done in accordance with the options specified in the Fanout Options dialog, as well as the applicable design rules, including the Fanout Control rule, Width rule (for additional track laid down), Routing Via Style rule (for dropped fanout vias), Routing Layers rule and the Clearance rule.

Tips

1. Running this command is equivalent to running both the Fan out Signal and Fan out to Plane passes in a strategy defined for the Autorouter. As such, if you are just running the command to determine whether the board is routable, you can, on determining that it will route OK, use the applicable Unroute command and then proceed to autoroute the board.
2. If you use any of the fanout commands before autorouting the board, there is no need to lock the preroutes, unless you have additional manual routing or have modified the fanout routing in some way.

Applied Parameters: Action=PowerPlaneNets

Summary

This command is used to fanout the pads of all surface mount components in the current design that connect to power plane nets, in accordance with specified fanout options, and applicable design rules.

Access

This command is accessed from the PCB Editor by choosing the Auto Route » Fanout » Power Plane Nets command, from the main menus.

Use

After launching the command, the Fanout Options dialog will appear. Use this dialog to specify fanout and escape routing options. Typical fanout behavior is for used inner pads to first be fanned out using the traditional dog-bone (a short route with a via on the end) to access another layer, and then from the via they are escape routed out just beyond the edge of the device, working through the available routing layers until all pads have been escape routed. Ultimately, this makes routing connections to them much easier.

With options configured as required, click OK - each SMT pad that connects to a power plane net in the design will be fanned out, where possible. Fanout and escape routing is done in accordance with the options specified in the Fanout Options dialog, as well as the applicable design rules, including the Fanout Control rule, Width rule (for additional track laid down), Routing Via Style rule (for dropped fanout vias), Routing Layers rule and the Clearance rule.

Tips

1. Running this command is equivalent to running the Fan out to Plane pass in a strategy defined for the Autorouter.
2. If you use any of the fanout commands before autorouting the board, there is no need to lock the preroutes, unless you have additional manual routing or have modified the fanout routing in some way.

Applied Parameters: Action=SignalNets

Summary

This command is used to fanout the pads of all surface mount components in the current design that connect to signal plane nets, in accordance with specified fanout options, and applicable design rules.

Access

This command is accessed from the PCB Editor by choosing the Auto Route » Fanout » Signal Nets command, from the main menus.

Use

After launching the command, the Fanout Options dialog will appear. Use this dialog to specify fanout and escape routing options. Typical fanout behavior is for used inner pads to first be fanned out using the traditional dog-bone (a short route with a via on the end) to access another layer, and then from the via they are escape routed out just beyond the edge of the device, working through the available routing layers until all pads have been escape routed. Ultimately, this makes routing connections to them much easier.

With options configured as required, click OK - each SMT pad that connects to a signal plane net in the design will be fanned out, where possible. Fanout and escape routing is done in accordance with the options specified in the Fanout Options dialog, as well as the applicable design rules, including the Fanout Control rule, Width rule (for additional track laid down), Routing Via Style rule (for dropped fanout vias), Routing Layers rule and the Clearance rule.

Tips

1. Running this command is equivalent to running the Fan out Signal pass in a strategy defined for the Autorouter.
2. If you use any of the fanout commands before autorouting the board, there is no need to lock the preroutes, unless you have additional manual routing or have modified the fanout routing in some way.

Applied Parameters: Action=Net

Summary

This command is used to fanout all SMT component pads connected to a chosen net, in accordance with specified fanout options, and applicable design rules.

Access

This command is accessed from the PCB Editor by choosing the Auto Route » Fanout » Net command, from the main menus.

Use

After launching the command, the Fanout Options dialog will appear. Use this dialog to specify fanout and escape routing options. Typical fanout behavior is for used inner pads to first be fanned out using the traditional dog-bone (a short route with a via on the end) to access another layer, and then from the via they are escape routed out just beyond the edge of the device, working through the available routing layers until all pads have been escape routed. Ultimately, this makes routing connections to them much easier.

With options configured as required, click OK - the cursor will change to a cross-hair and you will be prompted to choose an electrical object or connection. Position the cursor over the net (or a pad connected to the net) whose associated SMT component pads you wish to fanout and click, or press Enter. All SMT component pads connected to the chosen net will be fanned out, if possible. Fanout and escape routing is done in accordance with the options specified in the Fanout Options dialog, as well as the applicable design rules, including the Fanout Control rule, Width rule (for additional track laid down), Routing Via Style rule (for dropped fanout vias), Routing Layers rule and the Clearance rule.

Continue to fanout SMT component pads associated with other nets in the design, or right-click, or press Esc, to exit.

Tips

1. Running this command is equivalent to running either the Fan out Signal or Fan out to Plane pass in a strategy defined for the Autorouter, depending on whether you have chosen a signal or power plane net.
2. If you use any of the fanout commands before autorouting the board, there is no need to lock the preroutes, unless you have additional manual routing or have modified the fanout routing in some way.

Applied Parameters: Action=Connection

Summary

This command is used to fanout all SMT component pads in a chosen connection, in accordance with specified fanout options, and applicable design rules.

Access

This command is accessed from the PCB Editor by choosing the Auto Route » Fanout » Connection command, from the main menus.

Use

After launching the command, the Fanout Options dialog will appear. Use this dialog to specify fanout and escape routing options. Typical fanout behavior is for used inner pads to first be fanned out using the traditional dog-bone (a short route with a via on the end) to access another layer, and then from the via they are escape routed out just beyond the edge of the device, working through the available routing layers until all pads have been escape routed. Ultimately, this makes routing connections to them much easier.

With options configured as required, click OK - the cursor will change to a cross-hair and you will be prompted to choose a connection. Position the cursor over the required connection line and click, or press Enter. All SMT component pads in the chosen connection will be fanned out, if possible. Fanout and escape routing is done in accordance with the options specified in the Fanout Options dialog, as well as the applicable design rules, including the Fanout Control rule, Width rule (for additional track laid down), Routing Via Style rule (for dropped fanout vias), Routing Layers rule and the Clearance rule.

Continue to fanout SMT component pads associated with other connections in the design, or right-click, or press Esc, to exit.

Tips

1. Running this command is equivalent to running either the Fan out Signal or Fan out to Plane pass in a strategy defined for the Autorouter, depending on whether the connection you have chosen is associated with a signal or power plane net.
2. If you use any of the fanout commands before autorouting the board, there is no need to lock the preroutes, unless you have additional manual routing or have modified the fanout routing in some way.

Applied Parameters: Action=Component

Summary

This command is used to fanout the pads of the chosen surface mount component that connect to both signal and power plane nets, in accordance with specified fanout options, and applicable design rules.

Access

This command is accessed from the PCB Editor by choosing the Auto Route » Fanout » Component command, from the main menus.

Use

After launching the command, the Fanout Options dialog will appear. Use this dialog to specify fanout and escape routing options. Typical fanout behavior is for used inner pads to first be fanned out using the traditional dog-bone (a short route with a via on the end) to access another layer, and then from the via they are escape routed out just beyond the edge of the device, working through the available routing layers until all pads have been escape routed. Ultimately, this makes routing connections to them much easier.

With options configured as required, click OK - the cursor will change to a cross-hair and you will be prompted to choose a component. Position the cursor over the SMT component whose pads you wish to fanout and click, or press Enter. Each of the component's signal and power pads will be fanned out, where possible. Fanout and escape routing is done in accordance with the options specified in the Fanout Options dialog, as well as the applicable design rules, including the Fanout Control rule, Width rule (for additional track laid down), Routing Via Style rule (for dropped fanout vias), Routing Layers rule and the Clearance rule.

Continue to fanout the pads of further SMT components, or right-click, or press Esc, to exit.

Tips

1. If a component contains pads that are not connected to any nets, a dialog will appear asking if you wish to fanout these pads as well.
2. Running this command is equivalent to running both the Fan out Signal and Fan out to Plane passes in a strategy defined for the Autorouter.
3. If you use any of the fanout commands before autorouting the board, there is no need to lock the preroutes, unless you have additional manual routing or have modified the fanout routing in some way.

Applied Parameters: Action=Selected

Summary

This command is used to fanout the pads of the selected surface mount components that connect to both signal and power plane nets, in accordance with specified fanout options, and applicable design rules.

Access

This command is accessed from the PCB Editor by choosing the Auto Route » Fanout » Selected Components command, from the main menus.

Use

First, ensure that each SMT component whose pads you wish to fanout, has been selected in the main design workspace.

After launching the command, the Fanout Options dialog will appear. Use this dialog to specify fanout and escape routing options. Typical fanout behavior is for used inner pads to first be fanned out using the traditional dog-bone (a short route with a via on the end) to access another layer, and then from the via they are escape routed out just beyond the edge of the device, working through the available routing layers until all pads have been escape routed. Ultimately, this makes routing connections to them much easier.

With options configured as required, click OK - each component in the selection will have its signal and power pads fanned out, where possible. Fanout and escape routing is done in accordance with the options specified in the Fanout Options dialog, as well as the applicable design rules, including the Fanout Control rule, Width rule (for additional track laid down), Routing Via Style rule (for dropped fanout vias), Routing Layers rule and the Clearance rule.

Tips

1. If a component contains pads that are not connected to any nets, a dialog will appear asking if you wish to fanout these pads as well.
2. Running this command is equivalent to running both the Fan out Signal and Fan out to Plane passes in a strategy defined for the Autorouter.
3. If you use any of the fanout commands before autorouting the board, there is no need to lock the preroutes, unless you have additional manual routing or have modified the fanout routing in some way.

Applied Parameters: Action=Pad

Summary

This command is used to fanout the chosen SMT component pad that connects to either a signal or power plane net, in accordance with specified fanout options, and applicable design rules.

Access

This command is accessed from the PCB Editor by choosing the Auto Route » Fanout » Pad command, from the main menus.

Use

After launching the command, the Fanout Options dialog will appear. Use this dialog to specify fanout and escape routing options. Typical fanout behavior is for used inner pads to first be fanned out using the traditional dog-bone (a short route with a via on the end) to access another layer, and then from the via they are escape routed out just beyond the edge of the device, working through the available routing layers until all pads have been escape routed. Ultimately, this makes routing connections to them much easier.

With options configured as required, click OK - the cursor will change to a cross-hair and you will be prompted to choose a pad. Position the cursor over the SMT component pad that you wish to fanout and click, or press Enter. The pad will be fanned out, if possible. Fanout and escape routing is done in accordance with the options specified in the Fanout Options dialog, as well as the applicable design rules, including the Fanout Control rule, Width rule (for additional track laid down), Routing Via Style rule (for dropped fanout vias), Routing Layers rule and the Clearance rule.

Continue to fanout further SMT component pads, or right-click, or press Esc, to exit.

Tips

1. Running this command is equivalent to running either the Fan out Signal or Fan out to Plane pass in a strategy defined for the Autorouter, depending on whether the pad is connected to a signal or power plane net.
2. If you use any of the fanout commands before autorouting the board, there is no need to lock the preroutes, unless you have additional manual routing or have modified the fanout routing in some way.

Applied Parameters: Action=Room

Summary

This command is used to fanout the pads of all surface mount components in the chosen room, that connect to both signal and power plane nets, in accordance with specified fanout options, and applicable design rules.

Access

This command is accessed from the PCB Editor by choosing the Auto Route » Fanout » Room command, from the main menus.

Use

After launching the command, the Fanout Options dialog will appear. Use this dialog to specify fanout and escape routing options. Typical fanout behavior is for used inner pads to first be fanned out using the traditional dog-bone (a short route with a via on the end) to access another layer, and then from the via they are escape routed out just beyond the edge of the device, working through the available routing layers until all pads have been escape routed. Ultimately, this makes routing connections to them much easier.

With options configured as required, click OK - the cursor will change to a cross-hair and you will be prompted to choose a room. Position the cursor over the room whose SMT component pads you wish to fanout, and click, or press Enter. Each surface mount component in the room will have its signal and power pads fanned out, where possible. Fanout and escape routing is done in accordance with the options specified in the Fanout Options dialog, as well as the applicable design rules, including the Fanout Control rule, Width rule (for additional track laid down), Routing Via Style rule (for dropped fanout vias), Routing Layers rule and the Clearance rule.

Continue to fanout the pads of SMT components in other rooms, or right-click, or press Esc, to exit.

Tips

1. Running this command is equivalent to running both the Fan out Signal and Fan out to Plane passes in a strategy defined for the Autorouter.
2. If you use any of the fanout commands before autorouting the board, there is no need to lock the preroutes, unless you have additional manual routing or have modified the fanout routing in some way.

Applied Parameters: Action=SingleComponent|ContextObject=Component

Summary

This command is used to fanout the pads of the surface mount component currently under the cursor, that connect to both signal and power plane nets, and in accordance with specified fanout options, and applicable design rules.

Access

This command is accessed from the PCB Editor by right-clicking over the required component (selected or not) in the workspace, and choosing the Component Actions » Fanout Component command, from the context menu.

Use

First, ensure that the cursor is currently over the SMT component (selected or not) whose pads you wish to fan out.

After launching the command, the Fanout Options dialog will appear. Use this dialog to specify fanout and escape routing options. Typical fanout behavior is for used inner pads to first be fanned out using the traditional dog-bone (a short route with a via on the end) to access another layer, and then from the via they are escape routed out just beyond the edge of the device, working through the available routing layers until all pads have been escape routed. Ultimately, this makes routing connections to them much easier.

With options configured as required, click OK - each of the signal and power pads belonging to the component will be fanned out, where possible. Fanout and escape routing is done in accordance with the options specified in the Fanout Options dialog, as well as the applicable design rules, including the Fanout Control rule, Width rule (for additional track laid down), Routing Via Style rule (for dropped fanout vias), Routing Layers rule and the Clearance rule.

Tips

1. If a component contains pads that are not connected to any nets, a dialog will appear asking if you wish to fanout these pads as well.
2. Running this command is equivalent to running both the Fan out Signal and Fan out to Plane passes in a strategy defined for the Autorouter.
3. If you use any of the fanout commands before autorouting the board, there is no need to lock the preroutes, unless you have additional manual routing or have modified the fanout routing in some way.