Defining PCB Editor DRC Violations Display Preferences for Altium Designer

The PCB Editor - DRC Violations Display page of the Preferences dialog.

Summary

The PCB Editor - DRC Violations Display page of the Preferences dialog provides a range of controls that determine the visual functionality of the DRC Violations Display feature within the PCB workspace.

Access

The PCB Editor - DRC Violations Display page is part of the main Preferences dialog and is accessed by clicking the DRC Violations Display entry under the PCB Editor folder, in the left-hand pane of the dialog.

Options/Controls

Violation Overlay Style 

Select the visual overlay style to specify how violations appear in the PCB workspace. Choose from the following options:

• None (Layer Color) - the DRC override color is ignored, leaving the default layer color visible only.
• Solid (Override Color) - the DRC override color is used, totally overriding the default layer color.
• Style A - the DRC override color is used in the display of an exclamation-type pattern, leaving the default layer color also visible.
• Style B - the DRC override color is used in the display of a cross-type pattern, leaving the default layer color also visible.

Overlay Zoom Out Behavior 

These options determine how the overlay displays when you zoom out. For example, you can elect to have the override color become more dominant the further you zoom out, until the layer color is not noticeable, and vice-versa. Play with the options available to find the setting that best suits your needs and working preference.

Show Violation Detail

This option determines the zoom point at which the custom violation graphics for a violated design rule will be displayed. Setting the slider bar more towards Close will result in the violation details appearing when you are more 'zoomed in'. Conversely, to keep the details visible while zooming out to a greater extent, set the slider bar more towards Far. To keep the violation details displayed, irrespective of zoom level, set the slider bar to Always.

Choose DRC Violations Display Style

This region presents a grid allowing you to choose the display style used, on a per-rule basis.

• Enabling the Violation Details field for a rule type will use the associated custom violation graphics to display the DRC violations of that rule.
• Enabling the Violation Overlay field will display the violations using the specified overlay style.

Right-click anywhere in the region to access a context menu, with commands to quickly enable or disable use of a violation display type for all rule types. You can also quickly enable the display of violations – detailed graphics or overlay styles – for only those rules currently being used in the design.