Configuring PCB Region Object Properties in Altium Designer

Parent page: Region

PCB Editor object properties are definable options that specify the visual style, content and behavior of the placed object. The property settings for each type of object are defined in two different ways:

• Pre-placement settings - most Region object properties, or those that can logically be pre-defined, are available as editable default settings on the PCB Editor - Defaults page of the Preferences dialog (accessed from the  button at the top-right of the design space). Select the object in the Primitive List to reveal its options on the right.

• Post-placement settings – all Region object properties are available for editing in the Region dialog and the Properties panel when a placed Region is selected in the design space.

Net Information

• Net Name - the name of the selected net.
• Net Class - the name of the selected net class.

Properties

• Net - use to choose a net for the region. All nets for the active board design will be listed in the drop-down list. Select No Net to specify that the region is not connected to any net. The Net property of a primitive is used by the Design Rule Checker to determine if a PCB object is legally placed. Alternatively, you can click on the Assign Net icon () to choose an object in the design space - the net of that object will be assigned to selected region(s).
• Layer - this field is available only when Kind is set to Copper, Polygon Cutout, or Cavity. Use it to specify the layer on which the region is placed. For Copper and Polygon Cutout, all defined (and enabled) layers for the active board design are listed in the drop-down list. For Cavity, only enabled mechanical layers are listed.

• Kind - use the drop-down to select the function of the region:
  • Copper - a solid, positive area that can be placed on any design layer, such as a signal (copper) layer.
  • Polygon Cutout - functions as a polygon cutout defining a negative or no-copper area within a polygon. Repour the polygon after placing a Cutout.
  • Board Cutout - functions as a board cutout defining a negative area or hole within the board shape.
  • Cavity - used to define an embedded cavity within which a component will reside 'inside the board'. A region of this kind only can be placed on a suitable mechanical layer and must completely enclose the 3D body of the component with sufficient clearance on each side. Check with the fabricator to find out how much clearance is required.

• Arc Approximation - enter the maximum deviation from a perfect arc.
• Area - displays the area of the region object.
• (X/Y)
  • X (first field) - this field shows the current X position of the center of the pad relative to the current origin. Edit the value in the field to change the position of the pad relative to the current origin. The value can be entered in either metric or imperial; include the units when entering a value whose units are not the current default. Default units (metric or imperial) are determined by the Units setting in the Other region of the Properties panel in Board mode (accessed when no objects are selected in the design space), and are used if the unit is not specified. 
  • Y (second field) - this field shows the current Y position of the center of the pad relative to the current origin. Edit the value in the field to change the position of the pad relative to the current origin. The value can be entered in either metric or imperial; include the units when entering a value whose units are not the current default. Default units (metric or imperial) are determined by the Units setting in the Other region of the Properties panel in Board mode (accessed when no objects are selected in the design space), and are used if the unit is not specified. 

The    icon to the right of this region must be displayed as  (unlocked) in order to access the below fields. Toggle the lock/unlock icon to change its lock status. 

Outline Vertices (Properties panel only)

This region is used to modify the individual vertices of the currently selected region object. You can modify the locations of existing vertices, add new vertices or remove them as required. Arc connections between vertex points can be defined and support is also provided for exporting vertex information to and importing from a CSV-formatted file. 

• Vertices Grid - lists all of the vertex points currently defined for the region in terms of:
  • Index - the assigned index of the vertex (non-editable).
  • X - the X (horizontal) coordinate for the vertex. Click to edit.
  • Y - the Y (vertical) coordinate for the vertex. Click to edit.
  • Arc Angle (Neg = CW) - the angle of an arc that is drawn to connect this vertex point to the next. By default, connections are straight-line edges with this field remaining blank. Click to edit then enter an arc angle as required. Entry of a positive value will result in an arc drawn counterclockwise. To draw a clockwise arc, enter a negative value.

• Add - click to add a new vertex point. The new vertex will be added below the currently focused vertex entry and will initially have the same X,Y coordinates as the focused entry. Click  to remove the currently selected vertex.

• Rule/Manual - select the desired paste mask expansion configuration. When Manual is selected, you can enable and enter the desired measurement.

Solder Mask Expansion

• Rule/Manual - select the desired solder mask expansion configuration. When Manual is selected, you can enable and enter the desired measurement.