Filtering PCB Design Objects using a Filter Panel in CircuitMaker
The Filter button is used to open the PCB/PCBLIB Filter panel, which provides a quick and easy way to selectively highlight specific types of PCB component objects on any layer within the currently opened PCB document. When used in conjunction with the Inspector panel, full details of any selected board object are immediately available. The button is accessed by choosing View | PCB | Filter from the PCB and PCB library editors.
The panel is composed of four regions. The first three are selectable list areas that collectively define the scope of the filtering: Groups, Objects, and Layers.
If these are set to 'Components', 'Pad', and 'Top Layer' respectively, for example, the board view will highlight top layer pads that belong to components. The selections in all three panel sections represent the cumulative effect of three stages of filtering action, which can be used to quickly highlight any type of design object.
The Highlighted Objects presents all objects passing the filtering defined in the regions above. Clicking an entry in this region will zoom and center (where possible) that object.
Both schematic and PCB documents have primitive objects and group objects. Group objects (such as a component) incorporate one or more primitive objects (pads, tracks. text, etc.). Primitive objects are either 'free' in nature or 'owned' by a group object. Note that selecting Free in the Groups region will highlight only those objects that are not part of a group object.
The selection in the panel's Groups list will highlight all objects, which includes each object's constituent primitive objects. All group objects are filtered unless modified by the settings in the Objects and/or Layers filter lists.
A board view with the Groups selection set to Components. The other filter lists
(Objects, Layers) are set to <All>.
The same board as the above view with the Groups selection set to Nets. The other
filter lists (Objects, Layers) are set to <All>.
Filtering by Objects
The selection in the panel's Objects list will filter the board view to show primitive design objects. All objects will be highlighted unless modified by the settings in the Groups and/or Layers filter lists.
The example board is shown with Groups set to Components and Objects set toPads. Layers is set to <All>.
The example board is shown with Groups set to Nets and Objects set to Tracks. Layers is set to <All>.
Filtering by Layers
The selection in the panel's Layers list will filter the board view to show objects on the nominated physical design layer (Signal, Mask and Silkscreen layers). All valid Layer objects will be highlighted unless modified by the settings in the Groups and/or Objects filter lists.
The example board shown with Groups set to Components, Objects set to Pads
and Layers is set to Top Layer.
The example board shown with Groups set to Nets, Objects set to Tracks and
Layers is set to Bottom Layer.
Selecting Filtered Objects
The collective filter action provided by the panel assists both viewing and selecting board design objects of interest.
Only highlighted (filtered) objects are selectable, making it easy to locate, edit and find information about the object. The Inspector panel (View | PCB | Inspector) provides a simple way to dynamically view and edit the details of filtered objects as they are selected.
Highlighted Objects
The visual highlighting applied by the filter is in fact a masking effect, where filtered objects will appear visible in the design editor window, and all other objects made monochrome.
To set the contrast of the background (unhighlighted) objects, use the Mask Level slider: View | Highlight & Edit Mask.
Adjust the contrast of the masked (unfiltered) objects.
Clearing the Filter
Clear the currently applied filter with the panel's Reset Filter button or the View | Highlight & Edit Mask | Clear button or by selecting <All> (no filter) in the panel's three list sections.