Working with Additional Views for Your Draftsman Documentation in Altium Designer

Along with the Board Assembly View and the Board Fabrication View, Draftsman suggests several additional automated design views to complete your PCB drawing.

Board Section View

A Draftsman Board Section View provides a profile slice, or sectional, drawing taken from a nominated 'cut' point through a placed Board Assembly View. The section view generator takes the available 3D data from the current PCB to create a standalone section drawing that is aligned to the nominated cut point.

Any number of Board Section Views can be created from a Board Assembly View, and its drawing representation style, view direction and labeling are all configurable in the Properties panel.

Note that section views can only be created from Board Assembly View whose View property is set to Top or Bottom.

To begin the process of creating a Section View, use the Place » Board Sectional View command, or select the icon from the Additional Views drop down on the Active Bar. The steps to create Section B-B shown in the following image would be:

  1. Position the cursor on the Assembly View, where a vertical cut line (initially A-A) will follow the cursor movement – use the Spacebar to toggle between vertical and horizontal cut lines.
  2. Click to set the position of the cut line.
  3. Move the cursor on either side of the line to set the view direction (as indicated by the cut line arrows) and click to confirm.
  4. Drag and place the new Section View in the desired location.
If you create multiple Board Section Views from the same Board Assembly View, it is a good idea to give them each a unique Label.

The position, size and target point of a placed Board Section View may be graphically modified when it has been selected in the design space. The view allows for different modes of graphic editing:

  • Select and drag the Board Section View graphic to change its location.
  • Select and drag the Board Section View's scaling handle (node), located at the top right of its outline, to modify the view's rendered size.
  • Select and drag one of the Board Section View's cutting line nodes to change the extents of the cut through the board. Use the Spacebar while dragging to change the Positioning Mode (Horizontal or Vertical). The Board Section View graphic will be re-rendered to the new 3D board data when the node is released.

Drag a selected Board Section View or its scaling/cut nodes to modify the view's graphic representation.
Drag a selected Board Section View or its scaling/cut nodes to modify the view's graphic representation.

For even greater detail, consider creating a Board Detail View from your Board Section View.

Board Detail View

The Draftsman Board Detail View feature allows a defined area of a drawing to be brought out to a floating, magnified view of its detail. Board Detail Views may be added to the Board Assembly View, Board Fabrication View, Board Isometric View, Board Section View, and Drill Drawing View. The Board Detail View's magnification factor (scale), labeling and line attributes are all configurable in the Properties panel.

Two Board Detail Views (left) applied to a Board Assembly View and a Board Fabrication View.
Two Board Detail Views (left) applied to a Board Assembly View and a Board Fabrication View.

The Board Detail View is placed in a drawing document by selecting the  button on the Active Bar, or via the Place menu options. When the command is launched the cursor will change to a crosshair indicating Board Detail View placement mode. The placement steps are:

  1. Click at a point on the drawing to specify the center of the target Board Detail View area.
  2. Move the mouse then click to specify the radius of the view area (the Board Detail View source). The Detailed View will appear floating on the cursor.
  3. Click again to set the position of the Board Detail View expansion.
If you create multiple Board Detail Views in your document, it is a good idea to give them each a unique Label.

Both the Board Detail View and its source area/size may be graphically modified. To enable its graphic editing mode, click on any part of the graphic representation, including the Board Detail View expansion, the source area or the connection/leader line. Once the object is selected, the cursor will change to a crosshair to indicate graphic editing mode.

Board Detail View source:

  • To move the view's source area position, click within its perimeter and drag the source to a new location. Note that the cursor will change to a 'move' crosshair () when the cursor is hovered over the source area of a selected Board Detail View object.
  • To change the source area size, click on the source outline and drag to adjust its diameter. Note that the cursor will change to a 'resize' crosshair () when the cursor is hovered over the source area outline of a selected Board Detail View object.
  • If the Board Detail View object uses a label Leader (Display Mode set to With Leader in the Properties panel), it will show an editing handle that may be dragged to reposition the leader and its label.

Board Detail View expansion:

  • To move the Board Detail View itself (the magnified view of the source area), click and drag it to a new location.
  • To move a Board Detail View title, deselect the view object (click in free space) then click and drag the title to a new location. Note that the title is part of a view object, and therefore, dragging the title of a selected object will cause the object itself to move – or in this case, the Board Detail View expansion graphic.

Component View

A Draftsman Component View is an Assembly View -style drawing object of a single component from the current board design. When set as a profile view, the rendered Component View object includes the related profile section of the supporting PCB. The view angle, display style and content of a Component View is configurable in the Properties panel.

Two placed Component Views, used to illustrate mounting information for the LCD1 component shown in the lower Board Assembly View.
Two placed Component Views, used to illustrate mounting information for the LCD1 component shown in the lower Board Assembly View.

To place a Component View select Place » Additional Views » Component View, or choose the Component View option from the Additional Views drop-down on the Active Bar – note that the latter option is enabled when a Board Assembly View has been placed in the document. After launching the command, drawing data is retrieved from the source PCB file, the cursor will change to a cross-hair and the rendered Component View is attached to the cursor. Move the cursor to the desired position then click to confirm the placement.

The position of a placed Component View may be graphically changed by selecting the object in the design space then dragging it to a new location.

A placed Component View will initially show the first Component registered in the BOM data. This can be changed to the desired component from the Component menu in the Properties section of the Properties panel, which also offers the property settings that define the Component View's graphic style and view angle.

Drill Drawing View

A Draftsman Drill Drawing View is an automated graphic composite of the active PCB project's board outline and drill holes. The view is rendered with definable symbols that correspond to hole types and also includes any specified drill layer pairs. The view's drawing representation and content settings are all configurable in the Properties panel.

A placed Drill Drawing can be displayed from either show holes for specific drill pairs (if available) and rendered with defined hole group symbols.
A placed Drill Drawing can be displayed from either show holes for specific drill pairs (if available) and rendered with defined hole group symbols.

The Drill Drawing view for the selected PCB is placed in a drawing document by selecting the  button on the Active Bar, or via the Place menu options. After launching the command, drawing data is retrieved from the source PCB file, the cursor will change to a cross-hair and the rendered Drill Drawing View is attached to the cursor. Move the cursor to the desired position then click to confirm the placement.

Note that drawing data is retrieved from the PCB document specified in the Source section of the Properties panel when in Document Options mode. To change the panel to that mode, deselect all objects in the design space (click in free space).

Both the position and size of placed Drill Drawing View may be graphically modified.

A selected Drill Drawing View will show a node handle at the top right of the selection outline, which can be dragged to a new location to modify the view's size. To move a Drill Drawing View, drag and drop it to a new location.

Drag a selected Drill Drawing View's resize node change its scale.
Drag a selected Drill Drawing View's resize node change its scale.

By default, the view is from the top side of the board, and for all layers. This can be changed after placement as required, through the Properties panel. Alternatively, copy and paste the initial view as many times as you need, with each copy changed to show a different perpective and layer pairing.

Assigned drill symbol graphics for the various drill holes can be changed in the Drill Symbol Configurations dialog. Access to this dialog is made by clicking the Drill Symbols button, at the bottom of the Properties section of the Properties panel, when browsing/modifying the properties of the selected Drill Drawing View. The dialog presents a tabular view of PCB hole data, with hole styles grouped on a selectable parameter (column data) basis and assigned standard symbols.

For even greater detail, consider creating a Board Detail View from your Drill Drawing View.

Board Isometric View

A Draftsman Board Isometric View is an automated projection graphic composite of the active PCB project's board assembly. Its drawing projection representation and graphic style elements are configurable in the Properties panel.

Two placed Board Isometric Views; a front face isometric view on the left, and a top face isometric view on the right. Set the face side view in the Properties panel.
Two placed Board Isometric Views; a front face isometric view on the left, and a top face isometric view on the right. Set the face side view in the Properties panel.

The Board Isometric View is placed in a drawing document by selecting the Place » Board Isometric View command. After launching the command, drawing data is retrieved from the source PCB file, the cursor will change to a cross-hair and the rendered Board Isometric View is attached to the cursor. Move the cursor to the desired position then click to confirm the placement.

Note that drawing data is retrieved from the PCB document specified in the Source section of the Properties panel when in Document Options mode. To change the panel to that mode, deselect all objects in the design space (click in free space).

Both the position and size of placed Board Isometric View may be graphically modified.

A selected Board Isometric View will show a node handle at the top right of the selection outline, which can be dragged to a new location to modify the view's size. To move a Board Isometric View, drag and drop it to a new location.

Drag a selected Board Isometric View to change its position. Drag its resize node change the drawing scale.
Drag a selected Board Isometric View to change its position. Drag its resize node change the drawing scale.

The properties and option settings for a placed Isometric View are available in the Properties panel when a placed Isometric View is selected in the design space. In the panel's Properties section, use the Face Side drop-down menu to select the projection view perspective, and the Variants menu to specify which project design variation (if available) is shown.

Board Region View

The Board Region View allows a Draftsman document to include an accurate representation of multiple Layer Stack regions in a board design, such as those applied in Rigid-Flex PCB designs. Its graphic style elements are configurable in the Properties panel.

A placed Board Region View with attached Callout objects, which automatically identify the board's Layer Stack Regions.
A placed Board Region View with attached Callout objects, which automatically identify the board's Layer Stack Regions.

The Region View is available for placement from the Place » Additional Views » Board Region View command on the main menu, or from the additional views drop-down menu on the Active Bar. After launching the command, Layer Stack region drawing data is retrieved from the source PCB file, the cursor will change to a cross-hair and the rendered Board Region View is attached to the cursor. Move the cursor to the desired position then click to confirm the placement.

Layer Stack naming and data applied in the Board Region View is drawn from the PCB design, as represented in the PCB editor’s Board Planning Mode view and Layer Stack Manager.

Note that drawing data is retrieved from the PCB document specified in the Source section of the Properties panel when in Document Options mode. To change the panel to that mode, deselect all objects in the design space (click in free space).

Both the position and size of placed Board Region View may be graphically modified.

  • A selected Board Region View will show a node handle at the top right of the selection outline, which can be dragged to modify the view's size.
  • To move a Board Region View, click within the selection then drag and drop it to a new location.
  • As a Board Region View is being dragged, press the Spacebar to rotate the object in 90° increments.

Drag a selected Board Region View to change its position. Drag its resize node to change the drawing scale.
Drag a selected Board Region View to change its position. Drag its resize node to change the drawing scale.

A Callout placed in the Region View will automatically identify a board Layer Stack region, and dimensions may be added to the view to provide details of the stack region areas and divisions.

Board Realistic View

A Draftsman Board Realistic View provides a high level of purely visual information to Assembly and Fabrication data in a drawing document. Placed as a separate and configurable view object, the Realistic View provides a scalable 3D rendering of the current board design. The 3D view is generated by the software’s 3D rendering engine – as applied in the PCB Editor and for 3D print outputs – and may be set to adopt the PCB Editor’s current view angle and configuration. Its graphic style elements are configurable in the Properties panel.

A placed Board Realistic View where the view angle has been taken from the PCB editor using the Camera Position option. A placed Board Realistic View where the view angle has been taken from the PCB editor using the Camera Position option.

The Realistic View is available for placement from the Place » Additional Views » Board Realistic View command on the main menu, or from the additional views drop-down menu on the Active Bar. After launching the command, 3D drawing data is generated and retrieved from the source PCB file, the cursor will change to a cross-hair and the rendered Board Realistic View is attached to the cursor. Move the cursor to the desired position then click to confirm the placement.

Note that 3D drawing data is retrieved from the PCB document specified in the Source section of the Properties panel when in Document Options mode. To change the panel to that mode, deselect all objects in the design space (click in free space).

Both the position and size of the placed Board Realistic View can be graphically modified.

  • A selected Board Realistic View will show editing node handles at each corner of the selection outline, which can be dragged to modify the view's size. The view's dimensions will remain proportional while being resized unless the Maintain Aspect Ratio option is unchecked in the Properties panel.
  • To move a Board Realistic View, click within the selection then drag and drop it to a new location.
  • As a Board Realistic View is being dragged, press the Spacebar to rotate the object in 90° increments.

Drag a selected Board Realistic View to change its position. Drag its resize nodes to change the drawing scale.
Drag a selected Board Realistic View to change its position. Drag its resize nodes to change the drawing scale.

Use the Properties panel options to set the visual properties of a placed and selected view. The Properties section of the panel includes a Custom view setting that allows the view display properties to be set from the current PCB Editor 3D view.

Use the button for the view to adopt the PCB Editor’s current 3D view.

Use the button to adopt the view settings currently applied in the PCB Editor 3D view – as defined in the editor’s View Configuration panel (set to Layer colors in the below example).

Since a Board Realistic View can adopt the current settings of the PCB Editor 3D view, multiple Realistic View objects can be placed in a Draftsman document where each takes a different configuration/view 'snapshot' from the PCB Editor's 3D view.

Counter Hole View

A Draftsman document's Counter Hole View provides a representation of a board's pad hole with counter hole features (counterbore and/or countersink). When set as a profile view, the rendered Counter Hole View object includes the related profile section of the PCB. The view angle, display style and content of a Counter Hole View is configurable in the Properties panel.

Two placed Counter Hole Views, set to Top and Left View Sides respectively.
Two placed Counter Hole Views, set to Top and Left View Sides respectively.

To place a Counter Hole View, select Place » Additional Views » Counter Hole View, or choose the Counter Hole View option  from the Additional View drop-down on the Active Bar. After launching the command, drawing data is retrieved from the source PCB file, the cursor will change to a cross-hair and the rendered Counter Hole View is attached to the cursor. Move the cursor to the desired position, then click to confirm the placement.

The position of a placed Counter Hole View may be graphically changed by selecting the object in the design space then dragging it to a new location.

When dragging a Counter Hole View with the Left ViewSide selected in its properties, use the Spacebar to rotate the view through 90° increments.

A placed Counter Hole View will initially show the hole of one of the PCB pads with a counter hole feature applied. This can be changed to the desired pad from the Counter Hole menu in the Properties section of the Properties panel, which also offers the property settings that define the Counter Hole View's graphic style and view angle.

Via Type View

A Draftsman document's Via Type View provides a representation of a via type according to the IPC-4761 standard, Design Guide for Protection of Printed Board Via Structures. The display style and content of a Via Type View is configurable in the Properties panel.

A placed Via Type View used to illustrate a Type 3A via (sealing with a non-conductive material on one side, which partially enters the via).
A placed Via Type View used to illustrate a Type 3A via (sealing with a non-conductive material on one side, which partially enters the via).

To place a Via Type View, select Place » Additional Views » Via Type View, or choose the Via Type View option  from the Additional View drop-down on the Active Bar. After launching the command, the cursor will change to a cross-hair and the rendered Via Type View is attached to the cursor. Move the cursor to the desired position then click to confirm the placement.

Both the position and size of placed Via Type View may be graphically modified.

  • A selected Via Type View will show a node handle at the top right of the selection outline, which can be dragged to modify the view's size.
  • To move a Via Type View, click within the selection then drag and drop it to a new location.
  • As a Via Type View is being dragged, press the Spacebar to rotate the object in 90° increments.

A placed Via Type View will initially show a Type 1A via. This can be changed to the desired via type from the ViaType menu in the Properties section of the Properties panel, which also offers the property settings that define the Via Type View's graphic style.

Callout placed on the Via Type View will automatically identify the associated via structure.

Layer Stack Legend

A Draftsman document's Layer Stack Legend view provides a representation of the board's internal structure as an enlarged sectional view. It includes detailed descriptions and information for each layer in the stack, including the Gerber files associated with each layer. The Layer Stackup Legend's visual style and included information are all configurable in the Properties panel.

A placed Layer Stack Legend derives data from the Layer Stack for the nominated PCB and can be displayed with relative layer thickness and drill pairs.
A placed Layer Stack Legend derives data from the Layer Stack for the nominated PCB and can be displayed with relative layer thickness and drill pairs.

To place a Layer Stack Legend view in a drawing document, use the Place » Layer Stack Legend command or select the Icon from the Additional Views drop down on the Active Bar. After launching the placement command, board layer stack data is retrieved from the source PCB file, the cursor will change to a cross-hair and the generated Layer Stack Legend is attached to the cursor. Move the cursor to the desired position then click to confirm the placement.

Note that layer stack data is retrieved from the PCB document specified in the Source section of the Properties panel when in Document Options mode. To change the panel to that mode, deselect all objects in the design space (click in free space).

The position of a placed Layer Stack Legend may be graphically changed by selecting the table in the design space then dragging it to a new location. Note that the Layer Stack object cannot be graphically resized, but will automatically scale to accommodate the font style/size and stack graphic dimensions as specified in the Properties panel.

By default, the information for each layer is derived from the corresponding attributes in the Board Layer Stack, as defined in the PCB editor's Layer Stack Manager, however, the layer description attributes may be edited and expanded in Draftsman through the Properties panel and the Layer Information dialog, accessed by clicking the Layer Info button in the Properties panel (under the Properties region of the panel).

The Layer Information dialog
The Layer Information dialog

Note that the Layer Stack display and information options define the structure and content of the Layer Stack Legend that has been placed into a drawing document, and do not affect the Board Layer Stack configuration that is defined in the source PCB document.

Once a cell of a Layer Stack Legend has been manually edited in the legend, it will not be updated from the board data when using the Import Changes From <BoardFileName>.PcbDoc command.

Including the Physical Layer Number

The Layer Stack Legend can include the physical layer number, if required. This value is the layer number assigned to that copper layer in the PCB editor's Layer Stack Manager.

To include the physical layer number in the Draftsman Layer Stack Legend: select the Legend; click the Layer Info button in the Properties panel to open the Layer Information dialog; then enable the # (hashtag) in the Columns drop-down. You might need to refresh the PCB data before the additional column is displayed, right-click anywhere on the Draftsman drawing and select Import Changes From <BoardFileName>.PCBDoc to refresh.

The Layer Stack Legend can include the physical layer number if required.
The Layer Stack Legend can include the physical layer number if required.

Back Drilling compatibility

Controlled Depth Drilling (Backdrilling) in Altium Designer is a methodology for detecting and removing electrically redundant sections of plated through holes.

These are typically found where a standard through-hole Via connects the signal to an inner layer, leaving the remaining portion of the Via barrel as an undesired ‘stub’ – in turn, this stub is likely to compromise the performance of a high-speed design. In the backdrilling technique, the stubs are removed by drilling to a precise (Z) depth with a slightly oversized drill.

Altium Designer uses a specific Design Rule and assigned Back Drill Pairs to automatically create the correct NC Drill output files. In a Draftsman document, this arrangement is represented in the Layer Stack Legend, which includes a graphical representation of all Drill Pairs defined for the board, including any Back Drill Pairs (shown with partially drilled out Via barrels).

The Layer Stack Legend view showing backdrilling enabled between the Top and Signal 3 layers, and the Signal 4 and Bottom layers.
The Layer Stack Legend view showing backdrilling enabled between the Top and Signal 3 layers, and the Signal 4 and Bottom layers.

Note that the Back Drills are defined in the Back Drills tab of the PCB editor's Layer Stack Manager.

Back Drills are defined in the PCB editor's Layer Stack Manager.
Back Drills are defined in the PCB editor's Layer Stack Manager.

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