InsertDatumFeature

Applied Parameters: None

Summary

This command is used to place a Datum Feature object into the active Draftsman document (*.PCBDwf).  A Datum Feature is an identification object that can be attached to a line, point, or axis of a physical feature in a drawing, such as the edge of board, component, or hole. The Datum Feature is identified by its Label entry, so that relative dimension tolerances included in Feature Control Frames can refer to this and other placed datum. When added to the mechanical elements in a Draftsman drawing view, the combined information represented by Feature Control Frames and their related Datum references can fully describe the acceptable manufacturing constraints for those physical elements.

Access

This command can be accessed from the PcbDrawing Editor by:

• Choosing the Place » Datum Feature command from the main menus.
• Clicking the  entry on the Drawing Annotations toolbar.
• Right-clicking in the workspace and choosing the Place » Datum Feature command from the context menu.

Use

After launching the command, the cursor will change to a cross-hair, and you will enter datum feature placement mode. Placement is performed as follows:

1. Position the cursor at the required point within the drawing, typically this will be a feature such as an edge. In this case position at a point where the drawing element is highlighted (edge, or a point). With the cursor in position, click to attach the datum to that feature.
2. Move the cursor to position the label end of the datum and click to anchor this end.

Tips

1. A Datum Feature can be graphically modified after placement. Click and drag an editing handle to move its reference or label respectively.
2. Most aspects of a placed datum are available for editing through the Properties panel. If the panel is already open, simply select a placed datum to populate the panel with its associated properties. If the panel is not open, double-click on the datum to access it.
3. Defaults for this primitive type can be defined on the Draftsman - Primitive Defaults page of the Preferences dialog.