BoardSurfers: Training Insights: Design Effortlessly Using Structures in Allegro X

Structures in Allegro X layout editors let you create reusable building blocks for your PCBs, saving you time and ensuring consistency.

What are Structures?

Structures are pre-defined groups of design objects, such as vias, connecting lines (clines), and shapes. You can combine these objects into a single, reusable symbol that can be easily placed and reused throughout the PCB design. The structure symbols are saved as XML-formatted text files. You can reuse the structure files from the current design or a library of structure files.

Using structures in Allegro X layout editors, you can benefit in the following ways:

• Save time by creating complex symbols once and reusing them seamlessly
• Maintain consistency by ensuring that all the instances of a structure adhere to the same design rules
• Effortlessly add, modify, and replace structures throughout a design

                  Structures combining vias, clines, static shapes, and route keepouts

Types of Structures

Allegro X layout editors support two main types of structures:

• Standard Structures: The standard structures are created using via patterns and clines belonging to the same net.

Physically Connected Traces and Vias

• High-Speed Structures: The high-speed structures are created using complex objects, such as differential pairs, return path vias, and route keepouts.

You can also create parameterized high-speed structures with various keepout shapes and define via and traces within them using the following parameters:

• Differential pair with return path
• Single ended with return path
  
  

Easy Creation and Management

Creating and managing structures is an easy task. Simply combine vias, clines, and shapes as a single entity (structure) and place it in a design. Structures eliminate the need to repeatedly add and manage individual objects, saving you significant design time. All the objects within a structure stay together during placement and editing, preventing inadvertent changes and preserving the design intent. After creating a structure once, you can reuse it within the same design or import it into other designs ensuring consistency and reducing design effort.

Ready to Get Started

This post provides a high-level overview of structures in Allegro X layout editors. If you wish to delve deeper, download the following RAK with lab instructions and a downloadable design for a hands-on exploration of creating and using structures in your PCB designs:

Using Structures in Allegro X Advanced Package Designer

For an in-depth understanding of Allegro X layout editors, you can also enroll in our free online training Allegro X Advanced Package Designer.

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