BoardSurfers: Training Insights: A Comprehensive Solution for Setting Up PCB Design Parameters

PCB design complexities increase with the increase in the number of parts and layers in a design. For creating these complex designs with maximum efficiency, the design tool should be equipped with advanced features and functionalities. In the design life cycle, customizing parameter values for layout and design objects is a time-consuming exercise. A flexible editor that allows for better design navigation and manipulation saves time and effort.

Allegro^® PCB Editor provides you with the option to customize default parameter values for new as well as existing layout designs with ease. Rather than selecting each component individually and fine-tuning parameter values, with the Design Parameter Editor feature, you can set default design parameters applicable to the entire design.

To open Design Parameter Editor, choose Setup ─ Design Parameters.

You can also right-click anywhere in the blank space on the design canvas and choose Quick Utilities ─ Design Parameters from the pop-up menu.

The Design Parameters Editor window opens with the Display tab in focus. Any change you make according to your preferences here is reflected in the design canvas.

As you hover the mouse pointer over a parameter, a brief description of the parameter appears in the Parameter description section.

Let’s explore some of the options that you can customize in Design Parameter Editor.

• Display tab:
  • The Display Net Names section determines the display of net names for Clines, Shapes, and Pins.
• Design tab:
  • The Line lock section lets you predefine commands while drawing:
    • Lock direction: Specify the direction of lines added to a drawing. The options are Off, 45 and 90. The default value is Off.
    • Lock mode: Specify the type of segments to use when adding lines or connect lines. The options are Line and Arc. The default is Line.
  • The Symbol section is useful when placing parts on the design canvas:
    • Mirror: Mirrors the symbols added to a drawing. By default, this option is not checked.
    • Angle: Specify the default angle that is used to place symbols and text. You can specify an angle value with up to three decimal places or choose an available angle from the drop-down list. The default is 0.
      
• The Text tab determines parameter blocks for the text used in the design.  To specify the values of these Parameter block, click the ellipsis for the Setup text sizes option.
  
  

  In the Text Setup dialog box that opens, edit the various parameter block attributes, such as width, height, line spacing, and so on.
  

Similarly, you can customize parameters for shapes, floor planning, routing, and manufacturing according to your design requirements.

To learn in detail about this flow, watch the Using the Design Parameter Editor within the Allegro PCB Editor training byte on the Cadence Support portal. Click the training byte link now or visit Cadence Support and search for this training byte under Video Library.

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