How to freeze/unfreeze a dynamic shape

Before this release, dynamic shapes used to be automatically updated when interacting with other objects like vias, pins, and clines. The purpose of freezing shapes is to preserve the critical circuitry drawn using dynamic shapes, thereby maintaining the design intent. Starting SPB 23.1, Allegro X PCB Editor offers the freeze shape feature for dynamic shapes.

The shapes can be frozen by following these simple steps:

In the Shape edit mode, select the dynamic shape, and right-click and select Freeze Shapes. You can also go to the shape menu and select Freeze Shape(s) and click on the dynamic shape in the layout.

Dynamic shapes can be frozen along with vias having voids in the shapes. Dynamic shapes may also contain clines, pins, and so on. After freezing the shapes, when new entities such as cline, vias, and pins enter the frozen dynamic shapes, voids will not be created, and DRC will show up.

The Update Shape option can be used if you want to include newly added clines and vias into the frozen shape and it can be done by right-clicking on the shape and selecting Update Shape.

Once the shape is updated, the DRC that showed up will not be seen any more, as shown below. Void will be created around the cline and via even though the shape is frozen.

The number of frozen shapes in the design can be accessed from the following locations:

1. Display > Status report, the count of frozen shapes can be seen.
2. Shapes > Global dynamic Parameters in the shape fill tab
3. Tools > Quick Reports > Shape Dynamic Status report; they can be also seen in show element and Find by query.

The frozen shapes can be unfrozen using the Unfreeze shapes option by right-clicking on the shape or from the Shape > Unfreeze Shape(s) menu.