Introducing Positive Masks for Enhanced Mask Layer Visualization and Manufacturability

Hello everyone,

We're excited to announce the introduction of positive masks in Release 25.1, a significant enhancement for mask layer visualization and manufacturability. Traditionally, mask layers have been represented as negative, requiring designers to mentally invert the image to understand the manufactured outcome. This approach can be counterintuitive and error-prone, adding complexity to the design and review process.

What are Positive Masks?

Positive masks allow mask layers to be treated as positive, making it easier to visualize and verify mask shapes. With this new feature, a dynamic shape is generated on a new Positive Mask class, representing the mask layer. Openings in this dynamic shape use the same use model as dynamic copper shapes, while voiding is performed using traditional negative mask pads in padstacks and objects on mask subclasses.

To take advantage of this feature, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to Setup > Cross-section> Physical, and select the Positive Mask option.
2. In the Cross-Section Editor, enable the Positive Mask option to generate new positive mask layers with a default dynamic shape.

            You will be able to enable positive mask only for solder mask top/bottom and not for any other layers.
 

3. To customize the positive mask, adjust the shape in the Color Dialog box.

 Visualizing Positive Masks

To view the new Positive Mask column, follow these steps:

1. Open the Visibility Pane and move PosMask from Available classes to Visible classes.
2. Select the PMSk checkbox in the Visibility panel of the layout editor user interface.