• Skip to main content
  • Skip to search
  • Skip to footer
Cadence Home
  • This search text may be transcribed, used, stored, or accessed by our third-party service providers per our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.

  1. Community Forums
  2. PCB Design
  3. Connecting symbol shapes to internal layer

Stats

  • Locked Locked
  • Replies 12
  • Subscribers 166
  • Views 18064
  • Members are here 0
More Content
This discussion has been locked.
You can no longer post new replies to this discussion. If you have a question you can start a new discussion

Connecting symbol shapes to internal layer

TH Designs
TH Designs over 12 years ago

On the connector shown below I want to connect the shapes around the perimeter to the internal gnd layer. I have selected each shape and assigned the net "gnd" to each but I get no ratsnest showing a connection needs to be made. The status command does not show them as unconnected either.

Previously I would have edited the copper area to assign the net, then placed a "free via" to connect to the gnd plane. I don't see a method to get a small hole into the shape.

I tried to add pins to the library part, but that requires adding additional pins to the schematic symbol. Plus, can you even have a pin inside a shape?

Tom

(I sure picked the right avatar........)

  • conn.jpg
  • View
  • Hide
  • Cancel
Parents
  • TH Designs
    TH Designs over 12 years ago

    Maybe this is how it is done, maybe I just stumbled onto something.......

    After I assign the 10 shapes around the connector to the "GND" net, I was expecting to see a ratsnest that I could clikc on and route from. Didn't have one. Since I have spent close to three hour on this, my frustration level is climbing so I just tried Route - Connect, clicked on the shape and made a short trace, double clicked to insert a via and the connection was made to the GND plane!

    I tried the same thing on a shape that did not have any net associated with it. It allowed me to route a trace and place a via, but no connection was made to either plane (which I would expect).

    So it looks like assigning the shape to a net and the MANUALLY putting in a trace from the shape to a via will connect it to the gnd plane. (I would really like the via in the shape, I'll try that also)

    I don't know if this will remain when a new netlist is loaded, but I'm hoping it stays.

    Tom

    • Cancel
    • Vote Up 0 Vote Down
    • Cancel
Reply
  • TH Designs
    TH Designs over 12 years ago

    Maybe this is how it is done, maybe I just stumbled onto something.......

    After I assign the 10 shapes around the connector to the "GND" net, I was expecting to see a ratsnest that I could clikc on and route from. Didn't have one. Since I have spent close to three hour on this, my frustration level is climbing so I just tried Route - Connect, clicked on the shape and made a short trace, double clicked to insert a via and the connection was made to the GND plane!

    I tried the same thing on a shape that did not have any net associated with it. It allowed me to route a trace and place a via, but no connection was made to either plane (which I would expect).

    So it looks like assigning the shape to a net and the MANUALLY putting in a trace from the shape to a via will connect it to the gnd plane. (I would really like the via in the shape, I'll try that also)

    I don't know if this will remain when a new netlist is loaded, but I'm hoping it stays.

    Tom

    • Cancel
    • Vote Up 0 Vote Down
    • Cancel
Children
No Data
Cadence Guidelines

Community Guidelines

The Cadence Design Communities support Cadence users and technologists interacting to exchange ideas, news, technical information, and best practices to solve problems and get the most from Cadence technology. The community is open to everyone, and to provide the most value, we require participants to follow our Community Guidelines that facilitate a quality exchange of ideas and information. By accessing, contributing, using or downloading any materials from the site, you agree to be bound by the full Community Guidelines.

© 2025 Cadence Design Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy
  • Cookie Policy
  • US Trademarks
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information