Used to insert template areas onto a layer in the PCB design using Polygon, Rectangle or Circle interactive insert options.
Templates are used to define an area on a layer into which copper can be Poured, avoiding all items on other nets, and connecting to items on the same net through small ‘spokes’ of copper of a user defined width. The poured copper will use the same line style (i.e width) as the template.
Shortcuts
Default Keys: None
Default Menu: Insert
Command: Insert Template Polygon
Default Keys: None
Default Menu: Insert
Command: Insert Template Rectangle
Default Keys: None
Default Menu: Insert
Command: Insert Template Circle
Locating this option
Available from: Insert menu > Insert Template > option
How To Insert A Template
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On the PCB Toolbar, select the Insert Template Icon. This will insert a Polygon shaped template by default (the default icon can be changed as required), or;
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From the Insert menu select Template, then select: Polygon, Rectangle, or Circle.
The template area of the required shape may then be created in the PCB layout.
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Follow the procedure for adding the three different shape types within the Insert Polygon, Insert Rectangle, and Insert Circle help pages.
Copying The Shape From Other Item Types
If another shape in the design has the exact shape you require for your template item, you can copy the shape from it with the following procedure:
- Select the required shape and use Copy from the Edit menu to place a copy of the item on the clipboard.
- Enter Insert Template Polygon (as described above) and before selecting the start point of the polygon, right click the mouse to use the shortcut menu to set up the required Layer and Style.
- Rather than selecting the polygon start point, use Paste from the Edit menu. A copy of the required shape will appear using the Layer and Style just set up. If the clipboard does not contain a single suitable shape, nothing will be pasted.
- Use the mouse to move the new template shape to the required position and left click to drop it in place.
- As a faster method, you could also right click on the shape and select the Replicate Shape As option from the context menu.
Assigning A Net To The Template
You can assign the template to a net whilst adding it by using the Add To Net option from the context menu. If you have a similar item preselected the net will be taken from it, and if you preselect a different type of item (a track for example) the net will be taken from that item and a warning will be issued to ask if you want to use that net. If whilst adding the shape you change your mind about it being on a net, use Change Net from the context menu and clear the name in the dialog.
Alternatively, when the template is complete, select it and assign a net to it using the Add To Net option on the shortcut menu. Choose from a list of net names already defined in the design, or type in a new net name if required.
Inserting Cutouts
Cutouts in templates represent areas into which the copper will not be poured.
Cutouts can be inserted into any template shape using the Insert Cutout procedure.
Changing Template Properties
All styles for the template can be defined as a default in the Template Defaults page. These defaults are used whenever a new template item is added to the design.
All properties such as Net, Layer, Line Style, Hatch etc. can be changed using the shortcut menu from the right mouse button, or from the Properties - Shapes dialog, also entered from the shortcut menu on the right mouse button.
Shrinking And Growing Template Shapes
You have the ability to be able to ‘shrink’ or ‘grow’ template shapes to make them smaller or larger than their current shape by a specified overall size. This is useful when creating a template just smaller than the board outline. For Shape Growing please refer to the Resize Shape help page.
Related Topics
Insert Polygon | Insert Rectangle | Insert Circle | Insert Cutout | Resize Shape | Properties - Shapes | Poured Copper