The Clash Detection option, available in the 3D Viewer. Once enabled, this option allows you to interactively move Components and Enclosures into a position where they will clash will cause the offending items to be highlighted, either by turning red or by a clash marker being shown at the appropriate location.

Shortcuts

Default Keys: None

Default Menu: 3D Design

Command: Clash Detection

Locating this option

Within the 3D Viewer, it is available from: 3D Design menu > Clash Detection option

Using Clash Detection

To use clash detection, you must first enable it through the 3D Settings Interaction dialog. From this dialog, you can also opt to use the Spacings that have been defined in the PCB design and brought into the 3D Preview.

Running Clash Detection

With Use Clash Detection enabled, moving items will display any clashes found using a red highlight colour and the word Clash.

First and Next Clash Marker

First Clash Marker and Next Clash Marker commands are available on the 3D Design menu to cycle through each of the current clash markers and zoom in on their location. These commands are available and can be added to a shortcut key if required.

Clash Marker Information on the Status Bar

Clicking on a Clash Marker will display the names of the clashing items and the distance between them in the right-hand side of the Status Bar.

Running a static Clash Detection

Where interactive placement is not required or has not been performed, and where a static check is required, you can use the Detect Clashes option on the 3D Design menu to run a check of possible clashes. This will operate on all items in the design or on just currently selected items if you have made a selection. It will check all relevant items in accordance with the settings set on the 3D Settings Interaction dialog.

Removing clash Markers

To clear the clash highlights and markers (not the actual error but the highlight or marker), select the Remove Clash Highlighting option on the 3D Design menu.

Overriding clash Detection

If you have situations where you explicitly want items to touch and not report clashes (e.g., where a plug on the moving board fits into a socket on the static board), you can add the attribute 3DIgnoreClash. This should be added to one of the components that will be violated with a value of the Component Name of the other component (or a valid component name-range including comma separated names). When the Clash Detection option is then run, the component will be ignored.

3D Viewer