The Component Place Rules dialog is used to assign components to layers or areas, these rules will be used by auto place and for rule checking. You can also define the default side when adding components.
The general rule matching mechanism is described here.
Shortcuts
Menu: Setup
Default Keys: T
Command: Technology
Locating this option
Available from: Setup menu > Technology option > Rules - DFM/DFT - Component Place page
Using the Component Place Rules dialog
On selection, the Technology dialog opens, select Component Place Rules . The existing Component Place Rules for the Technology being used will be presented.
Navigation
The buttons to the right side of the dialog are used to navigate the grid, the general common buttons are detailed on the Technology Navigation page.
Using the editing pane
The rule is found for each component by working down the list of rules until the first match is found.
Hence, the order of the rules is important. A match is when the specified Attribute Name and
Match Value match attributes of a component. So the component must have the given attribute,
and it’s value must wildcard match the value.
In particular, you can match the inbuilt attributes
Layers
The rule may apply on a specific layer side such as Top, Bottom, or Any (Top or Bottom) electrical layers. A rule for a whole side (i.e. a blank Area name) is the equivalent of an area covering the whole side.
Within Areas
Define the name of the area you wish to apply the rule to. A wildcard string can be defined to match areas. The matching areas must be marked as a Rule Override Area in the Area Properties.
Default Side
Check this box to make this rule define the Default Side when
adding matching components. The first matching
default rule defines the side (a side of
Restriction
- Keep In - matching components must be within a matching area.
- Keep Out - matching components must be outside any matching area.
- Keep In Exclusive - matching components must be within a matching area, non matching components must be outside any matching area. This is the same as a Keep In rule for matching components, followed by a Keep Out rule which matches all other components.
How rules are applied
For a component, the first matching Keep In rule applies (the rules are applied in the order they are defined in the grid, so more specific Keep In rules should be near the top). All matching Keep Out rules which are before this matching Keep In rule are also applied, but no rules after this rule are applied for that component. Remember that a Keep In Exclusive rule is both a Keep In, and a Keep Out rule for the opposite match.
Note: explicit Keep Out Areas specified in an Area Properties Dialog take priority over any matching rules. Whereas, explicit Keep In Areas are overridden by any matching Keep In rules.
Example
In the following example, all components with a name starting with C must Keep In area safe, and can be in area unsafe because the Keep Out rule only applies to other components.
<component name> = C* Area = safe Keep In
<component name> = * Area = unsafe Keep Out
By reversing the order of the rules, the Keep Out rule applies to all components, including those starting with C (which must also be within area safe).
<component name> = * Area = unsafe Keep Out
<component name> = C* Area = safe Keep In
Checking This Rule
Once this rule is set, it can be checked using the Design Rules Checking option and Keep In/Out, Components check box.
Export and Import CSV
Use the Export CSV button to export the data in your PCB design into a CSV format file. Using the Export CSV option will provide you with a formatted template ready for you to edit in your own data.
Use the Import CSV button to import data back into the PCB design using a CSV format file.
The data in the file represents a spreadsheet of dialog contents with the data headings along the top row.
Units
The Units button allows you to locally switch between Metric and Imperial units whilst in this dialog. Once the dialog is closed, the units revert back to the original design units. If switching to different units to the design units, the value typed will be converted when you next enter this page.
Related Topics
Technology Overview | Using Dialog Grids | Technology Overview | Design Rule Check | Insert Component | Export CSV | Import CSV