Display the resulting power plane copper.
Shortcuts
Default Keys: None
Default Menu: View
Command: Display Power Plane
Default Keys: None
Default Menu: View
Command: Regenerate Power Plane
Default Keys: None
Default Menu: View
Command: Hide Power Plane
Locating these options
Available from: View menu > Power Plane > Display option
Available from: Layers browser bar > Power Plane layer ‘thermal’ button
How to use Display Power Plane
From the menu, the Display command is used to view the resulting copper power plane.
If there is more than one power plane to display you are prompted to choose the layer to view.
If there is only one power plane, it will automatically be selected. You can only view one power plane at a time because other power planes would be completely obscured by the one above. The chosen power plane is processed, as for post processing, and the resulting shapes drawn on the screen as a positive representation of the plane. This provides a useful visual check that the power plane is correct.
Alternatively, use the Layers Bar to click on the power plane icon on the layer you want to display. This is a much faster and convenient method of switching the view of power planes on.
You can continue to edit the design with the power plane displayed, however, it will not update in-line with your edits. To regenerate the power plane either use the Regenerate Power Plane command, or the Display Power Plane command, the second option allowing you to choose a different plane if required.
To turn off the option and free the graphics resources being use, select the Hide Power Plane command from the Power Plane menu.
In order to see the gaps in the power plane clearly, it is advisable to turn off Templates in the Colours dialog > Elec Shapes> Templates when using this option. If Templates have been used on a power plane and Display Power Plane is selected, you are prompted to switch them off automatically by the program. Select Yes to do this. When switching the layers back to normal mode, the Templates are switched back on again.
Related Topics
Layers Bar | Options - Display | Post Processing | Split Power Planes