Documentation

Apply Layout Pattern

7 min read

Use this to position and route a set of components by following a layout pattern taken from an already completed set of components.

The layout pattern can be taken from a different PCB design, or from a set of components already placed and routed in the same design.

Shortcuts

Default Keys: None

Default Menu: Tools

Command: Apply Layout Pattern

Locating this option

Available from: Tools menu > Apply Layout Pattern option

How To Apply A Layout Pattern

If you wish to apply the pattern to a particular set of components, first select them in the design, or select them in the component bin. You do not need to do this if they are all in a named group.

Note: You can use the Find Bar to easily select a set of components with a common name stem, or sharing a common attribute value. You can also use the Cross Probe option to select the components to apply the pattern to in the schematic design. For example, selecting a block symbol in the schematic will find all components in the block and select them in the PCB design or Component Bin.

From the Tools menu, use the Apply Layout Pattern menu option. The following dialog will be displayed:

Take Pattern From

Choose where to find the completed components which define the layout pattern (component positions and track paths) to be used.

  • Selected Components - Copy the pattern from the selected placed components.

  • Clipboard - Copy the pattern from the components that have been copied to the clipboard. This is a good way to copy the pattern from a set of components in another design.

  • Group - Copy the pattern from the components in the same design that are in a named Group or Schematic Block.

    Note, Schematic Blocks are transferred to PCB as their own ‘group’ and hence can be used in this option and will be listed as such for selection.

  • PCB File - Copy the pattern from all the components in an external design file. Once you have placed and routed a common block of components, you can use copy and paste to place a copy of this pattern into a separate design. These layout pattern designs can then be saved in the a directory to form a library of common layout patterns.

    Use the dropdown list to select a pattern file from the directory shown, or use the Browse button to change the folder.

Apply Pattern To

Choose which set of components you wish to apply the layout pattern to.

  • All Components - Apply the pattern to all components in the design. Use this when you are creating a PCB design that is very similar to an already completed design.
  • Selected Components - Apply the pattern to the selected placed components in the design.
  • All Components In Bin - Apply the changes to the components in the bin.
  • Selected Components In Bin - Apply the changes to the components in the bin that have been selected. This is only available if more than one component has been selected in the bin list.
  • Group - Apply the pattern to the components in the chosen group or Schematic Block. By pressing the Multiple button, you can select a list of groups to which the selected pattern will be applied. Each selected group is done separately, in the order specified in the list dialog. When you press Apply Pattern, you will be prompted for the grid pattern to arrange the groups in. This arrangement is done in the order that the groups are shown in the list. See below.

Apply To Components Only - places the matching components in the correct relative positions, but does not add any tracks, vias, or templates (but the nets are still used in the matching process).

Try To Retain Current Position - check this option to apply the new pattern to the current pattern but without moving the current pattern position. This is useful where a change to the ‘master’ pattern has been made and you wish to re-apply it to the current pattern or patterns without moving them.

Copy Copper With Template - This option is accessible when taking the pattern from a group. When enabled, if there is a template in the chosen group, the poured copper associated with it will also be copied, even if the poured copper is not in the group.

Type Final Position - check this option to allow you to type in the coordinates of the final position of the pattern. You will be prompted once the layout process has finished, you can still place manually if you cancel out of the dialog. This is useful if you know where you want to place the pattern, and may be quicker than placing it manually.

Remove Peripheral Items - This option is accessible when applying the pattern to a group. When enabled, any peripheral items in the chosen group (templates, copper, text) will be deleted before the pattern is applied. This is useful to avoid multiple copies of templates, copper or text when a pattern that contains these items is applied.

Perform Optimise - This option determines if an optimise nets is performed at after the applying the pattern. You can turn this option off on large designs.

Report Matches - generates a report of which components and nets were matched.

Selecting Multiple Groups

Pressing the Multiple button next to the Group option, gives you this dialog.

Use the Add button to add groups to the Result List (or double click on the Source List). You can change the order of the Result List using the Up and Down buttons. The order of the list determines the order they will be arranged.

Once you press Apply Pattern, you are prompted to specify the arrangement of the groups. This uses the Rearrange Multiple Items dialog, which gives you a comprehensive set of arrangement options.

Apply Pattern

Press this button to apply the layout pattern from one set of components to the other. The method will attempt to match as many components as possible between the two sets using part names, pin counts, similar nets etc. Any components not matched will be left in their previous position.

Any tracks between the components that are having the pattern applied will be removed prior to the operation. Tracks from these components to other components not involved will be unrouted, ready to be re-routed by hand after the pattern has been applied.

Each component will be moved to the location of its matched component in the layout pattern. The repositioned components and their new track paths will be left selected after the operation. This makes it easy to use the move option to position them.

Groups are copied when they wholly match items copied from the source pattern (for example, a group of vias).

If you do not like the result, use Undo to revert back to the previous placement and routing pattern.

Using Type Rotate during the move phase of the Apply Layout Pattern operation allows you to take a copy of a section of the board that has been positioned and routed to fit into a segment of a circle, and to repeat the pattern in other segments of the circle.

Auto Place | Component Bin | Cross Probe | Find Bar | Groups

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