The Copy Placement command allows you to create a template by copying the tracking and components from part of a design. Unplaced components, or components that are placed outside of the board, that match the copied section can then be placed on the canvas. This allows you to create multiple channels in a design that are based on a single template. Matching connection criteria are identified by interrogating the relevant schematic design. For guidance on adding an unplaced component to the canvas, see Placing Components.
Launch the Copy Placement
command by clicking Component > Placement
> 
Copy Placement on the ribbon in eCADSTAR PCB Editor.
On the canvas, specify the area from which the template is created by
clicking two positions, and selecting Finish
on the assist menu. If the specified area contains components, then the
Combine Components dialog is
automatically displayed. This command is only available in 2D
View mode.
Command dialog
Rotation step
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
| Real number greater than -360 but smaller than 360. | Specify the rotation angle applied when Rotate by Specified Angle is selected from the assist menu. |
Cut area/line
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
| ON | If selected, then areas and lines are also copied to the template.
Areas that are not fully enclosed must be cut by the area definition
of the Copy Placement command
for them to be included
Note Cut area/line does not consider the line width of area fill templates. Consequently, the size of the shape is increased by half the line width at the cut line. |
| OFF | If selected, then areas and lines are not copied to the template if they are not fully enclosed by the selection that you make on the canvas. |
- When copying a solid flooded area and placing it multiple times on the canvas, it may appear to lose its flooding. However, the copper area is not affected and is displayed correctly by refreshing the canvas. Do this by clicking View > Zoom > View All on the ribbon.
- If template areas enclose the defined area, then they are not copied. Cutouts of these template areas are also not copied.
- When copying a mesh, only the original solid area definition is copied, rather than the mesh.
- The Unplaced command allows you to set the status of a component to Unplaced.
