Rule Editor Dialog

The Rule Editor dialog allows you to either edit the design rules in the design rule library, or edit the local design rules for a particular design. When accessed from the eCADSTAR Library Editor, this dialog allows you to edit the design rules in the design rule library, or create a new design rule. When accessed from the eCADSTAR PCB Editor, it allows you to configure the local design rules for a particular design. The design rules in the design rule library are not updated. Access this dialog as follows:

• In eCADSTAR Library Editor, click Home > Editors > Rule.
• In eCADSTAR PCB Editor, Home > Design Rules > Rule Editor. Alternatively, click Design > Design Rules > Rule Editor.

Design Rule List

Shows the design rules in the design rule library, and allows you to filter them. This panel is only displayed when you access the Rule Editor dialog in eCADSTAR Library Editor.

Item	Description
Filter	Allows you to filter the design rules in the selected design rule library.
Show all design rules	Clears any values that you enter in the Filter section, and shows all design rules in the selected library.
Name	Enter an alphanumeric value to match to a design rule name. The displayed design rules are filtered using the specified value. The value that you enter is not case-sensitive.
Number of conductor layers	The number of layers are shown that are associated with each design rule in the design rule library. The displayed design rules are filtered using the value that you select.
Technology	The technologies are shown that are associated with the selected design rule library. The displayed design rules are filtered using the value that you select.
Design rule list box	Shows the design rules in the selected design rule library. This list can be filtered by entering values in the Filter section.
Add Design Rule	Displays the Select Technology dialog. This dialog allows you to add a design rule that is associated with a selected technology to the design rule library.

Design Rule Editor

Item		Description
Component Settings		Launches the Component Settings dialog. This dialog is only displayed when you access the Rule Editor dialog in eCADSTAR Library Editor.
Comment		Allows you to associate a comment with a new design rule library. Your comment is displayed in the Board tab of the design rule library that you create. This dialog is only displayed when you access the Rule Editor dialog in eCADSTAR Library Editor.
Unit		Displays the units in which values in the Rule Editor dialog are displayed. The Unit value is specified in the Canvas View Settings dialog, Unit/Background tab. This field is not shown when you access the Rule Editor dialog in eCADSTAR Library Editor.
View layer stack as a 2D image		Displays the layer stack in the PCB Technology View dialog. This field is not shown when you access the Rule Editor dialog in eCADSTAR Library Editor.
Undo		Cancels the last editing operation in the Rule Editor dialog, and restores the previous state. Alternatively, press Ctrl + Z. This field is not shown when you access the Rule Editor dialog in eCADSTAR Library Editor.
Redo		An editing operation that you cancel in the Rule Editor dialog by clicking Undo, or Ctrl + Z, is executed again. Alternatively, press Ctrl + Y. This field is not shown when you access the Rule Editor dialog in eCADSTAR Library Editor.
Board tab		Specify the board size, thickness and layer configuration, including stack-up parameters.
Tracks tab		Edit design rules for track widths, characteristic impedance and delay per unit length. The primary route direction and other requirements can also be set.
Vias tab		Specify the default padstack, and define the available padstacks for creating vias. Padstacks and signals can also be specified for the vias that are used between particular layers.
Differential Pairs tab		Calculate the track width, track spacing, differential impedance and delay per unit length using the values that you specify for each conductor layer in a differential pair rule stack.
Conductor Clearance tab		Allows you to specify minimum clearances for electric objects, holes, layout areas and via holes. You can also set clearances between conductors that are within a specified voltage range.
	Conductor tab	Specify design rules for minimum clearances between via holes.
	Hole/Area tab	Specify design rules for minimum clearances between holes and layout areas.
	Via hole tab	Optionally specify minimum clearances between types of via hole for various net and layer configurations.
	Voltage Difference	Allows you to set clearances between conductors that are within a specified voltage range. It also allows you to set the default attributes for signals. The specified settings are used by the Creepage Check command, and are displayed in the Creepage Check Results dialog.
Placement tab		Optionally specify minimum clearances between component placement areas.
Non Conductor tab		Optionally specify minimum text attributes, preferred angles, resist and symbol mark clearances.
Grids tab		Specify active grids and create working grids.
Check design rules		Checks the design rules that you set in the Rule Editor dialog. If a problem is discovered, an error or warning message is displayed. This button is not shown when you access the Rule Editor dialog in eCADSTAR Library Editor.
	Message type: error	An item in the Rule Editor dialog must be set or changed before you can proceed. For example, a required value has been omitted, or an invalid value has been set.
	Message type: warning	An item in the Rule Editor dialog should be set or modified to improve efficiency, although this is not essential.
Compare Design Rules		Compare the design rules in the design data to the design rules in the design rule library, using the Compare Design Rules dialog. The results are displayed in the Comparison Result dialog. This button is not shown when creating a new design rule library.
	Equal	The design rules are identical.
	Diff	The design rules are different from each other.
	Aonly	The design rule is only present in the board.
	B only	The design rule is only present in the comparison target.
Import (Partial)		Selectively import design rules from a specified design rule library to the design data being edited. This button is not shown when you access the Rule Editor dialog in eCADSTAR Library Editor.
Import (Full)		Import a design rule from a selected design rule library to the design data that is being edited. This button is not shown when you access the Rule Editor dialog in eCADSTAR Library Editor.
OK		Saves your settings in the Rule Editor dialog and closes the dialog. This field is not shown when you access the Rule Editor dialog in eCADSTAR Library Editor.
Cancel		Closes the Rule Editor dialog without saving your settings. This field is not shown when you access the Rule Editor dialog in eCADSTAR Library Editor.
Apply		Saves your settings in the Rule Editor dialog without closing the dialog. This field is not shown when you access the Rule Editor dialog in eCADSTAR Library Editor.