Rule Editor Dialog: Vias Tab

The contents of the Vias tab in the Rule Editor dialog are described below. This tab allows you to 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.

Padstack

Set the default padstack, and create a list of available padstacks that can be specified when creating vias.

Item	Description
Filter	Allows you to filter the contents of the Padstack box by entering part of the padstack name.
Refer to library (selected by default)	Toggles the display of padstacks in the component library. This button is not shown when creating a new design rule library. If selected, just the padstacks in the component library are shown. If not selected, just the padstacks in the board library in the design are shown.
Padstack box	When you create a new design rule library, padstacks that are registered in the component library are shown. When you configure an existing design rule library, padstacks in the design or in the component library can be shown by toggling the Refer to library button.
Default padstack box	Select the default padstack. This padstack is used, by default, for all vias. This is a mandatory setting.
Filter	Allows you to filter the contents of the Available padstacks box by entering the first letters of the padstack name.
	If a padstack is selected in the Padstack box, click this button to move it to the AvailablePadstacks box.
	If a padstack is selected in the AvailablePadstacks box, click this button to move it to the Padstack box.
Available padstacks box	Lists the available padstacks that can be selected when configuring vias. The padstacks that you specify can be selected in the Padstack name box in the Add Route dialog and Padstack dialog. They can also be selected in the Via box, in the Input Testpoint dialog. Add a padstack to this box by selecting it in the Padstack box and clicking . Remove a padstack from this box by selecting it and clicking .

Conditional padstack

Optionally define the padstacks that are used as a preference, based on the From, To and Signal values that you set in the Conditional Padstack Settings dialog.

Item	Description
Conditional padstack Settings	Displays the Conditional Padstack Settings dialog. When creating a new design rule library, set the preferred padstack that is used between specified layers. When configuring an existing design rule library, set the signal and the preferred padstack that is used between specified layers.
Signal	Displays the signal that you associate with a particular via using the Conditional Padstack Settings dialog. If no signal is displayed, the specified padstack is used for all signals for the relevant via. This button is not shown when creating a new design rule library.
From	The layer from which the via is connected.
To	The layer to which the via is connected.
Padstack name	The preferred padstack that connects the specified layers. This can be changed to another available padstack using the Properties panel.

 

Via layer span

The Via layer span grid displays the conductor layers that are associated with the board. Create From and To values for vias by dragging the cursor in the grid. The following image demonstrates how conductor layers are represented in the grid. This is a mandatory setting.

 

Item	Description
Sort Ascending	Displays the vias that you create in ascending order of their From value.
Delete	Deletes a highlighted via. Delete multiple vias by dragging the cursor over the grid to select vias, and clicking Delete.