Uncurve

The Uncurve command allows you to uncurve a section of a trunk which contains an curved corner. Multiple trunk segments can be uncurved simultaneously. Execute this command as follows.

  1. Select Net /Route > Regulate Trunk on the eCADSTAR PCB Editor ribbon. The Regulate Trunk dialog is displayed.
  2. On the canvas, select a trunk or section of a trunk.
  3. Right-click and select Uncurve on the assist menu.

You can also execute the Uncurve command by right-clicking a track in a trunk or by right-clicking a corner vertex, and selecting the Regulate Trunk command on the assist menu. You can then select Uncurve on the assist menu.

You can select a trunk section by clicking a single trunk item on the canvas, or by pressing the Ctrl key and then clicking multiple items. You can also select multiple trunk items as follows.

  • Drag the cursor to select them on the canvas.
  • Press the Shift key, and then click a track to select the entire trunk that is on the relevant net.

Only items that are visible on the canvas are selected.

 

Note
To select items on all layers of the board along the net path, regardless of whether they are visible, right-click a trunk item and select Expand Selection on the assist menu. You can specify that the whole net, E-Net or trunk is selected.

 

A selected trunk segment can be uncurved if it meets the following criteria. These criteria apply if single or multiple trunk segments are selected.

  • It is already curved.
  • It is unfixed.

The behavior of this command is dependent on whether Online DRC is toggled on.

  • Online DRC toggled on: if it is possible to replace a curve with straight segments without causing a DRC error, then this is done. If not possible, then no changes are made and a Warning message is displayed in the Command Balloon.
  • Online DRC toggled off: curves are replaced with straight segments, regardless of whether DRC errors are generated.

If DRC errors prevent the default curve being creating, then a curve with a smaller radius is created.

Depending on the angle of a selected curved segment, it is replaced by one or two corners, as shown below.

  • If the angle is greater than 45 degrees, then it is replaced by two corners.

  •  If the angle is less than or equal to 45 degrees, then it is replaced by one corner.

 

Note
  • This command is made unavailable if a trunk or track within a trunk is not selected, or if none of the items selected on the canvas meet the above criteria.
  • There may be a slight delay if you execute the Uncurve command for several trunks in a large design.