Board Generation

In this section, you will generate an initial design. You will also learn how to create a 4-layer board for this training course, and how to view the various layers, and configure grids. You will set up the mouse and shortcut keys to your own preferences.

Task 1: Board Generation

In this task you will create a new design by specifying the design parameters.

  1. On the eCADSTAR PCB Editor ribbon, select File > Configuration > Product Settings.
  2. In the Product Settings dialog, set the library path shown below.

Figure 1: Setting the Library Path

  1. On the File tab, click New. The New (Design Data) dialog is displayed.

Figure 2: The New (Design Data) dialog.

  1. Specify "4" in the Number of layers box. Notice that this preloads design rule and technology file options based on a 4-layer PCB.
Note
There could be many design rule and technology files with four layers, depending on the manufacturing process and layer stack-up. The creation of technology and rule files is covered in the Technology and Design Rule Editors training guide.
  1. Select the design rule “4_Layer” in the Design rule box. The dialog should be as shown below.

Figure 3: Specifying the Number of Layers

  1. Click Next.
  2. Click the Schematic radio button for the option to specify the directory of the relevant schematic design.
  3. Click the button to open an explorer window.
  4. Browse to C:\Users\Public\eCADSTAR\eCADSTAR [version]\Designs\DIY_Training\SCH\DIY_Training\DIY_Training.sdes, and click Open.


Figure 4: Specifying the Schematic Path

  1. Click Next. You can now create a board outline or copy one from another PCB design.
  2. Select Width/Height in the Creation method box.
  3. Enter a width and height of “150”

Figure 5: Specifying the Board Size

  1. Click Next. A summary of the settings is displayed. This allows you to go back to make any changes, if necessary.

Figure 6: The board summary

  1. Click Finish. The board outline is created with components arranged above the board outline as shown below.

Figure 7: The Completed Board Outline

  1. Save the design to the location: C:\Users\Public\eCADSTAR\eCADSTAR [version]\Designs\DIY_Training\PCB\MyDesign1.pdes. You will use this design later in the course.

This task is demonstrated in the following video.

You have now created a basic PCB. You will explore the display and environment settings next.

Next topic: Display and Environment Settings