Task 20: Adding Dimensions

The dimensions feature of eCADSTAR allows you to add dimension lines to your design.

Overview

• On the Draw tab in eCADSTAR PCB Editor, select the required dimension type.
• Ensure that the appropriate layer is selected in the Layer Settings panel.
• Set the required values within the relevant dimension dialog.
• Click the relevant end points for the dimension. The dimension is added.

Task 20: Adding Dimensions

In this task, you will add dimensions to the board outline.

1. Open the design Design6.pdes, if not already in use, or use your own, completed design.
2. In the Layer Settings panel, turn on the Drawing layer columns by selecting the Show in Grid check box.
3. Set the active Layer to "Manufacturing_Drawing" and ensure that the Visible drawing layer cell is selected.
4. On the eCADSTAR PCB Editor ribbon, select Draw > Linear Dimension > Single.
5. Set the values shown below in the Linear Dimension (Single) dialog.

Figure 1: The Linear Dimension Dialog

6. Toggle on the Snap command by clicking on the toolbar. Alternatively, use the shortcut key, "S".
7. Ensure that the board outline is selected as a visible layer.
8. Zoom in to the top-right corner of the board.
9. Point the cursor at the left edge of the board until a flag appears, and then click the mouse.
10. Move the cursor to the right edge of the board and click the mouse again. The dimension now attaches to the cursor.

Figure 2: Adding Dimensions to the PCB

11. Drag the dimension above the board outline, and click to place it as shown below.

Figure 3: Dimension added to the PCB

12. Continue to place dimension lines until you have a design similar to the one shown below.

Figure 4: Fully Dimensioned Board

You have now added dimensions to your design. Next, you will create hole drawing symbols.