I like using split planes; using a poured internal plane is the same as an external plane - every time you add or move holes, components, etc., you have to repour the plane. Whereas a split plane doesn't have that problem; as long as the via or pad is tied to the correct net, it stays connected, no matter how much you move it. Also, I think a split plane makes for a smaller file size & gerber plot. Sean James PCB Designer Telecast Fiber Systems, Inc. 102 Grove Street Worcester, MA 01605 (TEL) 508.754.4858 x33 (FAX) 413.541.6170
----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael Reagan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Protel EDA Forum" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, December 14, 2001 1:33 PM Subject: Re: [PEDA] Merging boards > But other then that it works just fine. I most > > heartedly suggest > > that all design, checking and editing be absolutely complete before you > > merge boards because after merging editing or DRC checking and other > > operations can become very complex because of unrouted nets > > between boards, > > duplicate designators and the likes. Keep your original singular boards to > > work on for future editing, keep the merged boards as a separate panelized > > file, edit only the original singular boards when editing is required. > > The problem with merging boards which contain differing or split > > planes is very much more complex. Basically it probably shouldn't be > > attempted unless you are quite experienced or the boards are absolutely > > identical. For this very reason I usually use Mid-layers rather then Plane > > layers and I draw my planes as polygons. This is much more conducive to > > merging multiple boards into a panel. It also gets you around some of the > > limitations/bugs associated with "Planes" not being DRC'ed > > properly for all > > possible errors. > > > > Brad, > I agree save your orig file after you run drcs, then create a new file to > panelize. So how difficult is it to toggle thru the plane layers, view them > and reconnect planes? Not hard at all maybe two or three keystrokes. I > don't see it as a problem. Sure its not perfect but panelizing would be > hard to implement to satisfy everyone's idea of how it should work > especially when you expect drcs to work also. The point is you can do it > accurately, and it really isn't that much of a hassle. The other option is > to use Camtastic, I never use pours on mid layers because most of the board > houses I have experience with, not only frown upon it, I had one refuse to > fabricate the board because it compromised their lamination process. > > Mike Reagan > EDSI > > > * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * To post a message: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * To leave this list visit: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/leave.html * * Contact the list manager: * mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Forum Guidelines Rules: * http://www.techservinc.com/protelusers/forumrules.html * * Browse or Search previous postings: * http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
