PCB Outline Spacing

Verify the clearance between a single board outline and various objects.

The PCB Outline Spacing dialog contains the following sections:
  • FPCB Layer Definition: Set the FPCB layer to distinguish between the FPCB and Rigid PCB layer. With Rigid-Flex PCB, Rigid PCB is stacked based on the FPCB layer.
    • FPCB Layer Name Filter: Set the FPCB layer using the String Filter dialog.
      • Layer Name: Recognize the FPCB Layer based on the layer name.
      • Layer Comment: Recognize the FPCB Layer based on the layer comment.
  • Laser Via Definition: Define a laser via.
    • Maximum Hole Size: Define the via with maximum hole size that same and smaller holes will be recognized as a layer via.
    • Via Padstack Selection: Define the via using padstack name.
    • Padstack String: Define the via using string filter.
  • Copper-Pour Clearance: Verify the clearance between the board outline and copper-pour data.
    • Clearance: Set the clearance value.
    • Clearance for FPCB Layer: Set the clearance value for the FPCB Layer.
    • Clearance for Figure Object: Check the clearance for the figure objects.
  • Routing Pattern Clearance: Verify the clearance between the board outline and routing patterns.
    • Clearance: Set the clearance value.
    • Clearance for FPCB Layer: Set the clearance value for the FPCB Layer.
    • Exclude Checking for JTAG Component Connected Pattern: Skip the analysis for the routing nets that connect to a defined JTAG component.
    • Clearance for Figure Object: Check the clearance for the figure objects.
  • Via Clearance: Verify the clearance between the board outline and specified vias.
    • Common Via Clearance: Verify the clearance between the board outline and specified vias.
      • Board Outline to Via in Copper-Pour: Set the clearance value between the board outline and vias in the copper-pour.
      • Board Outline to Via in Routing Pattern: Set the clearance value between the board outline and vias in the routing pattern.
      • Board Outline to Via in Copper-Pour for FPCB Layer: Set the clearance value between the board outline and vias in the copper-pour on the FPCB Layer.
      • Board Outline to Via in Routing Pattern for FPCB Layer: Set the clearance value between board outline and vias in the routing pattern located on the FPCB Layer.
    • Laser Via Definition: Verify the clearance between the board outline and laser vias
      • Maximum Via Hole Size: Set the maximum via hole size.
      • Via Library: Select the laser via from the library list.
      • Laser Via Clearance: Check the clearance between the board outline and laser vias.
        • Board Outline to Laser Via in Copper-Pour: Set the clearance value between the board outline and laser vias in a copper-pour.
        • Board Outline to Laser Via in Routing Pattern: Set the clearance value between the board outline and laser vias in a routing pattern.
        • Board Outline to Laser Via in Copper-Pour for FPCB Layer: Set the clearance value between the board outline and laser vias in a copper-pour located on the FPCB Layer.
        • Board Outline to Laser Via in Routing Pattern for FPCB Layer: Set the clearance value between the board outline and laser vias in the routing pattern on the FPCB Layer.
      • Clearance for Figure Object: Check the clearance for the figure objects.
  • Component Clearance: Verify the clearance between the board outline and specified components.
    • PCB’s Outline: Select the measuring base for verifying the distance from the board outline. Select a method between From Line Edge or From Line Center.


      Figure 1.
    • Target Components’ Placed Layer: Select the layer that the specified component is located on.
    • Component Groups & Clearance:
      • Item: Specify the item name.
      • Component Group: Select the target component group from the list.
      • Measure Base: Set the target component measurement base.
      • Filter: Select an inequality sign for the clearance between the target component and the PCB outline.
      • Clearance: Set the clearance value between the specified components and the PCB Outline.
      • Horizontal Clearance: Set the horizontal clearance value between the PCB outline segment and specified components.
      • Vertical Clearance: Set the vertical clearance value between the PCB outline segment and specified components.


        Figure 2.
    • Exceptional Component: Select the component group to exclude during analysis.
    • Except for SMD Component Pins, having no Metal Mask: Exclude pins that do not have a metal mask from analysis.
    • Clearance to Remainder Components: Set the clearance value for the undefined components in the table in Component Groups & Clearance.
    • Horizontal/Vertical Clearance to Remainder Components: Set the horizontal and vertical clearance value for the undefined components in the table in Component Groups & Clearance.


      Figure 3.
  • Component Pin’s Clearance: Verify the clearance between the board outline and the component pin or board figure shape pads.
    • Target Component Group: Select the target component group.
    • SMD Type Pin: Set the clearance value between the board outline and SMD pin.
    • SMD Type Figure Pad: Set the clearance value between the board outline and the SMD type board figure shape pad.
    • DIP Type Pin: Set the clearance value between the board outline and DIP pin.
    • DIP Type Figure Pad: Set the clearance value between the board outline and the DIP type board figure shape pad.
  • Silk Screen Clearance: Verify the clearance between the board outline and silkscreen.
    • Set Silkscreen Text Line Width as Zero: Ignore the text silkscreen width to verify the clearance to the silkscreen data.
    • Component Text: Set the clearance value between the board outline and the component text.
    • Component Figure: Set the clearance value between the board outline and the component figure geometries.
    • Board Text: Set the clearance value between the board outline and the board text.
    • Board Figure: Set the clearance value between the board outline and the board figure geometries.
  • Guard Silk Screen Width Checking: Verify the clearance between the board outline and the guard silkscreen.


    Figure 4.
    • Target Layer: Select the target layer where the guard silkscreen should be designed.
    • Minimum Guarding Ratio (%): Select the minimum guarding ratio regarding the board outline.
      • Minimum Silkscreen Width: Set the minimum silkscreen width to accept as the guard silkscreen.
    • Components Compulsory Include into Guard Area: Set the region occupied by specified components like connectors to accept as the guarding area.
  • Metal Mask Clearance: Verify the clearance between the board outline and the metal mask.
    • Component Metal Mask: Set the clearance value between the board outline and the component metal mask.
    • Board Metal Mask: Set the clearance value between the board outline and the board metal mask.
  • Solder Mask Clearance: Verify the clearance between the board outline and the solder mask.
    • PCB’s Outline: Select the measuring base for verifying the distance from the board outline. Select a method between From Line Edge or From Line Center.


      Figure 5.
    • Component Group: Select the target component group from the list.
      • Clearance: Set the clearance value between the component solder mask and the board outline.
    • Board Figure Clearance: Set the clearance value between the board outline and the board figure solder mask.
  • Solder Mask check the inner side of the PCB Outline
    • Target Layer
      • Top Layer : Solder Mask exists on the Top Layer.
      • Bottom Layer : Solder Mask exists on the Bottom Layer.
      • All Layer : Solder Mask exists on the Top and Bottom Layer.
    • Minimum distance between Solder Mask edge to PCB Outline
  • Components Close to Board Outline: Verify components placed too far away from the board outline.
    • Component Group: Set the components that should be placed closely to the board outline.
    • Measure Base: Set the component measurement base for verifying the distance from the board outline.
    • Maximum Distance from Board Outline: Set the maximum allowable distance value for the components and the board outline.