PCB Tutorial
PollEx PCB is a design browser (viewer) from various ECAD vendors.
Open and Save PollEx PCB Layout Design File
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From the Home ribbon of the PollEx Launcher, click
PollExPCB.
Figure 1. - From the menu bar, click File > Open and open the PollEx_New_Sample.pdbb file from C:\Temp\Altair-PollEx\PollExPCB.
- From the View tab of the menu bar, adjust the display controls.
-
Change the layer display.
-
From the toolbar, click
and select 6, MetalMask-A.
Figure 2. -
From the toolbar, click
and select 1, 1.
Figure 3.
-
From the toolbar, click
-
Display the target layer(s).
- From the menu bar, select Setting > Layer.
- In the Layer dialog, select padstack top and MeatalMask-A.
-
For MetalMask – A, change the DP value to
2.
Figure 4. - Close the Layer dialog.
Setup Property of PCB Objects
In this step, you will setup the property of PCB objects, nets, components, and others.
The Picking tool is used to check the object information and property included in the PCB design data. When the PollEx PCB program is initiated, the Picking tool is automatically enabled on the right-side of the application.
From the menu bar, click Setting > Picking to disable the Picking tool.
-
Find object properties using the Picking Tool.
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From the toolbar, click
and select 1, 1.
Figure 5. -
In the window, select an object within the design.
The object name and property information display.
Figure 6.
-
From the toolbar, click
-
Find objects in the PCB design using the PCB Explorer.
The PCB Explorer finds parts and nets in the design data.
- From the menu bar, click Tools > PCB Explorer.
- From the PCB Explorer, use Selection Type A and B to check the connected part, reference, and net name.
- From the Selection Type A section, select Part, Reference, or Net and enter a name in the search field.
-
Use the Picking tool and PCB Explorer to review the connected information of
parts or nets.
- In the window, select a component.
-
In the Picking tool window, right-click the component name and select
Run PCB Explorer from the menu bar.
Figure 7. -
In the PCB Explorer, Selection Type – B, select
Net and click
Disp.
The selected nets with the connected component display.
- Close the PCB Explorer.
-
Check the component connected to the net.
- In the window, select a Net to check.
-
From the Picking tool, right-click the Route name and select
Run PCB Explorer from the context menu.
Figure 8.
Figure 9. - From the PCB Explorer, Selection Type – B section, select Ref.
-
From the Selection Type – B section, select the names and complete one
of the following options:
- Click Disp to display the selected nets with connected components.
- Click Excl to display only the selected objects, other objects are not displayed.
- Close the PCB Explorer window.
-
Measure the distance between objects.
-
From the menu bar, click Setting > Measure to launch the Measure tool.
The Measure tool opens on the right-side of the window.
- From the Measure tool, select Point to Point to measure between locations.
- In the application, click two points.
- From the Measure tool, select Component to Component to measure between components.
- In the window, select two points.
- From the Measure tool, Option section, select Keep to maintain the measured results.
-
From the toolbar, click
to close the Measure tool and open the Picking tool.
-
Click
to reset the view in the window.
-
From the menu bar, click Setting > Measure to launch the Measure tool.
Various Object Viewers
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From the menu bar, click Option > Part Viewer.
The Part Viewer dialog opens.
-
From the Part Viewer dialog, select a part from the part
list or use the search bar to find the desired part.
Figure 10. -
Once a part is selected, click View/Edit Part
Attributes.
Figure 11. -
Check the pin information of the selected part by completing one of the
following options.
- Check the reference name list with the same part name, Layer location, and Layer coordinates.
- Check the dimension information using the Comp, Pad, Silk, S/R, M/M buttons.
- Check the Pin name and location of the selected part.
-
From the menu bar, click Option > Net 2D/3D Viewer.
Use the Net 2D/3D Viewer to check nets connectivity and their three-dimensional structures. Run the Net 2D/3D viewer to see a 2D image with net lists and connected components, as shown in the following image.
Figure 12. -
Check the net structure and properties.
- Select 3D View from the 2D/3D section.
- From the net list, select MCU_ABAO.
-
Rotate the selected net by completing one of the following
options:
- Use the arrow buttons in the Net 3D Viewer Rotation menu.
- Move your mouse while holding left-mouse click.
- Click Property.
- Click each item under MCU-ABAO to see each structure in the net routing pattern.
- Close the Net 2D/3D Viewer dialog.
-
From the menu bar, click Option > Net Topology Viewer.
The Net Topology Viewer dialog opens.
Use the Net Topology Viewer to check a net with a topology structure (Driver-Load-Receiver) including connected Vias and Branches. The viewer configures the net length and width of a trace and a component by displaying different colors per layer.
-
From the Net List, select MCU_D20.
Figure 13.: placed layer and color
- Driver
- W: net width
- L: net length
-
Change the Active Port Name to U1_D2.
Figure 14. - Close the Net Topology Viewer dialog.
Make Comments on PCB
The PCB Data Extractor generates a document of component and net information that can be exported as an Excel file.
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Use the PCB Data Extractor to export component and net information.
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From the menu bar, click Tools > PCB Data Extractor.
The PCB Data Extractor dialog opens.
-
Use the red arrows to move items to be documented from the left column
to the right.
Figure 15. -
After the necessary items are selected, click Make BOM
List.
The PCB Data Extractor Result dialog opens.
- To export an Excel file, click Export to MS/Excel.
- To export Net information (Net length, connected via, total via numbers, and so on), select Net in the PCB Data Extractor dialog and repeat steps 1.b – 1.d.
-
From the menu bar, click Tools > PCB Data Extractor.
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Export a report with reference property.
-
From the PCB Data Extractor dialog, move
Property from the left column to the right
using the red arrows.
The Reference Property Select dialog opens.
-
Enable the checkboxes of the necessary properties to be included in the
document and click OK.
Figure 16.The selected properties display in the right column. - Repeat steps 1.b – 1.d.
-
From the PCB Data Extractor dialog, move
Property from the left column to the right
using the red arrows.
-
To save the environment for making a report, click Save
or Load in the PCB Data Extractor
dialog.
The environment is saved as an *.pdt file.
-
Use the Net Analyzer tool.
The Net Analyzer is used to analyze all net length information by considering Layer, Branch, and Via location.
-
From the menu bar, click Tools > Net Analyzer.
The Net Analyzer dialog opens.
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From the Net Analyzer dialog, verify the Net
Element Node Type is set to Component.
Figure 17.- Component: net length among components.
- Branch: net length among components, including length of branched points.
- Branch & Via: net length among components, branching points, and vias.
-
Select at least one item to be displayed.
Figure 18.- Layer: display net length by a layer.
- Width: display routing pattern width.
- All Node Combination: display all combination of nodes.
- Layer Full Display: display stack-up information and net length by a layer.
- Pin No: display component pin number.
- Transmission Line Type: display lengths of micro strip line and strip line.
- Include Via Length: display via information.
-
Select a display unit.
Figure 19. -
Use the search bar to find the desired net name.
Figure 20. -
Enable the checkbox of the desired Net and click
Analyze.
Figure 21.
Figure 22. - To make a report, click Export MS Excel.
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Close the Net Analyzer Report dialog and click
from the toolbar.
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From the menu bar, click Tools > Net Analyzer.
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Execute Redmark.
-
From the menu bar, click Redmark > Redmark.
The Redmark dialog opens on the left side of the application.
- From the Redmark dialog, click Add.
- Enter a title and any other necessary information.
- In the Add Draw Object area, define the width, start type, and end type.
- Select the object shape and draw the object in the window.
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Click Done.
The comment displays in the list.
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From the menu bar, click Redmark > Redmark.
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Save Redmark file (*.prmk).
You can save in *.prmk or *.pdbb format. Saved files can be shared with others to check the comments.
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Complete one of the following options:
- To save in *.prmk format, click Save from the Redmark dialog.
- To save in *.pdbb format, from the menu bar, click File > Save As.
- Select a file location, input the file name, and click Save.
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Complete one of the following options:
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Load a Redmark file.
-
Complete one of the following options:
- To open a *.prmk file, click Load from the Redmark dialog.
- To open a *.pdbb file, from the menu bar, click File > Open.
-
Complete one of the following options:
Useful Functions for Engineers
Use the Component Arrangement Plan tool to create a work-plan sheet. Using the created format, you can also apply this format to other designs to make another work-plan sheet.
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From the menu bar, click Tools > Component Arrangement Plan.
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Click Setting > CAP Data Setting.
The Component Arrangement Plan Setting dialog opens.
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In the Component Arrangement Plan Setting dialog,
enable the Part Name checkbox and click
OK.
Figure 23.
Figure 24. -
From the Component Arrangement Plan dialog
menu bar, click Setting > CAP Data Setting.
The Component Arrangement Plan Setting dialog opens.
- From the Component Arrangement Plan Setting dialog, enable the Property Selection checkbox.
-
Enable the Part Comment checkbox and click
Setting.
Figure 25.The Comment Name dialog opens. -
From the Comment Name dialog, select the value and
click OK.
If there is no value in the part property, you can select value in Reference Comment as shown below.
Figure 26.
Figure 27. -
From the Component Arrangement Plan Setting
dialog, select COC for Text Area Definition and click
OK.
Figure 28.
-
Click Setting > CAP Data Setting.
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Display first pin location.
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From the Component Arrangement Plan dialog
menu bar, click Setting > CAP data setting.
The Component Arrangement Plan Setting dialog opens.
- Select Pin.
-
At the end of the Reference field, click the ellipses.
The String Filter Set Up dialog opens.
-
From the String Filter Set Up dialog, enter
U and CN for reference
prefix recognition.
Figure 29. -
In the Component Arrangement Plan Setting dialog,
enable the Automatically except for 2 pin passive device
which names are start from R, L or C checkbox and click
Global.
Two pin components that have a reference name starting with ‘R, L, C’ will not display in the 1st pin’s location.
Figure 30. -
From the Pin Display section, enable the First
Pin checkbox and click OK.
Figure 31.
-
From the Component Arrangement Plan dialog
menu bar, click Setting > CAP data setting.
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Display component polarity.
For components with polarity like a capacitor, you can display their polarity.
-
From the Component Arrangement Plan dialog
menu bar, click Setting > CAP Data Setting.
The Component Arrangement Plan Setting dialog opens.
- In the Component Arrangement Plan Setting dialog, select Polarity.
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Enable the Second Pin checkbox.
Figure 32. -
Click the ellipses at the end of the Part field.
The String Filter Set Up dialog opens.
-
In the String Filter Set Up dialog, enter
CL10, press Enter, and
click OK.
Figure 33. -
Select Global, enable the Polarity checkbox from
the Pin Display section, and click OK.
Figure 34.
-
From the Component Arrangement Plan dialog
menu bar, click Setting > CAP Data Setting.
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Output completed work-sheet.
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From the Component Arrangement Plan dialog
menu bar, click Setting > CAP Data Setting.
The Component Arrangement Plan Setting dialog opens.
-
In the Component Arrangement Plan Setting dialog,
enable the Display CAD file created date to PDF
checkbox and click OK.
This option shows the design creation date.
Figure 35. -
From the Component Arrangement Plan dialog
menu bar, click File > Print.
The Print Option dialog opens.
- From the Print Option dialog, select PDF and enable the Top and Bottom checkbox.
-
Verify the Paper Size is set to A4 and click
OK.
Figure 36. -
Specify a save location, enter a file name, and click
Save.
A worksheet for the top and bottom is output into a PDF file Top side worksheet. Bottom side worksheet.Top side worksheet.
Figure 37.
Figure 38.
-
From the Component Arrangement Plan dialog
menu bar, click Setting > CAP Data Setting.
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Set file for worksheet saving and loading.
- From the Component Arrangement Plan dialog menu bar, click File > Save.
-
Specify a save location, enter a file name, and click
Save.
The file extension is *.capb. The setting files saved contents can be used for the same design or other designs.
-
Load a saved setting file.
- From the Component Arrangement Plan dialog menu bar, click File > Load.
- Browse to the desired file and click Open.
- Close the Component Arrangement Plan dialog.
Restricted PDBB
Use PollEx PCB to change its design. Partially remove or hide some objects in the design.
If you want to share the PCB layout design with restricted objects or information such as certain components and nets, use Restricted PDBB to save as edited PDBB.
-
From the menu bar, click File > Export To > Restricted PDBB.
The Export Restricted PDBB menu shows on the left side of application.
- From the Export Restricted PDBB menu, enable the Remove Board-Contour and Include Metal Mask checkboxes.
- Click Save As.
-
Specify a save location, enter a file name, and click
Save.
The Exported Restricted PDBB file is saved with the selected conditions.
- From the Export Restricted PDBB menu, select Export Selected Area Only and click Select Area.
-
In the window, draw an area to save and press
Enter.
Figure 39. - From the Export Restricted PDBB menu, click Save As.
PollEx Real PCB Assembly View Tutorial
Use the Real PCB Assembly Viewer to transform a design into 3D shapes and export data into STEP format to link to a mechanical CAD system.
-
From the PollEx Launcher, Home ribbon, click the PollExPCB
tool.
Figure 40. -
From the menu bar, click File > Open and open the file,
C:\Temp\Altair-PollEx\PollExPCB\PollEx_New_Sample.pdbb.
Note: Refer to the PollEx PCB manual about how to use the PollEx PCB viewer.
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Save as Project.
PollEx PCB operates on a design project database which contains the data of a PCB design including the materials, parts, physical layout, analysis models, and analysis result data. With the unified design project database, this application can be commonly used by multiple engineering disciplines.
-
From the menu bar, click File > Save As Project.
The Save As Project dialog opens. The sample PCB design name displays as the New project name.
- From the Save As Project dialog, click OK.
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From the menu bar, click File > Save As Project.
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Link components.
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From the menu bar, click Setting > Environment.
The Environment dialog opens. You can set the environment for importing 3D part libraries.
- From the Environment dialog, click the ellipses at the end of the Default part library directory field to define the default 3D part librarian path.
-
Define the unified part library directory found here:
C:\Temp\Altair-PollEx\PollExPCB\UPFs.
Figure 41. - Click OK.
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From the menu bar, click Properties > Parts.
The Parts dialog opens.
-
From the Parts dialog, click
Synchronize.
Figure 42.
Figure 43.: Linked to 3D packages
: Linked to electrical buffer model
: Linked to package thermal libraries
- Click Close.
-
From the menu bar, click Setting > Environment.
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Run Real PCB Assembly Viewer.
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From the menu bar, click Option > Real PCB Assembly Viewer.
The Real PCB Assembly Viewer dialog opens.
- To review the design, hold left mouse click and rotate your cursor.
- From the Real PCB Assembly Viewer dialog menu bar, click View > Route.
- Review the design routing status.
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From the Real PCB Assembly Viewer dialog menu bar, click Tools > Board
X/Y Cut.
The Board X/Y Cut dialog opens.
- Use the Board X/Y Cut dialog to review the cutting edge of the design along the X or Y axis and click Close.
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From the menu bar, click Option > Real PCB Assembly Viewer.
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Measure between components.
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Click Tools > Measure.
The Measure dialog opens.
- Use the Measure dialog to measure between components.
- Close the Measure dialog.
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Click Tools > Measure.
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Export to 3D Data. Designs can be exported in the following formats: STEP, STL
or IDF.
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In the Real PCB Assembly Viewer dialog, click File > Export to 3D Data.
The Export 3D Option dialog opens.
-
From the Export 3D Option dialog, select an export
type, define the board settings, and click
Export.
Figure 44. -
Specify a location, enter a file name, and click
Save.
Use a mechanical CAD or MCAD system to read the exported STEP file.
Figure 45.
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In the Real PCB Assembly Viewer dialog, click File > Export to 3D Data.