In accordance with our practice applied in previous releases, we have selected improvements for 1.90 basing on suggestions collected from EDWinXP users. Of course, not all received suggestions are not implemented yet. From remaining suggestions, those that we see as feasible for implementation are in the pipeline and shall be addressed in future releases.

IPC-7351 Land Pattern Naming Convention of Packages

Package names according IPC-7351 Land Pattern Naming Convention standards have been added as additional package property for all elements in system libraries. IPC names can be used as search keys for browsing and searching libraries and will appear in output from List Generator.

Enhanced Property Dialogs

Setting of entry, pad and graphic properties has been simplified by introducing common non-modal dialogs. System recognizes automatically the Property dialog that is to be displayed depending on the type of item clicked on the screen. Previously it was controlled by setting tool options. Now these superfluous buttons have been removed.

Enhanced Display of Schematic Symbol Entry Names

Display of entry names in schematic symbols has been extended by MM Simulator and EDSpice pin assignment. This allows instant check whether the edited symbol has been properly set for simulation.

Selective Merging of Nets

There is a new option for merging nets after block copy. Previously, merging of net with matching names could be executed either for Power/Gnd type nets only or for all nets. Now, the third option allows for individual selection of nets to be merged. This option is also available in Layout Editor.

Overlap to Connect

Connecting components in the diagram can be speed up by using new option “Connect by overlapping”. This option applies to relocated components. Connec tion is made simply by overlapping pins that should be connected. See example below:

Let us assume that inputs „S‟ and „D‟ of relocated right hand component have to be connected to outputs „f‟ and „g‟ of the left hand component. After relocating the right hand component to a position where pins to connect overlap and clicking left mouse button, two new connections are created:

In the next stage, when the relocated component is placed at its final location, the connecting wires are routed automatically:

Similar effect can be achieved by overlapping wire segment with component pin selected as relocation handle:

Automatic Insertion of Blind Via Holes

Option for automatic insertion of blind via holes when connecting trace from opposite or inner layer to an SMD pad has been added.

Edit Via Block

Previously, assigning/changing pad stacks for via holes could be done only by single selection. In1.90 this can be done by selecting via holes in block.

Arc fitting

Its a useful feature when designing flex boards. Trace prototypes may be routed in following fashion:

After selecting function, “Edit connection” and option “Arc Miter at B Point”:

Clicking on selected ends of trace segments will produce following results:

Parallel Routing of Traces

Parallel routing of traces has been added specially for routing differential pairs. Depressing key combination “Shift E” prior to selecting a starting pad of a traces sets the mode for blocking several pins:

The pad that is closest to origin of the blocking rectangle is taken as starting point of the leading trace in parallel group. In above example this will be the lower pad. The leading trace may now be routed and other traces will follow parallel with specified spacing.

After arriving to final destination for the leading trace, it can be connected in normal fashion, whereas, the last segment of next parallel trace may be dragged to its own final destination:

Up to eight parallel traces may be simultaneously routed using this method. When leading trace is connected, the next unconnected is taken as the leading and parallel routing continues until all in the bunch been connected or operation aborted by Esc. This principle allows for parallel routing of patterns like bellow:

In some instances, it may be needed to narrow the spacing between traces to get through a tight spot. In such cases, routing of the leading trace and parallels may be terminated at any point with F4 key. With option “Allow T-connections” ON, lose ends of previously routed parallels may be grabbed in similar fashions as pads by blocking and new spacing (smaller or bigger) applied:

Setting Clearance for group of nets

Several users requested option to set clearance restrictions individually for a net, net group or class of nets. This possibility has been implemented in 1.90.

Display of Design Rules Violation Description

Clearance violations were marked on the graphic screen by ← #violation type code, which required remembering what the code means. Now it is possible to get full violation description by hovering cursor over the marker:

Step Rotate and Repeat for Copper, Board cutout outlines...

“Step and repeat item” and “Rotate & Repeat” options have been added for editing of copper, and board cutout outlines. Repeat options apply to copper pour/copper relief polygons too. They have been implemented also in Fabrication Manager.

Design Rules Settings in Characteristics Impedance Calculator

Optimal trace widths calculated with help of impedance calculator for every layer in the stack, may be stored as design rules.

These rules will apply for all nets that have been assigned status “impedance controlled net”. This assignment means that whenever a trace for impedance controlled net is routed, the trace width will reset to width set for currently routed layer (assuming that this layer is included in the stack):

As in above example, the optimal trace width calculated for COMP.LAY was 0.020”. This width is automatically assigned to trace segment originating on this layer. After layer change to “B”, trace width switches automatically to .010”. Returning to COMP.LAYER causes automatic change of the trace segment width back to .020”:

Automatic Fan-Out Generation of Selected Components

Previously, the selection for automatic fan-out generation had to be made net wise. In 1.90, this function may be additionally restricted to selected components.

Importing Session files in SPECCTRA

By adding possibility of importing files in DSN format (session files), EDWinXP user can no autoroute boards with help of free routings. net and Electra auto routers.• Option for automatic insertion of blind via holes when connecting trace from opposite or inner layer to an SMD pad has been added:

Apart from general improvements for graphic screen control (that has been mentioned above) changes in these two applications apply mostly to graphic imports.

Enhanced Fabrication Graphics Viewer

DXF import - It has been brought to our attention that users designing flexible boards wish to import trace patterns (artworks) drawn with the help of mechanical CAD Packages. They needed DXF import to artworks layers in true size line width.
In previous version, DXF import was intended for importing outlines only and line width were ignored. It has been changed in 1.90 and now DXF can be imported to all layers, except Drill Template.

Aligning Imported Layers - There is a tool in Fabrication Graphics Viewer for aligning imported layers. Aligning may not be necessary if all layers and drills are imported with import parameter “Original coordinates” set to ON (see Import Parameters dialog). Nevertheless, aligning tool has been retained since auto alignment may work only if graphics in import files have the same origin.

Distribution of Graphics to Import categories- Since release of 1.90, the Fabrication Graphics Viewer replaced previous ports for importing graphics for project reconstruction (reverse engineering). In this task, the main problem is proper distribution of graphics to import categories (traces, pads, pad position). This is due to ambiguity of graphics imported in supported formats.

Basic distribution to import categories is done automatically when graphics are transferred from the viewer to Graphics Import editor in Fabrication manager. Some internal code changes have been made in transfer function, which should result in more exact categorization. Nevertheless, it can never be ensured that thi s distribution would be 100% correct. Usually some inter-category transfer of element is required.

This task was possible before in Graphics Import editor, but since it had to be done through Property Dialog, the process could be very laborious. In 1.90 , a tool has been added enabling direct transfer from category to category of elements selected individually or by blocking.

Detecting DCODEs

Options to enquire for Gerber aperture codes (DCODEs) have been enhanced. Even previously, all elements that were imported with the same aperture could be highlighted. It could have been done by clicking on column and row listing the aperture in Import Dialog, Filters section or in Layer Property dialog. Now the same may be done by clicking on element on the screen. In other words, enquire for Gerber aperture codes works now both ways; from aperture code to associated elements and from element to its aperture code.

Panning with Mouse Scroll Button

Panning by dragging the image with middle mouse button depress ed.

Smooth Zooming

New, “smooth” zooming in and out with mouse wheel. This, and above feature apply to all screens where data is present graphically.

Enhanced Dialogs

Dialogs controlling contents of the display – visibility of layers and import categories - have been made non-modal. Redraw with new settings is made instantly on request without necessity to close these dialogs. They may stay opened while user executes other functions. This feature allows for easier navigation through project elements.

Grid and Snap Improvements

The number of grid and snap values are increased to 12. In previous versions it was six.