How to pour polygons on a PCB in Altium?

How to pour polygons on a PCB in Altium?

Pour Over Same Net Polygons Only – pour the polygon in free space and also pour over existing polygons that belong to the same net. Remove Dead Copper – if this option is enabled, any area of the polygon that does not include at least one connection to another net object (such as a pad or via) is automatically removed.

Where to place a polygon pour in a PCB?

On a signal layer, you can place a solid polygon pour to define an area for carrying large power supply currents, or as a ground-connected area for providing electro-magnetic shielding. Hatched polygon pours are commonly used for ground purposes in analog designs. Polygon Pours can only be placed in the PCB Editor.

How do you delete a vertex in Altium?

To delete a vertex, click and hold on the vertex as if you were going to move it then press the Delete key. When you have finished, right-click then select Polygon Actions » Repour Selected to repour the polygon in its new shape.

How does the slicing process work in Altium?

The slicing process uses the Line placement mode to define both the slice path and width. Press Tab to change the width; press Shift+Spacebar to cycle through the line placement corner modes. Continue to click and move the mouse to define the slice path.

What to do if a polygon is not connecting to a pad?

Try switching off the polygons (unpoured), then place a track from large GND pad to Net-Tie GND pad. Also from large AGND pad to AGND Net-Tie. Then try re-pour all, with “Pour over same net objects” enabled.

How are polygon pours similar to copper pours?

Also referred to as copper pours, polygon pours are similar to a region except that they can fill irregularly shaped areas of a board as they automatically pour around existing objects, connecting only to objects on the same net as the polygon pour.

How do you move a vertex in Altium?

Click and drag on a vertex to move that vertex. Click and drag on an edge to move that edge of the polygon. Right-click on a vertex point then choose the Edit Polygon Vertex n command to access the Vertices tab of the Polygon dialog, with the entry for the nth vertex selected ready for editing.

How to shrink the arc in Altium pour?

When in either of the arc corner modes, hold the , or . key to shrink or grow the arc. Hold the Shift key as you press to accelerate arc resizing.

What are the different corners on Altium Designer 21?

Press Shift+Spacebar to cycle through the five available corner modes: 45 degree, 45 degree with arc, 90 degree, 90 degree with arc, and Any Angle. Press Spacebar to toggle between the two corner direction sub-modes.

Where to find polygon manager in Altium Designer 21?

The dialog is accessed from the PCB editor by selecting Tools » Polygon Pours » Polygon Manager from the main menus. This is a list of all existing polygons in the PCB document.

Do you need relief connect for polygon pour?

On the pads (which I will be soldering) I need to have a relief connect for the polygon pour of the same net, but I need a direct connection on the Vias of the same net. I currently have all Relief connects: But in the Design Rules I cannot find an option that would set Vias aside from component pads:

How to pour over all objects on the same net?

Pour Over All Same Net Objects – select this option for the polygon to pour over all objects on the same net as the polygon that are within the polygon’s area. For example, existing routes on that net will be completely covered by the polygon.

How to change polygon connect rule for vias?

I don’t know your Altium’s version, but in 17.0 is easier. Inside the rules menu, in the polygon connect rule, just click Advanced and you can change the rule for the vias or the through hole: Thanks for contributing an answer to Electrical Engineering Stack Exchange! Please be sure to answer the question.

How does polygon treat objects on the same net?

How the polygon treats objects on the same net, such as routing tracks, is determined by the option selected in the Pour Over drop-down: Pour Over All Same Net Objects – choose this option if you want the Polygon to automatically connect to all objects on the same net as the pour.

How are polygon pours used in copper wiring?

A Polygon Pour (Place » Polygon Pour) placed on a signal layer creates a polygonal (multi-sided) area of copper, which can either be solid or hatched. As they are poured, Polygons automatically allow for clearances around electrical objects belonging to a different net, connect to objects of the same net, and fill irregularly shaped areas.

How are clearances and connection properties controlled in Altium?

Clearances and connection properties are controlled by the applicable Electrical Clearance and Polygon Connection Style design rules. Select the Place » Polygon Pour command from the main menus to place a polygon on the current layer in the PCB editor.

How are copper regions defined in Altium Designer?

Solid – When this mode is selected, the polygon is internally constructed from solid region objects, with a separate region for each contiguous area of copper in the completed polygon. This type of polygon is output to Gerber using Gerber region definitions.

How does Altium connect to a circuit board?

Usually, a metal plane on a circuit board will connect either to a pin with spokes called a thermal relief pad, or directly fill the metal to the hole as in the case of a via. Altium gives you the ability to change the connectivity of the polygon in order to achieve whichever connection strategy that you want to use.

Is there a way to direct connect on vias, relief?

To make this even more difficult, I have two QFNs with thermal pads that use built-in vias to stitch through the board. These should NOT have a direct connection to the polygon as it will make it much more difficult to solder. Is there a way to add, say, selected vias to a class?

How to exclude thermal stitching vias in Altium?

When you’re setting up a new PCB rule, you can type “query text” to match objects to which the rule should apply. I’m not sure how to exclude your QFN’s thermal stitching vias though… I don’t know your Altium’s version, but in 17.0 is easier.

What can a polygon pour be used for?

A polygon pour is a group design object – that is, it is made up of simpler primitive objects. Polygon pours are used to create either a solid or a hatched (lattice) area on a PCB layer, using either Region objects, or a combination of Track and Arc objects.

Where are the handles located on a polygon?

Polygons contain two points or “handles” with which to edit the shape of the polygon. Full Handles – these filled handles are located at the corners of the polygon. Empty Handles – these blank handles are located in the centers of the segments created by the Full Handles.

What are the different ways to place polygons?

While placing a polygon there are five available corner modes, four of which also have corner direction sub-modes. During placement: Press Shift+Spacebar to cycle through the available corner modes. Press Spacebar to toggle between the two corner direction sub-modes.