How to create arched polygon fill in Protel 99SE?

Hi all,

I posted this in another group but I'm not getting any useful answers. When this happens it is an indication that I'm trying to do the impossible or it is really basic and I'm overlooking something. Since the PCB I'm editing has a polygon with curved corners I'm pretty sure it is me. But I'm going insane trying to curve the edge of the polygon. I've tried to place an arch (half a circle) close to the polygon and see if they merge but that didn't work. I can get the edge of the polygon to curve no matter what I do. The check box for the polygon properties that say to use arches around pads is checked. As I said, I'm going insane!

Could someone please enlighten me!!

Thanks

Reply to
Rodo
Loading thread data ...

Rodo, Yes you are slightly crazy! Trying to draw a curved polygon outline, what foolishness. *^>

All fun aside, it is not impossible, just difficult. You can change the drawing mode type using Shift - Space. This will allow you to draw the polygon outlines using orthagonal, 45s, any angle or even curves. Experiement with this a little until you understand the drawing mode changes. Using Shift after setting the drawing mode allows you to alter between starting with an arc or adding an arc at the end of a straight. Similarly with 45s, you start at 45 or start at 90 and end with 45.

To do the arcs with various sizes you will also need to set the Design Rule controlling "Routing Corners". You set the min and max radii or "setback" as they call it. Then when drawing your curved outline you use the < or > (Shift , or Shift .) keys to expand or contract the arc. It is slow so give it some time. I have also found it doesn't follow the min and max you set up. Sometimes it can expand past your max, sometimes it never quite reaches your max. Oh, the other frustrating part is that somethimes no matter how you try you cannot get the curve going in the direction you want. i.e. you want it arc left and down, it will only seem to arc down and left (sort of clock-wise verses counter-clockwise).

My opinion is that you will find trying to draw curved polyons very cumbersome and frustrating. When I can I choose to constrain a rounded polygon with a arc'd layer specific keepout or another arc'd trace defining the outer reaches of where the polygon should extend to. P99SE's handling of arcs is less than optimal and can be very frustrating. I usually draw the arcs as lines utilizing the property access to radius, center, etc. and then add the net to their proerties. It is much easier than trying to route it as a trace and radius it. Or radius polyons.

--
Sincerely,
Brad Velander.

"Rodo"  wrote in message 
news:PIK%i.6268$V74.2374@trnddc02...
> Hi all,
>
> I posted this in another group but I'm not getting any useful answers. 
> When this happens it is an indication that I'm trying to do the impossible 
> or it is really basic and I'm overlooking something. Since the PCB I'm 
> editing has a polygon with curved corners I'm pretty sure it is me. But 
> I'm going insane trying to curve the edge of the polygon. I've tried to 
> place an arch (half a circle) close to the polygon and see if they merge 
> but that didn't work. I can get the edge of the polygon to curve no matter 
> what I do. The check box for the polygon properties that say to use arches 
> around pads is checked. As I said, I'm going insane!
>
> Could someone please enlighten me!!
>
> Thanks
>
Reply to
Brad Velander

AWESOME! It works. I knew there was something I was missing. I just tried and it turned the line into an arch. I'll play more with it later but this is what I needed.

Thanks a bunch.

Reply to
Rodo

ElectronDepot website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.