It looks like it DOESN'T automatically create a plated through connection when I run a lower and upper trace to the same pad !! ?
I have to go back now and run a separate pad, match the dimensions and designate it "through pad"?
Or -- stupid question, when the house gets my gerber files, will all holes be automatically plated through when I specify a double sided board? (don't think so -- can't remember).
Hate this new google groups format -- wanted to cross post to electronics.cad also -- can't do it.
Yes, this is what usually happens. You do need an actual pad, bigger than the specified hole, on the artwork on both sides.
Sometimes you want a few holes *not* plated through, such as mounting holes that you dont want to pickup solder. These are the ones you need to specify "NPTH" or some such. But the default will be to plate through.
Straight from Sprint -- it doesn't automatically create a through hole -- you have to go back and manually add it ! Nor does it give a default through hole as an option.
Nice program otherwise but no way I'm going to keep using it.
I understand you wouldn't want to connect a surface mount pad but if your connecting to a pad with a HOLE ? -- c'mon !
have to go back and manually add it ! Nor does it give a default through hole as an option.
connecting to a pad with a HOLE ? -- c'mon !
Can't help thinking you are misunderstanding something here. How can you tell if a given hole is plated through or not? What is the software doing that is making you think the hole is *not* plated through?
AFAIK the gerbers, for example (the final artwork sent to the manufacturer) have no way of distinguishing plated from not. You usually have to communicate this by other means. For example I generate a separate drill data file for "PTH" and "non-pth" holes.
Well for me there is a little gear/wheel thing up in the corner that brings down a settings menu. The last item on the menu is titled "switch back to the old google groups". (or something like that)
when I run a lower and upper trace to the same pad !! ?
I have Sprint Layout. It's nimble and light--anti-bloatware. I like it a lot.
It's strictly manual, no schematic or netlist interface (at least in my version), but it's more than enough for small projects and useful in planning large ones. I sometimes use it for sizing boards as a sketch-pad, placing parts to see if they'll fit, and roughing out the placement. It's very fast.
If you put in a via (or a through-hole pad), then of course you can connect traces on different layers. It also lets you place an SMD pad on just one layer, in which there's no hole, naturally.
signate it "through pad"?
s be automatically plated through when I specify a double sided board? (don 't think so -- can't remember).
When they dip the board in their chemical baths, all holes get plated (unless special measures are taken to prevent it).
.cad also -- can't do it.
Before you log in, the last option on the options menu is "Switch back to old Google Groups."
it is done with the drill programms. Drills done before plating are plated through and drills done after plating are not plated. A gerber contains only the artwork for one layer and no other information.
It's an option in Altium, for example, to generate separate NC drill files for plated and non-plated holes. Otherwise, the board maker is going to have to sort them out.
It can be a little tricky. If you select the options menu, it should be the last option. But if it is not , then select the cozy or compact option , and then select the options menu again. It will be there the second time you select the options menu.
When you get in the old google groups, then bookmark that page so you do not have to screw around again.
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