Is there a way to make traces on eagle change width automatically when close to a component?
Let's say for example we have an LM317.
We probably want some hefty traces coming from the filter to carry the current, but at the TO-220 pin the trace width has to change to something like 50mil.
We can do this manually. Stop the thick trace a bit before the pin, change the width manually and then wire the rest of it hoping you did not stop too early or too late or too much to the side, and you won't have to move around the trace ruining the bevelling etc.
Is there a way to make this performed automatically instead?
Thanks
Let's say for example we have an LM317.
We probably want some hefty traces coming from the filter to carry the current, but at the TO-220 pin the trace width has to change to something like 50mil.
We can do this manually. Stop the thick trace a bit before the pin, change the width manually and then wire the rest of it hoping you did not stop too early or too late or too much to the side, and you won't have to move around the trace ruining the bevelling etc.
Is there a way to make this performed automatically instead?
Thanks
If you have to carry high current use a copper pour instead. I take thick traces right up to the pad if I am using a trace, the software I use automatically steps the rout back to form a neat and tidy interface between the pad and the trace. I cant comment on eagle directly though as I have never used it, but as said I do tend to use copper pours as I can control the end result better, I rarely use thermal relief on copper pours where current is involved (different to full planes by the way, where depending I may use thermal relief on PTH components, you have to remember that the spurs of the thermal relief have to be calculated by the track width required to carry the current divided by the number of spurs).
No. EAGLE's layout editor has close to zero "intelligence", it's more like a specialized but still very simple drawing program. I sort of grew up with it so it's OK for me, for smaller projects.
Yeah I thought so...
I just read somewhere that some other program supported this and I though I should ask if there was some hidden feature that made it possible.
The pour idea should work, but it still is too much work if you got many signals coming in, especially if you need separate returns for each one.
I know what you mean about eagle...
I tried to switch to kicad, but it was just so unintuitive...
Separate returns for each one, what sort of circuit are you doing... I do many PCBs and there are very very few specialised PCBs I do that would have a separate return for each signal... and these would be routed as broadside coupled.
A PCB is the most critical part of any electrical assembly, it is critical in many areas not least signal integrity (both power and signals) and EMC so doing the job properly is always the best option, if its DIY you don't have any real time constraints, so no excuses. I do have time constraints due to costings but I refuse to compromise a design.
A PCB is the most critical part of any electrical assembly, it is critical in many areas not least signal integrity (both power and signals) and EMC so doing the job properly is always the best option, if its DIY you don't have any real time constraints, so no excuses. I do have time constraints due to costings but I refuse to compromise a design.
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