dialog_freeroute_exchange_help.html 3.13 KB
Newer Older
1 2 3 4
<html>
<!-- This file is used to autogenerate a *.h file, but you can load it into a browser to preview -->
<h1>Freerouter Guidelines:</h1>
<ol>
5
<li> in pcbnew, using the Layers Setup dialog:</li><br>
6 7
 <li>choose the number of layers, and enter the name of each layer.</li><br><br>
    These should look something like this (if a 6 layer board):
8
<ul>
9 10 11 12 13 14
    <li>Front - signal</li>
    <li>Ground - power</li>
    <li>H1_Signal - signal</li>
    <li>V2_Signal - signal</li>
    <li>Power - power</li>
    <li>Back - signal</li>
15
</ul><br>
16
    Notice that after the layer name there is a layer type field, either 'signal' or 'power', typically.
17 18
    Any layer identified as 'power' will be removed from the layer menu in Freerouter,
    as this will be assumed to contain a power zone.
19
</li><br><br>
20

21
<li> in pcbnew:  establish board perimeter.</li><br>
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71

<li> in pcbnew: load in the netlist so you have all the components defined and instantiated.</li><br>

<li> in pcbnew: establish any zones, inclusive of net association.</li><br>

<li> in pcbnew: do the degree of component placements you are comfortable with.
     It is a little easier to accurately position components in pcbnew than in
     freerouter, but either will work.</li><br>

<li> in pcbnew: set up the netclasses. Power traces might be a little thicker
     than signal traces. If so, add a netclass called 'power'.
     Make its traces thicker than what you establish for netclass 'Default'.
     Set trace width, spacing and vias for each netclass.</li><br>

<li> in pcbnew: export to DSN.</li><br>

<li> load up freerouter (keep it running for any subsequent iterations of 5) through 16) here).</li><br>

<li> in freerouter: load the project's *.dsn file. Immediately after a load, all
     components and traces (if any) will initially be 'fixed'. This is a 'lock
     in place' toggle that you can undo by selecting a region with your mouse
     and then selecting 'Unfix' from the menu. Occassionally you may want to
     re-fix a trace or a part, if only temporarily. This keeps it locked in
     place.
</li><br>

<li> useful, not mandatory: in freerouter: set your move snap modulus, which seems
     to default to 1 internal unit.
     20 mils in x and in y is about reasonable.</li><br>

<li> in freerouter: finish placing any components, you can change sides of a part
     here also, rotate, whatever.</li><br>

<li> in freerouter: route the board, and save frequently to a *.dsn file while
     routing in case of power loss. Pick the menu option for saving a full *.dsn
     file, not a session file (yet). The full freerouter *.dsn file is a superset
     format, one that can be reloaded in the event of a power loss. Whereas the
     *.ses file is not a complete design, but only with the *.brd file
     constitutes a full design. So it is important to backup your work to a
     *.dsn file while routing in case of power loss.</li><br>

<li> in freerouter: when done, or when you want to back import, then save as a session file, *.ses.</li><br>

<li> in pcbnew: backimport the session file</li><br>

<li> in pcbnew: at this point the zones have to be refilled. One way to do that
     is to simply run DRC.</li>

</ol>
</html>