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DesignSpark PCB & Dealing with Layers

DesignSpark PCB, our fantastic free-to-download PCB design software is just as popular as ever with our users, however, occasionally you might get a little stuck on just how to do something. In our Zendesk area, there are loads of tutorials to help you to brush up on your skills, replicated below are a couple of those tutorials, these concern ‘Layers’.

How can I change the number of layers?

If you decide you need to change the number of physical layers or the type of manufacturing, you can do this via the Settings menu by selecting the Design Technology option and choosing the Layers tab.

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Please be aware that reducing the number of layers using the Delete option could lead to vital information on the inner electrical layers being lost.

Click here to read and comment on this tutorial on Zendesk

 

How can I change power plane layers to signal layers?

If you have configured your PCB layers to have power planes and then you have decided you want greater flexibility with these layers, they can be changed to normal signal layers in the Design Technology.

Once set to signal layers you have complete flexibility of adding copper pour shapes, multiple copper pours assigned to the required nets and you can add tracks etc. as required.

Launch the Design Technology (Shift + T) and select the Layers Tab.

Two layers are defined as Power Plane in the Bias Column

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Click on the Power Pane and the options are shown in the pull-down list, set these as required, here None has been selected.

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Next, change the Net to None.

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The layer is now set as a normal signal layer. Repeat for the other Power Plane and the task is completed.

4._Power_plane_1_9cdc7969dffb5de2b0499c8e21bfe6c60da5660e.png

You now have a 4 signal layer PCB.

The names that you initially provided for the layers can also be selected and edited if they are no longer appropriate.

Click here to read and comment on this tutorial on Zendesk

 

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