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Solder mask feature observations, possibly a bug


Recently I've been playing around with a solder mask, especially automatic oversize, and have a few observations. I thought it will be useful to share as it doesn't seem to be well documented:

1. There is an option in Output/Manufacturing Plots Settings which may seem to be required for generating of the solder mask:

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I think this option was made in case you don't have the solder mask layer defined in Design Technology. In fact it shouldn't be used if you have it as it will generate mask openings based on the pads and ignore any openings added manually.

2. Oversize doesn't work for manually added openings - initially I thought it's a bug, but actually it may be desirable, for example in case you have solder mask defined pads. Anyway worth to know it behaves this way.

3. Setting up solder mask oversize makes via holes look larger, and I think this is a bug:

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It only affects PCB editor, 3D view and manufacturing plots are fine, also DRC check works as it should so vias are larger only visually.

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