Board Region

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Modified by Admin on Nov 6, 2013

Parent page: Objects

A board is split into distinct regions by placing Split Lines (blue in color), which run from one edge of the board shape to another edge.

Summary

A Board Region is a user-defined area of a PCB that can have a unique layer stack assigned to it. A board can split into multiple regions by segmenting its single default region, as defined by the board shape outline, with each region assigned an individual layer stack arrangement. The layer stackups can be configured to cater for both rigid and flexible regions of the board, facilitating rigid-flex PCB design.

Availability

Board Regions can only be implemented in the PCB Editor with the View mode set to Board Planning Mode (View » Board Planning Mode – press the 1 shortcut).

The region sections are defined by placing Split Lines (Design » Define Split Line – shortcut D, S), which segment the board outline shape. A single board region (for example, that of a newly-created board) is split into two regions by placing a Split Line.

Placement

Board Regions are defined by placing a Split Lines:

Select View » Board Planning Mode (or press the 1 shortcut) to enter Board Planning Mode.
Select Design » Define Split Line to enter Split Line placement mode.
Click within the board shape to begin the Split Line definition process. One end of the line will attach to the closest point on the board shape outline to where you clicked, the other end of the line will attach to the cursor.
Position the cursor in the required location then click once to place the second end.
You remain in Split Line placement mode, ready to place another Split Line if required. If not, right-click or press Esc to exit Split Line placement mode.

Board Regions are the areas between the Split Lines, and are assigned a default region name.

When a new board is created it will have a single region, and this region will be assigned the default layer stack, named Board layer stack. When the board shape is split into multiple regions, each new region is also assigned this default main layer stack. Each board region is also given a default name, with the original region named Default Layer Stack Region, and subsequent regions named using the format Layer Stack Region n.

Each region displays a label that shows its name and the name of the layer stack assigned to it, in the form Region Name - Layer Stack Name. If the layer stack is flex-enabled, this will also be indicated by (flex). Enabling the flex setting for a stack is done in the Layer Stack Manager.

The available Layer Stack configurations and their associated names are defined in the Layer Stack Manager dialog. When assigning a Layer Stack to a Board Region, the Layer stack options presented in the Board Region properties dialog are defined by the layer configurations in the Layer Stack Manager dialog (Design » Layer Stack Manager – D, K shortcut).

Non-Graphical Editing...

The following methods of non-graphical editing are available:

...via an Associated Properties Dialog

A Board Region's properties can be accessed and edited from the Board Region dialog, which is opened by double-clicking on the region. Note that the PCB editor should be in the Board Planning Mode view – View » Board Planning Mode [shortcut 1].

Double-clicking on a region opens the Board Region dialog where the region name can be edited and a layer stack assigned.

To give a region a more meaningful name, update the Name field in the Board Region dialog. Similarly, to assign the required layer stack to the selected region, select the appropriate layer setup from the Layer stack list. Note that one board region must have the 3D Locked checkbox selected to define the physical ground reference for the 3D display mode - see Defining Board Regions and Bending Lines for more information.

Click OK to accept the new setting and close the dialog.

When you've made changes to a Board Region name or Layer stack assignment, refresh the PCB Editor screen (View » Refresh – End shortcut) to ensure that you can see all the changes.

...via the PCB Panel

The PCB panel allows you to browse the current PCB design using various filter modes to determine which object types or design elements are listed, highlighted or selected. It also has editing modes for certain object types or design elements that provide you with specific controls on the panel for editing procedures.

Set the PCB panel browsing mode (top drop-down list) to Layer Stack Regions. The panel shows:

The available board layer stacks, in the Layer Stacks list area.
The Regions assigned to those stacks, in the Stackup Regions list area.
Any bend lines defined in the selected Region, in the Bending Line list area – see Bending Line for more information.

To edit the properties and elements of a selected Board Region:

Double-click on a Region in the Stackup Regions list to open the Board Region properties dialog.
Double-click on a bend line in the Bending Line list to open the Bending Line properties dialog.

...via the PCB Inspector Panel

An Inspector panel enables the designer to interrogate and edit the properties of one or more design objects in the active document. Used in conjunction with appropriate filtering, the panel can be used to make changes to multiple objects of the same kind, from one convenient location. All defined Board Regions objects can be listed and their general properties edited in the PCB Inspector Panel.

...via the PCB List Panel

A List panel allows the designer to display design objects from one or more documents in tabular format, enabling quick inspection and modification of object attributes. When used in conjunction with a Filter panel, it enables the display of just those objects falling under the scope of the active filter – allowing the designer to target and edit multiple design objects with greater accuracy and efficiency. All defined Board Regions objects can be listed and their general properties edited in the PCB List Panel.

Graphical Editing

Within a board layout, Board Regions are defined by the positioning of Split Lines. The Split Line can be graphically edited by manipulating the nodes at the end of each line using a select and drag method.

To edit a Board Region by moving a Split Line:

Select View » Board Planning Mode (or press the 1 shortcut) to enter Board Planning Mode.
To relocate the end of a line, click, hold and drag it to the required location around the perimeter of the board shape. The cursor will be constrained to the current snap grid.
The Board Region will be redefined by the new position of the edited Split Line.

The Split Line will remain blue while dragging to a permitted location that will still result in a valid split. If the new location for the end being moved is invalid, for example on the same edge of the board shape as the anchored end, the Split Line will turn red. Attempting to place while the line is red will result in the removal of the Split Line.

Select and drag a Split Line end node to redefine a Board Region area.

To redefine Board Regions by removing a Split Line:

Select View » Board Planning Mode (or press the 1 shortcut) to enter Board Planning Mode.
Click and hold by one of its end points, then press the Delete key. Alternatively, click, hold and move an endpoint to a point around the board shape that results in the split turning red (signifying an invalid split), then release.

If attempting to graphically modify an object that has its Locked property enabled, a dialog will appear asking for confirmation to proceed with the edit. If the Protect Locked Objects option is enabled on the PCB Editor – General page of the Preferences dialog, and the Locked option for that design object is enabled as well, then that object cannot be selected or graphically edited. Double click on the locked object directly and disable the Locked property or disable the Protect Locked Objects option, to graphically edit the object.