Removing overlay/all silkscreen? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: QuantumPhys
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2014, 11:11:22 am
content: Hi,This is one of the first few times I have used Altium, so I am sorry if this is a foolish question.I wish to remove ALL silkscreen from my board, including the component outlines. Currently, I can only figure out how to remove comments and designators, but cannot seem to disable the whole silkscreen layer/component outlines so that it does not come out in the output file for the PCB house?Also, just as a side question, does Altium have intergrated RF design tools, like for distributed element filters, or EM simulation (so that I do not need to waste a whole house on ADS)?Thanks!

author: 8086
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2014, 12:06:20 pm
content: Just don't include the silk layer when you send to the manufacturer.Might help to send a note as well.

author: QuantumPhys
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 28, 2014, 12:13:27 pm
content: Thanks for the advice...But...Is there really no way to completely remove the layer?

author: peter.mitchell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2014, 03:43:46 am
content: find similar -> something that selects everything -> pcb inspector -> unlock primitives -> select silkscreen object -> find similar -> something that selects all silkscreen -> delete -> find component -> find similar -> something that selects all components -> relock primitives

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2014, 04:15:14 am
content: You'd have to unlock all the primitives inside all the footprints, and delete them. And all your work evaporates if someone ever updates the footprints from library.Quicker selection methods:1. In the little box, top right (should be a combo box on the toolbar -- right-click and check things randomly if it's not there), enter OnLayer('Top Overlay').2. Or same thing, on the PCB Filter panel.3. Or in PCB List, select Show Only... and select whatever kinds of primitives are used (track, arc, fill, etc.). Find the Layer column, sort by, then select all the objects on Top Overlay.You can just hide the layer by right-clicking the layer's tab and selecting 'Hide'. Or do it from the Layers dialog (uncheck "show").Tim

author: QuantumPhys
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2014, 04:08:53 pm
content: Thanks! Already fabbed the PCB by telling them to ignore the silkscreen layer. On another note, would silkscreen actually affect transmission lines/CPWGs?

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2014, 12:14:31 am
content: Maybe.If you're that concerned about impedance, you must be working in the 20GHz+ range, and with high precision (< 1dB error). In that case, you're probably using Rogers something or other for substrate, and any discontinuity or loss will cause problems. Solder mask and silk should be clear of all such signal paths.If you're doing any less than this, then no, it makes absolutely, positively no difference. And it probably won't even matter to use FR-4. Typical specs for, say, high speed digital signaling are +/-20% impedance, and undershoot consistent with the losses of, say, 30cm or more of trace on FR-4. Very loose specs. A lot of LVDS drivers even support overshoot compensation, making the system even more tolerant of crappy media.RF work may not even care, up in the low GHz. It's more if you're doing sensitive work (let alone precision, and planar filters and such), you may then want to use a better substrate material.Tim

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2014, 01:34:10 am
content: Quote from: QuantumPhys on July 07, 2014, 04:08:53 pmi'd be more worried about soldermask ! soldermask DOES affect RF circuitry...