Bottom traces - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Daniel_Reyes
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2015, 11:14:43 pm
content: Made a simple circuit and it looks like it added bottom traces, not sure why but i only have a single side pcb board so im not sure what to do. I'm very new to pcb design and watched 2 tutorial videos but still having trouble taking it all inSent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2015, 11:43:49 pm
content: Quote from: Daniel_Reyes on October 17, 2015, 11:14:43 pmRight click trace, select side you want it on from Segment Layer, Trace Layer or Net Layer as you desire, move as appropriate to re-reroute.

author: Daniel_Reyes
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2015, 11:55:06 pm
content: Is there any way to restrict the autorouter to only route on the top layer? I know it's not recommended to use the autorouter but I'm just trying to get something useful produced so i can pratice pcb etching and everything else that follows.Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

author: DerekG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2015, 11:40:40 am
content: Quote from: Daniel_Reyes on October 17, 2015, 11:55:06 pmYes, simply place a route keepout area across the entire surface of the bottom layer.

author: Daniel_Reyes
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2015, 09:47:53 pm
content: Quote from: DerekG on October 18, 2015, 11:40:40 amIs being unable to route a few traces common? What's the best way to approach the blue line? Jumper? Do i need to return to schematic capture first?Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

author: Farley
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2015, 11:39:03 pm
content: Before routing, spend time to determine the component placement. Unless there are specific reasons for a component to be in a particular place try to arrange them to get the shortest connections as indicated by the rats nest (I think DipTrace calls them rat lines).Use the rat lines (the blue lines) as you move the components around. Try to eliminate (by moving components) rat lines that are crossing each other.This is a simple board. Routing it by hand, after optimizing the placement, will not take long and will give superior results.

author: Daniel_Reyes
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2015, 11:43:16 pm
content: Quote from: Farley on October 18, 2015, 11:39:03 pmI will continue to try. For some reason they don't always move how I want them to. The lines do weird things. Ill keep at it though. Thank you!Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2015, 12:01:37 am
content: Un-routeOptimise component placementAuto-routeUn-routeOptimise component placementAuto-routeUn-routeOptimise component placementAnd so on until you are satisfied.Manual route to finish.After you have done a few you will see the routing clashes quite plainly. Component placement and rotation is the key to making it easy.

author: Farley
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2015, 12:11:11 am
content: When moving components around with the tracks connected you will indeed end up with some weird results.In DipTrace, select Route->Unroute All from the top menu to return to the rats nest. This will unroute all your tracks but keep the connections in the netlist. I recommend that you unroute the board before optimizing the component placement.When moving components you can hit the 'r' key to rotate the part in 90 deg increments. The rat lines will keep updating.I will still recommend spending most of your time on component placement whether you autoroute or manually route.

author: Daniel_Reyes
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2015, 12:27:26 am
content: Quote from: Farley on October 19, 2015, 12:11:11 amOk. I think I understand the process. I will play with it more tonight. Thank you!Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

author: DerekG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2015, 01:02:03 am
content: Quote from: Daniel_Reyes on October 18, 2015, 09:47:53 pmAs a general rule, you generally connect through hole components with tracks on the bottom layer. The reason for this is:1/ It leaves more room on the top layer for connecting the SMD components (remember it is always better to reduce the number of vias wherever possible) and;2/ You are less likely to break/damage the tracks when removing through hole components when repairs are necessary.Many people starting out, think they will actually save money by designing boards that utilise only one layer. This *may* be true with punched boards, but it generally not true with etched boards. The board shop will use 2 sided copper board & will completely etch away the unwanted layer. This puts copper into solution which must be removed before the waste liquid is disposed of. This costs money.

author: sleemanj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2015, 05:14:51 am
content: Quote from: Daniel_Reyes on October 18, 2015, 09:47:53 pmNot everything (or in fact, not much) can be routed on a single layer without some sort of jumper somewhere, be it wire or my favourite SMD Zero Ohm resistor.But your board could be.Q2 looks like a transistor with long legs to me. Edit the pattern (or rather duplicate the pattern and edit the copy) for that and move the pads a bit further apart. Now rotate it and you can get the obstructing trace to run between it's legs.Example (without even rotation)....PS: I ignore the fact you have through hole components being top-side-soldered there, which is awkward.

author: cowana
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2015, 12:28:32 pm
content: If you move C4 vertically to above Q2, the routing for that center pin can come down between the two outer ones, then straight to C3 (especially if the pin spacing is increased as sleemanj suggests)