Interactive Routing in Split PLane Layer - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: sacherjj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2013, 12:53:58 pm
content: I'm trying to figure out what setting I'm missing that is not allowing me to route in a Split Plane layer. I have existing traces in that layer and can drag on those to route and copy paste to make mu sub planes. Any time I try to "P T" and route out my sub planes, I am kicked up to Layer 1 with the trace I'm drawing. I assume there is a setting that isn't allowing routing on a plane layer, but I can't find it. Anyone have an idea?Edit: Changed "P I" to "P T" (been routing too many diff pairs lately.)

author: sacherjj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2013, 01:53:14 pm
content: I can route on other layers and move those traces onto my plane layer. This seems entirely more annoying that it should be. I have to be missing something.

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2013, 02:28:31 pm
content: Plane layers aren't really meant for routing. If you do need to route much on a plane layer you are better off using a normal layer, routing what you want and then use polygon pours.Plane layers are treated differently in that they are negatives. You place a line on it (Place->Line) and it removes copper where you placed the line. It's easy to see this in 3D mode with single layer enabled

author: sacherjj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2013, 02:54:48 pm
content: I didn't realize that lines worked like the tracks are. The design I inherited has traces for this. I will try lines.Edit: That works perfectly. I guess it would be too obvious for the Line to actually be a Line rather than a Track, so you would know to draw lines...Guess it makes sense once you learn it.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2013, 04:04:09 pm
content: You cant do that !Any line you create on a plane will either be converted to a split plane or will be eliminated during gerber generation !A plane is a plane. There is no routing allowed on a plane !That is why altium throws you to a different layer. What you are trying gto do cannot be done !Use a regulare layer instead of a plane and use a polygon pour to create that pseudo-plane.

author: sacherjj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2013, 06:28:34 pm
content: I'm actually trying to make the split planes, Vincent. The part I was missing was that drawing lines gives you tracks. This is my low voltage split plane. I have 1V5 DDR, 1V5 CPU, etc. I moved the layouts to group all power groups together and have multiple split planes now for power. Then I have a master 3V3 full plane.From what I can see everything is working. Just not using the right Altium vernacular, must likely.

author: marshallh
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 19, 2013, 07:50:17 pm
content: Planes work fine if you have tons of layers and don't need to cheat when routing.I tend to use polygon fills on power planes (and occasionally route on them if necessary)Polygon manager is very handy for setting the order in which the fills are draw. This way it's pretty easy, but can be slower to refill than a plane. Keep polygons shelved until you're doing routing. Then bring them out and refill all polygons twice

author: sacherjj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2013, 09:52:19 pm
content: I've typically done Polygons as well. Multiple split planes are new to me with this project. I'm trying to figure out how to get Altium to see that the nets are actually connected via the split plane. I may be using polygons very shortly, if I can't figure this out.

author: Rufus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2013, 10:01:07 pm
content: Quote from: sacherjj on November 19, 2013, 06:28:34 pmLines do not give tracks. Planes are negative, lines give you holes in the copper and are what splits the plane.Altium recognises the plane has been split by holes and lets you assign different nets to parts.

author: sacherjj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2013, 04:15:43 am
content: I should have been more clear. The lines get called tracks by Altium (when I select them), hence my confusion in the first place. My split plane works fine now.