multiple pad sizes in one pattern  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: electronics man
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2015, 05:27:11 pm
content: i am trying to make a pattern for a component with 3 different pad sizes, i don't seem to be able to do it on dip trace, please help?this is the componenthttps://cdn.sparkfun.com/datasheets/Wireless/WiFi/cc3000.pdf

author: BloodyCactus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2015, 06:48:49 pm
content: why not? do it freeform. draw a pad, set its dimensions and move it to where it should be.

author: electronics man
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2015, 07:07:35 pm
content: Quote from: BloodyCactus on May 19, 2015, 06:48:49 pmi tried that and it wouldn't let me make an electrical connection to it

author: electronics man
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2015, 07:19:43 pm
content: the problem is it doesn't give my pads numbers

author: John Coloccia
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2015, 11:22:15 pm
content: Did you create them as pads, or did you draw them with the drawing tool? I've never seen anything like that. Post your files.

author: DerekG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2015, 12:07:15 am
content: Quote from: electronics man on May 19, 2015, 07:19:43 pmDipTrace can't read your mind. You need to allocate the pad numbers to each pad. You do this in the "Pattern Editor" if you are making this component as a library component (which you should be).Simply right click on the pad & choose from the pop up dialog box "Pad Number". Enter the pad number you want & click "OK".Once you have done that you need to allocate a "Pad Number" to each "Pin". This is done in the table shown in the lower section of your screen shot.It is logical to make Pin 1 = Pad Number 1, Pin 2 = Pad Number 2 etc.

author: electronics man
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2015, 09:17:32 am
content: Quote from: John Coloccia on May 19, 2015, 11:22:15 pmi drew them free hand because the pad tool doesn't let you use more than one pad size. (when you go to change the pad size it changes the sizes of the pads i have already made)

author: bookaboo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2015, 09:57:07 am
content: Right click on your pad:Properties > Type/DimensionsUncheck "Use Patterns Pad Properties"

author: DerekG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2015, 10:28:04 am
content: bookaboo's post above is correct as that allows you to individually set each pad's hold size independently of the others.However, you are always better off using the "Pattern Editor" (this is the bottom option when you first open DipTrace) to "make your new library component".The "Pattern Editor" module is specially designed to allow you toeasilymake your new components for your projects. It gives you full control over everything.

author: bookaboo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2015, 10:33:27 am
content: Yes I forgot to state to do this in the pattern editor, editing pads in the PCB layout isn't good practice as Murphy will get you on the next board or revision.

author: John Coloccia
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2015, 10:48:44 am
content: Quote from: electronics man on May 20, 2015, 09:17:32 amYou can't do that. There's no way to change them into pads after drawing them, even though you CAN change them to a copper layer (TOP, for example). It simple won't treat them as a pad.So let me explain how it works because it's confusing. The pattern itself has pad properties...size, shape, type, etc. This is convenient because 99% of the time, all of the pads are identical, and when you change the pattern's properties, they all change. What I would do is make the small pads use the pattern's pad properties, and then for the larger pads, uncheck that box bookaboo mentioned, and you'll be able to change them.

author: DerekG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2015, 11:36:44 am
content: Quote from: John Coloccia on May 20, 2015, 10:48:44 amNot to mention automatically opening up the solder mask so you can solder to them

author: electronics man
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2015, 12:30:13 pm
content: Quote from: bookaboo on May 20, 2015, 10:33:27 ami did do it on the pattern editor, what i showed above was just what i get when i put it into the component editor

author: John Coloccia
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2015, 01:18:16 pm
content: Quote from: DerekG on May 20, 2015, 11:36:44 amThey really named that very poorly. They should have called it "Pattern Default", or something like that. It took me a bit of head scratching to figure out exactly how it all worked.

author: DerekG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2015, 10:43:58 pm
content: Quote from: John Coloccia on May 20, 2015, 01:18:16 pmActually I think something like "Footprint Design" or something similar would have been much better.