redefine board shape disappeared in Altium - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: asadi.siyavash
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2014, 09:59:02 am
content: Hi,today when I want to re define my Board's shape I saw that in Design>>Board Shape>>...but its content changed and there was redefine board shape.I attached two image first is when it was correct and second image is for now that it change.

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2014, 10:51:30 am
content: It appears that you can onlyredefinea board shape if it was defined to begin with and it looks like you don't have one in the second image. I don't have access to AD at this moment and i forget what layer of mechanism defines the board outline.Currious to see what it lookes like in 3d mode

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2014, 10:55:01 am
content: Just another thought. You could select the outlineyoubeleive to be the outline (use single layer mode to make it easier to select) and then run "create board oultine fro selected objects"

author: asadi.siyavash
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2014, 11:00:49 am
content: hi, thanks.I don't know why it doesn't work, I checked it in my prior PCB that redefine worked before, but now it doesn't work.when I press key"1" these function work and I can redefine Board Shape but in 2D it doesn't work.

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2014, 11:09:14 am
content: If nobody posts an answere I'll have a look when I get back to my PC

author: asadi.siyavash
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2014, 11:10:11 am
content: really thanks Dear AlfBaz

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2014, 12:54:13 pm
content: Hi AsadiUnfortunately I cannot find a way to delete the board shape to recreate what you are seeing. Even creating a blank pcb creates a default board outline. I could be mistaken but to me the menu items you are seeing seem to indicate that you don't have a board outline and this is why you cantredefineit, because it doesn't exist. In short I don't know how your pcb doc has ended up without a board shapeFor simple no frills rectangular boards, I generally define the dimensions within the "PCB Document Wizard". For more complex shapes I'll generally create the board in a 3d cad software package, export it as a .step file then import it into altium using "Place 3D body" in the PCB editor. I can then create the outline using "Define from 3D Body". Once the board outline is defined I then delete the 3D body

author: asadi.siyavash
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2014, 01:05:14 pm
content: thanks, but I think my problem is change something in setting or something like that because I have many PCB that I redefined them without any problem before but now in same condition it doesn't work.

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2014, 02:58:26 pm
content: Just to check my assumption, what does it look like in 3D view (press 3). Attached are to screen captures. One is with the board shape where it should be, the other is with the board shape moved out of the way to simulate what yours should look like if the board shape is missing.With board shapeWithout board shape

author: asadi.siyavash
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2014, 03:29:24 pm
content: really thanks AlfBaz I think that I described my problem very bad, in my first picture that doesn't board shape the reason was that I delete it for rebuilding it. I used this picture because I don't have any picture of my last setting when I had redefine board shape option.clearly my problem is in the " Design>>Board shape " options like : "Redefine Board Shape" , "Move Board Vertices" and "Move Board Shape" are disappeared.I really confused.

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2014, 03:45:26 pm
content: Quote from: asadi.siyavash on January 16, 2014, 03:29:24 pmAll of those options you list require anexistingboard shape to operate. It looks like you have some how deleted it and will have to now recreate it

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2014, 04:42:35 pm
content: Runni g 14 ?Hit the number 1 key on your keyboard1: board shape definition2: 2d view3: 3d viewBoard shape creation has its own viewer now because of the flex stuff. You can create shape and the sections there.

author: asadi.siyavash
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2014, 06:07:11 pm
content: what a bad change.yes my altium version is 14.1.5really thanks for replays,all the best,Siyavash.

author: reagle
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 18, 2014, 08:47:37 pm
content: Hey free_electron, on a topic of AD14 vs 13, any chance you could suggest how to make layer stackup table in AD14 show gerber file name extensions like AD13 used to do? Sorry, for a bit off-topic

author: nacipcgl
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 25, 2014, 08:08:21 pm
content: I also have this problem for a while. I searched on web but couldn't reach to any solution. Finally, I found a way to redefine board shape and size. It is not the exact soln but it work.Press 1 to open board layer stack then "DESIGN" list can be used to redefine board shape or u can press "D" twice to redefine board shape.Thanks.

author: Orion312
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 22, 2014, 04:59:49 pm
content: The board shape is available only in the PCB editor. When a new PCB file is created it opens with a default 6 inch by 4 inch board shape.There are a number of ways this shape can be replaced or altered.The commands that are available for redefining the board shape depend on the current View mode.View » Board Planning Mode, commands that support interactively changing the shape are available in this mode:Redefine Board Shape - select this command to interactively draw a new shape.Move Board Vertices - select this command to interactively modify the shape of the board by moving vertices or sliding the edges of the shape.Move Board Shape - select this command to move the complete board shape to a new location in the workspace. Note that this command only moves the board shape, other objects that have been placed in the workspace are not moved. To move the board shape as well as all placed objects, select everything to be moved and use the Edit » Move » Move Selection command (switch to 2D Layout Mode first).View » 2D Layout Mode, commands for redefining the shape based on 2D objects are available in this mode (as well as commands to create objects from the shape), look in the Design » Board Shape sub-menu:Define From Selected Objects - select a set of line and/or arc primitives that define a closed shape, then select this command to redefine the board shape to match this shape.Create Primitives from Board Shape - Use this command when the board shape exists but there are currently no objects along the boundaryDefine Board Cutout - Use this command to interactively define a cutout on the board.More info here:http://techdocs.altium.com/display/ADRR/PCB_Obj-BoardShape((Board+Shape))_AD