Disabling Model Body Outline

Hi David,

A little extra bit!

You mentioned that there was silkscreen running over your pads but this isn't actually silkscreen but the component outline on the Assembly drawing.  This is another PADS numbered layer. I think it's either 26 or 27, and silkscreen top is also either 26 or 27.  Off the top of my head I don't know which is which.

Again, because there's no "mapping" of PADS ascii layers to DipTrace then DipTrace is putting the Assembly Drawing outline on the Silkscreen.  It happens to be the same line width as the nominal silkscreen line width by default.

You can turn this off by changing "Assembly Outline Width" to 0.

James

No, it's not Footprint Expert that's doing the mapping but Diptrace.

If you open the .d file you should see some lines like this:

CLOSED 5 0.05 20 -1
-1.8 -2.12
-1.8 2.12
1.8 2.12
1.8 -2.12
-1.8 -2.12
CIRCLE 2 0.05 20 -1
-0.25 0
0.25 0
OPEN 2 0.05 20 -1
0 0.35
0 -0.35
OPEN 2 0.05 20 -1
-0.35 0
0.35 0

The "20" near the end of the line is the PADS layer number.  These are the instructions to draw a closed rectangle for the Courtyard outline, and a circle and two lines for the cross-ahairs, all on layer 20 in PADS.

Simarly, there'll also be:

CLOSED 5 0.001 25 -1
-1.55 -1.55
-1.55 1.55
1.55 1.55
1.55 -1.55
-1.55 -1.55

The "25" here is PADS layer 25 for the 3D model outline.

It sounds like DipTrace doesn't recognise these two layers, and there may not be an equivilent layer in DipTrace for it to be mapped to.

Actually out of the box Pulsonix doesn't have any equivilent layer to PADS 20 or 25, but I created some layers and layer classes in my technology files way back when I stated using the original PCB Wizard software with the PADS ascii output, and also created the mapping file to map these layers myself.  In Pulsonix its just a case of matching up layers on one half of the screen from PADS with ones on the other half in Pulsonix then clicking SAVE MAPPING FILE.

I only downloaded the freebie version of DipTrace - I don't know if you can do something similar?  If you can't then I'd suggest it as feature to add to the DipTrace authors and in the mean time change the line widths to 0 in Setup Preferences in FPX so they are not included in the output.

James

David,

I checked to make sure and 2012.51 FPX works correctly in that if you change the Courtyard Outline Width to 0.00, de-select "Include Centroid marker with Courtyard" and changed "3-D Model Outline Width" then these items will not be included in a PADS 2007 .d file output for the "Pulsonix" output, and I loaded in to DipTrace okay.

*PADS-LIBRARY-PCB-DECALS-V2007*

TRIAL2 M 0 0 2 2 3 0 5 1
TIMESTAMP 2013.4.24.14.11.39
"Geometry.Height" 1.1mm
"Description" Small Outline Transistor (SOT23), 0.65 mm pitch;5 pin,2.00 mm L X 1.25 mm W X 1.10 mm H body
0 0 0 0 0.87 0.09 27 17 42 "Default Font"
REF-DES
0 0 0 0 1.2 0.12 26 17 42 "Default Font"
REF-DES
CLOSED 6 0.12 27 -1
1.1 -0.68
-0.647 -0.68
-1.1 -0.227
-1.1 0.68
1.1 0.68
1.1 -0.68
OPEN 2 0.12 26 -1
-1.1 -1.495
-1.1 0.68
OPEN 2 0.12 26 -1
1.1 -0.68
1.1 0.68
T-0.65 -0.96 -0.65 -0.96 1
T0 -0.96 0 -0.96 2
T0.65 -0.96 0.65 -0.96 3
T0.65 0.96 0.65 0.96 4
T-0.65 0.96 -0.65 0.96 5
PAD 0 5 N 0
-2 0.4 RF 90 1.19 0
-1 0 R
0 0 R
21 0.4 RF 90 1.19 0
23 0.4 RF 90 1.19 0

*END*

The contents of the .d file are above.  If you copy and paste this into a text file and save it as trial2.d you can try and import it yourself to see.

In the footprint if you click the Drafting tab you can change these settings on the fly, per footprint, or you can use Setup and User Preferences, select Drafting and change them permanently here under USER but then select USER for Environment under the Design tab.

James

Jeff.M wrote: I was wrong about exporting the model outline...it is included in the output (Iwas thinking about the terminal outlines which are not exported).  To disable the model outline, set the width to zero.  Its the very last item on the references drafting tab.  This worked in the few parts I tried but if you find it isn't working for you it may be a part-specific bug.  In that case please let me know the component thats giving you trouble.

If I click on Setup "User Preferences" or "Default Preferences" and then the Drafting tab, I can't set the model outline width to zero. I have tried this with v2012.50 and v2012.51.
I have now found that I can set the "3-D Model Outline Width" to zero on the Drafting tab individually for each component. If I "Build Current Footprint" this works, but if I "Build Library Selection" the "User Preferences" or "Default Preferences" take over and I end up with the model outline on the silkscreen again.

dwaltoneng wrote: Hi James, Thanks for your help. However the Footprint Expert DipTrace output option only lists the following layers (in the create footprint dialog box): Solder Mask, Paste Mask, Silkscreen Outline, Assembly Outline. The Pulsonix output option also lists Courtyard Outline and 3D Model Outline. DipTrace appears to be importing the Assembly Outline correctly, so I assume it is Footprint Expert that is mapping the 3D Model Outline and the Courtyard Outline to the Silkscreen Outline.

I just had a look at the PADS file created using the DipTrace output option. The "Courtyard Outline" and the "3D Model Outline" are still placed on layers 20 and 25 respectively, Footprint Expert just does not give the option of changing them. DipTrace is mapping layers 20 and 25 onto the silkscreen.

Is it possible for PCB Libraries to update Footprint Expert so that the "Create Footprint" dialog box for the DipTrace output option has the same fields as the Pulsonix output option. I would then be able to map the courtyard and model outline where I liked (probably the Assembly layer is the only possibility).