Component Outline Needs Max Option
Printed From: PCB Libraries Forum
Category: PCB Footprint Expert
Forum Name: Product Suggestions
Forum Description: request new features
URL: https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3532
Printed Date: 03 Nov 2025 at 3:45pm
Topic: Component Outline Needs Max Option
Posted By: lalexman
Subject: Component Outline Needs Max Option
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2025 at 10:47am
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We use the component outline for the PLACE_BOUND layer in Allegro. THE PLACE_BOUND is used to generate EMN/EMP models. We need to be able to set the component outline size to not be nominal but maximum. Can we do that or can we get that added to the options Please.
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Replies:
Posted By: Tom H
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2025 at 11:21am
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The Component Outline has always been Nominal for the past 25 years. Everyone uses the Courtyard Outline for the PLACE_BOUND layer in Allegro. Make the Courtyard Excess 0.00. Courtyard Options - Expand Courtyard to Include Silkscreen > Off Courtyard Options - Apply Courtyard Excess Option to Pads > Ignore The Courtyard Excess follows the Maximum Body Dimension (just like you want) This is what other Cadence users do. ------------- Stay connected - follow us! https://twitter.com/PCBLibraries" rel="nofollow - X - http://www.linkedin.com/company/pcb-libraries-inc-/" rel="nofollow - LinkedIn |
Posted By: lalexman
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2025 at 11:38am
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The whole thing is tricky in allegro and just because that is the way its been used does not mean its right, works correctly or as most users never even know what to do so they just do not use it. Using the courtyard for PLACE_BOUND for 3D models gives you a model that can have the pins or not for the EMN/EMP. This is not what is needed. We just need the Component Outline to be able to be set to maximum like other layers. If you have a better way in Allegro to do this I am open to suggestions that are tried and true ways that work. This is a requirement from my customer. And they also Need the courtyard on the DFA_BOUND_TOP with the pins as we just went thru a few weeks ago. I would certainly appreciate you considering this so I do not have to write an external program to fix this. Regards Lenny |
Posted By: Tom H
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2025 at 11:58am
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Unfortunately, The Terminal Leads are attached to the Component Body Outline in the SON/QFN component families. Those outlines are displayed in the Nominal Material Condition. Also, the Component Body Outline is used for the 3D STEP model extrusion in FP Designer. Changing this would affect every component type in Footprint Expert. With 10s of thousands of users and most of them Cadence users, and millions of PCB library parts created, we can't make dramatic changes like this to Options and then saving that data to FPX format. We need to come up with a different solution. Allegro uses the Courtyard for PLACE_BOUND_TOP. ------------- Stay connected - follow us! https://twitter.com/PCBLibraries" rel="nofollow - X - http://www.linkedin.com/company/pcb-libraries-inc-/" rel="nofollow - LinkedIn |
Posted By: lalexman
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2025 at 12:06pm
| You cannot make the default nominal and allow it to be changed by the user in the options screen. This would not affect any previous or current users or any footprints unless you change the option. Allegro does not use the courtyard for place_bound_top . Who told you that. |
Posted By: Tom H
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2025 at 12:18pm
It's been in the Allegro translator since 2005.  ------------- Stay connected - follow us! https://twitter.com/PCBLibraries" rel="nofollow - X - http://www.linkedin.com/company/pcb-libraries-inc-/" rel="nofollow - LinkedIn |
Posted By: lalexman
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2025 at 12:29pm
| Come on Tom. That proves nothing but that is what someone chose at the time. Plus you allow it to be changed anyways. I need to use the courtyard as it includes pins on Allegros DFA_BOUND_TOP layer. That is my customers requirement and the only way to get that to work in Allegro from FPX. Then they want the component outline on the PLACE_BOUND_TOP to be at maximum. Adding this does not affect anyone else unless they need to change the option it so it will not be a problem. |
Posted By: Tom H
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2025 at 1:13pm
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I moved this post to 'New Product Suggestions' to allow other Cadence users respond to this new feature request. ------------- Stay connected - follow us! https://twitter.com/PCBLibraries" rel="nofollow - X - http://www.linkedin.com/company/pcb-libraries-inc-/" rel="nofollow - LinkedIn |