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Offset Masks in X and Y

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=2369
Printed Date: 30 Oct 2025 at 10:00am


Topic: Offset Masks in X and Y
Posted By: Kyle G
Subject: Offset Masks in X and Y
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2018 at 12:06pm
Hello,

At the moment (as least as of 2017.22), it only appears possible to offset solder and paste masks on a SMD pad along the X axis.  Can you add the ability to offset the masks in the Y direction as well?

Thank you!


Replies:
Posted By: Tom H
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2018 at 12:10pm
That is correct because most CAD tools can only offset Mask data in the X direction. 

Then you rotate the pad 90 degrees when placing it. 

It's not a limitation in Library Expert. It's a limitation in many CAD tools. 

Example: PADS Layout



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Posted By: Kyle G
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2018 at 12:21pm
Would you consider adding support for Y offset for the tools that can handle it?  I'm using Cadence Allegro / PCB Designer and there's no issue with X and Y offset.

Posted By: Tom H
Date Posted: 27 Jul 2018 at 12:44pm
That's a difficult decision because there will be several million free parts on http://www.pcblibraries.com/POD" rel="nofollow - www.pcblibraries.com/POD and we want all of them to be neutral for every CAD tool like Eagle, Altium, Pulsonix, PADS, etc. 

Let me discuss this with our programmers. In software, anything is possible, but we would have to put "Warning Text" in the program UI to alert users that "Y" offset is only applicable to Enterprise CAD tools like Xpedition, Allegro and CR-5000. 

As a librarian, I know how frustrating it can be to create offset Masks or offset Slotted Holes and not be able to do it the way the mfr. data describes it. 



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