1. How to import Orcad netlist for PCB design in PowerPCB?
Go to Tools -> Create Netlist in Orcad, select padpcb.dll for other formatters, and then change the suffix from .net to .asc.
3. How to load the library of PCB design PowerPCB 3.6 into 4.0?
Convert the pt3 library to the pt4 library using the library conversion tool Libconv4.exe included in PCB design PowerPCB V4.0.
4. How to delete layers in PCB design PowerPCB?
Versions below 4.0 cannot directly delete layers; you can only remove the data from the unnecessary layers and avoid outputting the Gerber files. Versions 4.0 and above allow you to directly modify the number of layers.
5. How to open square slots in PCB design PowerPCB?
1. For version 4.0 or higher, you can select slot in slot parameters in the edit pad to set it, but it can only be an elliptical hole; it can also be marked directly on the mechanical layer.
2. How to copy the same parts in other files to a new file in PCB design PowerPCB? The following steps can be used: First, select the destination to be pasted in the sub-picture, right-click and select “make reuse”; a pop-up menu will appear to name it, just press OK. Generate a backup file. Second, right-click and select “reset origin” (to generate the coordinates of the selected target) and move the mouse to this coordinate to obtain the coordinate value (in the lower right corner of the window). Third, bring up the main picture and change the grid point of the board to “1” mil. Press the “make like reuse” button, open the file generated in the first step, and use the “S” command to type in the coordinates generated in the second step. Press the left button to confirm. After posting, right-click on “break origin”. A window pops up; click “OK”.
3. How to add Chinese characters or a company logo to PCB design PowerPCB? Use BMP to PCB to incorporate the company logo or Chinese characters. Convert BMP files to Protel in PCB format, then import and export *.dxf files in Protel, and import them into PCB design PowerPCB.
4. How to set blind holes in PCB design PowerPCB? First, set up a blind via in the padstack, and then add the blind via you set in the via setting of setup – design rules – default – routing.
5. What is the difference between hatch and flood, and what is the use of hatch? How to apply? Hatch refreshes the copper foil, while flood resurfaces the copper foil. Generally, after the initial copper or file modification, flood is required, and then hatch is used.
6. How to automatically delete broken copper when laying copper (watering)? 1) In setup-preferences-Thermals, select “Remove Isolated Copper”; or 2) Menu Edit-Find—Find By—Isolated pour—OK.
7. How to modify the spacing between the copper foil of PowerPCB and other components and traces in PCB design? If it is a global type, you can set it directly in setup-design rules. If it is for specific networks, select the network that needs modification, then select “show rules” in the right-click menu to enter and modify it. Rewrite after modification, use flood, and perform a DRC check.
8. How to add some via holes when laying copper in PCB design PowerPCB? (1) The via can be used as a part, and then part can be added under ECO; (2) Directly route the wire from the ground, right-click end (end with via).
9. How to produce automatic teardrops? Set the following two: 1) setup->preferences->routing->generate teardrops->OK; 2) preferences->Teardrops->Display Teardrop->OK.
10. How to add test points when wiring manually? 1) When connecting, click the right mouse button to select “end test point” in end via mode. 2) Select a net, and then select a suitable via on the net to modify its attribute as a test point, or add a pad as a test point.
11. How does PCB design PowerPCB automatically add ICT? Generally, ICT is not added to boards with higher density. If you want to add ICT, set the test point in the schematic and transfer it to the netlist; you can also add it manually.
12. Why is the routing not regular? Set setup/preferences/design/, select diagonal; remove the pad entry item in routing.
13. When the layout of the PCB is completed, how to check the consistency between the PCB and the schematic? In tools->compare netlist, select the files to be compared in “original design” to compare and “new design with change” respectively, select “Generate Differences Report” under output option, choose other options based on your situation, and finally run.
14. In PCB design PowerPCB, there is an extra through hole when Gerber output is done, but there is no through hole in the job file. What is going on? This issue may stem from a cluttered PCB design PowerPCB database, possibly due to numerous revisions. The solution is to export the *.asc file and import it again.
15. How to directly generate a component list under PCB design PowerPCB 3.6? Go through File-Report-Parts List1/2.
16. How to change a pin of a device from one network to another? Open ECO, use “delete connection” to remove the original connection but do not delete the network. Then use “add connection” to add the new connection.
Go to Tools -> Create Netlist in Orcad, select padpcb.dll for other formatters, and then change the suffix from .net to .asc.
3. How to load the library of PCB design PowerPCB 3.6 into 4.0?
Convert the pt3 library to the pt4 library using the library conversion tool Libconv4.exe included in PCB design PowerPCB V4.0.
4. How to delete layers in PCB design PowerPCB?
Versions below 4.0 cannot directly delete layers; you can only remove the data from the unnecessary layers and avoid outputting the Gerber files. Versions 4.0 and above allow you to directly modify the number of layers.
5. How to open square slots in PCB design PowerPCB?
1. For version 4.0 or higher, you can select slot in slot parameters in the edit pad to set it, but it can only be an elliptical hole; it can also be marked directly on the mechanical layer.
2. How to copy the same parts in other files to a new file in PCB design PowerPCB? The following steps can be used: First, select the destination to be pasted in the sub-picture, right-click and select “make reuse”; a pop-up menu will appear to name it, just press OK. Generate a backup file. Second, right-click and select “reset origin” (to generate the coordinates of the selected target) and move the mouse to this coordinate to obtain the coordinate value (in the lower right corner of the window). Third, bring up the main picture and change the grid point of the board to “1” mil. Press the “make like reuse” button, open the file generated in the first step, and use the “S” command to type in the coordinates generated in the second step. Press the left button to confirm. After posting, right-click on “break origin”. A window pops up; click “OK”.
3. How to add Chinese characters or a company logo to PCB design PowerPCB? Use BMP to PCB to incorporate the company logo or Chinese characters. Convert BMP files to Protel in PCB format, then import and export *.dxf files in Protel, and import them into PCB design PowerPCB.
4. How to set blind holes in PCB design PowerPCB? First, set up a blind via in the padstack, and then add the blind via you set in the via setting of setup – design rules – default – routing.
5. What is the difference between hatch and flood, and what is the use of hatch? How to apply? Hatch refreshes the copper foil, while flood resurfaces the copper foil. Generally, after the initial copper or file modification, flood is required, and then hatch is used.
6. How to automatically delete broken copper when laying copper (watering)? 1) In setup-preferences-Thermals, select “Remove Isolated Copper”; or 2) Menu Edit-Find—Find By—Isolated pour—OK.
7. How to modify the spacing between the copper foil of PowerPCB and other components and traces in PCB design? If it is a global type, you can set it directly in setup-design rules. If it is for specific networks, select the network that needs modification, then select “show rules” in the right-click menu to enter and modify it. Rewrite after modification, use flood, and perform a DRC check.
8. How to add some via holes when laying copper in PCB design PowerPCB? (1) The via can be used as a part, and then part can be added under ECO; (2) Directly route the wire from the ground, right-click end (end with via).
9. How to produce automatic teardrops? Set the following two: 1) setup->preferences->routing->generate teardrops->OK; 2) preferences->Teardrops->Display Teardrop->OK.
10. How to add test points when wiring manually? 1) When connecting, click the right mouse button to select “end test point” in end via mode. 2) Select a net, and then select a suitable via on the net to modify its attribute as a test point, or add a pad as a test point.
11. How does PCB design PowerPCB automatically add ICT? Generally, ICT is not added to boards with higher density. If you want to add ICT, set the test point in the schematic and transfer it to the netlist; you can also add it manually.
12. Why is the routing not regular? Set setup/preferences/design/, select diagonal; remove the pad entry item in routing.
13. When the layout of the PCB is completed, how to check the consistency between the PCB and the schematic? In tools->compare netlist, select the files to be compared in “original design” to compare and “new design with change” respectively, select “Generate Differences Report” under output option, choose other options based on your situation, and finally run.
14. In PCB design PowerPCB, there is an extra through hole when Gerber output is done, but there is no through hole in the job file. What is going on? This issue may stem from a cluttered PCB design PowerPCB database, possibly due to numerous revisions. The solution is to export the *.asc file and import it again.
15. How to directly generate a component list under PCB design PowerPCB 3.6? Go through File-Report-Parts List1/2.
16. How to change a pin of a device from one network to another? Open ECO, use “delete connection” to remove the original connection but do not delete the network. Then use “add connection” to add the new connection.
