Embedded planes don't look at Auto Separate Gap value

[Chris Halleran]

I posted this verbose request on "The Answer"... Innoveda's bug/enhancement database.

PS - Is there some wish list that one has to get on... in order to be considered by Innoveda? Where would one post additions to wish lists... in this forum, or on the Listserver?

Here's my request:

When creating an embedded Split Mixed plane, the preference setting for Auto Separate Gap is not used. Instead, the copper width of the outer plane is used. I think that if the Auto Separate Gap is set higher than the outer plane's copper width... then the greater Auto Separate Gap value should be used for the embedded plane separation.

This would help make the software more consistant. Auto Separate Gap is used after you select the board outline and creating a solid plane (pushes plane back from board edge this amount). It's also used when you're splitting off a plane that contacts the edge of the board (using the auto plane separate feature). But Auto Separate Gap is not used when you're creating an embedded plane. This is an inconsistancy in the software.

Here I'll try to describe why I would not want my copper width to be used for the embedded plane separation. I like to use 6 mil width for my copper (so it fills the spaces between vias nicely) but I don't necessarily want 6 mil clearance between adjacent planes. I'd rather have 10 mils clearance between planes. That way, if I keep my plane outlines on a 10 mil grid, and have 10 mils separation between planes... then the resultant plane edges will be on a 5 mil grid. This is much nicer in case I have to move some plane edges... it's easier to keep the equidistant spacing between all of my plane edges.

I use and Auto Separate Gap of 40 mils when I'm making the overall plane (40 mils in from the board edge). Then I use 10 mils Auto Separate Gap (when I'm performing an Auto Plane Separate - which only works if the new plane contacts the board edge). Since Auto Separate Gap isn't looked at for embedded planes, I have to keep my copper planes at 10 mil copper width (to obtain the 10 mil embedded plane separation). When I'm all done creating the planes I can change the copper width to 6 mils (to get better fill between vias).

[randychase]

Chris, I agree with you. The use of the line width is silly, it should be set to your settings, which should at least override anything else.

As far as the wishlist, we are compiling a list on the PowerPCB subforum here for this reason. I have not seen an official repository anywhere, but we will be providing Innoveda with the list we have, or including it in the official one.

[Mark Larson]

The solution to your problem is simple, before adding the embedded plane change the width of the outer plane to whatever seperation you want. Then after the embedded plane is created change the width back to original. Or if you wanted you could select the shape-Q/M-Preferences-uncheck default- and set hatch grid to the same width to get solid plane.

I think you are mistaking the purpose of auto seperate. It does not apply to embedded planes. Seperation is for seperating planes.

Also be sure to take into account the width of the board outline to determine how far from board edge the edge of the copper is going to be. I'm sure you knew that but thought I'd point that out for others.

Controll the seperation gap by the width of the outer plane. The beauty is that you can have multiple embedded planes and have each have a different seperation. Also you could have an embedded plane within an embedded plane, each with a different gap and possibly hatch grid.

Whooboy! my head is starting to explode!