Need multi-layer stackup help

[BPM]

This is my first attempt at a multi layer board.
How do I have more than one default ground plane in my physical stackup?

Example: (just an example)

physical_1 -> signal_1,pad_1
physical_2 -> vcc
physical_3 -> signal_2
physical_4 -> ground
physical_5 -> signal_3
physical_6 -> ground
physical_7 -> signal_4
physical_8 -> v1.8
physical_9 -> ground
physical_10 -> v3.3
physical_11 -> ground
physical_12 -> signal_5,pad_2

Thanks
Brian

[Skip Yutkus]

If you want to commit a ground plane to multiple layers predetermined you assign it to a power layer (negative) in the setup for the board

Physical_4->Power_1 (Power_1 assigned the net GND in setup)

Physical_6->Power_2 (also assigned the net GND in setup in librarian)

or just define all your layers as signals and pour the plane on multiple layers, (the simplest solution, but slows down Mentor and makes for VERY large gerbers).

Skip

[BPM]

Thanks Skip

[BPM]

Ok so here is my board definition

board routing layers is 7

route power on power layers
vcc
ground
v1.8
v3.3
ground

artwork stackup
1. signal_1,pad_1
2. power_1
3. signal_2
4. power_2
5. signal_3
6. power_3
7. signal_4
8. power_4
9. signal_5
10. power_5
11. signal_6
12. signal_7,pad_2

now when I try to add a PWR FILL to physical layer 6 power_3 (power_3 is v1.8) I get the following error

"Logical layer POWER_3 is not defined as a split power plane; check artwork order definition"

So why does it think it's a split plane?
All I want to do is add a PWR FILL area on physical layer 6, which is logical layer power_3.

As you can tell I'm new to this !!!!!

Thanks

Brian

[Skip Yutkus]

You missed the one part of my answer that I should have emphasized, the Power_x layers are for negative planes, if you try to add a positive draw, it assumes you are creating a split plane. If you want to pour your planes then simply make them all signal_x and pour them, it's not necessary to assign the net to the layer since you are assigning it to your pour, and other pours on other layers may also be assigned the same net.

A short explanation of negative planes is that any color you see is devoid of copper, the absence of color indicates copper.

Skip

OOPS!

Forgot to point out that signal_2 should always be used for the bottom layer, I forget exactly why, but I've done the same as you have setup your layers and ran into problems somewhere along the way.

[orange00]

Signal_2 at the bottom side is moreless come from the double side PCB setup. Because the HMC's Pad is making at Signal_1 and Signal 2.