Macro

[Dan]

Hi Tom -

I notice that people like to use something called "macros". Could you tell me what a macro is. I assume it is some sort of program that makes things easier to do. Do you know if there is a macro for adding a via while I am routing? Constantly hitting the F4 key seems cumbersome to me.

Thanks again for your help.

Dan

[Tom]

Dan,

Macros are used to do something that is redundant. For instance every time you use "Copper Pour" and you add / subtract parts, vias or move things around you have to reflood, then find isolated pours and delete them. So we have a Macro that automatically refloods and removes isolated pours. Saves a dozen mouse clicks every time.

As far as adding vias, there are several techniques that we use.

1. When you are routing a trace, hold the "Shift" key down and LMB click. This will add a via for you and change layers to whatever you have your "Layer Pairs" are set to. This is much better than the F4 insert via technique.

2. When you are fanning out Bypass Caps or BGA's, we always use Copy (Ctrl C). You fanout one pin exactly like you want and then select the trace stub and via and Ctrl C and the fanout will be on your cursor and when you select another pin it will automatically fan it out and place another trace/via on your cursor ready for you to select another pin. You'll have to test drive this but once you get the hang of it you'll be using it on every multi-layer design.

3. If you are routing a trace and you want to go to a different layer other than your Layer Pair, you'll have to type the modeless command L. "L4 Enter" for layer 4 or "L6 Enter" for layer 6. PowerPCB will add a via and drop you to the layer you typed.

4. If you have several 20 pin PLCC's and you want to fan them all out identically, you can also use the "Ctrl C" option on the entire fanout.

Macros are typically not used to add single vias because you have to run the macro every time and that takes a couple of mouse clicks. Hope this improves your productivity.