Grids can be leveraged throughout the PCB layout to ensure proper connections and placement of components, vias, text, and more. Grids are typically divided into two categories, etch to support traces and non-etch for other design elements. OrCAD X allows you to quickly adjust grid sizes to accommodate differing requirements for placement and streamline the layout process.
This quick how-to will provide step-by-step instructions on how to adjust grids for component placement in OrCAD X.
How-To Video
This how-to covers functionality that is available across multiple products and/or releases. Please select your product below for specific steps.
To follow along, download the provided files above the table of contents.
Adjust Grid Sizes for Component Placement: Non-Etch Grids
Step 1: Open the desired design or the provided design in OrCAD X Presto. Before settings grids, verify the units of your design in the Properties panel. The grid will be set based on these units.
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Step 2: Select Grids. Here you have the ability to turn visibility on and off, configure grids based on the preconfigured default values, or define custom grids.
Note: Grid settings in OrCAD X Presto control both etch and non-etch grids throughout the PCB layout.
Step 3: Set the Visibility to ON. This will enable us to see the differing grid spacing on the PCB canvas.
Step 4: Select the preconfigured value of 50/250 mils from the grid spacing list. The grid has been updated in the PCB canvas.
Configuring Snapping for Component Placement
The following steps show how to automatically snap to grids when placing components or other design elements.
Step 5: Select Snapping.
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Step 6: Turn Object Snapping On.
Step 7: Ensure the proper snapping configuration for components and other design elements. For this example, select Origin and Center for component snapping.
Step 8: Select Grid Points.Â
Step 9: Select the Snapping tab again to close the panel.
Verifying Grids for Component Placement
Step 10: Right click on the move icon in the toolbar and select component placement.
Step 11: Select a component from the search panel. Move the cursor. The component snaps to each grid point. Click to place the component.
Creating Custom Grids in OrCAD X
Step 12: Click the Grids tab.
Step 13: In the Quick Grid section, enter 5 mils for the X Value and press TAB on the keyboard. The Y value is automatically populated with the same value. Press Enter.
Step 14: Select the Grids tab again to close the panel.
Step 15: Select another component from the search panel. The component now snaps to the smaller grids for greater accuracy and control during placement.
Adjust Grid Sizes for Component Placement: Non-Etch Grids
Step 1: Open the desired design or the provided design in OrCAD X PCB Editor.
Step 2: Select Setup > Design Parameters from the menu. Select the Design tab.
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Step 3: View the units for the design. The grid settings will be configured based upon the design units. Click OK.
Step 4: Setup > Grids from the menu. Here you can turn grids on and configure the values for non-etch and etch grids.
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Step 5: Check the box to turn grids On.
Step 6: For the non-etch grid, set the X to 50 and the Y to 250. Select Apply and OK.
Verifying Grids for Component Placement
Step 7: Select the Move icon from the toolbar.
Step 8: Select a component. Move the cursor. The component snaps to each grid point. Click to place the component.
Note: Ensure the selection filter is configured to select components.
Adjusting Grids for Component Placement
Step 9: Select Setup > Grids from the menu.
Step 10: Change the non-etch grid to 5 mils for the X and Y. Click OK.
Step 11: The grids have been updated in the PCB canvas. Select the Move icon from the toolbar then select a component.
Step 12: Move the component around the canvas. The component snaps to the finer grid allowing for more accurate placement. Click to place the component.
Wrap Up & Next Steps
Quickly adjust grid sizes for component placement and routing to accommodate layout requirements, improve accuracy, and streamline the PCB design with OrCAD X. Test out this feature and more with a free trial and get more step-by-step how-to instructions at EMA Academy.
