Connecting the Components Tracks (also called traces) may be routed on the Top layer,

any of four Mid layers or on the Bottom layer (also called the solder side). Vias are placed at the point where tracks pass from one layer to another.

Selecting a New Track Size

When you placed tracks on the Board layer to define the outline of the PCB you used tracks which had the (default) width of 12 mils. However, for this example you will select a larger size of 15 mils.

To change the default track size,

1 Choose Options > Setup. The Track setup options are located in the upper left corner under the General tab (see figure 3.8.)

2 Type 15 in the Default Width text box, then choose OK.

Figure 3.8. The Track and Via setup options are found under the General tab of the Setup dialog box.

Selecting the Via Size

A via is a special type of pad used to pass current from one layer of a PCB to another. Like through hole pads, Trax- Maker vias occupy the Multi Layer. Another setting you’ll change is the via size (see Figure 3.8.) A larger via size will work better with the larger track size you just chose. To change the default via size,

1 Choose Options > Setup. The Via setup options are located on the left side under the General tab (see Figure 3.8.)

Identifying Components and Pins

Before you can route your connections, you will need to identify the components and pin numbers to be connected. The Find option lets you quickly move the cursor to a predetermined location. This can save you from having to constantly zoom in to see the pin numbers and zoom out to navigate around your design and is particularly useful for large or complex layouts.

To quickly find components and pin numbers,

1 Choose Edit > Find > Component.

2 Select U1 from the Component list box and 1 from the

Pin list box. Choose OK.

Note that the cursor goes to component U1, pin number 1, and that the component is selected.

Placing Tracks

Now that you have set up the track and via sizes, and you know how to find components and pins, you’re ready to make your first connection. Your objective is to connect U1- 1 to U2-1 by first placing a via. Make sure that you are on the Top Layer, then follow these steps:

1 Select the Place Via Tool on the Tool Bar.

2 Position the cursor at X 400 Y 2000, then click to place a via there. Right-click to turn off the Place Via Tool.

3 Select the Place Track Tool from the Tool Bar.

4 Click once at the center of U1-1.

5 Drag the track to the via you placed earlier. Position the cursor on the center of the via then click again. Right- click to turn off the Place Track Tool.

6 From the Layer selection list box on the Status Bar, select Bottom Layer.

7 Select the Place Track Tool again and click once at the center of U2-1.

8 Drag a track to the same via as before and connect the track appropriately.

Tip: It’s easier to

place items precisely when you Zoom in on the area where you are working.

Tip: You can toggle

between layers using the *, + or - keys on the keypad. When you toggle between copper layers while placing a track, a via is placed automatically.

9 To see an accurate picture of the changes you’ve made, choose View > Refresh Screen or press the End key on the keyboard.

Now you have two components that are connected by two tracks and a via, as shown in Figure 3.9.

Figure 3.9. This is how your Board should look after completing the preceding steps.

In most cases, the track will snap to the grid position that corresponds to the center of the pad or via (when you are manually laying tracks). If you change the grid or select a very fine grid, it is possible to miss the pad center and fail to establish connectivity.

Keep grids standardized, if possible, and make sure you manually lead tracks to pad centers. Otherwise the track may appear connected (depending on the zoom level) when it is actually isn’t.

As you moved the cursor during track placement, the selected track segments “snapped” to either horizontal, vertical and 45 degree segments. This is called orthogonal track placement and is considered standard practice, particularly if the board is to be pen plotted or photoplotted. See Chapter 4: Placing and Editing Features for more information about Track settings.

Using the Pad-to-Pad Router

One of the tools included on the Tool Bar is the Route Pad-

to-Pad Without Net Tool. This tool uses the Router settings

to automatically route a track between two pads (see

Chapter 7: Routing for more information). These settings

define the grid, track and via sizes used when routing and the clearances the router will maintain as it makes connec- tions. For this tutorial, you will use the default settings. To connect components using the Route Pad-to-Pad Without Net tool,

1 Select the Route Pad-to-Pad Without Net tool on the Tool Bar.

2 Move the cursor to R1-2, click and hold the mouse button. Pin 2 of R1 will be highlighted when you place the tool over it.

3 Drag the cursor to the destination pad U2-1 and release the mouse. TraxMaker connects the two pads, placing vias as needed.

4 For practice, complete the following connections: U1-12 to U2-9 and U1-13 to U2-6. Your “routed” PCB should now look similar to Figure 3.10.

Figure 3.10. The tutorial Board, after using the Route Pad- to-Pad Without Net tool.