Board Size in Ultiboard

[lacy]

This is probably going to ne one of the most stupid questions ever asked, but I'm going to ask anyway. This is an Ultiboard question.

How do I know what board size I am going to need in advance of placing components?  The way I have been doing this is that I would place my components either manually or with the autoplacer and then adjust my board outline size at that point. Would this be considered proper design procedure? What, if any, effect would my method have on the autoplacer in determining where components will be placed?

Thanks for any replys in advance.

[nestor-sg]

Lacy, the autoplacer uses algorithms accounting for the force vectors and ratsnest configuration in oder to place the components, rather than the 'space' available.

However, with that said, imagine that you have a weird outline, the autoplacer 'does' knows what the boundaries are that it needs to abide to when placing components.

Usually your mechanical enclosure or place where the board will be gives you a clue on how the PCB outline should look like... then place components and traces on that outline...  however there are times in which you can place a default board outline and then according to how the parts, and part groups, etc, are being placed you can then tweak the outline to your favor.

[lacy]

Thanks Nestor. That helps tremendously.

Have a Nice Day

[kittmaster]

One feature that may help would be the a ruler tool. Right now the only way to get measurements is try to use the display in the lower right or use dimension lines....I've asked for a ruler feature in the past, do you know if thats in the pipe nestor?

[nestor-sg]

Chris, are you referring to the Ruler Bars (top and left) that are in Ultiboard? You can place markers and take dimensions from there.

Or are you suggesting a different type of ruler tool?

[kittmaster]

a different type, where you click on a button like a filters and when you left click starts the begin of measurement and when you move the mouse and second left click the real time dialog box displays the measurement while showing the vector between start and end points of selection.....