ultiboard part layers -more than 4?

[dbur]

Hi,

When I edit a PCB part footprint in UB I see I have access to 4 layers.  If I want to add structure to this part on more than 4 layers is there any way to do it?

Thanks.

[kittmaster]

The layers are first set in the pcb properties itself as layer pairs. Set the number of layers you want there, then try to mod the part you have, you should then see the additional layers.

[dbur]

I tried this but still only get 4 layers in the footprint editor.  I get 4 layers there whether I have 2 or 6 in my design.

David B

[ThiCop]

Hello dbur,

Some more general questions:

- What version of Ultiboard are you using?

You can find this informationin the about Window (Help> About Ultiboard)

I'm especialy looking for two things:

1) The Application version (eg.12.0.923)

2) The Licensing Option (eg. Ultiboard Power Pro, Full,...)

- Can you post a screenshot of how Ultiboard looks like before and while editing the part? 

[dbur]

This is V13 beta power pro, but I think it was no different in V12.

Edit footprint screen.  Note 4 layers.

Project editor 2 layers:

Project edit 6L:

Footprint edit.  Still 4 layers:

I wish someone would fix this forum to accept in-line snipped images.  It's a pain to have to save each screen shot and then attach them.  And the attachments only allow 3.

[ThiCop]

Hello dbur,

Thanks for the feedback!

I don't seem to be able to reproduce this in my version:

Ultiboard Power Pro 12.0.1 (12.0.923)

I do get the same layers visible in the standard design view as in the In-Place Part Edit.

Just to avoid any incorrect( assumptions from my side.

Are your PCB Properties configured like this?

 

[Tien_P · Accepted solution]

Hi Dbur,

If you are in the Footprint Editor, you have 4 layers to work with and it doesn't matter if you set  the number of layers in the Sheet Properties to more than 4.  I am not exactly why this is the case.

The work around is to edit the part using the In Place Editor by placing the part on the design then click on it then select Edit>>In Place Editor.  The In-place Edit should have the same number of layers as you design.

[dbur]

Edit in place worked.  When I save to the database and edit it in the footprint editor the extra layers still do not show up, but when I place the part in the design they are there.

Seems like a bug (or deficiency) in the footprint editor, but the workaround works.

The right way would be to allow specification of multiple layers in the footprint edit tool, though maybe you need a warning that pops up if a multilayer part is placed on a design without the proper layers enabled.

A menu pick in the footprint editor to replicate structures on specified design layers may be an even better way to do it.

Thanks,

David B

[dbur]

Old thread, but I noticed if I opened the FP editor while editing an 8 layer PCB I get 6 layers in the FP editor.  If I add two more layers to get to 10 in my design then when I open the FP editor I had all 10 layers.  I removed the two extra layers back down to 8 then when I open the FP editor I see all 8 layers.  If I then close UB and re-open with my 8L design I then still get 8L in the FP editor.  UB 14.1