Autoroute via keepout / Eagle vRestrict like functionality?

[hkk232]

Hi all,

I am new to Altium and trying to figure out a way to keep the autorouter from placing vias in specific regions of my board.  Eagle had a vRestrict layer to accomplish this, but I have not been able to figure out the rules for Altium to do the same.

Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you!

[jeffvan]

I have been looking for this same feature in Altium Designer for the last day.  So far no luck.  All rules that should work seem not to. 

A Keep-Out Layer is not a great solution either since it doesn't allow any routes on any other layers.  I hope someone has a good method for this to work.

I am starting to venture a guess that this isn't really possible at the moment.

[M. András]

try to learn it manually, eventually you wont have a choice just to route it manually cos the autorouter wont be capable of doing it right

[jeffvan]

Routing manually is not a problem.
But, if your answer to: not being able to create a routing rule, is to do it manually, then it doesn't speak well to the long term solution.

In complex PCBs it is a lot better to have a rule in place, even during manual routing, so that you don't have those frustrated moments weeks down the line, when your PCB arrives and you realize you should not have had vias in one area.  Keeping track of each component's requirements would be a lot easier if you could create restrictions for that component beforehand.

In my case I have an MicroSD card slot that has a metal shield.  No Vias are allowed in specific areas, but they are in other areas.  This might seem like a simple solution to perform manually.  But now I am expected to remember this for this specific MicroSD card slot, when ever I use it.  Using Keep-Out Layer is not the answer either, since routing through the area is allowed.

@Andras: Sorry to say but your comment provides no benefit to the solution, since it neither suggest how to accomplish the task in Altium Designer, when we know it is possible in another software.  You should know that rules still apply during Interactive Routing and I suggest you start trying them out for better results.

[etzz]

Hello
I usually use Electra which is a specctra clone with Altium (connecteda.com).  I cant give you a specific answer to your question, but I finally gave up on Altium's auto-router in frustration.  It seems like you could almost make it work, but then you realize you cant.  I think you can probably set this up in Electra.

If you go to the Altium forum, you can find some specifics on Electra.  Almost all the users on the Altium forum will tell you that everything should be hand routed anyway for best quality (dont know where this came from, but its custom over there....i think its because the autorouter doesnt work).  That is a solution up to a medium complexity board.  Above a certain size, it becomes unwieldy and not cost effective.  This is one of the most important things that is keeping Altium out of the "big leagues" (IMHO).  I cant imagine telling the CAD designers to hand route everything at some of the places I have worked.  They would curse me for sure.  I sort of wandered off topic there , but try the Electra demo.
Best,
Eric

[etzz]

I thought of the answer to your question.  You would set up a region, outline, polygon, mechanical layer outline, etc.  This could be done with several objects.  Then you will have to assign a rule like "isvia"  and clearance to your object.  Then assign a specific clearance like 30 mil.  The exact syntax could be found by searching Altiums forum.  I am sure its on there.
Getting it to work with their autorouter is a different task.  You can do the same with Electra.  Set up a via clearance to a specific object in the "do file".
Eric

[free_electron]

define a rule (isvia and isregion) could be inregion as well. not sure. look it up
in schematic create a separate sheet so a region is created. place there something silly like a esd label or a gnd point , or even the mounting holes.

then define that region on the board.

-edit-  i just went to look at that elektra thingie..  [vomit emoticon]
what the hell is that ? i wouldn't feed such routing results to the pigs.



deplorable !

[etzz]

Ha, another CAD IS ART fan over here?  Appearance of routing results has nothing to do with it.  Speed (cost) to solution and adequate functionality is ALL that anyone but the CAD designer cares about.

Eric

PS:  I just tried the video link.  I was surprised to see Electra now supports match length routing.  I am on version 2, but will have to upgrade.  I thought the video looked fine...not sure what you didnt like.  I'll assume its the multi-sized serpentines.  You can probably set a minimum rule for this.