Solder Mask Question.

[kvresto]

Hi Everyone.

How do I stop my board manufacturer from applying solder mask to my fills on the top layer which I use to extend some footprint a bit so I can solder them successfully on my bench. Obviously the mask is not applied on the pads themselves, but I don't want to be modifying my libraries. I've included a pic which shows how I've used fills to extend my footprints particularly around the caps and inductors.

Thanks for your help.
Kvresto.

[Alex Eisenhut]

It's different from one CAD to another. Just find a layer you can add filled shapes on and include them in your soldermask layer gerber.

[rs20]

There's a layer in Altium named "top solder"/"top mask" or something along those lines; just draw a filled rectangle on that layer and that rectangle will have no solder mask on it. In other words, where there is an object on the top mask layer, the top copper will be bare (provided there's copper there as well, of course!).

[kvresto]

Thanks all, got it.

kvresto