Pattern Editor - polygonal pad origin location

Making your own components and patterns, organizing and using libraries.
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Tomg
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Joined: 20 Jun 2015, 07:39

Pattern Editor - polygonal pad origin location

#1 Post by Tomg » 14 Oct 2016, 05:16

For special pads, such as L-shapes (see this discussion on another forum - http://www.eevblog.com/forum/diptrace/c ... -for-pads/), it is sometimes impossible to snap a trace to a sensible part of that pad while laying out the PCB. Is there a way around this, or does a new option need to be added to the pad properties dialog window to allow the user to redefine the location of a pad's origin?

-- 15 Oct 2016, 07:42 --

After reading the solution to this problem on the other forum, I ran some experiments and developed a procedure that, so far, yields consistent success. In case anyone is interested, here it is...

Changing the location of a polygonal pad's origin (trace snap point)
1) Launch the Pattern Editor and load the desired custom pattern.
2) Make sure the polygonal pad in question has not been converted to a polygonal shape. It must be a polygonal pad in order to successfully change the location of its origin (trace snap point). Note: If the origin location is changed in a polygonal shape, which is then converted to a polygonal pad, the origin will likely be moved to a different location during the conversion process.
3) Right-click on the polygonal pad that needs the location of its origin changed and select Properties... in the pop-up menu.
4) In the Pad dialog window choose the Type / Dimensions tab and click on the [ Points... ] button.
5) In the Polygon Points dialog window, select/highlight the first point in the points list. An "X" should appear in the polygonal pad drawing to indicate the location of the origin (trace snap point).
6) Edit the points as needed to change the location of the origin. Remember that point #1 (top of the points list) is always the origin.
7) Click on OK.
8) In the Pad dialog window, select OK.
9) Click on the Save Library icon in the Standard Toolbar.
Tom

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