4 layer PCBs (w/power & ground planes) - step-by-step??

Making PCB Layouts, Manual routing, Auto-routing, Copper pouring, Updating from Schematic, Manufacturing Output
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Dave92F1
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4 layer PCBs (w/power & ground planes) - step-by-step??

#1 Post by Dave92F1 » 19 Sep 2019, 04:45

Is there a tutorial somewhere on setting up a 4 layer PCB with inner power and ground planes, and signal traces routed on the top and bottom?

I've tried to do it without success. Will the autorouter insert vias, etc. as needed to connect nets to the power and ground planes?

I can get 2-layer boards working fine, but a step-by-step guide to 4 layer boards would be really helpful.

Tomg
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Re: 4 layer PCBs (w/power & ground planes) - step-by-step??

#2 Post by Tomg » 19 Sep 2019, 06:16

In the main menu of the PCB Layout editor try Help > DipTrace Tutorial > Bookmarks > Designing a PCB > Working with Layers.
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Jack Easton
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Re: 4 layer PCBs (w/power & ground planes) - step-by-step??

#3 Post by Jack Easton » 17 Jan 2022, 14:49

The Working with Layers tutorial section does not describe how to connect through hole vias to different plane/signal layers in a 4 layer board. You need better documentation or a YouTube video showing a real example of how to do this. I doubt I am the only one confused on how to do this.

Tomg
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Re: 4 layer PCBs (w/power & ground planes) - step-by-step??

#4 Post by Tomg » 18 Jan 2022, 03:18

Hi Jack. FYI, I am not affiliated with Novarm/DipTrace. As to connecting copper pours, make sure the via is connected to the desired net and that the pour is connected to the same net. For more information on connecting the pour, open the tutorial. In the "Bookmarks" panel click on "Designing a PCB", then click on "Copper pour" and skip to the section titled "Connect copper pour" (near the bottom of page 66 in DipTrace version 4.2.0.1). Here's a generic example of what one might see when connecting a copper pour...
ctcp.png
ctcp.png (21.97 KiB) Viewed 994 times
Tom

Alex
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Re: 4 layer PCBs (w/power & ground planes) - step-by-step??

#5 Post by Alex » 18 Jan 2022, 03:27

We will capture video to show how to connect vias and copper pours on different layers.

Tomg
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Re: 4 layer PCBs (w/power & ground planes) - step-by-step??

#6 Post by Tomg » 18 Jan 2022, 04:37

Until then, here's an example of how to connect a static via to an existing net...
cv2.png
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Tom

Serg
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Re: 4 layer PCBs (w/power & ground planes) - step-by-step??

#7 Post by Serg » 30 Jan 2022, 21:40

The videos by this theme are available in YouTube channel of DipTrace:


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