The primary goal of line widths for the various part layers in a PCB library component is to ensure that all layers are easily visible when stacked on top of one another. Ensuring that labeling is consistent across all parts leads to cleaner designs and less problems during layout and assembly.

Maintaining consistency in the library begins with part labeling. Next, we’ll take a look at line and typeface width, height, and font. Soldermask Bottom: Yellow hatched pattern The most important factor is that all colors be unique for easy identification. Note: For the purposes of this article we’ll be looking at one ODA librarian’s standard setup, individual color choices will vary by user. Display colors can be adjusted from Mentor Cell Editor by clicking View > Display Control. The goal of adjusting the default colors in Display Control is to ensure all portions of a PCB footprint are visually distinct, and able to be quickly identified by a librarian or designer. Let’s take a look at how many of Optimum’s librarians configure their Display Controls. While the individual colors chosen are personal preference, best practices exist for both library and PCB design work.

The goal of any display scheme is to have any information a designer needs readily visible, so more time is spent working, as opposed to scouring the design for the portion you wish to work on. Mentor’s Display Control gives designers and librarians myriad options for influencing how a design is displayed on the screen.

Mentor Graphics Expedition Pcb