PCB Investigator Documentation · 2018-03-29 · Export a CATIA script Export data to SolidWorks...

PCB-Investigator Page 1

PCB – Investigator Documentation


Table of contents

1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................ 4

1.1 Formats .................................................................................................................................... 5

1.2 Top Menu ................................................................................................................................ 5

1.3 PCB - INVESTIGATOR Toolbar .................................................................................................. 6

2. Menus ........................................................................................................................................ 7

2.1 File Menu ................................................................................................................................. 7

2.2 Edit Menu ................................................................................................................................ 7

2.3 View Menu .............................................................................................................................. 8

2.4 Selection Menu ........................................................................................................................ 8

2.5 Extras Menu............................................................................................................................. 9

2.6 Components Menu .................................................................................................................. 9

2.7 Window Menu ....................................................................................................................... 10

2.8 Help Menu ............................................................................................................................. 10

2.9 Export Menu .......................................................................................................................... 10

2.10 Context Menu ........................................................................................................................ 11

3. Functions ................................................................................................................................ 12

3.1 Opening a job ........................................................................................................................ 12

3.2 View Data .............................................................................................................................. 13

3.3 Move and Rotate Objects ...................................................................................................... 16

3.4 Edit Objects ........................................................................................................................... 16

3.5 Compare Layers ..................................................................................................................... 17

3.6 Show and Edit Matrix ............................................................................................................ 18

3.7 Add Bitmap Data ................................................................................................................... 19

3.8 Transform Image Layer .......................................................................................................... 19

3.9 View Component Manager ................................................................................................... 20

3.10 Add ODB++ data .................................................................................................................... 20

3.11 Add Gerber274x, Excellon and Sieb & Meyer data ............................................................... 21

3.12 Find ........................................................................................................................................ 22


3.13 Strokes ................................................................................................................................... 23

4. Terms and definitions........................................................................................................ 24

4.1 ODB++ .................................................................................................................................... 24

4.2 Gerber274x ............................................................................................................................ 24

4.3 Excellon.................................................................................................................................. 24

4.4 DXF......................................................................................................................................... 24

4.5 Sieb & Meyer ......................................................................................................................... 24

4.6 IPC356 .................................................................................................................................... 24

5. Shortcuts ................................................................................................................................ 25

6. Plug-Ins .................................................................................................................................. 27

6.1 Component Analysis ............................................................................................................. 27

6.2 Bare Board Analysis ............................................................................................................. 30

6.3 Hazard Analysis ................................................................................................................. 32

6.4 Graphic Board Compare ........................................................................................................ 33

6.5 Tombstone Analysis ........................................................................................................... 36

6.6 Database Compare ............................................................................................................... 38

6.7 DFX-Import ............................................................................................................................ 41

6.8 GenCad ............................................................................................................................... 41

6.9 Design Report ....................................................................................................................... 42

6.10 Testpoint Report .................................................................................................................. 43

6.11 Panel Builder ......................................................................................................................... 44

6.12 AOI Import/Export ................................................................................................................ 45

6.13 Net List ................................................................................................................................. 46

6.14 Net Length ............................................................................................................................ 47

6.15 Color Group .......................................................................................................................... 48

6.16 PDF Sync ............................................................................................................................... 50

6.17 Embedded ............................................................................................................................ 52

6.18 IPC 2589 ................................................................................................................................. 52

6.19 Short Cut Top/Buttom View .................................................................................................. 52

6.20 3D Export .............................................................................................................................. 54

6.20.1. Catia Export ....................................................................................................................... 54

6.20.2. SolidWorks Export ............................................................................................................. 56


1. Introduction

PCB-Investigator is a tool to view and edit PCB data on your computer. It helps

you in the whole development process. From the start on, you can track your

changes with different methods. There is also a possibility to pass notes and

change requests easily to your customers with Embedded PCB-Investigator.


1.1 Formats

Input: ODB++, Gerber274x, Excellon 1, Excellon 2, Sieb & Meyer

Output: ODB++, Jpg, PNG, TIF, DXF, CatiaScript, IPCD356

1.2 Top Menu

Last View

Default view

View original Size 1:1

Zoom Out

Zoom In

Zoom Home all Features

Zoom to profile

Print Preview Layers

Print Layers

Save ODB++ Directory

Open ODB++, Gerber274x, Excellon Files within a Tgz or Zip File

Open ODB++ Job Tree

Open ODB++ Job Library

Bottom view

Open Job in

Explorer

Zoom to selection

3D view (only 32 Bit)

Activate Top-View Layers

Activate Bot-View Layers

Add current

view ta a list for

export this to

Setup Top-/Bot View

Step to previous saved view

Step to next saved view

Open

overview

dialog


1.3 PCB - INVESTIGATOR Toolbar

By Net Name: select all net objects

from an ODB++ net.

By Net Name (Current Layer): select

only objects on the current layer.

By Net Name (Best View): select all

net objects from the ODB++ net and

activate all relevant layer.

By Geometrical Shape: creates a new

net list for each layer.

Zoom rectangle

Select single object (S)

Select all objects in rectangle

Select net, open context menu with right click

Pan tool

Show measure dialog (M)

Show CAD net dialog

Show matrix dialog

Draw drill layer with one color

View Notes on/off

View feature info on layer features

Draw profile on/off

Make a snapshot

Show selected feature buffer

Switch between mm and inch

Flatten hierarchy

Show insert info

Close all open tool dialogs


2. Menus

2.1 File Menu

2.2 Edit Menu

Open ODB++ Job Library

Open ODB++ Directory Tree

Open ODB++, Gerber274x, Excellon included in a txt or Zip File

Import Gerber274x, Sieb & Meyer and Excellon Files

Import ODB++ data from an ODB++ Directory Tree

Close current job

Page setup for the printing pane

Print preview

Print layers

Save data to ODB++ directory tree

Exit PCB - Investigator

Save ODB++ directory tree to a different location

Copy current view to clipboard as BMP

Copy current view plus the layer matrix to clipboard as BMP

Add feature objects to active layer

Edit active feature

Change feature object attributes

Delete all selected features

Move or rotate layer

Export data


2.3 View Menu

2.4 Selection Menu

Clear selected items

Reverse active selection

Select previous selected features

Show selection filter dialog

Find elements and properties

Select objects by index

Assign colors to selected items

Set color of selection to default

Set each assigned color to default

Bottom view, shows the view from the other side.

Zoom In

Zoom Out

Zoom Profile, shows the full view.

Zoom Home, the start view.

Zoom to a rectangle around all selected objects.

Change the zoom to “real” size of the PCB

The special measure cursor

To show lines crossing on the mouse position

Show the roller

Turn Grid on/off

Go to last view

Set zoom factor, select your own zoom.

3D view, needs special license.


2.5 Extras Menu

2.6 Components Menu

Change viewing colors

Open options Dialog

Compare layers by graphic

Calculate the area of a selection or a layer

Add/Edit notes

View/Edit layer matrix

View measure dialog

View Step & Repeat info

View user data from the job

Add an Image layer to the job

Make a screen capture

Export current view as picture

Set new profile

Show Component Manager

Change Component view visualization

Show properties of selected components


2.7 Window Menu

2.8 Help Menu

2.9 Export Menu

Displays list of used symbols

Show analyse result

Opens a demo design

Help on strokes

Download PCB-Investigator manual

Recommend PCB-Investigator to a friend

Purchase PCB-Investigaor

Info about developers of PCB-Investigator

Export an embedded PCB-Investigator design

Export a embedded design in an ZIP-folder

Export to DXF format

Export a CATIA script

Export data to SolidWorks

Export a high resolution picture

Export a IPC356 netlist

Export the bill of material as csv- or txt-file

Export the pick and place list as csv- or txt-file

Export a list of all components as csv- or txt-file


2.10 Context Menu

Analyse results, only if errors in theODB++ data

Open drop down menu (later)

Zoom to profile area

Zoom home

Change to default view

Zoom all selected objects

(area include all selected objects)

Clear selection buffer

Give all selected object a color

Reset the color of selected objects

Show measure dialog

Show search dialog

Go to position on the PCB

Show note dialog

Show properties of the selected object

Mouse tool zoom rectangle

Mouse tool select feature

Mouse tool select features in rectangle

Mouse tool select net

Mouse tool Pan


3. Functions

3.1 Opening a job

You can open a job via ‘File’ ‘Open ODB++ Job’ or use the Job Library, which

is also included in the ‘File’ menu. The Job Library lists each recently opened job

and allows re-opening them. A right click on one of the server buttons opens the

context menu displayed below. You can select up to five different locations

(servers) where jobs are stored.

Context menu for job

list

Context menu for

server


3.2 View Data

Select easily layers to view or set active. Active means that these layers are

editable while the others are protected. Different background colors indicate

different kinds of layers. Board layers have an orange background, document

layers are light blue highlighted, drill layers are gray highlighted and the

background color of mask layers is green.

Left click on

layer name

to display

layer

Left click on

check box

to activate

layer

Right click opens

context menu


Use the color settings menu to assign colors to the different layers according to

your wishes. Assigning colors to objects can be done by using the Color dialog.

Choose a layer and click

on the ‘Color’ button to

assign a color to the

layer

Additionally you can

choose from different

kinds of brushes for

selected items

Change the background

in the PCB area


There is an easy way to get information about sizes of objects. Use the Info layer

dialog to get dimensioning of each object on your screen. To open this dialog,

just press on the tool bar.

Example 1 displays the dimensioning Example 2 displays dimensioning of all objects. without pads and lines.

Example 3 displays the Netname labeling


3.3 Move and Rotate Objects

Maybe you have imported layers from ODB++, Gerber274x or Excellon you may

have different origins. With Transform Layer you can move the layer in any

direction till all layers fit together.

Transform each active layer Deactivate the check box to get a selection of layers you want to transform

3.4 Edit Objects

‘Edit Object’ provides all information about a selected object. The properties of

this object can be changed. Use the ‘Update’ button to verify your changes. By

using ‚Add Symbol‘ additional kinds of objects can be created.


3.5 Compare Layers

After selecting two different layers and pressing the ‚Compare‘ button a new

layer is created which contains the matches of both selected layers. Thereby you

can easily check for accordance and differences.

The figure above displays the result of comparing two layers. The green

highlighted area indicates that there are no differences, whereas the black space

refers to a region where changes were detected.

Layer selection


3.6 Show and Edit Matrix

The Matrix provides an overview about layers in your project. It offers the

chance to copy, move and edit layer data in a convenient way.


3.7 Add Bitmap Data

PCB - Investigator can add Bitmap Data to the CAD vector data to compare

production result with the CAD data. You can import pictures created with a

digital/infrared camera or a scanner. Use ‘Extras’ ‘Add Image Layer’ to do so.

3.8 Transform Image Layer

The transform image layer dialog is over the layer List context menu accessible.

Or after adding an image layer (Add Bitmap Data).

Choose a image file and then opens the Picture Layer Dialog to set position and

size of the new layer.

Scale the image

with +/- buttons

Mirror the image in

arrow direction

Rotate the image in

arrow direction

Change the alpha

value of the image

Reset all settings Use auto fitting

Move the layer in

arrow direction


3.9 View Component Manager

‘Component Manager’ provides a list of each component on the according

component layers. This list can be customized according to your wishes. Items

can be summed up by e.g. Part-Name to get a BOM. There is also a possibility to

save the listed data as .csv or .xml file and to print the data.

3.10 Add ODB++ data

Use ‘File’ ‘Import ODB Layer’ to add ODB++ layers to the currently opened

project. Afterwards you can use the ‘Compare Layers’ option (see section 3.4) to detect alterations to former versions of layers.

It is possible to predefine 5 Server locations where the Jobs are archived. You also can use the history of the last opened Jobs.

Choose which data shall be displayed

Import & export your own settings


3.11 Add Gerber274x, Excellon and Sieb & Meyer data

Use the add CAM input menu to add Gerber274x, Sieb & Meyer and Excellon data

with an automated recognition of the format. It is also possible to change it

manually.


3.12 Find

Use the Find dialog to search for objects, components, properties, nets or

geometries.

Gerber274x, Sieb & Meyer and

Excellon

Improve Area Fills means

Double lines removing

Load only the first PCB of the panel.

Replace all area fills by pads, to

improve the performance.

Merge all parts of the single PCB into

one pad.


3.13 Strokes

There is a short access to a lot of menus available. Push the middle button or the

mouse wheel of your mouse and draw one of the gestures shown below.


4. Terms and definitions

4.1 ODB++

All modern layout tools have options to write ODB++. You can use the option

write to directory or the option to write it to .Tgz file. The advantage is to get

detailed information within the job. So it can be used during developing process.

4.2 Gerber274x

Gerber274x is ASCII vector graphic format. This format includes also the

definition of the apertures which will be used for drawing.

4.3 Excellon

Excellon is used for drill data.

4.4 DXF

DXF is a 2D and 3D Data Exchange Format.

4.5 Sieb & Meyer

Sieb & Meyer data is used for describing CNC manufacturing.

4.6 IPC356

A special definition of netlist data.


5. Shortcuts

function shortcut description

Open Job Library Ctrl J

Open ODB-Job Shift O

Zoom in Ctrl I

Zoom out Ctrl O

Zoom home Ctrl H / Pos 1

Default view Ctrl Home change to default view

Center view Ctrl E Set mouse position to

center

Right Ctrl R / Right Go right

Left Ctrl L / Left Go left

Up Ctrl U / Up Go up

Down Ctrl D / Down Go down

Selection tool S Change Mouse Mode to

select single object

Select all Ctrl A Select all Objects

Clear selection Ctrl C Deselect all objects

Last selection Ctrl P

Show grid Ctrl G

Show full color / selection

/ mixed

Ctrl W

Fix color F8 Change color mix

Cross-hair F 9 Cross-hair on / off

Ruler F 11 Ruler on / off

Flatten panel on / off Ctrl Q

Search Ctrl F Show search dialog

Matrix Ctrl Shift A / Ctrl M Show matrix dialog

Measure M

Measure cursor F 12 Measure cursor on / off

Back Backspace

Next feature N Select next feature

Step & Repeat Ctrl S Show step & repeat dialog

Nets selection Shift + click on select

element

Unselected object


Shift + click on selected net

complete net unselect (only if all net elements are selected)

Ctrl + click on selected element

Unselect object

Ctrl + click o unselected net

Add net to selection


6. Plug-Ins

6.1 Component Analysis

Find bottlenecks between components with the „Component Analysis“ Plug-In

and guarantee a smooth production. First set a filter to sort components by

packages or heights or no filter for showing all components of one layer. Enter

the maximum distance either simultaneously for all components or for every

single one.

Start calculation of distances

Show components by packages or height

Show all components on

top or bottom

Includes Pins in the analysis

Open Settings

Save the

settings Enter

maximum distance for all components and confirm with OK

Enter maximum

distance for every single component


List of results after the analysis:

Filter the

list by

using the

drop-

down

menu or

by

manual

input

Visualize

selected

component

in the pcb

(also

possible by

double

click)

Print the list with

Print Preview and

Page Setup

Export the list as CSV and copy

Show the list

without filter


Activate a by double-click selected

layer in the layer list

Keep activated layers activate when selecting another layer

Include only

selected components in

the analysis

Specify the country

setting for the

export as CSV

Set the

unit


6.2 Bare Board Analysis

The „Bare Board Analysis“Plug-In finds bottlenecks between signal layers, drills,

annular rings and nets.

Determine the objects,

whose distances should

be measured. Still acceptable

distance

Result overview of the

different measurements Start the analysis Filter the list by using the dropdown menu or by manual input

Visualize

selected

object in the

pcb (also

possible by double click)

Show the list

without filter

Export the list as CSV and copy data to clipboard

Print the list with Print Preview and Page Setup


Save the distance

settings and open them

the next time working

with the Plug-In

Export the results as

text or CSV or copy

them to the clipboard

Don‘t include

$NONE$-nets,

same

nets or objects

lying

on top of each

other

in the analysis

Save the distance

settings and load

them automatically

the next time

working

with the Plug-In

Don‘t include $NONE$-nets, same

nets or objects lying on top of each

other in the analysis


Show components

or objects color marked in the pcb

Copy, export or print the results

See the results

without the filter

6.3 Hazard Analysis

„Hazard Analysis“ finds all possible shorts created from conductive material. The

list of possible shorts helps to predict effects on the production.

This value defines the area taken

into the calculation Start the Analysis

Analyse only

certain nets or

components

Filter the results, either by

manual input or with the

drop-down menu

Analyse without

these parts


6.4 Graphic Board Compare

Load the two

jobs.

Click Compare to

select the layers

Start the comparison

The Graphic Board Compare Plug-In shows differences between two process steps of

one job by comparing the board graphically.


The whole board.

List of the clips

that show differences

Click on a

clip in the

list to

see it

zoomed in

in the

left handed

part of the

window and

red marked

on the

whole

board


View with two PCBIs:

On the left hand the first job with a second layer

list, that shows only the differences.

On the right hand the second job.


6.5 Tombstone Analysis

The „Tombstone Analysis“ Plug-In finds components with two pins, which have different

sizes. Problems in the production will arise, if the difference in size is too big.

Possibility to filter

the

packages by name,

count and size,

according to your

demands

Start the analysis

Check the boxes to see the different widths of the single

conductive paths see the belonging package

zoom in the component with double

click make a tab for every package in the

result list


List of results

Doubleclick on the

component to see it

selected in PCBInvestigator


6.6 Database Compare

.

Compare PCB Data shows changes in component and net

information of two jobs on one view

Choose the job to be

compared

to the active job: Either by

Job

Library or by searching on

your computer

Start comparison

Choose whether to

compare components

or nets


Overview

Filter the display

either by manual

input or with the

drop-down menu

All components

with reference,

partnumber,

coordinates, value

and attributes.

Listed by

existance in one

or both jobs and by matches.

Click on one component to see the changes in the box below

Select the shown

attributes and choose

whether partname,

position and value

are shown.


Refresh the

results

All nets

with

netname

and

percentage

of matches

Overview

Filter the

display

either by

manual

input or

with the

drop-down

menu

Click on one

net to

see the

changes in

the box below


6.7 DFX-Import

6.8 GenCad

The GenCAD Plug-In provides a GenCAD interface based on 4.1. version.

There are different ways to work with GenCAD files and PCB-Investigator.

Save all

steps

Scale your data

to ensure a

correct display Load a GenCAD

file into PCBI

Load a GenCAD

file and add it

as ODB ++

step

Save as

GenCAD file

Save as PNL file and create a GenCAD file for every ODB++ step

Doing that

you can

also

combine

several

surfaces to

a plane

Export layer

names CAD-

conorm to

avoid

diffuculties

in the

display

Fill planes

independe

nt of plane

proporties

Specify

the unit

Start the import.


6.9 Design Report

„Design Report“ provides an overview with all relevant

data of your printed circuit board.

Generates

the report

Enter

these data

by yourself


6.10 Testpoint Report

The „Testpoint Report“ Plug-In creates a list of all nets of a

pcb with testpoints.

Overview with layer matrix, bounds

and attributes


6.11 Panel Builder

Export

created list

as

Excel CSV

or text

Search for

testpoints as attributes

Take only

selected

components into account

Show

coordinates

of the

testpoints

in the list of

results

Include

reference

and part

names in

the search

Enter the

name,

you want

the Plug-In

to search

for


6.12 AOI Import/Export

„AOI“ creates high resolution BMP graphics as 1 BPP format from PCB data (with Anti-Alias: 8 BPP).

Select the

exported

layers

Set the

internal

calculation

quantity

for the matrix

Export the

complete

board or

only the

visible

area

Multithreading

for a faster

processing

Change

black-white

color

assignment

Change

order

of the layers

Change

black-white

color

assignment

for

each layer

Select/unselect all

layers


6.13 Net List

„Export Net List“ enables you to export a list with all nets as Excel CSV or

text.

Show the

selected net in

PCB-

Investigator

Open the color

menu to

assign a color

to the selected

net

Export created

list as Excel

CSV or text


6.14 Net Length

„Net Length” calculates the lenghtsof all nets of a

printed circuit board with the following presettings: Lines are added up

Surfaces are not taken into account

Intersections are plurallycounted

Display for the nets and

their lengths

Display for all nets which are

connected to a certain component.


6.15 Color Group

„Color Group“ assigns certain colors to certain components. The color selection allows all windows colors.

Select colors by

entering RGB

values or by “Select

Color” with

the color dialog box

Create groups with

leading number

tokens

After choosing the

colors, assign colors to the design


According to the

same principle you

can use the first

letter of a

component to assign colors.


6.16 PDF Sync

The „PDF Sync“ Plug-In shows PCBI information in the according pdf circuit

diagram and backwards information of the circuit diagram in the pcb.

Mark a net or

component in your pdf file

Press „PDF -> PCB“ to

see the net/component

you selected in

PCBInvestigator


Select a net or

component in

PCBI

Press „PCB -> PDF“

to

see the

net/component

you selected in your pdf file


6.17 Embedded

A printed circuit board runs through many different steps and departments

from its development to its production. With PCB-Investigator Embedded, you

enable every of these departments working with PCB-Investigator without

buying more licenses or running more time-consuming installations.

6.18 IPC 2581

6.19 Short Cut Top/Buttom View

The Short Cut Top Bottom View Plug-In is a free Plug-In, that makes your

workflow more effective. The two icons on the tool bar allow a one-click-

switch from Top to Bottom view. As you can see in the setup-screenshot, key

shortcuts for a quick switch are available as well.

The setup offers different possibilities like defining the concerned layers or

mirroring the layers by Bottom View.



6.20 3D Export

6.20.1. Catia Export

„3D Export Catia“ converts PCB data into Catiaelements. Select

„File“ and „Export“to get to CatiaExport.

Export and specify

the place to save

•Show components

•Show components in 3D

mode

•Show only selected

components

Create a newbody

for every polygon

Show names

and colors

•Show the contour of

the board

•Specify the board

height in 3D mode

•Show drills

Split arcs into workable

line segments and

specify the segment

size


Show only

selected

objects

Show only

objects

longer than…

Show the

layerin 3D and

specify its

height in 3D

mode

Create a new body

for each net

Combine all

objects of one

net

Show names and

colors

Split arcs into

workable line

segments and

specify the

segment size

Convertonly

selected layers


6.20.2. SolidWorks Export

3D Export for Solid Works converts PCB data into Solid Works elements. Select „File“ and „Export“ to get to Solid Works Export.

Open new or existing job

•Show board contour

•Specify the board height in 3D mode

•Show drills

Split arcs into workable line segments and

specify the segment size

Show names and colors

Export and specify the Place to save


Open new or existing job

Convert only selected layers into

Solid Works

Show only selected objects

Split arcs into workable line

segments

And specify the segment size

Show names and colors

Show the layer in 3D and specifyits

height in 3D mode

Combine all objects of one net

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PCB Investigator Documentation · 2018-03-29 · Export a CATIA script Export data to SolidWorks...

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