PCB Investigator Documentation PCB-Investigator Page 1
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 PCB-Investigator Page 2
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 PCB-Investigator Page 3
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. PCB-Investigator Page 4
1.1 Formats Input: ODB++, Gerber274x, Excellon 1, Excellon 2, Sieb & Meyer Output: ODB++, Jpg, PNG, TIF, DXF, CatiaScript, IPCD356 1.2 Top Menu Open ODB++ Job Library Open ODB++ Job Tree Open ODB++, Gerber274x, Excellon Files within a Tgz or Zip File Save ODB++ Directory Print Layers Print Preview Layers Zoom to profile Activate Top-View Layers Activate Bot-View Layers Setup Top-/Bot View Add current view ta a list for export this to Step to previous saved view Step to next saved view 3D view (only 32 Bit) Open overview dialog Open Job in Bottom view Last View Default view View original Size 1:1 Zoom to selection Zoom Out Zoom In Zoom Home all Features PCB-Investigator Page 5
1.3 PCB - INVESTIGATOR Toolbar 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 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. PCB-Investigator Page 6
2. Menus 2.1 File 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 Save ODB++ directory tree to a different location Export data Exit PCB - Investigator 2.2 Edit Menu 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 PCB-Investigator Page 7
2.3 View Menu 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. 2.4 Selection Menu Find elements and properties Clear selected items Reverse active selection Select previous selected features Select objects by index Show selection filter dialog Assign colors to selected items Set color of selection to default Set each assigned color to default PCB-Investigator Page 8
2.5 Extras 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 2.6 Components Menu Show Component Manager Change Component view visualization Show properties of selected components PCB-Investigator Page 9
2.7 Window Menu Show analyse result Displays list of used symbols 2.8 Help Menu Download PCB-Investigator manual Help on strokes Opens a demo design Recommend PCB-Investigator to a friend Purchase PCB-Investigaor Info about developers of PCB-Investigator 2.9 Export Menu 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 PCB-Investigator Page 10
2.10 Context Menu 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 Analyse results, only if errors in theodb++ data Mouse tool zoom rectangle Mouse tool select feature Mouse tool select features in rectangle Mouse tool select net Mouse tool Pan PCB-Investigator Page 11
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 Context menu for server PCB-Investigator Page 12
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 check box to activate layer Right click opens context menu Left click on layer name to display layer PCB-Investigator Page 13
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 PCB-Investigator Page 14
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 of all objects. Example 2 displays dimensioning without pads and lines. Example 3 displays the Netname labeling PCB-Investigator Page 15
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. PCB-Investigator Page 16
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. Layer selection 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. PCB-Investigator Page 17
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. PCB-Investigator Page 18
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 Move the layer in arrow direction Mirror the image in arrow direction Rotate the image in arrow direction Change the alpha value of the image Use auto fitting Reset all settings PCB-Investigator Page 19
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. Choose which data shall be displayed 3.10 Add ODB++ data Import & export your own settings 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. PCB-Investigator Page 20
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. PCB-Investigator Page 21
3.12 Find 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. Use the Find dialog to search for objects, components, properties, nets or geometries. PCB-Investigator Page 22
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. PCB-Investigator Page 23
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. PCB-Investigator Page 24
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 Ctrl W / mixed 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 PCB-Investigator Page 25
Shift + click on selected net Ctrl + click on selected element Ctrl + click o unselected net complete net unselect (only if all net elements are selected) Unselect object Add net to selection PCB-Investigator Page 26
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. Show components by packages or height Open Settings Save the settings Enter maximum distance for all components and confirm with OK Show all components on top or bottom Includes Pins in the analysis Enter maximum distance for every single component Start calculation of distances PCB-Investigator Page 27
List of results after the analysis: Filter the list by using the dropdown 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 Show the list without filter Export the list as CSV and copy PCB-Investigator Page 28
Activate a by double-click selected layer in the layer list Include only selected components in the analysis Keep activated layers activate when selecting another layer Specify the country setting for the export as CSV Set the unit PCB-Investigator Page 29
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 Still acceptable be measured. distance Filter the list by using the dropdown menu or by manual input Result overview of the different measurements Start the analysis Print the list with Print Preview and Page Setup Export the list as CSV and copy data to clipboard Visualize selected object in the pcb (also possible by double click) Show the list without filter PCB-Investigator Page 30
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 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 PCB-Investigator Page 31
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 Show components or objects color marked in the pcb Copy, export or PCB-Investigator print the results Page 32 See the results without the filter
6.4 Graphic Board Compare The Graphic Board Compare Plug-In shows differences between two process steps of one job by comparing the board graphically. Load the two jobs. Click Compare to select the layers Start the comparison PCB-Investigator Page 33
The whole board. 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 PCB-Investigator List of the Page clips 34 that show differences
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. PCB-Investigator Page 35
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 PCB-Investigator Page 36
List of results Doubleclick on the component to see it selected in PCBInvestigator PCB-Investigator Page 37
6.6 Database Compare. Compare PCB Data shows changes in component and net information of two jobs on one view Start comparison Choose whether to compare components or nets PCB-Investigator Page 38
Overview All components with reference, partnumber, coordinates, value and attributes. Listed by existance in one or both jobs and by matches. Filter the display either by manual input or with the drop-down menu 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. PCB-Investigator Page 39
Overview All nets with netname and percentage Click on one net to see the changes in the box below Filter the display either by manual input or with the drop-down menu PCB-Investigator Page 40
6.7 DFX-Import Start the 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 Scale your data to ensure a correct display Load a GenCAD file into PCBI Specify the unit Fill planes independe nt of plane proporties Export layer names CADconorm to avoid diffuculties in the display Doing that you can also combine several surfaces to a plane 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 PCB-Investigator Page 41
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 PCB-Investigator Page 42
Overview with layer matrix, bounds and attributes 6.10 Testpoint Report The Testpoint Report Plug-In creates a list of all nets of a pcb with testpoints. PCB-Investigator Page 43
Enter the name, you want the Plug-In to search for Include reference and part names in the search Show coordinates of the testpoints in the list of results Take only selected components into account Search for testpoints as attributes Export created list as Excel CSV or text 6.11 Panel Builder PCB-Investigator Page 44
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 Change black-white color assignment for each layer Change order of the layers Multithreading Select/unselect all Change for a faster layers black-white processing color PCB-Investigator Page 45 assignment
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 Export created assign a color list as Excel to the selected PCB-Investigator CSV or text Page net 46
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 Display for all nets which are PCB-Investigator their lengths connected to a certain component. Page 47
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 PCB-Investigator Page 48
According to the same principle you can use the first letter of a component to assign colors. PCB-Investigator Page 49
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 PCB-Investigator Page 50
Select a net or component in PCBI Press PCB -> PDF to see the net/component you selected in your pdf file PCB-Investigator Page 51
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-clickswitch 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. PCB-Investigator Page 52
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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. Show the contour of the board Specify the board height in 3D mode Show components Show components in 3D mode Show only selected components Show drills Show names and colors Create a newbody for every polygon Split arcs into workable line segments and specify the segment size Export and specify the place to save PCB-Investigator Page 54
Convertonly selected layers Show only selected objects Split arcs into workable line segments and specify the segment size Show names and colors Show only objects longer than Show the layerin 3D and specify its height in 3D mode Combine all objects of one net Create a new body for each net PCB-Investigator Page 55
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 PCB-Investigator Page 56
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 PCB-Investigator Page 57