It is possible to divide a copper area into electrically distinct sub-areas by simply drawing the boundary line between them. Each sub-area can be assigned a different net and filling style.

To divide a copper area

To divide the plane into two distinct zones as in the image: Select the copper object to be divided and perform the following operations:

  1. Choose the command PCB » Copper » Split » Cutter width or click on the tool in the toolbar. A dialog box opens in which you can specify the thickness of the boundary line between the two zones.

  2. In the dialog box specify the thickness and click on Ok.

  3. Choose the command PCB » Copper » Split » Split area or click on the tool in the toolbar. The mouse cursor takes the form of a cross.

  4. Click on point 1 to start drawing the boundary line. To cut the edge of the copper area it is necessary that the border line crosses the edge.

  5. Move the mouse and click later on the points: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 2.

  6. Press ENTER to end the boundary line between the two zones. The copper area has been divided into external sub-area A and internal sub-area B.

To change a boundary line in a copper area

The boundary line that divides a copper object has the same geometric structure as a shape object and can therefore consist of a sequence of connected line, arc, or curve segments. When a copper object is selected and the Edit tool is active, the control hooks of the individual segments that make up the boundary line and a blue hook in the center of each zone are displayed.

When the control hooks of a boundary line are visible in a copper object, you can perform the following operations:

  • Drag the hooks located in the vertices of the linear segments.

  • Drag the hooks on the ends of the arcs to adjust the opening of the arc.

  • Drag the hook placed in the center of an arc to move the arc.

  • Drag the control hooks of a Bezier curve.

  • Drag the control hooks of a spline curve.

  • Click anywhere on the object and drag the mouse to move the object.

  • Right-click on a hook to display the corresponding menu of commands.

Commands in the menu of a hook on the border line.

Command Description

Move All

Moves all active hooks. Displays the Move dialog box.

Deselect All

Deactivates all active hooks.

Select Hook

Activates the clicked hook.

Deselect Hook

Disables the clicked hook.

Cutter » Delete cutter

Removes the borderline.

Cutter » Set clearance

Opens the dialog box for setting the borderline thickness.

Cutter » Move Vertex

Displays the dialog box in which to specify the new vertex coordinates.

Cutter » Insert Vertex

Adds a new linear segment by inserting a vertex at the midpoint of the segment.

Cutter » Remove Segment

Removes the segment to which the hook belongs.

Cutter » Convert to Line

Converts the segment to a line.

Cutter » Convert to Arc

Converts the segment to an arc.

Cutter » Convert to Bezier

Converts the segment to a Bezier curve.

Cutter » Convert to Spline

Converts the segment to a spline curve.

Cutter » Toggle Direction

Reverses the direction of the arc.

Cutter » Set Center

Set the center of the arc.

Cutter » Set Axes

Sets the length of the axes of an ellipse arc.

Cutter » Start Angle

Displays the dialog box in which to specify the new value of the starting angle.

Cutter » End Angle

Displays the dialog box in which to specify the new value of the end angle.

Cutter » Move Point

Displays the dialog box in which to specify the new coordinates of the point of a spline curve.

Cutter » Insert Point

Adds a new point in a spline curve.

Cutter » Remove Point

Removes a point from a spline curve.

Cutter » Angular

Sets the point of a Bezier curve as the angular point.

Cutter » Smooth

Sets the point of a Bezier curve as a slight damping point.

Cutter » Symmetrical

Sets the point of a Bezier curve as a symmetrical point.

Move Copper

Displays the Move dialog box.

Rotate Copper

Displays the Rotate dialog box.

Properties Copper

Displays the Properties dialog box.

Show reference point

Displays the transformation center of the selection. The transformation center is initially hidden and is set in the center of the selection rectangle. See the Transformation center.

To change the type of filling and the net of a copper sub-area

You can set the fill type and net of each sub-area independently. In the previous image, the copper area was divided into two sub-areas A and B. To set the GND net for sub-area A and the VCC net for sub-area B, do the following:

  1. Select the Edit tool.

  2. Select the copper object. The control hooks are displayed.

  3. Right-click on the blue hook (a) in the centre of the sub-area A. In the menu choose the Properties Area command. The dialog box for the properties of sub-area A opens.

  4. In the dialog box select the net GND and the fill "PCB Hatch (0.5mm)" then click on Ok.

  5. Right-click on the blue hook (b) in the centre of the sub-area B. In the menu choose the Properties Area command. The dialog box for the properties of sub-area B opens.

  6. In the dialog box select the VCC net and the "PCB Hatch (45° 0.5mm)" fill and click on Ok.

See also