When you type the command "polygon gnd" to start the fill process of a
polygon that way, "gnd" refers to the signal known by the schematic as
"gnd".
For example, in board view, click on the eye icon and type "gnd" in
the command text entry box. Everything that is connected to ground on
the schematic will come up highlighted on the board. Similarly, you
can click on the "i" icon (info), click on a trace, and it will
identify the signal name. Carrying that forward logically, clicking
on the eye symbol and typing in the signal name will highlight all
traces and pads connected by that signal. The signals are assigned
when you connect components on the schematic using the "net" icon (do
not use "wire" for connecting components!).
You mentioned setting widths before. One thing I like to do after I
have my board routed, and after it has passed the DRC (design rules
check), is to increase the width of the copper traces of many of them.
You can do this trace by trace (segments of traces actually) by
clicking on the wrench symbol, setting the desired trace width, and
then one by one, clicking on the trace segments you want to change.
You would typically want to do this prior to the polygon fill, of
course, to maintain your set clearance around the traces.
Cheers,
Ted
--- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "alan00463" <alan00463@...> wrote:
>
> --- In Homebrew_PCBs@yahoogroups.com, "derekhawkins" <eldata@> wrote:
> >
> > >But my polygons aren't filled. They're hollow. Or is that just
> > >the way they look on the computer screen?
> >
> > Are you trying to do something like this by any chance;
> >
> > http://www.pbase.com/image/57044297/large
> >
> > In case you are then it's not done by filling several polygons, in
> > fact it's done by filling a single polygon. "Copper pours" is one
term
> > used for the activity.
> >
> I just did two simple layouts using point-to-point traces between
> through-hole components. Next, I want to learn how to toggle the
> visibility of any particular layer (ON and OFF).
>
> No, I never considered doing anything like that until you posted the
> pic. After seeing the pic, I am interested in trying that technique
> for a future board. I don't understand how that copper pour is
> done using a single polygon. I will take a look at the Japanese
> website and see if that helps my understanding.
>
> I'm glad you made me aware of this alternate layout technique.
>