Don't understand EagleCAD's cryptic "Width" error on my new part

On 8/6/10 4:47 PM, AL wrote:

Hi,

>

I created a new part and use it on my *.brd. I run a check an EagleCAD

reports "Width" with not much explanation. Please see the attached

image. Thanks for any tips.

I am using EagleCAD version 5.7.0 on MAC OS, by the way.

"AL" wrote> > Hi,

..... I created a new part and use it on my *.brd. I run a check an EagleCAD

reports "Width" with not much explanation. Please see the attached

image. Thanks for any tips.

>

I am using EagleCAD version 5.7.0 on MAC OS, by the way.

AL

There is a setting in the DRC. You likely have it set to a WIDTH that is

larger than the width of the pads of your package.

Check DRC/Sizes/Minimum Width

If that value is greater than the width of your pads then you will get a

those WIDTH errors when you run the DRC check.

Warren

On 8/6/2010 8:16 PM, Warren Brayshaw wrote:

"AL" wrote>  >  Hi,

..... I created a new part and use it on my *.brd. I run a check an EagleCAD

>>> reports "Width" with not much explanation. Please see the attached

>>> image. Thanks for any tips.

>>

>> I am using EagleCAD version 5.7.0 on MAC OS, by the way.

>

AL

>

There is a setting in the DRC. You likely have it set to a WIDTH that is

larger than the width of the pads of your package.

Check DRC/Sizes/Minimum Width

If that value is greater than the width of your pads then you will get a

those WIDTH errors when you run the DRC check.

>

Warren

>

>

Thank you, Warren!

Am 07.08.2010 01:47, schrieb AL:

Hi,

 

I created a new part and use it on my *.brd.  I run a check an EagleCAD

reports "Width" with not much explanation.  Please see the attached

image.  Thanks for any tips.

Obviously the SMD pads are smaller than the minimum width value for copper

objects defined in the Design Rules' Sizes tab.

By the way: All the error messages are described in the manual, in the DRC

chapter. Example:

Width:

Minimum width violation of a copper object. Defined by Minimum Width in

the Design Rules (Sizes tab) or, if defined, by the track parameter Width of

a referring net class. The higher one of the given values will be taken for

this check.

Also the line width of vector font texts in signal layers will be checked.

--

Mit freundlichen Gruessen / Best regards

Richard Hammerl

CadSoft Support -- hotline@cadsoft.de

FAQ: http://www.cadsoft.de/faq.htm

Also the line width of vector font texts in signal layers will be checked.

How do we determine the 'Width' of a vector font texts in signal layers?

The Properties box of a Text object has no reference to the Width but to the

Ratio.

The Help says

>>The height of characters and the line width can be changed with the CHANGE

>>commands:

CHANGE SIZE text_size ...

CHANGE RATIO ratio ...

Maximum text height: 2 inches

Maximum line width: 0.51602 inch (13.1 mm)

Ratio: 0...31 (% of text height).

<<

The Properties box of a Text object does not refer to the Text Height

either, so the only way to get rid of the 'Width' warning in the Drc is to

gradually increase the Ratio of the Vector font until the warning goes. 24%

in the sample I've enclosed.This gives a very 'Clunky' text and so I use a

proportional font and turn off the warnings.

Tony Hunt

Also the line width of vector font texts in signal layers will be checked.

How do we determine the 'Width' of a vector font texts in signal layers?

The Properties box of a Text object has no reference to the Width but to the

Ratio.

The Help says

>>The height of characters and the line width can be changed with the CHANGE

>>commands:

CHANGE SIZE text_size ...

CHANGE RATIO ratio ...

Maximum text height: 2 inches

Maximum line width: 0.51602 inch (13.1 mm)

Ratio: 0...31 (% of text height).

<<

The Properties box of a Text object does not refer to the Text Height

either, so the only way to get rid of the 'Width' warning in the Drc is to

gradually increase the Ratio of the Vector font until the warning goes.This

gives a very 'Clunky' text and so I use a

proportional font and turn off the warnings.

Tony Hunt

Tony Hunt schrieb:

>> Also the line width of vector font texts in signal layers will be checked.

 

How do we determine the 'Width' of a vector font texts in signal layers?

 

The Properties box of a Text object has no reference to the Width but to the

Ratio.

...and the height (size). So, you can easily determine the "width" of a

text by multiplying size and ratio.

The Properties box of a Text object does not refer to the Text Height

either,

--> "size"

so the only way to get rid of the 'Width' warning in the Drc is to

gradually increase the Ratio of the Vector font until the warning goes.

Or:

- increase the height/size of the text;

- decrease your minimum width in DRC.

You don't need to do any of these gradually since you can easily

calculate the relations, see above.

24% in the sample I've enclosed.This gives a very 'Clunky' text

Indeed, ratio 24% is not very fine looking - obviously, your text is too

small for the required minimum width.

and so I use a proportional font and turn off the warnings.

...which is processed as vector font when you produce gerber files, so

your board will have the "clunky" text.

You need to decide what your minimum width is, related to your board

house limitations (or pricing), and set up your DRC accordingly. Then,

if you want text objects to also comply with these parameters, you

really need to modify size and/or ratio until DRC does not complain. For

plain readability of text on a board, it maybe OK to fall below those

limits, however - talk to your board house.

Tilmann

On Fri, 20 Aug 2010, Tony Hunt wrote to us saying :

>

>The Properties box of a Text object does not refer to the Text Height

>either,

The text "size" is its height.

so the only way to get rid of the 'Width' warning in the Drc is to

>gradually increase the Ratio of the Vector font until the warning goes.

Or calculate from line width = size * ratio, so ratio = min_width/size

>This gives a very 'Clunky' text and so I use a

>proportional font and turn off the warnings.

Yes, it makes the text fat. But if you're generating Gerbers then

proportional fonts just don't work. If your board house (or etching

process) can handle the very fine copper required by the font dimensions

you like, then set the DRC rules to allow that. If not, you need to use

fat text to ensure it gets etched right.

--

Rob Pearce                       http://www.bdt-home.demon.co.uk

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