Eagle: How to convert a 2 layer board to 4 layer?

On 10/21/2016 10:11 AM, Dave Chambers wrote:

I have a 2 layer design in Eagle 7.7.0

I want to convert it to 4 layer - basically insert 2 inner layers (power, ground).

Can this be done, and if so, how is it done?

 

Thanks,

-Dave

 

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Hi Dave,

I hope you're doing well. The short answer is:

1. Click on DRC

2. Go to the layers tab

3. Change the setup equation from (1*16) to:

(12+1516)

4. Click Apply

5. Click Cancel

The long answer:

Above I have given you one of the simplest 4 layer setups. It does not

enable blind or buried vias, so if you need those the above

configuration won't help.

For more information, please see section 6.5 of the EAGLE manual.

hth,

Jorge Garcia

OK, that helps a bit.

played with the layer setup editor, and I understand what "*" and "+" mean, but the ascending rule is a bit odd.

I want to be able to connect 1 and 2, 1 and 3, 1 and 4. No need to connect 2 or 3 or 4 to each other.

How do I specify that?

On 10/21/2016 12:28 PM, Dave Chambers wrote:

OK, that helps a bit.

played with the layer setup editor, and I understand what "*" and "+" mean, but the ascending rule is a bit odd.

I want to be able to connect 1 and 2, 1 and 3, 1 and 4. No need to connect 2 or 3 or 4 to each other.

How do I specify that?

 

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Hi Dave,

It is important to understand that you likely don't need to have to many

different via configurations. The default through hole via, can reach

all the layers. EAGLE will automatically isolate the via from any layers

it is not supposed to connect to.

Using blind and buried vias increases the cost of the board

substantially. So unless you have a super tight layout I would

discourage their use.

hth,

Jorge Garcia

On 10/23/2016 10:57 AM, Dave Chambers wrote:

the Element14 web interface interprets the asterisks in newsgroup

postings as "change to bold"

Yes, that would explain it - I've noticed the bold/italics and was

puzzled by them. So all along you've been saying "1 star 1 star 15

star 16" ?

For Sunstone (prepreg - core - prepreg), I'd use "1 plus 2 star 15 plus

16", which is exactly what

you surmised.

For Advanced circuits (core - prepreg - core), "1 star 2 plus 15 star

16" is correct.

As Jorge pointed out, if you're using through vias it's mostly

irrelevant. And unless you have real need to use blind or buried vias,

through vias are what you want to use.

On 10/23/2016 10:57 AM, Dave Chambers wrote:

the Element14 web interface interprets the asterisks in newsgroup

postings as "change to bold"

Yes, that would explain it - I've noticed the bold/italics and was

puzzled by them. So all along you've been saying "1 star 1 star 15

star 16" ?

For Sunstone (prepreg - core - prepreg), I'd use "1 plus 2 star 15 plus

16", which is exactly what

you surmised.

For Advanced circuits (core - prepreg - core), "1 star 2 plus 15 star

16" is correct.

As Jorge pointed out, if you're using through vias it's mostly

irrelevant. And unless you have real need to use blind or buried vias,

through vias are what you want to use.