how to define non-signal (ground) layer in v7.2

Eagle advertises 6 signal layers in standard version.  How do I define non-signal board layer?

Anyone willing to answer?

Hi Bruce,

In the display command you can click the ADD button to add non-signal
layers.

It can also be done from the command line with the LAYER command.

Let me know if there's anything else I can do for you.

Best Regards,
Jorge Garcia

Thank you Jorge. Posted here from official Eagle site.

Hi Bruce,

In the display command you can click the ADD button to add non-signal
layers.

It can also be done from the command line with the LAYER command.

Let me know if there's anything else I can do for you.

Best Regards,
Jorge Garcia

Thank you Jorge. Posted here from official Eagle site.

Jorge,

in 7.2 do you mean the NEW button in the display window?

Once the layer is defined as layer 100, I pour a polygon, have a via go through it with a non-ground signal, and  ratsnest, I don't see an anti-pad created around the capture pad.

In the original question.....how do I define a non-signal inner ground [board] layer that can be polygon poured and get anti-pads around non-ground signal vias during ratsnest?

Correspondingly, I trying to define the layer 100 in DesignRules and it will not let me define layer 100 in the board.

I still can't seem to define a non-signal inner board layer that ratsnests.  I need this non-signal layer as well as the 6 signal layers in the original question.

What am I missing?

...Bruce

On 22/04/15 21:31, Bruce Mellen wrote:

In the original question.....how do I define a non-signal inner ground

layer that can be polygon poured and get anti-pads around

non-ground signal vias during ratsnest?

The problem is your incorrect terminology. When you say "non-signal" you

don't mean that. Ground is a signal (net) just like any other. What you

want is a "supply layer".

Clem Martins wrote on Thu, 23 April 2015 05:37

Hi Bruce,

 

In the display command you can click the ADD button to add

non-signal

 

  layers.

 

  It can also be done from the command line with the LAYER

command.

 

  Let me know if there's anything else I can do for you.

 

  Best Regards,

  Jorge Garcia

Thank you Jorge. Posted here from official Eagle site.

 

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From where?

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Web access to CadSoft support forums at www.eaglecentral.ca.  Where the CadSoft EAGLE community meets.

I see supply layer listed nowhere in the 7.2 HELP.  I thought I heard it was to be phased out.  What has taken its place?  I have 6 layers I need to route but additionally need a couple ground planes in the middle of the stackup, as supposedly could be done in older versions.  The planes just need to accept pours and get antipads around TH vias when ratsnest.

On 04/24/2015 10:10 PM, Bruce Mellen wrote:

I see supply layer listed nowhere in the 7.2 HELP.  I thought I heard it

was to be phased out.  What has taken its place?  I have 6 layers I need

to route but additionally need a couple ground planes in the middle of

the stackup, as supposedly could be done in older versions.  The planes

just need to accept pours and get antipads around TH vias when ratsnest.

 

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Just use a named polygon over the layer to replace the old style power

plane. It will clear via and routes if you need to use that layer for

short distances.

Polygon on what layer number? I tried that on a layer numbered 100 or higher, but it did not create the anti-pads/clearance for the TH vias already on the signal layers, as it does not allow a signal name to be entered for the polygon.  I'm already using all 6 signal layers for routing and need a separate dedicated ground/supply plane that just accepts polygons and has clearance around the vias when doing a ratsnest.

Bruce Mellen wrote on Thu, 30 April 2015 14:39

Polygon on what layer number? I tried that on a layer numbered 100 or

higher, but it did not create the anti-pads/clearance for the TH vias

already on the signal layers, as it does not allow a signal name to be

entered for the polygon.  I'm already using all 6 signal layers for

routing and need a separate dedicated ground/supply plane that just

accepts polygons and has clearance around the vias when doing a

ratsnest.

 

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Hi Bruce

Your thread subject is a contradiction. A ground layer is a signal layer.

i.e. the signal name is "ground".

Your version has 6 copper layers which equates to 6 signal layers. You

cannot create any more signal layers.

What you can create is a user defined layer. These are not signal layers

and do not work like the  signal layers, with all the magic like polygons

keeping away from other signals and the auto router ignoring other signals,

for example.  No magic occurs as they are simply drawing layers like the

documentation layers. You define them above layer 99.

So you will need to find another way to do what you want.

Is what you are after, another copy of layer 2 or 5? If so ,you could use

the ULP copy-layer-to-any-layer.ulp to copy the polygon wires to another

non signal layer and include that layer as another Gerber file (layer). You

will need to address the via restrings on that layer also.

HTH

Warren

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On 30/04/15 03:39, Bruce Mellen wrote:

I'm already using all 6 signal layers for

routing and need a separate dedicated ground/supply plane that just

accepts polygons and has clearance around the vias when doing a

ratsnest.

So in other words, you have a license for doing six-layer boards and

you're hoping for a cheat that will allow you to do a seven layer board

with it. Sorry, Eagle won't do that.

Then why do they advertise it will do 6 signal layers rather than board layers?  I thought ordinary Gnd/power planes would not count in the 6.  Hmmmmmm.......

I'm disappointed that It has taken since April 10th to get this question answered, some answers taking me down blind alleys in the meantime and apparently not reading the original question.

Thank you for now making it clearer from a technical perspective. 

Marketing needs to do some better work in their product description and helps, though.

Warren,

Unfortunately I am not looking for a duplication of one of the 6 layers I want for routing traces and multiple voltages.  I'm aware I can duplicate a layer when putting together a set of Gerbers.

It appears Cadsoft has promulgated the concept of Ground and constant voltages as signals just because it is entered into a field called Signal Name.  That does not make anything on a dedicated ground plane, a signal.  I go by the definition of signal as something that conveys information....  there are several online references to the term as used in EE.

I would suggest Cadsoft change it advertising to list 6 layer boards rather than 6 signal layers.  If a person can get away with duplicating a layer, maybe they can get a 7th for free.

Thanks for listening to my view.