Arcs As Traces = Consistent Crashes in Layout, STEP Output...

Question

I design a lot of round boards and the CS routing tool does not make for attractive or functional layouts with only straight traces in one of eight directions (0, 45, 90, 135, 180, 225, 270, 315 degrees). I have had success drawing arcs on the copper layers and using them for traces but MANY times the software will crash when I try to connect a trace drawn with the route tool to one of these arcs. I've gotten to the point that I have to save the file after every new trace is added so I don't lose too much work. It's a pain but it works. I have had the same issue in AD 14 and 15 as well.

When the software crashes it throws up an exception (or access violation) in the ADVPCB.DLL, generates a report, does a screen cap, and then sends it off to Altium to go into the pile.

Today I learned another way arcs-as-traces crash the software - STEP export. I never had this trouble with this particular function in AD and I'm wondering if the design file is somehow corrupt as it used to export before I added the arcs-as-traces.

SO! Has anyone else experienced this behavior? Want to try to reproduce it?

e14softwareuk · Accepted Answer

You should be able to add in arcs to any trace you are routing by using SHIFT+SPACE to toggle corner styles until you get to arc drawing, also hit SHIFT+F1 during routing to see the other shortcuts you can use (e.g. adjusting arc radius).

Regarding STEP export crashing, I have come across this and one solution seemed to be make sure the ends of the arc actually tie up with the other line segments correctly. Try zooming right in, moving the arc a little and adding a line that snaps to end of arc and other nearby line segment.