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Altium CircuitStudio Forum How to create a 3D aperture inside PCB
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How to create a 3D aperture inside PCB

marcogivi
marcogivi over 5 years ago

Good morning people!

I need your help. I want create a 3D aperture inside my PCB but I don't konw how.

With "Outline layer" I created the shape for my aperture (the shape's not regular...) but now I want create a 3D view where I can see it.

image

I tried to place a lot of multi-layer pad to create the image but I think it's not correct what I done!

Look the 3D result!!!

image

Please help me.

Have a nice day.

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  • tarribred61
    tarribred61 over 5 years ago +2 suggested
    The tool ribbon has a selection for board cutout that allows you to draw the shape. Also, you can place a solid region on your board outline layer and then select it and make it into a board cutout. You…
  • tarribred61
    tarribred61 over 5 years ago in reply to marcogivi +1 suggested
    Thank you. I should add a few notes and suggestions to finish off this thread. 1) IMPORTANT! Be sure to add a keepout around the cutout region to prevent internal planes and other copper from getting too…
Parents
  • tarribred61
    0 tarribred61 over 5 years ago

    The tool ribbon has a selection for board cutout that allows you to draw the shape.  Also, you can place a solid region on your board outline layer and then select it and make it into a board cutout. 

    image

    You will have to convert your placed objects into the outline of the shape you want.  Possibly do this by tracing the outline or by building the shape on a mechanical layer out of lines and arcs. 

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  • marcogivi
    0 marcogivi over 5 years ago in reply to tarribred61

    Thank you Thomas!

    I tried to make what you said me... but I don't understand how to make arcs...

    image

    I drew the outline (pink) and after I drew a region; into the arcs I taked the outline of region and I tried to stay on outline... It's correct?

    Or there's another method?

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  • marcogivi
    0 marcogivi over 5 years ago in reply to tarribred61

    Thank you Thomas!

    I tried to make what you said me... but I don't understand how to make arcs...

    image

    I drew the outline (pink) and after I drew a region; into the arcs I taked the outline of region and I tried to stay on outline... It's correct?

    Or there's another method?

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  • tarribred61
    0 tarribred61 over 5 years ago in reply to marcogivi

    Draw your shape on a mechanical layer (for example mech layer 21).

    Place lines and arcs as needed to build the shape. Use a fine line width of 0.05mm or so.

    It looks like you got that far.  If you can select the outline primitives you already made then maybe change them to another mechanical layer.  You don't have to but I think keeping the remnant lines and arcs off on the mechanical layer is better.

    image

     

    Next, select the primitives you drew.

    image

    Here is the trick....Next go to the search box and start to type convert create... and you should see a command to convert the primitives to a region.

    image

    This should make a region on the mechanical layer. You can move the region around you will still see the old lines and arcs.

    Double click on the region to bring up its properties.

    Change the layer to OUTLINE

    image

    Change the Kind from copper to board cutout.

    Position it where you want it.

    Look in 3D mode.

    image

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  • tarribred61
    0 tarribred61 over 5 years ago in reply to tarribred61

    Here is a link to the manpage that describes regions.

     

    Region | Online Documentation for Altium Products

     

    It doesn't mention converting primitives to a region but it does show another way to draw arcs to define to outline of the region.  The way they describe may work also but I prefer to work with primitives that I can control dimensions of more easily.

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  • marcogivi
    0 marcogivi over 5 years ago in reply to tarribred61

    Thank you very much!

    You are my new IDOL!!!!! image

    I've done it!

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  • tarribred61
    0 tarribred61 over 5 years ago in reply to marcogivi

    Thank you.

     

    I should add a few notes and suggestions to finish off this thread.

     

    1) IMPORTANT! Be sure to add a keepout around the cutout region to prevent internal planes and other copper from getting too close to the edges of the cutout.

    2) Another benefit of drawing the outline of the cutout region on a mechanical layer is you can add dimension lines and use it to make a mechanical drawing of the board shape.

    3) Simple cutouts can use just holes and/or slots as a non-plated (or plated) feature instead of a region.

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