Edit Layer (Mechanical Layer)

The Edit Layer (Mechanical Layer) dialog

Summary

This dialog allows you to edit the layer pair name, number, and type of a mechanical layer. Any number of PCB mechanical layers can be added to the PCB.

Access

In the View Configuration panel, right-click on a mechanical layer then select Add Component Layer Pair, Add Mechanical Layer, or Edit Layer.

Options/Controls

• Layer Pair Name - use this text box to rename the layer pair.
• Layer Number - use this text box to reassign the desired number of the mechanical layer.
• Layer Type - use the drop-down to select the desired layer type you want attributed to the given layer. If the Layer Pair Name has not been set, the name will be replaced by the chosen Layer Type. If the Layer Pair Name is renamed, the Layer Type will appear in parenthesis next to the set Layer Pair Name.

When a pair of mechanical layers within the Component Layer Pairs (C) section is selected, the dialog will include the following options:

• Layer Name - use this text box to rename the layer pairs.
• Layer Number - use these text boxes to reassign the desired layer numbers of each Layer Pair.
  • Top - use this text box to manually assign the desired layer number of the layer pair. If the desired layer number is already in use, an icon  will appear next to the chosen layer number, and another layer number will need to be assigned to continue.
  • Bottom - use this text box to manually assign the desired layer number of the layer pair. If the desired layer number is already in use, an icon  will appear next to the chosen layer number, and another layer number will need to be assigned to continue.
• Layer Type - use the drop-down to select the desired layer type you want attributed to the given layer. If the Layer Pair Name has not been set, the name will be replaced by the chosen Layer Type. If the Layer Pair Name is renamed, the Layer Type will appear in parenthesis next to the set Layer Pair Name.

Layer Types

The following is a list of layer types that can be added.

Component Layer Pair

• Assembly - used to hold the assembly data.
• Coating - used to coat and protect the board.
• Component Center - used for component placement.
• Component Outline - used for outlining the component.
• Courtyard - used to define the space in which no other component should be placed.
• Designator - used to place designators.
• Dimensions - used to specify the outline of the board.
• Glue Points - used to place glue points.
• Gold Plating - used to provide a corrosion-resistant, electrically conductive layer on copper.
• Value - contains the specific values for each component on the board.
• 3D Body - used for 3D body placement.

Mechanical Layer Pair

• Assembly Notes - used to detail the component load order and/or important assembly instructions.
• Board - used for the overall board size.  
• Dimensions - used to specify the outline of the board.
• Fab Notes - used to detail important fabrication notes.
• V Cut - used to split circuit boards by cutting a "v" groove on the top and bottom of a circuit board while leaving a minimum amount of material in place to hold the boards together.
• Route Tool Path - used to indicate the layer that contains the mechanical routing information. Note that a user-defined name is not permitted when using this layer type.
• Sheet - used as a display feature and is designed to work with objects placed on a mechanical layer (such as dimensions, notes, and title blocks). The properties of a Sheet can be configured in the Properties panel in Board mode including the X/Y Axes, Width, and Height. You can customize all of the size values or enable the Get Size From Sheet Layer option to show the default size values from the Sheet.
• Board Shape - used for the board shape (outline).