KB: Recess copper away on power plane layer

Altium Designer Altium Designer
Starting in version: 18 Up to Current

[Why] Recess copper away on power plane layer from board edge/cutout and via/pad [What] The pullback from the board edge/cutout is setup in Layer Stack Manager. Clearance with respect to vias and throughhole pads are governed by a rule Plane » Power Plane Clearance [How] Invoke Design » Layer Stack Manager, select the plane layer, and edit its Pullback distance in Properties panel. Invoke Design » Rules..., expand Design Rules » Plane » Power Plane Clearance, select the catch-all default 'PlaneClearance' to modify or right-click 'New Rule...' to add an additional overriding rule

Solution Details

Pullback from the board edge/cutout:

1. Design ► Layer Stack Manager. 
2. Select the Plane layer in the stack-up
3. Open the Properties panel
4. Edit the Pullback distance within the Properties panel



Alternatively, the Pullback Distance can also be edited directly within the table (this is the method used for older versions of Altium Designer). To do this:

1. Right-click a Column Header ► Columns



2. Within the list, enable the Pullback Distance Column for view



3. The column should now appear on the table, select the Plane layer and edit the column entry.

Further references:
https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-designer/pcb-internal-power-split-planes#!pullbacks-and-power-planes
https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-designer/defining-layer-stack#:~:text=the%20Properties%20panel.-,Pullback%20Distance,-%E2%80%93%20the%20distance%20from

Clearance with respect to vias and throughhole pads:

1. Design ► Rules... 
2. Expand Design Rules » Plane » Power Plane Clearance
3. Select the catch-all default PlaneClearance to modify or right-click New Rule... to add an additional overriding rule
4. Set the object scope and edit Clearance value on the rule
image.png

Further reference:
https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-designer/pcb-plane-rules#!power_plane_clearance
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