KB: Specify via style during interactive routing
Created: May 07, 2024 | Updated: May 02, 2025
Altium Designer
Starting in version: 18
Up to Current
Via style—such as size, type, and solder mask tenting—is determined by the Routing Via Style rule set within the .pcbdoc by default. However, during interactive routing, users can override this rule using User Choice mode for a one-time adjustment, allowing flexibility in via selection based on specific design needs.
Solution Details
By default, via size during interactive routing is determined by Routing Via Style rule specified on a given *.pcbdoc, but if you insist, it could be changed to User Choice in Preferences, PCB Editor - Interactive Routing, under Interactive Routing Width Sources, on Via Size Mode pulldown. There is also a keyboard shortcut '4' to cycle through the modes on the fly. The User Choice can be changed further by Shift+V keyboard shortcut. Please refer our online manual for further details:https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-designer/interactive-routing-pcb#!changing-the-via-size-mode-while-routing
Obviously, prescribing via definition upfront is a more recommended practice, and if it needs to be managed/reused across multiple designs within your team, it is best to manage it in a form of *.pvlib Pad Via template library from which each *.pcbdoc can reference in its rule.
There is also a seperate default setting in Preferences, PCB Editor - Defaults , Via located under Primitive List, which only applies during a standalone Place » Via menu command, and NOT on a via placed during interactive routing.
In a given *.pcbdoc, you can access the Routing Via Style rule by going to: Design ► Rules ► Design Rules ► Interactive Routing ► Routing Via Style.
Make sure that a Routing Via Style rule with the desired size is created and enabled the Routing Via Style rule in the PCB Rules and Constraints Editor.
