ToolsCopperPour

Created: June 11, 2016 | Updated: April 11, 2017 | Applies to versions: 15.1, 16.0, 16.1, 17.0, 17.1, 18.0, 18.1, 19.0, 19.1, 20.0, 20.1, 20.2 and 21

Parent page: CAMtastic Commands

The following pre-packaged resource, derived from this base command, is available:

Place Copper Pour

Applied Parameters: None

Summary

This command is used to fill a closed boundary with copper.

Access

This command can be accessed from the CAMtastic Editor by:

Choosing the Tools » Copper Pour command from the main menus.
Clicking the button, on the Fabrication Tools drop-down () of the Utilities toolbar.

Use

After launching the command the cursor will change to a small square and you will be prompted to select a closed border. Closed borders can be circles, rectangles, or polylines (if they have been closed). The procedure involves the following sequence of actions:

Simply position the cursor anywhere over the border of the area you wish to fill with copper and click. The Copper Pour dialog will appear.
The dialog shows a preview of the pattern that will be used for the copper pour, and also a clearance value. This value provides a clearance boundary to ensure that the pour is contained completely within the bounds of the original image. By default, the last pattern for the copper fill to be defined, will be the one now offered. Should you wish to use a different pattern for the fill, click the Edit Pattern button, to open the Edit Pattern - Copper Pour dialog. Use this dialog to define the pattern for the pour as required:
1. If the Fill Type is set to Polygon (Raster), then all other settings in this dialog will be disabled. The selected boundary will be filled with a solid polygon and in accordance with any clearance specified in the Copper Pour dialog.
2. If the Fill Type is set to Vector, you may choose between using a solid image or a shape/Dcode. You can choose a shape and enter a size to use for the fill, or you can specify to use an existing aperture. If you have chosen to use Shape/Dcode, you can specify the XY spacing of the shape used.
After defining the pattern and clearance as required, click OK to pour the copper into the boundary.
Continue selecting further closed boundaries for pouring copper, or right-click, or press Esc, to exit.

Tips

Using a polygon fill will cause a new Dcode to be added to your apertures list. This appears as the entry Poex.
If you use shapes and sizes for vector fills that are not existing apertures, they will be added to the apertures list with the next available Dcode.
While a Polygon (Raster) fill appears the same as a Vector (Solid), it will be defined by large overlapping shapes rather than minute fills. This will generally keep the file size smaller and allow faster redraws.
Only positive values are accepted for the boundary clearance. Any negative numbers entered will result in the negative symbol being ignored.