| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| shadders |
Posted - 03 May 2010 : 19:11:43
Hi,
Apologies if this has been covered before - have checked but could not find any reference.
I have a PCB nearing completion, and i have used a 32pin PQFP device which is 3mmx3mm - and requires many power supply capacitors.
Essentially they are so closely packed that i cannot meet the specified layout and locate the device text close to the footprint.
As such can i reduce the component font size for some components - such that the text remains, and is small enough for all texts to fit close to the components ?.
Thanks and regards,
Richard. |
| 10 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| shadders |
Posted - 06 Jul 2010 : 19:16:17
Hi All,
Thanks for the replies and guidance.
I have managed to reduce the size of the text and keep the position relative to the component. I have moved some of the components to the reverse side of the board too - has helped.
I realised later that the PCB manufacturer has a minimum font line width - so thankfully the technology file could be revised and hey presto, correct line thickness.
Regards,
Richard. |
| Peter Johnson |
Posted - 02 Jul 2010 : 15:44:32
...and you do realise that you can change the layer of the text independently of the component, so you can put it on the bottom if there's room. You can also add extra ones by selecting a component and using [Add], [Reference Origin] if you're going to use a grid system for location. Anyone for transparent pcbs? |
| olga |
Posted - 30 Jun 2010 : 20:52:15
I know this is probably too late to be useful to you, but one method I used to use when I had a lot of components and not enough space for silkscreen was to put the silkscreen text in a lock to one side. This worked especially well when there was a neat layout of components in a row or block; then the respective component references would be in an equivalent row or block to one side. |
| shadders |
Posted - 11 May 2010 : 17:20:59
Hi David,
Thanks.
Hi Peter,
I have used the standard system font which is the default - so i assume this will be OK. Looks OK on the screen, so hopefully will be repoduced ok in the manufacture of the PCB. It is not too much of a problem for a prototype board, and i can always reference the PCB printouts.
Thanks again to all for your help.
Regards,
Richard. |
| Peter Johnson |
Posted - 11 May 2010 : 10:37:00
Just a footnote. Be careful which font you use when you use small text. Some True Type fonts in particular use narrow lines which will break up on a silk screen because the screen is only capable of a finite resolution. With system stroke font the optimum line width is about 20% of height for small characters. |
| DavidM |
Posted - 10 May 2010 : 17:28:37
That's the difference between 'symbol text' that is 'hard-wired' into the symbol and placed there when editing the symbol, and the 'name' item (R101 etc) that appears on each instance of the component in the design.
The component name can have a style applied, and it can be moved/rotated/flipped, whereas the text 'inside' the symbol is locked in.
I guess some of the terminology we use doesn't quite make it clear at times which is which, but I'm glad we got there in the end!
David |
| shadders |
Posted - 05 May 2010 : 14:42:46
Hi Iain,
Thanks - i did misread David's response. Have changed the text to a suitable size for placement. Now, just need a very big magnifying glass...... thanks again.
Regards,
Richard. |
| Iain Wilkie |
Posted - 05 May 2010 : 09:29:26
As David says.... if it is the silk screen text, then click on the text, then right ckckick and choose the "Change Style" to alter the text
Iain
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| shadders |
Posted - 04 May 2010 : 20:01:22
Hi David,
Thanks. I did mean the component text as per the PCB silk screen. If this is fixed, then i will just have to try and place them without too much confusion.
Regards,
Richard. |
| DavidM |
Posted - 04 May 2010 : 12:27:03
Each component name can have its own style, so you can certainly alter some to pack them into a smaller space. You can't currently do it through Properties though, only through 'Change Style', so you would have to change them one at a time. But at least you can do it.
Unless of course I have misunderstood your question and you actually meant 'component text', i.e. text that is added as text items within the symbol itself. In that case there isn't an option to change their style, those text items are 'embedded' in the symbol definition.
David.
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