Board Assembly

The Board Assembly Preference Pages let you customize component settings for Circuit Board Design and Flexible Circuit Board Design.

Select this tab to access options for:

This page discusses:

Component Settings

Component default height
Enables you to specify a default height for components to use as the component pad height if the height is null in the imported library file.

When importing data, it is the library (.lib) file that contains the component footprint.

By default, The default height is 0.100.

Component random color at import
Enables users to specify a random color to the component representation when importing it from library files.

By default, this check box is selected.

Use local component axis for placement

Takes the axis system into account for the component in the assembly regardless of its presence in the component. The axis system can be created by default with a check box in the instantiation command of the component to position the component. The component is placed in the assembly by means of the instance position. It is also possible to add an axis system to determine the component's position in relation to the position of the instance.

Data Source
Specifies the location of component data. Imported component data is collected from a specified source.

Select the Imposed Data Source in idf import command check box to be able to use one of the following options:

  • Catalog: The query is done from the catalog. If no objects are found, the query is done in the library.
  • Library: The query is done from the library. You can select it from the PLM Chooser. A filter is added to authorize only the selection of General Library.
  • Database: Selected by default. The query is done from the database. To be able to import geometry from the database, components must already have been saved in the database.
  • Collaborative Spaces: The list of Collaborative Spaces is visible in the Available Projects panel. The restricted list corresponds to the list in the Top bar: 3DS Collab Space, 3DS Private Collab Space and 3DS Protected Collab Space. A larger list is available when you enter a part or all the string you are looking for, and press Search.

    By default or without any text in the field, the list is empty. Collaborative Spaces can be chosen in Me > Preferences only.

  • None: To search only in the database and import components from a library (.lib) file.

When Imposed Data Source in idf import command is selected:

  • The search in the Import in context and, Compare and Update commands is made in the data source that is pre-selected in this tab.
  • The same options within the commands are deactivated.

When Imposed Data Source in idf import command is not selected, the same options within the commands are available, except for Collaborative Spaces.

Component axis system at import
Places a component on the board according to its axis system.
Important: If you export such a flexible assembly (a board with this kind of components) in an IDF file, and if this IDF file is re-imported using Circuit Board Design, the component is not placed correctly.

By default, this check box is selected.

Component data model
Takes the physical component data model into account for the import and update of boards, and the export of IDF files.

By default, this check box is cleared.

Update board assembly from IDF

Select the required option:

Path of report file
Enables you to select the directory path in which the update report is stored.

For more information, see Circuit Board Design User's Guide: Updating a Board Assembly from an IDF File and Circuit Board Design User's Guide: Exchanging Data via EDMD.

Constraint Mode
Defines how components are grouped in the tree when you import and update a board assembly from an IDF file.

  • Use intermediate product: imports components in subproducts. For each face, a new subproduct is added to the assembly.

    However, if there are already subproducts in your structure, they are reused to group new and updated components.

    In Circuit Board Design, only two subproducts can be created: one for the top face, and another one for the bottom face.

  • Direct: imports components under the root product.

    By default, this option is selected.

  • New intermediate product by cycle (supplements the Use intermediate product option): imports components in new subproducts for each update.

    If there are already subproducts in your structure, they are reused to group updated components. New components are always imported in new subproducts.

    Note: This option cannot be used on flexible boards designed with the Multistate command.

Export IDF Configuration

Select the if required option:

Default IDF preferences

Defines the values of File type, Unity, Decimal symbol and Idf version that are displayed in the Export dialog box. For more information, see Circuit Board Design User's Guide: Exporting Data.

You can choose other settings by clicking the lists.

If you clear the check box, the last values are taken into account in the Export dialog box.

By default, this check box is cleared.

Flexible Circuit Board K-Factor

Select the desired option:

K-Factor default value

Enables you to specify a K-Factor value, different from the one set in Sheet Metal Design, to get a more realistic folded view of the flexible board. The K-Factor is automatically applied during the flexible board creation. However, you can still modify.