PCBA Visualizer – User Guide – CPL Editor

Introduction to PCBA Visualizer

PCBA Visualizer is a powerful tool designed to help electronics engineers and PCB designers visualize and analyze their printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs). With its intuitive interface and comprehensive features, PCBA Visualizer simplifies the process of inspecting and understanding the complex structure of PCBAs. This user guide will walk you through the main features and functionalities of PCBA Visualizer, focusing on the CPL (Component Placement List) Editor.

Key Features of PCBA Visualizer

PCBA Visualizer offers a wide range of features to enhance your PCBA design and analysis process. Some of the key features include:

1. 3D Visualization: PCBA Visualizer provides a realistic 3D representation of your PCBA, allowing you to view your design from various angles and perspectives.
2. Component Placement List (CPL) Editor: The built-in CPL Editor enables you to create, edit, and manage component placement information easily.
3. Design Rule Checking (DRC): PCBA Visualizer includes a comprehensive set of design rule checks to ensure your PCBA adheres to industry standards and manufacturing constraints.
4. Bill of Materials (BOM) Management: The tool allows you to generate and manage a detailed bill of materials for your PCBA, streamlining the procurement process.
5. Collaboration and Sharing: PCBA Visualizer supports collaboration among team members, allowing you to share your designs and gather feedback efficiently.

Getting Started with PCBA Visualizer

System Requirements

Before installing PCBA Visualizer, ensure that your system meets the following minimum requirements:

Component	Minimum Requirement
Operating System	Windows 7, macOS 10.12, or Linux (Ubuntu 18.04)
Processor	Intel Core i5 or equivalent
RAM	8 GB
Graphics Card	Dedicated GPU with 2 GB VRAM
Storage	10 GB free space

Installation Process

To install PCBA Visualizer, follow these steps:

1. Download the PCBA Visualizer installer from the official website.
2. Double-click the installer file to start the installation process.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
4. Launch PCBA Visualizer from your desktop or start menu.

Using the CPL Editor

The CPL Editor is a crucial component of PCBA Visualizer, enabling you to create, edit, and manage component placement information for your PCBA design. This section will guide you through the various features and functionalities of the CPL Editor.

Creating a New CPL

To create a new CPL in PCBA Visualizer, follow these steps:

1. Click on the “File” menu and select “New CPL.”
2. Choose the desired PCBA template or start with a blank CPL.
3. Enter a name for your new CPL and click “Create.”
4. The CPL Editor window will open, allowing you to start adding components.

Adding Components to the CPL

To add components to your CPL, follow these steps:

1. In the CPL Editor window, click on the “Add Component” button.
2. Select the component type from the dropdown menu (e.g., resistor, capacitor, IC).
3. Enter the component’s reference designator, value, and footprint.
4. Specify the component’s placement coordinates (X, Y, and rotation).
5. Click “Add” to add the component to the CPL.

Repeat these steps for each component you want to add to your CPL.

Editing Component Properties

To edit the properties of a component in your CPL, follow these steps:

1. In the CPL Editor window, double-click on the component you want to edit.
2. The Component Properties dialog box will appear, allowing you to modify the component’s reference designator, value, footprint, and placement coordinates.
3. Make the necessary changes and click “Apply” to save the modifications.

Deleting Components from the CPL

To delete a component from your CPL, follow these steps:

1. In the CPL Editor window, select the component you want to delete.
2. Right-click on the selected component and choose “Delete” from the context menu.
3. Confirm the deletion when prompted.

Importing and Exporting CPL Data

PCBA Visualizer allows you to import and export CPL data in various formats, such as CSV and Excel. To import or export CPL data, follow these steps:

1. Click on the “File” menu and select “Import” or “Export.”
2. Choose the desired file format and location.
3. For imports, select the file containing the CPL data and click “Open.”
4. For exports, specify a name for the exported file and click “Save.”

Visualizing Your PCBA

Once you have created your CPL, you can visualize your PCBA in 3D using PCBA Visualizer. To view your PCBA, follow these steps:

1. In the main window of PCBA Visualizer, click on the “Open” button.
2. Select your CPL file and click “Open.”
3. The 3D representation of your PCBA will be displayed in the main viewport.

Navigating the 3D View

PCBA Visualizer provides various tools and controls to help you navigate the 3D view of your PCBA:

• Zoom: Use the mouse wheel or the zoom buttons to zoom in and out of the PCBA.
• Pan: Click and drag the middle mouse button or use the pan tool to move the PCBA horizontally and vertically.
• Rotate: Click and drag the left mouse button or use the rotate tool to rotate the PCBA in 3D space.

Selecting Components

To select a component in the 3D view, simply click on it. The selected component will be highlighted, and its properties will be displayed in the Properties panel on the right side of the window.

Examining Component Properties

When a component is selected in the 3D view, its properties are displayed in the Properties panel. This panel provides detailed information about the component, such as its reference designator, value, footprint, and placement coordinates.

Running Design Rule Checks (DRC)

PCBA Visualizer includes a built-in Design Rule Check (DRC) feature to help you identify potential issues in your PCBA design. To run a DRC, follow these steps:

1. Click on the “Tools” menu and select “Design Rule Check.”
2. The DRC dialog box will appear, allowing you to select the specific design rules you want to check.
3. Click “Run DRC” to start the design rule check process.
4. The results of the DRC will be displayed in the DRC Results panel, highlighting any violations found in your design.

Interpreting DRC Results

The DRC Results panel provides a list of all the design rule violations found in your PCBA. Each violation is categorized based on its severity (e.g., error, warning, or informational). To view more details about a specific violation, click on the corresponding entry in the DRC Results panel.

Resolving DRC Violations

To resolve DRC violations, follow these steps:

1. Double-click on a violation in the DRC Results panel to locate the affected component or area in the 3D view.
2. Make the necessary changes to your design to address the violation (e.g., adjust component placement, modify trace width, or update clearances).
3. Rerun the DRC to ensure that the violation has been resolved.

Repeat these steps for each violation until your PCBA design passes the DRC without any errors or warnings.

Generating a Bill of Materials (BOM)

PCBA Visualizer can generate a Bill of Materials (BOM) based on the components in your CPL. To generate a BOM, follow these steps:

1. Click on the “Tools” menu and select “Generate BOM.”
2. The Generate BOM dialog box will appear, allowing you to customize the BOM format and content.
3. Select the desired options and click “Generate” to create the BOM.
4. The generated BOM will be displayed in a new window, and you can export it to various file formats (e.g., CSV, Excel, or PDF).

Collaborating and Sharing

PCBA Visualizer supports collaboration and sharing of PCBA designs among team members. To collaborate on a PCBA design, follow these steps:

1. Click on the “File” menu and select “Share.”
2. Choose the desired sharing method (e.g., email, cloud storage, or network folder).
3. Specify the recipients or location for sharing the PCBA design.
4. Click “Share” to send the PCBA design to your collaborators.

Your collaborators can then open the shared PCBA design in their PCBA Visualizer instances, make changes, and share the updated version back with you.

FAQ

1. Q: Can PCBA Visualizer import designs from other PCB design software?
   A: Yes, PCBA Visualizer supports importing designs from popular PCB design software such as Altium Designer, Eagle, and KiCad. You can import your designs in various file formats, including Gerber, ODB++, and IPC-2581.

2. Q: Is there a limit to the number of components that can be added to a CPL?
   A: No, there is no specific limit to the number of components you can add to a CPL in PCBA Visualizer. However, the performance of the software may be affected when working with extremely large designs containing thousands of components.

3. Q: Can I customize the design rules used in the DRC?
   A: Yes, PCBA Visualizer allows you to customize the design rules based on your specific requirements. You can modify existing rules or create new ones to suit your manufacturing constraints and design guidelines.

4. Q: Does PCBA Visualizer support 3D models of components?
   A: Yes, PCBA Visualizer supports the use of 3D models for components. You can import 3D models in various formats, such as STEP, IGES, and OBJ, to enhance the visual representation of your PCBA.

5. Q: Can I export my PCBA design for manufacturing?
   A: Yes, PCBA Visualizer allows you to export your PCBA design in various formats suitable for manufacturing. You can generate Gerber files, drill files, and pick-and-place files, which can be sent directly to your chosen PCB fabrication and assembly service provider.

Conclusion

PCBA Visualizer is a comprehensive tool that simplifies the process of designing, visualizing, and analyzing printed circuit board assemblies. With its intuitive CPL Editor, powerful 3D visualization capabilities, and integrated design rule checking, PCBA Visualizer streamlines your PCBA design workflow and helps you create high-quality, error-free designs. By following this user guide, you should now have a solid understanding of how to use PCBA Visualizer and its CPL Editor effectively. Happy designing!