FEDEVEL
Platform forum

Sniper2 , 03-13-2025, 06:02 PM

So when i set a 1mm ( for eacmple) SMD to SMD clearance what type of collision does it even look for ?
courtyard to courtyard?
courtyard to 3d body?
3d body to 3d body ?
Context is that i need to do some high density design and I now so sure how the courtyard would work in this case
For most components the IPC density doesnt seem to be taken into account or it is low density.
Any advice on how to deal with this problem?

QDrives , 03-14-2025, 10:45 PM

I assume you are talking about the component clearance?
And do the components have 3D bodies?

Sniper2 , 03-15-2025, 11:40 PM

yes

Sniper2 , 03-15-2025, 11:40 PM

yes they have 3d body

QDrives , 03-16-2025, 12:49 AM

If the component has a 3D body, clearance is checked to that. Otherwise it will check to the "bounding box" (yellow box when selected).
Optionally you can disable checking clearance for components that do not have a 3D body.

Sniper2 , 03-16-2025, 06:39 PM

interesting HTX

Sniper2 , 03-16-2025, 06:39 PM

THX*

Sniper2 , 03-16-2025, 06:40 PM

tho no conflicts i am not sure how well some stuff works in ters of DFM

Sniper2 , 03-16-2025, 06:40 PM

but i never knew

Sniper2 , 03-16-2025, 06:40 PM

we have a courtyard layer and altium enforced collisions based on that but often it is huge compared to 3D body , even larger then IPC recommendations

rlmccormick , 03-16-2025, 09:46 PM

From what I understand of the use of courtyards, I would think that if the goal is a maximally dense design that you may want to consider not using them.

Sniper2 , 03-16-2025, 09:48 PM

interesting

QDrives , 03-17-2025, 02:10 AM

The bounding box can follow the courtyard shape as shown here.
And that can/is followed when you have component collision avoidance on. It has the additional component clearance as set in the rules.

Sniper2 , 03-17-2025, 05:35 AM

Hmm interesting, how do u make footprints like this

Sniper2 , 03-17-2025, 05:35 AM

Was there a altium tutorial like that somewhere if I remember well

Sniper2 , 03-17-2025, 05:35 AM

Was it Phil or Feranec

Sniper2 , 03-17-2025, 05:36 AM

Or both

Sniper2 , 03-17-2025, 05:36 AM

I'll search then

Sniper2 , 03-17-2025, 05:36 AM

Thx

QDrives , 03-17-2025, 08:13 PM

I do not know if there is a video or course that shows extensively how to create footprints and symbols.
It is something I am contemplating in creating.

Sniper2 , 03-17-2025, 09:31 PM

wait u have a YT /blog?

QDrives , 03-18-2025, 12:07 AM

No. If I would create a course, it would be on Fedevel.
However, I do not know if there would be interest and if it is course material or long enough for a course.

Sniper2 , 03-18-2025, 05:26 AM

I think Phil made footprint video at some point lumped with something else

Robert Feranec , 03-18-2025, 03:30 PM

I think altium has a tutorial for custom pad shape. However be aware this kind of pads may be problematic in case you need to export your projects to different CAD software. Maybe you can for example use a simple pad and just apply a custom mask - that is what I would probably do.

QDrives , 03-18-2025, 08:11 PM

Is the question on custom pads or footprints (land patterns)?
As for custom pads:
- create one in FreeCad for instance.
- Export DXF
- Import DXF into Altium
- Select a contour
- Tools / convert / create custom pads from selected outline

And yes, not all other CAD tools can do this. KiCad cannot import DXF correctly for instance.


As for footprints:
All I see is video's that are quick on footprint creation. Using existing libraries, external libraries (eg. SnapEDA), footprint wizard in Altium, etc.
However, for a footprints is very important to know what you want with it. I have not seen a video that talks about those considerations.

Robert Feranec , 03-19-2025, 06:20 AM

my mistake 😄 I didn't read that carefully