The 3D PCB Viewer gives you quite a bit of control over which design elements are displayed and how they are rendered on the screen. Also, you can choose to display elements differently on different layers. The display options are available through the Display Control window, shown in Figure 2-1.
The selections that you make in the Display Control window are saved with the design so they are persistent between sessions on a per-design basis.
Opening and Closing the Display Control Window
There are two ways to open the Display Control window. You can choose View> Display Control from the menubar, or you can click the
icon on the toolbar.
Conversely, if you choose View> Display Control or click the icon while the Display Control window is open, it closes.
Selecting Which Objects to Display
There are three tabs in the Display Control window; one each for Layers, Parts, and Assembly (see Figure 2-3). Within these tabs are hierarchal trees of objects that you select to display or unselect to hide. In general, items are toggled on and off by clicking their icons. A context specific menu, if one exists, can be seen by right-clicking the item's name.
Figure 2-3.
Display Control Window Tabs
Table 2-2.
Icons Used in the Display Control Window
Icon
Represents
How to Change
Object displayed as an opaque solid.
Right-click and select either Transparent or Solid from the popup menu.
Object displayed transparently.
Objects associated with the PCB board itself are selected and displayed.
Click the icon to enable or disable the display of board objects such as the board itself, contours, and holes.
Objects associated with the board itself are hidden and cannot be individually selected or displayed.
Board object is selected for display.
Click the icon to display or hide the board object.
Board object is not selected for display.
Board object is selected but the display of board items is disabled.
Click the Board Items icon to enable the display of board items. While represented by grey icons, these objects cannot be selected or unselected for display.
Board object is neither selected nor enabled for display.
Layer object is displayed.
Click the icon to display or hide the layer itself or the traces and pads on the layer.
Click the higher-level layer icon to enable or disable the display of layer objects.
Layer object is hidden.
Layer object is neither selected nor enabled for display.
Layer object is selected but is not displayed because the display for the whole layer has been disabled.
Plane is selected and displayed.
Click the icon to display or hide the plane.
Click the higher-level layer icon to enable or disable the display of layer objects.
Plane is hidden.
Plane cannot be selected for display because the display of objects for the layer is disabled.
Plane is selected but not displayed because the display of objects for the layer is disabled.
Parts on the top of the PCB are enabled for display.
Click the Top icon to enable or disable the display of objects on the top of the board.
Parts on the top of the PCB are hidden.
Parts on the bottom of the PCB are enabled for display.
Click the Bottom icon to enable or disable the display of objects on the bottom of the board.
Parts on the bottom of the PCB are hidden.
Parts are selected but not displayed because the display or parts or assemblies is disabled.
Click the higher-level icon to enable or disable the display of parts or assemblies.
Parts are neither selected nor enabled for display.
Placement outline is displayed.
Click the Placement Outline icon to display or hide the objects.
Placement outline is hidden
Placement obstruct, die pins and bond wires are displayed.
Click the Placement Obstruct, die pins and bond wires icons to display or hide the objects.
Placement obstruct, die pins and bond wires are hidden.
Embedded parts are displayed.
Click the relevant EP icon to display or hide the objects.
Embedded parts are hidden.
Assemblies on the PCB are enabled for display.
Click the PCB icon to display or hide all the component and assembly objects.
The display of component assemblies on the PCB are disabled. Also, all display control items except auxiliary file import are disabled.
Component assembly is displayed.
Click the component icon to display or hide the object.
Component assembly is hidden.
Component assembly is selected. When selected, these objects are outlined with a pink wireframe with a yellow icon appearing next to it.
Click the component’s icon in the Display Control window or click the picture of it in the View window to select it. When selected, these objects are outlined with a pink wireframe.
icon on the toolbar.
