How to Add Mounting Holes to a Footprint in Ultiboard
Primary Software: Electronics Workbench>>Ultiboard
Primary Software Version: 10.1.1
Primary Software Fixed Version: N/A
Secondary Software: Switch Executive
Problem: I want to create a footprint that has two mounting holes, how do I add these holes to a footprint and then save it to the Ultiboard database?
Solution: There are two tyes of hole that you can add to a footprint, the first type is one that has a copper ring around the hole and the second type is one without any metal attached to the hole. To add a hole to a footprint, you should be in the Ultiboard
Footprint Edit Mode, if you don't know how to get to this mode, please refer to the
Creating a Custom Component in NI Ultiboard tutorial.
Before adding any holes to the footprint, create the footprint as usual like adding pads, silkscreen information, 3D information, RefDes, and so on. Once you are ready to add the holes, decide which hole type is needed and follow the steps below:
Holes with copper ring
- Place»Pins, select THT Pin and then click OK.
- A through hole pad is attached to your mouse, move your mouse cursor to the appropriate location and left-click to drop the pad.
- Double-click the pad on the workspace and then select the Pads tab.
- Enter the value for the drill hole diameter and also the annular ring.
- Note: The drill diameter you enter will determine the drill bit size, however, during manufacturing, the hole wall will be fill with metal and therefore, your final hole will be a little smaller, you should add some tolerance for your drill diameter.
- For additional holes, repeat the above steps.
Holes without metal
- Place»Hole.
- Select the Hole tab, enter a value in the Radius field for the hole and click OK.
- Move your mouse cursor to the appropriate location, left-click to place the hole on the workspace.
- Optional Steps: The hole you placed will not appear in the 3D view, if you want to see a hole in 3D view follow these steps:
- Double-click 3D info Top in the Design Toolbox to make it the active layer.
- Select Place»Shape»Circle.
- Draw a circle that is the same size as your hole and place it directly over the hole.
- Double-click the circle you just placed
- If your circle is completely filled, click on the General tab and select the outline shape in the Style field
- Select the 3D Data tab, enter information as shown below:
- Click on the Material tab.
- Click on the Illumination box and select the gray color from the color palette. In the 3D view, the default background color is gray and by changing the 3D object to same color we will create an illusion that there is a hole on the board.
- Change your active layer to 3D info bottom in the Design Toolbox, now repeat step 6 to 12 to add information to your 3D information on the bottom layer.
Once you have added all the holes to your footprint select File»Save to Database to save the footprint to your database.
Related Links:
Developer Zone Tutorial: Creating a Custom Component in NI Ultiboard
Attachments:
Report Date: 05/21/2009
Last Updated: 06/19/2009
Document ID: 4XKA1LMC
