Creating Constraint Areas

A constraint area is a region on the board or panel that is used for different purposes. For example, an area within which routing is or is not allowed. When importing an IDF file, each constraint area belongs to a separate body under the PartBody.

This task shows you how to create a constraint area.

Before you begin: Open a product containing a board.
Related Topics
Creating Multi-Domain Constraint Areas

  1. Optional: Select Insert > Body to create the pad corresponding to the constraint area in a new body.

    Body.2 is created and belongs to the interactive board.

  2. Draw the outline of the constraint area.

    To do so:

    1. Click Sketch .
    2. Select the board to define the working plane.
    3. Click Profile and draw a contour for the constraint area.

    4. Click Exit workbench to return to Circuit Board Design.

    Note: You can also use a 3D curve for the outline. However, if you want to export the constraint area, you must define an axis system.

    For more information, see Export.

  3. Create the shape for the constraint area.

    To do so :

    1. Click Pad .
    2. In the Pad Definition dialog box, enter 5mm in the Length box.
    3. Click OK to validate.

  4. Click Constraint Area .

    The Constraint Areas dialog box opens.

    Constraint area types are:


    • ROUTE_OUTLINE: An area on the board or panel where routing electrical connections is allowed.
    • PLACE_OUTLINE: An area on the board or panel within which component placement is allowed.
    • OTHER_OUTLINE: Additional area type defined by an outline, cutouts and a thickness.
    • VIA_KEEPOUT: An area on the board or panel within which placement of vias is not allowed.
    • PLACE_KEEPOUT: An area on the board or panel where component height is limited.
    • PLACE_REGION: An area on the board or panel within which placement is limited to certain types of component.
    • ROUTE_KEEPOUT: An area on the board or panel where routing electrical connections is not allowed.
    Tip: To Graphic for the different types of constraint area, select Tools > Options... > Equipment & Systems > Circuit Board Design > Graphic and set the default color.

  5. Select PLACE_KEEPOUT and click OK.

    Constraint areas are transparent. The color depends on the type selected. The color can be changed in Graphic.

    Constraint areas are grouped by type in the specification tree.

    Note: The pad is more than a simple pad. It has technological properties.