View

The View region includes commands that allow you to switch the display of a PCB design between 2D and 3D mode, flip the board 180 degrees, and enter single layer viewing modes. The commands can be accessed from the PCB editor by choosing View |View.

Switch to 2D/3D

The Switch to 2D/3D option is used to switch the display of the PCB design space to 2D/3D mode. 2D is the traditional two-dimensional, multiple-layered view of the PCB. 3D is a true, three-dimensional design.

After launching the Switch to 2D option, the design space will change to display the board in 2D Layout Mode. This mode includes a number of features to help find, identify, and manage the display of design content.

After launching the Switch to 3D option, the design space will change to display the board in 3D Layout Mode. This mode offers true, 3-dimensional PCB editing. More than simple visualization, the 3D capabilities allow you to:

• Perform 3D clearance checking - components can be critically aligned with each other and the enclosure, as required.
• Visually locate connectors and other components requiring access for servicing.
• Better define manufacturing processes and the order of assembly, knowing all mechanical constraints have been accounted for.
• Generate more detailed hand assembly instructions, user manuals, and instructions using images that are much closer to the reality of what will be seen by a human.
• Experiment with different colored solder masks, in order to create a more aesthetically pleasing product that works well with its enclosure and surroundings.

This mode includes a number of features to help find, identify, and manage the display of design content.

Tips

• When in 3D Layout Mode, you can use the Ctrl+Shift+Wheel Roll keyboard shortcut to step through the layers.
• When in 3D Layout Mode, you can use Shift+S to toggle/cycle through enabled modes.

Flip Board

This option is used to flip the active board 180 degrees.

After launching the option, the entire design space for the editor will be turned over (flipped).

All actions and editing options are supported for flipped boards. The coordinate space remains logically the same, i.e. the design space origin moves from the bottom-left to the bottom-right. The current grid position increases in the X (horizontal) direction as you move the mouse from right to left, instead of the normal left to right. Any output generated while the view is flipped will maintain the correct 'viewed-from-top' coordinate information.

When the board is flipped, the layer drawing order is also changed using a logical pair swapping process, which means that Top Overlay will swap positions in the current layer drawing order with Bottom Overlay, Top Layer with Bottom Layer, Mid-Layer 1 with Mid-Layer 30, Internal Plane 1 with Internal Plane 16, and so on. The drawing order of mechanical layers is not changed.

Tips

• Use this option again to flip the board back.
• The view state is automatically restored to the standard top-side viewing if the PCB document is closed and reopened.

Single Layer Mode

This option is used to cycle through the available single layer viewing modes. Being able to view a single layer using one of these modes enables you to more easily see what you need to see on that layer without the clutter of other layers and their objects.

After launching the option, the next available single layer mode will be employed in the design space depending on the mode previously employed:

• Monochrome Other Layers - displays the current layer; all primitives on other layers are displayed in the same shade of gray.
• Hide Other Layers - displays the current layer; all primitives on other layers are not displayed.
• Not In Single Layer Mode - displays all visible layers as normal.
• Gray Scale Other Layers - all other layers are displayed in a shade of gray derived from their current layer color; the active layer is shown in its standard color.

Tip

• Use the option repeatedly to cycle through the available modes.