Keepout

 

The Keepout command is used to place a keepout on the PCB or PCB library document. A keepout is the name given to an object that blocks or prevents the placement of copper objects within an area. The command can be accessed from the PCB and PCB library editors on the Keep-Out Layer in the following ways:

  • From the PCB editor in the Home | Place | Keepout region. Choose the required keepout from the drop-down. 

  • From the PCB library editor in the Home | Place | More » Keepout region. Choose the required keepout from the sub-menu.

A keepout can be defined as a fence (in essence, a wall around the area to be protected) or it can be defined as a solid area of keepout that completely covers the area to be protected.

There are two approaches to defining a Keepout:

  • All-layer keepout - place an object, such as a fill, arc or region, on the Keep-Out layer. The objects then create a keepout on all signal layers.
  • Layer-specific keepout - place a layer-specific keepout object on a signal layer. This approach creates a keepout on only that signal layer. Layer-specific keepouts are not included in generated outputs such as Gerber or ODB++.

Each Keepout can be configured in the corresponding Inspector panel when the keepout is selected in the design space. 

Arc Keepout

Fill Keepout

Solid Region Keepout

Track Keepout

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