4-Layer PCB in Mentor PADS

[daxkerjames]

Hi, I'm trying to make a 4-layer PCB but am running into some trouble. I want the second and fourth layers to each be ground, and the first and third to be signal planes.

Is setting the layer definition to "CAM Plane" enough to make it ground?

How do I make a connection that starts from the top layer and ends on my ground plane without connecting back to a pin on the top layer?

Any good video or pdf tutorials for mentor pads?

I'd appreciate any help.

Thanks.

 

[senilicus]

You can find PADS videos and tutorials on Mentor Graphic's Supportnet. You need a valid login.

 

[daxkerjames]

I have a valid log in and looked at some of the videos but most are very unhelpful. They are on advanced topics but I'm making simple boards so I could really benefit from some basics.

 

[senilicus]

The video's will not help you much. take a look at the evaluation guide.

**broken link removed**

 

[gary22pcb]

I am not sure if I understand your question, but I will attempt to answer it. Make your layer definition "No Plane" on all 4 layers in the "Setup, Layer Definition", then add a Copper Pour on the layers you want ground (2 and 4) and assign the copper pour to the net "Ground". Tools, Pour Manager, Flood All --> you now have 1 and 3 as signal layers and layers 2 and 4 as GND planes. All your Grounds will need to have vias to get to the planes.

Hope this helps.

 

[jane810314]

Hi daxkerjames,

I am not sure I correct answer your questions, but you can see below picture, I think you want the ground layer like this? and Isolated connection from pin.