Mirror In Altium Designer

Mirror in Altium Designer

Altium Designer offers a powerful set of tools for PCB design, including the ability to mirror objects. Mirroring provides significant advantages in layout, especially for symmetrical designs or when reusing existing circuitry. Understanding the nuances of the mirroring feature can drastically improve design efficiency and reduce potential errors.

Types of Mirroring

Altium Designer provides two primary methods for mirroring objects: flipping along an axis and mirroring across a plane. Flipping along an axis involves reflecting the selected objects over a specified X, Y, or Z axis. This operation retains the original object's orientation on the mirrored side. Mirroring across a plane, on the other hand, creates a mirrored copy of the selected object on the opposite side of a designated plane, often the board's mid-plane. This operation effectively creates a mirrored counterpart with reversed orientation and component designations.

The choice between these two mirroring methods depends on the specific design requirements. Flipping is useful for creating symmetrical layouts within a single layer, like mirroring traces on the top layer. Mirroring across a plane is ideal for creating mirrored copies of complex circuitry across different layers, such as mirroring a circuit block from the top layer to the bottom layer.

Accessing the Mirror Command

The mirror command in Altium Designer can be accessed through several methods. Users can utilize the "Edit» Move» Mirror" menu command, simplifying the process through a direct menu selection. Alternatively, the right-click context menu, accessed after selecting the desired objects, offers a "Mirror" option. This context-menu approach streamlines the workflow by providing direct access to the command within the design environment. Additionally, users can leverage the command search function, which allows quick access to the mirror command by typing "Mirror" in the command search bar. This search functionality proves beneficial for users familiar with command names, providing a swift method for command execution.

Mirroring Considerations for Different Object Types

Mirroring behavior varies depending on the type of object being mirrored. When mirroring components, the "Edit Component Designator" option allows designers to automatically update the mirrored components' designators. This automated process ensures proper component identification in mirrored designs, preventing errors in assembly and testing. Mirroring tracks requires attention to net names and connectivity. Designers should ensure that net names are correctly mirrored or updated to maintain proper electrical connections in the mirrored design. For polygonal pours, mirroring can sometimes lead to unexpected outcomes due to polygon connectivity and thermal relief settings. Careful inspection and adjustment of mirrored polygons are crucial to ensure design integrity and functionality.

Advanced Mirroring Techniques

Altium Designer provides further control over the mirroring process. The "Mirror and Rotate" command allows for mirroring and simultaneous rotation of the selected objects. This feature simplifies the process of creating complex mirrored layouts with rotated components, offering greater flexibility in design arrangements. Designers can also specify a custom mirroring axis, allowing for mirroring at non-standard angles or positions. This customizability provides design flexibility beyond the standard X, Y, and Z axes, accommodating unique design requirements.

Additionally, Altium Designer supports the mirroring of entire sections of a PCB using the "Area Copy and Paste" feature combined with the mirroring options. This advanced technique facilitates duplicating large blocks of circuitry with mirrored orientations, significantly speeding up the design process for complex boards with repeated elements.

Mirroring and Design Rules

Design rules must be considered during the mirroring process. Mirroring objects can sometimes lead to design rule violations, especially if clearances or track widths are not properly maintained in the mirrored design. Designers should thoroughly verify design rule compliance after mirroring operations to ensure manufacturing feasibility and electrical performance. Altium Designer's design rule check (DRC) functionality provides a comprehensive analysis of the design, highlighting any violations introduced during the mirroring process. Addressing these violations promptly is essential for ensuring design integrity.

Mirroring and Multi-Board Designs

In multi-board designs, mirroring can be used to create mirrored copies of entire boards. This feature is especially useful for designs with multiple identical boards arranged in a symmetrical configuration. Altium Designer's multi-board design capabilities, combined with the mirroring functionality, allow for efficient management and modification of mirrored board designs, ensuring consistency and reducing design time.