Working with IDF
Best Practices: Working with IDF
October 2019 18 Product Version 17.4-2019
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Figure 1-9 Overlapping ECAD Areas
The circular keepout area in Figure 1-9 represents a "no component, no trace through all"
restriction. The rectangular keepout area allows trace and components up to .250" tall, except
through the more restrictive circular region. It is acceptable for the ECAD areas to overlap in
this fashion.
When using a separate part for creating an ECAD area (for example, using a stiffener to
create a place keepout to limit component and trace placement), all features can be created
using "offset edge" within the assembly with a minimum value of .050 to create the geometry.
After successfully creating the geometry in the assembly, you should switch to the part file
and delete all assembly references. When dealing with complex geometry, delete only a few
assembly references at a time and constrain the geometry to the part.
As a typical best practice procedure, make sure that all dimensions and constraints are
strong. Also, make sure you assign the correct keepout area height after completing all
keepout areas.
