The align tool is simple, which makes it very versatile:
Just select two objects and Align.
It’s quick and easy to use, we recommend using it with a hotkey.
Just press the letter “A” and Align takes care of the rest!
Works with components, vias, and test points
You can also select four pins to align the objects along the centerline:
Aligning parts simplifies discrete placement and keeps the fanout clean.
Here is a list of all of its functions:
– Align a single via to a single pin.
– Align two vias to two pins, such as might be encountered when routing differential pais away from an IC.
– Align one part
to another, based on the location of a pin selected from each part. This can happen several ways:
– Align a two-pin chip part to an IC. For example, a series resistor to a pin on an IC.
– Align a pin on a part on the bottom of the board to the pin of another part on the top of the board.
– Align two small parts to two pins on a larger part. Such as two series capacitors to two pins on an IC or connector.
– Align a row of vias to each other. Works horizontally, vertically, or diagonally
Bonus function: Adds vias to large pads.
– Uses the default via for whatever net the pad is connected to.
– Makes a rectangular grid arrangement for rectangular or square pads, a radial arrangement for round pads.
– Uses the net’s spacing rules to to calculate how many vias will fit in the pad,
– Places vias right at the edges of the pad to completely fill it.
– I added this just because it’s useful and I don’t have anywhere else to put it, without making a new separate tool.
Here’s a video of the tool working: