Reverse Engineering PCB Board Layer

Each layout acquired from PCB Board Reverse Engineering consists of several layers that can be used independently or treated as a group. Layer groups can be used to logically separate (and color-code) different traces (e.g. power and signal) after Reverse Engineering PCB Board Layer; however, all layers within a group reside on the same physical copper layer of PCB board, so using different layers within the same group won’t provide electrical separation where they touch or overlap.

Each layer is drawn in a color defined in the resource file and identified by a name that you can change (for details see ‘layerColor’, Section 6.1 [Resources], page 38.) Layers are really just containers for line, arc, polygon, and text objects. The component and solder layers contain SMD elements as well, but the file structure doesn’t reflect that fact directly.

Reverse Engineering PCB Board Layer

Each layer group represents a physical layer on the printed circuit board. If you want to make a four layer board, you’ll need to have at least four layer groups. Connections between layer groups are established only through element pins and vias. The relationship between a specific layer and the board itself is configurable from the ‘Edit layer groups’ option in the Settings menu.

The layer groups corresponding to the physical layers: component-side and solder-side are always defined and you must map at least one logical layer to each, even if you plan to make a single-sided board. You are not obligated to put tracks on either of them. Surface mount elements always reside on either the component-side or the solder-side layer group.

PCB Board Layer group

When you paste an element from the buffer, it will go onto whichever side of the board you are viewing. You can swap which side of the board you are viewing by pressing the Tab key, or by selecting ‘view solder side’ from the Screen menu. The layer groups just have a name or number associated with them – where they are sandwiched in the board is left for you to tell the manufacturer.