PCB Libraries Forum https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/ Fri, 10 Jul 2026 13:46:30 +0000 Thu, 02 Jul 2026 08:42:35 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.07 30 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/RSS_topic_feed.asp <![CDATA[PCB Libraries Forum]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/forum_images/PCBLForumLogo.gif https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/ <![CDATA[Questions & Answers : BGAs, Density Levels, and Courtyard Changes]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/bgas-density-levels-and-courtyard-changes_topic3661_post14590.html#14590 Author: mnperry
Subject: BGAs, Density Levels, and Courtyard Changes
Posted: 02 Jul 2026 at 8:42am

Thank you Tom!]]> Thu, 02 Jul 2026 08:42:35 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/bgas-density-levels-and-courtyard-changes_topic3661_post14590.html#14590 <![CDATA[Questions & Answers : BGAs, Density Levels, and Courtyard Changes]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/bgas-density-levels-and-courtyard-changes_topic3661_post14589.html#14589 Author: Tom H
Subject: BGAs, Density Levels, and Courtyard Changes
Posted: 02 Jul 2026 at 8:09am

BGA's are One Tier Density Level. 

Setup the BGA rules in 'Tools > Options > Terminals > Collapsing BGA'

You define all the settings per Ball Diameter. You can also add additional ball diameters.
  • Ball Diameter
  • Pad Size Reduction (Adj. +/-)
  • Tolerance (Pad Var +)
  • Pad Size Rounding
  • Solder Mask +/-
  • Paste Mask +/-
  • Courtyard Excess +


]]> Thu, 02 Jul 2026 08:09:10 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/bgas-density-levels-and-courtyard-changes_topic3661_post14589.html#14589 <![CDATA[Questions & Answers : BGAs, Density Levels, and Courtyard Changes]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/bgas-density-levels-and-courtyard-changes_topic3661_post14588.html#14588 Author: mnperry
Subject: BGAs, Density Levels, and Courtyard Changes
Posted: 02 Jul 2026 at 7:48am

When I change density levels from "N" to "L" would I expect to see a change in Courtyard excess for BGA devices?

I see in Options\Terminals\SM Grid Array and BGA...that:

"Grid array settings are not subject to Density Level Rules.




]]> Thu, 02 Jul 2026 07:48:49 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/bgas-density-levels-and-courtyard-changes_topic3661_post14588.html#14588 <![CDATA[Version History : Footprint Expert 26.07 Released!!]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/footprint-expert-26-07-released_topic3660_post14587.html#14587 Author: Nick B
Subject: Footprint Expert 26.07 Released!!
Posted: 01 Jul 2026 at 4:42pm

Version 26.07 was just released!!

Fixes & Enhancements:

  • Calculators:
    • Through-hole:
      • Removed all instances of a Nominal dimensions from thru-hole footprint names
    • Side Concave Package:
      • Removed the Assembly Polarity Marker from all non-polarized footprints
      • When the Nominal Height and Tolerance is entered to create the Max Height the footprint name used the Nominal dimension 
  • Courtyard Excess and Silkscreen Controls:
    • Quality control for all Surface Mount and Through-hole calculators and FP Designer Courtyard, Silkscreen controls and spacings including: 
      • Line Widths, Clearances, Map-to, Allow Expanded Silkscreen, Offset Silkscreen Away from Body, Expand Courtyard to Include Silkscreen, Contoured Courtyard
  • FP Designer:
    • Options for 3D Model Polarity was not changing when the footprint was rotated
    • Pad Stack Manager:
      • Added Chamfer Corner feature on square through-hole pads
      • Changed the Keep-out Pad shape option to reflect the hole shape. Enlarging the keepout created an oblong shape.
      • Added these modifiers to the pad stack names:
        • o = Offset Pad and Solder Mask with the same + / - value
        • om = Offset Solder Mask only + / - value
        • op = Offset Paste Mask only + / - value
  • CAD Tool Interfaces:
    • Batch building PADS-To-CAD unique parts was allowing duplicate footprints for the translators
  • Guideline:
    • Updated the Pad Stack Naming Convention to match FP Designer
    • Added EIA / IEC chip case codes to the tables for easy cross reference
    • Add chamfered square through-hole pad shapes

]]> Wed, 01 Jul 2026 16:42:14 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/footprint-expert-26-07-released_topic3660_post14587.html#14587 <![CDATA[Questions & Answers : Font settings]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/font-settings_topic3659_post14585.html#14585 Author: Jeff.M
Subject: Font settings
Posted: 23 Jun 2026 at 9:13am

Could you explain how would such an option would work, bearing in mind that the footprint is already formed when it gets to the translator?  Sounds like it might need a cross-reference table.  If it gets too complex, we should pursue it off the forum.
Jeff
]]> Tue, 23 Jun 2026 09:13:51 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/font-settings_topic3659_post14585.html#14585 <![CDATA[Questions & Answers : Font settings]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/font-settings_topic3659_post14584.html#14584 Author: magnus.lictor
Subject: Font settings
Posted: 23 Jun 2026 at 3:56am

In our cells we use a different aspect ratio and a different font for the asembly refdes and
a different aspect ratio.

So for every cell generated with the Footprint Expert, we have to open the cell in the cell editor and change the font for the Assembly Refdes and the aspect ratio for the Silkcreen

It is not a big deal, but having settings for this (in the Options" file?) would make sense.
]]> Tue, 23 Jun 2026 03:56:03 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/font-settings_topic3659_post14584.html#14584 <![CDATA[Questions & Answers : Font settings]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/font-settings_topic3659_post14582.html#14582 Author: Tom H
Subject: Font settings
Posted: 22 Jun 2026 at 7:38am

Siemens is our partner and Footprint Expert comes with the Xpedition installer. 

Siemens dictates the default text font for Footprint Expert. 

What did you have in mind?

]]> Mon, 22 Jun 2026 07:38:08 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/font-settings_topic3659_post14582.html#14582 <![CDATA[Questions & Answers : Font settings]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/font-settings_topic3659_post14581.html#14581 Author: magnus.lictor
Subject: Font settings
Posted: 22 Jun 2026 at 5:26am

Is there a way to set the default font and aspect ratio, used for assembly refdes en silkscreen when exporting the cell to Xpedition.]]> Mon, 22 Jun 2026 05:26:47 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/font-settings_topic3659_post14581.html#14581 <![CDATA[3D Models : SIP-8 SMT model]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/sip8-smt-model_topic3657_post14568.html#14568 Author: Tom H
Subject: SIP-8 SMT model
Posted: 16 Jun 2026 at 8:21am

FP Designer does extruded blocks for the body. 

You can set the 3D Polarity location, the Body Color. 

No terminal leads. 

Try it.

]]> Tue, 16 Jun 2026 08:21:01 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/sip8-smt-model_topic3657_post14568.html#14568 <![CDATA[3D Models : SIP-8 SMT model]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/sip8-smt-model_topic3657_post14567.html#14567 Author: charlesadrien
Subject: SIP-8 SMT model
Posted: 16 Jun 2026 at 7:54am

HI
IS it possible to create a 3d model with designer of



https://www.infineon.com/assets/row/public/packages/73/package_outline_download/infineon-package-outline-8psurface-package-en.pdf


]]> Tue, 16 Jun 2026 07:54:54 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/sip8-smt-model_topic3657_post14567.html#14567