Creating a board cutout in Altium Designer allows you to define areas within your PCB outline where no material will exist. This is essential for mechanical features, component clearance, or achieving specific board shapes.
You can create a board cutout using one of two primary methods, depending on the view mode you are in:
Methods to Define a Board Cutout
Altium Designer offers straightforward commands to place a board cutout within your defined board shape.
Method 1: Using 2D Layout Mode
This is a common and intuitive way to define cutouts directly on your PCB layout view.
- Step 1: Ensure you are viewing your board in 2D Layout Mode.
- Step 2: Navigate to the main menus.
- Step 3: Select Design » Board Shape » Define Board Cutout.
This command initiates the process of drawing the cutout shape directly on your board.
Method 2: Using Board Planning Mode
Alternatively, if you are working in the Board Planning Mode, often used for defining the board shape itself and layer stack, you can also place cutouts.
- Step 1: Switch to Board Planning Mode.
- Step 2: Navigate to the main menus.
- Step 3: Select Place » Define Board Cutout.
Both methods achieve the same result: allowing you to draw a closed polygonal shape that will represent the void in the PCB material.
What is a Board Cutout?
A board cutout defines a region within your PCB's overall boundary where the board material (like FR-4) is completely removed. Unlike a simple hole, which is typically round and used for components or mounting, a cutout can be any arbitrary shape.
Why Use Board Cutouts?
- Mechanical Integration: Creating voids for mating with enclosures or other mechanical parts.
- Component Clearance: Providing space for tall components that might otherwise conflict with other board areas.
- Non-Standard Shapes: Achieving internal features that are not simple drills.
- Routing Constraints: Defining areas where no copper or components should exist.
Drawing the Cutout Shape
Once you activate the "Define Board Cutout" command (using either method), Altium allows you to interactively draw the shape of the cutout using standard drawing tools. You will click to define the vertices of a polygonal shape. Right-clicking or pressing Esc will close the shape and complete the cutout definition.
The defined cutout shape will appear as a void within the board outline. Altium's design rules check system can then ensure no components or routing enter this prohibited area.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Create voids within the PCB material |
| Shape | Arbitrary polygon |
| View Modes | 2D Layout Mode, Board Planning Mode |
| Menu Commands | Design » Board Shape » Define Board Cutout (2D) Place » Define Board Cutout (Planning) |
By utilizing the Design » Board Shape » Define Board Cutout command in 2D Layout Mode or the Place » Define Board Cutout command in Board Planning Mode, as referenced, you can effectively add custom cutouts to your PCB design in Altium Designer.
