EAGLE Help

AUTO


Function
Starts the Autorouter

Syntax
AUTO;
AUTO signal_name..;
AUTO ! signal_name..;
AUTO •..;

Keyboard
Ctrl-Break interrupts the autorouter.

See also SIGNAL, ROUTE, WIRE, RATSNEST, SET

The AUTO command activates the integrated Autorouter. If signal names are specified or signals are selected with the mouse, only these signals are routed. Without parameters the command will try to route all signals. If a "!" character is specified all signals are routed except the signals following the "!" character. The "!" character must be the first parameter and must show up only once.

Example

AUTO ! GND VCC;
In every case the semicolon is necessary as a terminator. A menu for adjusting the Autorouter control parameters opens if you select AUTO from the command menu or type in AUTO from the keyboard (followed by Return key).

While the Autorouter is active you can interrupt it by pressing Ctrl-Break.

The menu of the Autorouter appears after AUTO (without semicolon) has been entered. You can then adjust the parameters and start the routing run. A job file (name.JOB) and a control file (name.CTL) are generated automatically. These files are necessary if you want to continue an interrupted routing run later on. If you don't want to start the routing run you can create these files with "Create Job".

On the left of the menu you can enter the preferred directions for any layer (first entry) and their basic costs (second entry). If you want the Autorouter not to use a layer, enter "0" into the preferred direction field.

All parameters are "global" except the groups "Costs" and "Maximum" which can be different for any routing run.

The individual passes are selected or deselected by clicking the check boxes on their right. The "Route" pass cannot be deselected. The actual grid unit applies to all values.

Polygons

When the Autorouter is started all Polygons are calculated, except the ones present in the outline mode whose signals are not to be routed ("AUTO ! signal_name..;").

Backup and Protocol Files

When the Autorouter is finished the routed board is automatically saved under the name NAME.B##. If the board has not been saved with the WRITE command (e.g. after a power failure) this file can be renamed and loaded as a normal board file.

A protocol file (name.pro) is generated automatically.

Board Size

The Autorouter puts a rectangle in the Dimension layer round all wires and takes the size of this rectangle as the routing area. Wires (tracks) in the Dimension layer appear to be border lines for the Autorouter. This means you can delimit the route area with closed polygons drawn with the WIRE command.

In practice you draw the board outlines into the Dimension layer with the WIRE command and place the components within this area.

Signals

Signals defined with EAGLE's SIGNAL command, polygons, and wires drawn onto the Top, Bottom, and ROUTE2...15 layers are recognized by the Autorouter.

Please note that the autorouter cannot place vias on to the filled areas of calculated polygons. Polygons forming ground areas, for instance, should therefore be placed only after all signals have been routed (except the ground signal).

Restricted Areas

Rectangles, polygons, and circles in the layers tRestrict, bRestrict, and vRestrict are treated as restricted areas for the Top and Bottom side and for vias respectively.

If you want the Autorouter not to use a layer, enter "0" into the preferred direction field.


Index Copyright © 1999 CadSoft Computer GmbH