Ground planes etc.

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A ground plane is a broad area of copper that connects to the ground signal. You can automatically create a ground plane that fills the empty areas between traces with copper:

To fill the area between traces with copper:

1. On the left toolbar choose the Polygon or Circle tool.
2. On the property bar Layer list select Top or Bottom.
3. For clarity turn off the other layers using the layer toolbar button.
4. Draw the desired shape and select the shape.
5. Choose Tools | Etch Copper... The Etch Copper dialog appears.
6. Enter the desired distance between traces and the fill (described below).
7. Click OK.

The polygon object defining the area to fill might overlap a copper object. If the polygon and the other copper object belong to the same net they will get connected.

To indicate for a pad whether to use thermal or solid connection:

Before etch copper:

1. Click a pad.
2. On the property bar click the Additional properties button.
3. Choose "Thermal" to force thermal connection or choose "Solid" to force solid connection.
4. Click OK.
   

The Trace width parameter specifies the width of traces connecting a copper object to the polygon object when both belong to the same net.

The Etch copper command only works for polygons that are inside the board outline.