multiple polygon clearance rules

[ican7]

HI Everybody. I am having problem setting up clerances for each polygons connecting to different voltages. How do I go about it ? Altium keeps ignoring the rules I set for each polygons. I use ''belongs to polygon'' command and choose the net its connected. I also set the priorities but no use....I have 24V,5V and GND.( I am not using a ground or power plane) Its a 2 layers prototype board.

[robertferanec]

Please, could you add screenshots of your rules? I think, normally I use "IsPoly" (old altium) or "IsRegion" (new altium), but the best is always to test it.

[ican7]

Hi Robert what are you referring to with the 'IsRegion' command on the second object matches box? Also Is PWR the name of your polygon?

[robertferanec]

"IsRegion"-> IsRegion = Polygon to Polygon

'L5 (PWR)' is layer name. The rule applies on all polygons on specific layer.

For your specific case you will need to update it, but "IsRegion" is probably the key word which you will need to use in the rule. In your case it may look like this:

[ican7]

It didin't work Robert. I must be doing something wrong.Here are my screenshots.

[robertferanec]

What exactly doesn't work? Could you zoom in the part of PCB which is wrong, so we can see the polygons and net names (same as I did in my screenshot, you can clearly see, that between PHASE_1V375 and +1V375 polygons is bigger gap 0.2mm comparing to polygon vs track, that is 0.1mm gap).

BTW: you rules look unusual, you may be missing a general clearance rule All - All.

[ican7]

Robert please see the pictures before and after the GND polygon. As you will see the polygon for +5V net is missing after I pour GND . I also added a general clerance rule but no use still...

[robertferanec]

How do you create the polygons, are they on top of each other?

If yes, you may need to create a cut out (a hole inside the GND polygon) for the 5V polygons.

[ican7]

Yes there are some +5V polygons through out the board and on top of them there is a Ground polygon. .. Ill do the cut outs. By the way do I need to name each +5V polygons seperately or is it ok to keep them with the same name ?

[robertferanec]

I do not really name polygons - so I am not sure if you can use same names. Only what is important is the net where it is connected.

[ican7]

I used the cut outs and selected copper then It kind of worked. But I can't still manipulate the clerances independently. I also got an error on one of the cut out as there are two ground vias inside it connecting a large cap to the bottom ground but Altium doesn't create clearance around the vias. Please see the picture.

[robertferanec]

How did you setup the ALL-ALL clearance rule? Play with its priority.

[ican7]

Still not doing anything. I am just wondering how did you create that polygon in the picture for the 28 pins project. Its surrounded by ground polygon with a proper clearance and its also showing in the polygon manager as a polygon. Using cut outs? If so how ? the ones that I created didn't show in the polygon manager and not behaving as the usual polygon.

[robertferanec]

Yes, this small polygon is done through cutout. If you have downloaded the 28pins, you can click through it. There is nothing special:
1) Create big GND
2) Create cutout in the GND
3) Draw +5V/3V3 polygon inside the cutout

[robertferanec]

Correction: I double checked. The small polygon in 28pins is done through priority (first the small polygon is done and then the GND). I do not use cutout there. I only use cutout in the places where I do not want to have any copper inside polygon.

[ican7]

I just noticed this reply Robert thank you it works now.