Constraints Manager overview
What is Constraints Manager?
Constraints Manager is an optional feature in Quilter that allows users to import or manually define trace width or amperage constraints for specific net classes, nets, or pins in their PCB design. Once defined, Quilter will only produce solutions that satisfy this requirements and do not violate DRCs.
Why use Constraints Manager?
By defining constraints, you can ensure that Quilter's AI router selects trace widths that align with the physical and electrical requirements of your schematic.
Where to find Constraints Manager
Click the "New Auto-Layout" button on the Quilter home screen
Upload your design files (schematic and board files) and click "Make it!".
Once your board files parse successfully, you'll be brought to the Constraints Manager page
Using Constraints Manager
Defining constraints
Constraint rules can be defined one of two ways – (1) manually, or (2) by importing constraint rules from a previous layout job within your account.
When defining constraint rules manually, you have the following configuration options to choose from:
Name: Choose a name for your constraint rule that allows you to identify it
Scope: Choose the pins, nets, or net classes that you wish to apply the constraint to. You can use the "*" character for wildcard matching to apply the rule to all matching pins, nets, and net classes.
Value: Enter a numerical value and unit of measure. We currently support:
Trace widths in
mmormilsAmperages in
mAorA
All constraint rules that you have defined are added to the "Constraint Rules" table where they can be viewed or deleted.
Importing constraints
If you are submitting another revision of the same board for auto-layout, you may wish to import previously defined constraints. To do this, select the compilation job from the dropdown labeled "Import previous layout candidates" and select "Import". You should see all previously defined constraints appear in the "Constraints Rules" table below.
Note: If you do not wish to define or import any constraints for your design, simply click the "SKIP" button on the top righthand side of the page.