Remove Drill Layer Constraints

[pcurt]

I have been using Ultiboard to design a multilayer ceramic.  Since vias are punched on each ceramic layer before the stackup is assembled, there are no restrictions on which inner layers buried vias can start or end, or which outer layers blind vias must start from.  My PCB Properties describe a single layer pair with 6 stackups below.  I would like to create:

- blind vias which start at the top OR the bottom of my overall stack-up

- buried vias which start at layer 2 (the bottom layer of the first layer "pair"). 

Ultiboard does not allow me to do this, probably because it thinks PCB manufacturing technology will be prohibitive.

Is there some way to override these drill layer settings, so I can start and end my drill on any layer?

Thank you.

Petersen Curt

[nestor-sg]

Hi Petersen:

I have filed a feature request for the Ultiboard R&D team to consider. It is indeed important to provide the user with an easy way to determine where the via starts and ends.

As it stands now, Ultiboard forces the start of the via options (for buried and blind vias) as you can see in the PCB Properties > Copper Layers tab. When you place a via, if you go to its properties (double-click) then select the Layer Settings tab, you can see that you can choose to have or not to have copper ring or routing on a specific layer. However, what this tab is lacking is the drilling option. Either we should allow the user to select any start layer, or otherwise the ability to eliminate the drill hole from any start layer you don't wish to route or include.

On a side suggestion/question, when you export the NC Drill file (.drl) and report (.rep), the report includes a line where it defines the laminates to drill. Check with your PCB manufacturer if by modifying this file you could avoid drilling on a specific layer. Together with eliminating the copper ring for that layer I think you may get the results you need right now.

Best regards,