I frequently want power traces to be wider than can fit to the pins of some of the components (like regulators). In Eagle, I’d hand wire short stubs, assign the wide width to the power traces net class, and let the auto-router handle the rest.
For Kicad, I’m thinking I’d initially assign a smaller width to the trace net class to route the stubs, then change the net class and continue routing.
Is there a better way?
Just set the big/normal width as a netclass and when you need a smaller track width, just select that at the top instead of going with “use netclass width”:
Thanks!
Will DRC complain about the segments of the net that are narrower than the net class width?
Yes, depending on your settings that can probably happen. Either ignore these issues or do it the other way round (ie set the netclass width to really the minimum value and just draw larger tracks where you can).
I think for the future a setting is planned which allows you to specify minimum and optimal/default widths of a netclass separately but I don’t think this is implemented yet.
The problem with setting the width to the minimum is if you forget to make it wide in some place, you are in trouble. I really wish there was a solution for this.
This is already possible using custom design rules. The router should use the optimal width, but the DRC will only complain if you go below the minimum width.
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