Printing a PCB with remaining ratsnest lines

Layout
1

Hi,

Is there a way to ensure that the ratsnet, or what remains of it after having done a partial routing, can be printed on a page like tracks and other objects of the PCB ?

The reason is that some of the connections will be made by wrapping, and I need to document this.

2

Personally, I would add an extra layer to the PCB Then route on this layer the wrapping connection.

So you can use this layer for your documentation. And you can use the DRC check of Kicad to make sure that you have connected everything.

If you don’t send this layer to the PCB manufacturer, il will not be in the produced PCB.

PS : I know I didn’t answer you question directly. I’ve absolutely no idea if it’s possible to print the rastnet or not.

1 Like
3

OK, at this point, it seems that one solution would be to take a screenshot of the PCB view after enlarging the remaining ratsnet lines to make them more visible. Since the black background color of the PCB view is not ideal for printing, is it possible to change it to white, and how?

4

Flipping black and white is best done using an image editor like Gimp

5

You can change the color of the ratsnest in the Appearance Manager on the right side of the PCB editor. It’s in the Objects tab page. You can also set the width of the ratsnest lines with PCB Editor / Preferences / Preferences / PCB Editor / Editing Options / Ratsnest / Ratsnest line thickness.

But in general, I agree with betrand_meneroud. The ratsnest is not intended as a “documentation guide” or to be printed. DRC will complain about “missing connections” if you attempt to use the ratsnest in this way. Adding more copper layers to the board setup and then using those extra layers to document your “wire bridges” seems a better approach.

6

I had already changed the ratsnest line thickness, and for printing, I understand that its seems not possible to obtain from KidCad a WYSIWYG mode, as well as the ability to change the background color. So screen shot plus The Gimp could be the solution.

7

The way to change the backgroung color can be found in Preferences:

Preferences→PCB Editor→Colors
Add a new theme

double-click on Background color

In the color picker choose white, or wathever other color.