User Guide

Open Design File

Use Ctrl+O or click the "Open File" button to select a DSN format design file. The software also supports dragging files directly into the window.

Routing Actions

Single Net Routing

Keyboard Shortcuts Ctrl + Left Click the desired net to route it step by step. This method is suitable for manually handling individual unfinished nets after auto-routing.

Auto Route

Keyboard Shortcuts F5 to perform full auto-routing. During manual refinement, you can press F5 multiple times to assist and speed up routing. Each execution will continue to optimize based on existing routing results.

Via Operation Instructions

Ctrl + Shift + Left click on a via to pick up the via. While holding a via, use Ctrl + Shift + left click on a pad (Pin) or wire to pick up its net and update the via to that net.

Free forever Alt + left click to place a via at the cursor position.

Set Routing Rules

In the 'Rules' menu, you can set the following parameters:

  • Trace Spacing: Set minimum spacing between traces. You can check 'Override Net Rules' to ignore net-specific rules from CAD.
  • Edge Clearance: Set clearance between traces and PCB boundary

Differential pair rules

In the 'Routing' menu, select 'Differential Pair Management' to:

  • Set differential pair net pairing
  • Group differential pairs (pairs in the same group will be length-matched)
  • Enable or disable length matching

Note: Differential pair and length matching features are only available in Pro version.

Advanced Options

In the 'Advanced' menu, you can configure the following options:

  • GPU Collision Detection: Enable GPU-accelerated collision detection to improve routing speed (requires graphics card supporting OpenGL 3.3)
  • Auto Calculate Trace Width: Automatically calculate appropriate trace width based on current routing environment

Save Results

After routing is complete, click the 'Save' button to save the result as an SES format file. Then import this SES file in your EDA tool to complete routing synchronization.

Routing Menu

In the 'Routing' menu, you can use the following features:

  • Start Routing: Press F5 to start auto-routing
  • Stop Routing: Press F6 to stop ongoing routing
  • Clear Routing: Press Ctrl+R to clear all routed traces
  • Optimize Traces: Optimize the paths of routed traces
  • Differential pair rules: Configure differential pair and length matching settings

View & Panels

Right Panel

  • Layer Control: Show/hide routing layers
  • Info Panel: Display layer count, component count, unconnected nets, and currently selected net name

Works with Other Tools

PCB Auto Router reads the standard Specctra DSN format, so it works seamlessly with any tool that exports DSN files—including KiCad, Jlc EDA, Altium Designer, and freerouting. Switch without changing your existing EDA workflow.