Partial Route that I can't find in OrCAD

[Andrew]

I've looked all over the layout (and I was sure I got everything when I
was doing it) but when I run the statistics spreadsheet, it says 99.2%
routed, and says that there are 0 "unrouted" but there is 1 "partial
route."

Typically to find any wires that have not been run, I clear the screen
and turn on the global layer. This allows them to "pop" right out, but
this method isn't working for me!

I also tried to use the connection tool and "select any" or "select
next" but I can't locate any partial (or unconnected) connections this
way.

I tried zooming in pretty far on the global layer and scanning all over
in case it was a very small partial connect and I also couldn't find it
this way.

I know I'm a newb and this is probably a stupid question, but sitting
here scratching my head isn't working very well!!

Any suggestions on the proper/best way to find this partial connect?

 

[Andrew]

I've looked all over the layout (and I was sure I got everything when I
was doing it) but when I run the statistics spreadsheet, it says 99.2%
routed, and says that there are 0 "unrouted" but there is 1 "partial
route."

Typically to find any wires that have not been run, I clear the screen
and turn on the global layer. This allows them to "pop" right out, but
this method isn't working for me!

I also tried to use the connection tool and "select any" or "select
next" but I can't locate any partial (or unconnected) connections this
way.

I tried zooming in pretty far on the global layer and scanning all over
in case it was a very small partial connect and I also couldn't find it
this way.

I know I'm a newb and this is probably a stupid question, but sitting
here scratching my head isn't working very well!!

Any suggestions on the proper/best way to find this partial connect?

Well, I actually just found it! Sorry to make a post, but all the
same, if anyone has a better way to find SMALL pieces of partial or
unrouted wire, I would love to hear it.

The way I found it was to switch the background color to white and look
for any little specs, which I noticed one. The reason I didn't notice
it earlier was because the wire color for that particular net was
*dark* purple and the background was black, so it was very very easy to
overlook. I should have better selected my coloring, I know, but there
should be an easier way to find these wires!

Thanks for any guidance on doing this better!

 

[PeteS]

Well, I actually just found it! Sorry to make a post, but all the
same, if anyone has a better way to find SMALL pieces of partial or
unrouted wire, I would love to hear it.

The way I found it was to switch the background color to white and look
for any little specs, which I noticed one. The reason I didn't notice
it earlier was because the wire color for that particular net was
*dark* purple and the background was black, so it was very very easy to
overlook. I should have better selected my coloring, I know, but there
should be an easier way to find these wires!

Thanks for any guidance on doing this better!

It should throw up a ratsnest for a partially routed track - turn off
copper, turn on rats. In your case, it sounds like a bug, because a
partial route is not ''routed', but this gets a little sticky in the
case of 3 or more points on a net.

I don't use that tool, but can you (from the report) get the net ID of
the partially routed net? If so, just highlight it.

Cheers

PeteS

 

[Andrew]

It should throw up a ratsnest for a partially routed track - turn off
copper, turn on rats. In your case, it sounds like a bug, because a
partial route is not ''routed', but this gets a little sticky in the
case of 3 or more points on a net.

I don't use that tool, but can you (from the report) get the net ID of
the partially routed net? If so, just highlight it.

Cheers

PeteS

Yeah with copper off and rats on I couldn't see it because it was such
a small unfinished connection in a dark color, on a dark background.
It was basically a route that didn't quite make it to the center of a
via, by 5 mils or so.

Within the statistics spreadsheet it does not give you net name (which
would have helped greatly), but I'll check if any other spreadsheets
offer the routing status of the net or something that would help,
thanks!

 

[qrk]

I've looked all over the layout (and I was sure I got everything when I
was doing it) but when I run the statistics spreadsheet, it says 99.2%
routed, and says that there are 0 "unrouted" but there is 1 "partial
route."

Typically to find any wires that have not been run, I clear the screen
and turn on the global layer. This allows them to "pop" right out, but
this method isn't working for me!

I also tried to use the connection tool and "select any" or "select
next" but I can't locate any partial (or unconnected) connections this
way.

I tried zooming in pretty far on the global layer and scanning all over
in case it was a very small partial connect and I also couldn't find it
this way.

I know I'm a newb and this is probably a stupid question, but sitting
here scratching my head isn't working very well!!

Any suggestions on the proper/best way to find this partial connect?

In one of the manual route modes, hit the "N" key for select next
unrouted net. Zoom in and you will see your problem.

 

[Matthew Kendall]

Well, I actually just found it! Sorry to make a post, but all
the same, if anyone has a better way to find SMALL pieces of
partial or unrouted wire, I would love to hear it.

Two suggestions:

Hit the '.' key to toggle the display to high contrast mode (or select the
equivalent command from the View menu). This helps make small unrouted
things visible.

Or, with a routing tool selected, hit 'N' to select the next unrouted
segement then 'F' to finish it.

 

[Andrew]

Two suggestions:

Hit the '.' key to toggle the display to high contrast mode (or select the
equivalent command from the View menu). This helps make small unrouted
things visible.

Or, with a routing tool selected, hit 'N' to select the next unrouted
segement then 'F' to finish it.

Thanks for your suggestions guys...

I simulated my problem again and was able to replicate it, so I first
tried high contrast, and this did not allow me to see the wire, and in
fact, I'm not sure what the purpose of this mode was, as it just made
pretty much everything grey on my black background, but did not affect
the colors of the rats nest (colors of nets).

I then put it in edit segment routing mode and pressed N and it jumped
right to it. Perfect!

I was using select next on the connection tool trying to find the wire
before instead of on the routing tool, doh!

Thanks again, now this won't/can't happen anymore!