Depends on what the circuit is.  For switching regulators, etc, I =20
don't use the auto-router, but I do use it regularly for other boards. =20
  I almost always add guard rings first, route the ground trace and =20
other power traces manually, then I'll route analog traces manually.  =20
The digital traces usually get auto-routed, but if they're interfering =20
with the analog traces, I'll restrict the appropriate areas.  I =20
usually add ground and Vdd traces last.

The auto router gets the job done as a first pass, but there are a =20
number of things that bug me about it, so there's always some tweaking =20
to do.

Cheers,
-Neil.


Quoting David <lists@edeca.net>:

> Hi,
>
> ...
> So I would welcome any tips for SMD boards.  Do people use the
> auto-router?  Would it be more sensible to layout on 2 sides somehow
> (e.g. Vcc/GND on one, signal on the other).  Do I just need lots more
> practise at component layout and routing?
> ...

--=20
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