> This is because the track end is rounded (diameter=3Dtrack width) and it = is backed off > so the rounded end just touches the hole during the plotting output stage= .. If the > track is too wide or the pad diameter is too small, the track has to be b= acked of so > far that there are two small cuts between the track and the pad. This can= cause > over-etching during manufacture. >=20 > If this would happen, designspark does not backoff the track so the track= coveres > the drill hole. >=20 > I don't know if this really is a problem or even if the board manufacture= rs does > plot the layout with holes in the pad. What a weird way of doing it. My understanding is that Orcad ends the track= on the hole centre. I regularly put small hole/pad vias in wide tracks (i.= e. the pad used is smaller than the track width), that would create a probl= em if back-off was used. I can't see a reason for doing the back-off. The situation you describe abo= ve will create chemical traps for the etchant, which are a definite no-no, = as that will likely create problems with corrosion further down the line, a= s well as any over-etch problems that may exist. --=20 Scanned by iCritical. --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .