The toolbar is a context-aware interface that appears automatically when you select a node in the PCB editor. It provides a quick and intuitive way to modify layout properties of the selected node without having to navigate through menus or set up manual layout rules.
Accessing the Toolbar
To access the toolbar:
Open your PCB design in the PCB editor
Select any object in your PCB layout (such as the layout itself, a footprint, trace, via, etc.)
The toolbar will automatically appear near the selected object
The available options in the toolbar will change based on the type of object you've selected
Available Properties
The toolbar dynamically adjusts the available options based on the type of node you've selected. Here are some of the properties you can modify using the toolbar:
Layout Properties
Size - change the layout dimensions
Corner Radius - adjust the roundness of layout corners
Board Shape - switch between rectangular and circular board shapes
Component Properties
Position - adjust X, Y coordinates
Rotation - rotate components on the board
Size - scale component dimensions
Trace Properties
Position - adjust trace location
Trace Width - modify trace thickness
Rotation - rotate trace segments
Via Properties
Position - adjust via location
Hole Size - modify via hole diameter
Via Options - configure via types and connections
Text Properties
Position - adjust text location
Font Size - change text size
Rotation - rotate text elements
Advantages Over Manual Rule Setup
The toolbar offers several advantages over the traditional manual rule setup:
Immediate Access: No need to navigate through menus or panels
Context-Aware: Only shows relevant options for the selected object
Real-Time Updates: See changes immediately as you adjust properties
Efficient Workflow: Make multiple adjustments quickly without switching contexts
For more complex rule configurations or rules that need to apply to multiple objects simultaneously, you may still need to use the selector-based layout rules.