BUG: Routing Switching Layers and Vias

[C.Nicks]

The following video highlights changes in the new routing engine that I would consider a bug.

When a route has been started, switching layer puts a via at the endpoint instead of switching layers. In Eagle 7 you could switch layers while routing and it would place a via at the transition. This means that when routing out of a via, the choice for layer must be made before starting the route. This adds time to the workflow and interrupts expected behavior.

Also the new routing engine does not allow manual via placement using shift click.

[edwin.robledo]

Hi C.Nicks,

As you noted that behavior of the manual routing has change a bit to introduce better options.  In this case you need to Press and hold the SHIFT key then press the middle mouse button, this will cycle the attached trace according your define layer stack. The same behavior you are use to in v7.

I hope this helps.

Best Regards,

Edwin 

Please 'accept as solution' if my reply resolves your issue.

[C.Nicks]

Hi Edwin,

I have tried the method you suggested and it does not work as expected. You can only switch layers AFTER placing a via, which again you cannot place manually. So you have to place route, switch layers, place via, hold shift and middle click. Whereas the old method would be place route then middle click. There are so many added steps to the get the same behavior (5 vs 2 steps). What are the benefits to these changes? 

In my opinion these are not changes for the better and hinder the streamlined workflow I'm used to. Currently switching back to 7.7 so I can get this board done faster.

[jorge_garcia2]

Hello Cameron,

I hope you're doing well. See the attached screencast, it has audio and I explain the way of some of the changes.

Let me know if you need any further clarification or if there is any point I missed.

Best Regards,

[C.Nicks]

Hi Jorge,

I hope your Friday has been good. Thank you for providing this screencast. At first I though it was not working for me, but then I realised you can only switch layers on the first segment if connected to a through hole pad or via. If you are starting from a SMD it has no effect.

It's exciting hearing that there is a push and shove router in the works and I understand the need to include the via at the endpoint. That is a change that will be fine once the shift-middle click works and I train new muscle memory. I did, however, find a small bug in the layer switch handling. When starting a route, pressing spacebar cycles between the layers, placing a via at the cursor when bottom is selected and then back to the original. If you do the same with middle click, it will place a via at the endpoint but not switch back.

[jorge_garcia2]

Hey Cameron,

Thanks for following up. I've let the developers know so that they can look into this.

Let me know if there's anything else I can do for you.

Best Regards,