Copying one via maintains name; copying multiple ones renames to new net

[ted.yapo]

Eagle 9.4.1/Linux

I have some vias stitching GND layers on a multi-layer PCB. If I copy a single one of these GND vias, I get a new GND via. If I copy two or more of them at once, they end up on a new net called GND1. Subsequent copies end up on GND2, etc. None of these are on the original GND net, so they must be re-named. Or, in my case, not renamed, resulting in some bad boards.

Why the inconsistency between the copying single and multiple items? I find it confusing and error prone.

More to the point: is there a better way to copy a number of vias? It would be very convenient, since they're not always in a circle or line that can be done with the pattern tool.

[Timon-MESO]

This is a very annoying behaviour indeed. I've fallen victim to that many times, I would love to see that change.
Creating larger arrays of vias is really hard this way.

[edwin.robledo]

Hi ted.yapo,

Thank you for posting in the Autodesk EAGLE forum. I'm going to report this to our developing team.

In the meantime, there is a useful ULP to draw patterns of Vias and Holes. Please take a look at this recent post.

Best Regards,
Ed

[alexA3RDM]

Was there ever any movement on this? I'm having a helluva time placing GND vias on a board that's already weeks late....

[grahamUTKMN]

This does seem an odd feature to me too.

G

[jorge_garcia]

Hi @grahamUTKMN,

No new movement on this for now. If you need to have a large number of vias with the same net name this can be handled using the command line.

VIA 'GND' <enter key>

Every via you place will now be named GND, it's a very easy way to get a large number of vias with the same net name placed while still affording complete control over placement.

Best Regards,

[Anonymous]

This works if you are placing a new Via. It does not work when you do a group copy even if the original array of vias you are copying were all connected to ground. The original problem remains. 

[csvanberg]

I too would like to see this problem gone, amongst a few others.

Ground vias should really have their own layer, to make it possible to turn off those separately, for error checking etc.

[jorge_garcia]

Hi Everyone,

I hope you're doing well. Unfortunately, no movement on this as of yet.

Best Regards,