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Routing Traces

Trace routing connects pads on the PCB with copper paths, enforcing electrical and design-rule constraints. This page covers the full routing workflow: drawing traces, placing vias, adding holes, and routing helpers.

Starting a Route

Press X or click Route Trace on the PCB toolbar.

Drawing a trace

  1. Click on a pad (or an existing trace/via) to start routing
  2. The trace follows the cursor with 45° helper points computed automatically
  3. Left-click to confirm each corner vertex
  4. Click the destination pad to complete the trace — the ratsnest line disappears
  5. Or right-click / Esc to cancel

The ratsnest connection disappears when the destination is electrically complete.

Image — Completed pad-to-pad route

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Capture one short F.Cu route between two pads, with the completed track selected and the corresponding ratsnest connection cleared.

Action Input
Start on a pad Left-click
Add a corner Left-click
Finish on the destination pad Left-click on target pad
Cancel Right-click or Esc
Switch layer (place via) V while routing

Real-Time Clearance Checking

During routing, WireFrame checks for violations and warns immediately if the trace is too close to:

Check Example
Trace ↔ Trace Two traces on the same layer too close together
Trace ↔ Pad Trace overlapping a pad from a different net
Trace ↔ Via/Hole Trace crossing through a drill area
Trace ↔ Board Edge Trace too close to Edge.Cuts
  • A red indicator appears at the violation point
  • The trace cannot be completed while a clearance violation is active

Vias — Switching Layers

A via is a plated hole that connects F.Cu and B.Cu, allowing a trace to change board sides.

Placing a via while routing

  1. While routing on F.Cu, press V
  2. A via is placed at the current cursor position
  3. The active routing layer switches to B.Cu
  4. Continue routing on B.Cu from the via

Image — Route changing layer through a via

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Capture a selected route that begins on F.Cu, changes layer through a via, and continues on B.Cu. Keep both layer colors visible.

Manual via placement

  1. Select the Draw Via tool from the toolbar
  2. Click on the board to place a via
  3. Assign a net in the Properties panel if needed

Via properties

Property Description
Diameter Copper annular ring outer diameter
Drill Drill hole diameter
Net The electrical net the via belongs to

Mechanical Holes

Use the Place Hole tool to add non-electrical holes (screws, standoffs):

  1. Select Place Hole from the toolbar
  2. Click on the board to place it
  3. Set parameters in the Properties panel:
Property Description Example
diameter Hole diameter 3.2 mm for M3 screws
plated Whether the hole has copper plating Usually false
netName Net if plated (e.g. for GND stitching) GND

Editing Existing Traces

Operation How
Move an entire trace Select + drag
Drag a segment Click and drag a segment between two vertices
Delete a trace Select + Del (ratsnest reappears)
Move a segment Drag the selected segment; collision checks ignore only the segment being edited
Delete a segment Select the segment and delete it without removing unrelated route geometry
Align segments Use the alignment action to create a DRC-aware parallel offset

Net classes and advanced rules

Open Design Rules Manager to assign width and clearance behavior by net class. Automatic rules can classify common power nets and serialize assignments with the board, while a manual net assignment takes precedence.

For dense connections, multi-trace routing can move a group of traces with automatic node snapping and parallel polyline offsets. Always re-run DFM after an aligned or multi-trace edit.

Automatic net update

Deleting or modifying a trace marks the affected net as dirty → the ratsnest is automatically recomputed to show any missing connections.

Gloss Trace — Cleaning Up

After routing, WireFrame can automatically clean up trace geometry:

  • Removes redundant vertices (collinear points)
  • Simplifies short zig-zag segments
  • Makes 45° corners clean and precise

Image — Route before and after Gloss

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Use a two-panel image of the same route before and after Gloss, clearly showing removed redundant vertices and cleaner 45° corners.

Use: context menu → Gloss or the corresponding shortcut.

Smart Drag

WireFrame maintains connections during drag operations:

  • Moving a via — attached traces keep their endpoints connected to the via
  • Moving a footprint — connected trace endpoints adjust automatically to maintain pad attachment

Auto-Snapping

While routing, WireFrame automatically snaps the cursor to nearby connection targets:

Target Behavior
Pad center Cursor snaps to the pad center when nearby — ensures perfect connection
Existing via Cursor snaps to via center for easy connection
Existing trace Cursor snaps to the nearest point on a trace segment of the same net

Auto-snapping prevents common routing errors like "almost connected" traces that look connected but fail DFM checks.

Segment Merging

When you extend an existing trace or add a segment that continues in the same direction, WireFrame automatically merges collinear segments into a single continuous trace:

After merging, consecutive collinear pieces behave as one continuous segment. Verify the result by selecting the route and checking that no unintended corner remains.

This keeps the design clean and reduces the number of trace objects in the file.

Bus Routing (Multi-Trace)

WireFrame supports routing multiple parallel traces simultaneously:

  • When routing from a group of pads (e.g., a data bus D0–D7), the router can create parallel traces with a consistent offset (Slave-Master pattern).
  • Traces maintain equal spacing and follow the same routing path shape.

Double-Click Net Selection

Double-click on any trace to select the entire net — all trace segments and vias connected to the same net are highlighted at once.

This is useful for:

  • Reviewing a complete signal path
  • Deleting an entire net's routing
  • Checking net connectivity visually

AI Auto-Router

WireFrame includes an AI-powered automatic router that can route all connections on the board:

  • Proposes routing based on the current board and constraints.
  • Requires review of layers, clearances, vias, and remaining ratsnest connections.
  • See Placement and Routing Assistant for the complete guideline.

See Also