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Set the construction and constraints before routing

Agree the intended layer stack and relevant manufacturing requirements. Record material, thickness, copper and special-hole needs with the appropriate level of certainty. A generic default stack can be useful for exploration but should not silently become the released construction.

Translate applicable limits into the native constraint system and verify their scope. Trace widths, spacing, via definitions and board-edge relationships should reflect the actual design and receiving requirements. An imported rule set needs review for the particular project rather than automatic acceptance.

Keep electrical objectives separate from manufacturing minima. A trace that is manufacturable may still be unsuitable for impedance, current or signal return. Communicate these objectives to the layout owner and identify which require calculation, simulation or measured verification beyond geometric rule checking.

Review padstacks and component placement

Verify footprint geometry and pad numbering against the approved component and package. Check holes, slots, plating intent and layer spans where applicable. A padstack is part of the physical definition; a similar-looking pad in a different library can have different internal behavior.

Place components according to functional, mechanical and assembly needs. Review connectors, polarized parts, test access and enclosure relationships early. A visually balanced board is not necessarily easy to assemble or test. Keep the requirements that justify critical placement positions in the project record.

Inspect both sides and relevant height or courtyard information using the available tools and trusted component data. A 3D view can help detect some mechanical problems, but its value depends on model accuracy and setup. Do not treat a successful visual rotation as a complete fit or clearance validation.

PADS Layout review

Route with the intended signal and power context

Follow the approved connectivity and applicable constraints, paying attention to reference paths and transitions. A short trace is not automatically a better route if it crosses an unsuitable reference discontinuity. Similarly, a power connection needs more than a net assignment to establish its physical suitability.

Review vias and layer changes in the context of the construction. Avoid selecting a feature solely because the editor permits it. Confirm that the intended stack, drill process and receiving requirements support the proposed implementation. Complex or unusual combinations need an explicit engineering discussion.

Keep unfinished connections and intentional exceptions distinguishable. An unrouted connection may be a real omission, while a documented special connection may need a different check. The reviewer should be able to understand the difference without guessing from a screenshot of the routing status.

Reconcile design changes and regenerate dependent objects

When the schematic or library changes, preview the impact using the appropriate PADS workflow. Review added components, renamed references, pin changes and footprint modifications before accepting the update. Existing routing may need repair or reconsideration even when the update operation reports success.

Regenerate planes and other dependent geometry where required, then inspect the affected areas. A new exclusion or moved component can change copper shapes and return paths. Rerun the relevant checks after regeneration instead of relying on a report captured before the change.

Use the net-pin comparison worksheet for a small declared connectivity comparison, recognizing that it does not apply a native ECO. Preserve the actual project revision and change log so the final board can be related to the approved circuit definition.

Inspect the exact manufacturing outputs

Define the receiving package: copper, mask, legend where required, finished profile, holes and construction notes. Add assembly information when the order includes components. Choose formats accepted by the recipient and document which archive is authoritative if more than one representation is supplied.

Compare exported data in an independent view. Check dimensions, layer order, hole alignment, mask openings and special features. A clean native DRC result does not establish that the output configuration selected every required layer or used compatible origins and units.

Use the Gerber release checklist for a file-based package and the ODB++ comparison when discussing a structured exchange route. Format choice should follow actual receiving support and data scope, not the assumption that a richer container automatically corrects design or export mistakes.

Make the release useful to purchasing and manufacture

Give the approved source and archive a clear revision, with a concise change summary. Include quantity, construction requirements and any open alternatives affecting the proposal. Keep internal review aids separate from authoritative manufacturing geometry so the recipient does not have to infer which contour or data set governs.

For assembly, verify that BOM references and placement data correspond to the intended variant. A physical board can be correct while an outdated assembly file still describes another configuration. Identify programming, inspection and testing scope where those tasks form part of the request.

The worksheet records your progress through construction, padstack, routing, regeneration and release review. It does not inspect a PADS file or approve a supplier capability. This guide is documentation-based; a native PADS layout and export session was not run. Use the actual project and receiving files to establish the final acceptance evidence before production.

Keep capture, physical design and changes traceable

Record which PADS product and version owns each source, which libraries and constraints are required, and how approved changes pass between capture and layout. A viewer can support review without establishing editing or release capability. Use native logs and representative comparisons to show what was actually checked.

For a change, retain its intended direction and its effect on component identity, connectivity, footprints and physical geometry. A small CSV comparison supports one part of that review; it is not a replacement for native synchronization. The final release should connect the approved circuit to the inspected manufacturing files. If those identities are unclear, resolve them before asking a receiving team to decide which of several plausible versions should be built.