LAYER array

MATRIX Array Level: 1

LAYER array describes a layer that will be created or updated. The order in which LAYER arrays are initially defined will be used to determine the layer stackup number from 0 to 30000. The Layer NAME can be referenced in other MATRIX Arrays. If a LAYER array references an existing Layer NAME, the existing Layer will be Updated.
This can be very helpful for UPDATING existing Layers with additinal Layer attributes (i.e Dielectric Constant, Thickness, etc.) before Exporting or Saving results.

Note

GERBER array Many people who want to import Gerber and Drill files, may want to avoid defining a LAYER array. Instead you can easily assign Gerber-Layers pairs and Stackup order in the GERBER array by placing a semi-colon ; at the end of either LAYER or COMPOSITE fields will allow you to assign LAYER_TYPE and the Drill Span without having to create LAYER arrays. It's a very useful feature for quickly creating MATRIX files.

Fields in the LAYER array

	Description
TYPE	Describes the purpose of the layer and must be one of these defined Layer Types
SUBTYPE	Layer subtypes support the unique needs of Flex and Rigid-Flex designs. This is optional. Layer Subtypes
NAME	The name of the layer. This will be directly referenced in the GERBER array.
DRAW_COLOR	The RGB representation of the draw color for display of the layer. Note: RGB values are separated by commas.
FLASH_COLOR	The RGB representation of the flash color for display of the layer. Note: RGB values are separated by commas.
POLARITY	Determine if Layer will be Negative or Positive. Choose either: Positive | Negative Positive is the default. This is optional.
MIRROR	Determine if Layer will be Mirrored horizontally. Choose either: Yes | No No is the default. This is optional.
UNITS=VALUE	Units to use for this LAYER array only. Choose from: mil mm cm inch um (default: mm)
THICKNESS	True physical thickness of layer. 0.0 is the default. This is optional.
ZBASE	Assign the Z coordinate for each layer. 0.0 is the default. This is optional.
COMMENT	Assign any comment for this layer. This is optional.
DIELECTRIC_CONSTANT	Assign a dielectic contant (ER) value typically between (0-1000.0). This is optional.
DIELECTRIC_THICKNESS	Assign a dielectic thickness for this layer. This is optional.
LOSS_TANGENT	Assign a layers Loss Tangent value. This is optional.
ADJACENCY_DISTANCE	Assign an Adjacency distance value. This is optional.
COPPER_WEIGHT	Assign the Copper Weight in units of measurement typically Oz (Ounces). This is optional.
START_DRILL	These fields are only used for drill layers. They specify the span of the drill, in case it is a blind or buried via layers. Each field must be a valid layer name. When the fields are empty, the drill is assumed to be thru hole (i.e START_DRILL is assumed to be the first board layer and END_DRILL is assumed to be the last board layer).
END_DRILL	These fields are only used for drill layers. They specify the span of the drill, in case it is a blind or buried via layers. Each field must be a valid layer name. When the fields are empty, the drill is assumed to be thru hole (i.e START_DRILL is assumed to be the first board layer and END_DRILL is assumed to be the last board layer).
DIGITS_DRILL	These fields are only used for drill layers. They define the Leading and Trailing digits. DIGITS_DRILL=[LEAD].[TRAIL] For example: DIGITS_DRILL=3.4
UNITS_DRILL	These fields are only used for drill layers. They define the drill units either: INCH | MM For example: UNITS_DRILL=mm
SUPPRESSION_DRILL	These fields are only used for drill layers. They define the drill Suppression: LEADING | TRAILING | DECIMAL | NONE. For example: SUPPRESSION_DRILL=LEADING
TYPE_DRILL	These fields are only used for drill layers. They define the drill type either: NORMAL | INCREMENTAL For example: TYPE_DRILL=NORMAL
REF_1	Assign a string reference containing anything helpful (Limit: 1000 chars). This is optional.
REF_2	Assign a string reference containing anything helpful (Limit: 1000 chars). This is optional.
REF_3	Assign a string reference containing anything helpful (Limit: 1000 chars). This is optional.

Example LAYER Array:

LAYER {
    TYPE=BOTTOM
    NAME=bottom
    START_DRILL=
    END_DRILL=
    DRAW_COLOR=200,223,0
    FLASH_COLOR=200,223,0
    REF_1=The layer references can contain useful information.
}
 
LAYER {
    TYPE=TOP_MASK
    NAME=top_solder
    START_DRILL=
    END_DRILL=
    DRAW_COLOR=200,223,0
    FLASH_COLOR=200,223,0
    DIELECTRIC_CONSTANT=3.5
    LOSS_TANGENT=0
    ADJACENCY_DISTANCE=0.508
}

XML example:

<LAYER>
    <TYPE>BOTTOM</TYPE>
    <NAME>bottom</NAME>
    <START_DRILL />
    <END_DRILL />
    <DRAW_COLOR>200,223,0</DRAW_COLOR>
    <FLASH_COLOR>200,223,0</FLASH_COLOR>
    <REF_1>The layer references can contain useful information.</REF_1>
</LAYER>
 
 
<LAYER>
    <TYPE>TOP_MASK</TYPE>
    <NAME>top_solder</NAME>
    <START_DRILL/>
    <END_DRILL/>
    <DRAW_COLOR>200,223,0</DRAW_COLOR>
    <FLASH_COLOR>200,223,0</FLASH_COLOR>
    <DIELECTRIC_CONSTANT>3.5</DIELECTRIC_CONSTANT>
    <LOSS_TANGENT>0</LOSS_TANGENT>
    <ADJACENCY_DISTANCE>0.508</ADJACENCY_DISTANCE>
</LAYER>

JSON example:

"LAYER": {
  "TYPE": "BOTTOM",
  "NAME": "bottom",
  "START_DRILL": "",
  "END_DRILL": "",
  "DRAW_COLOR": "200,223,0",
  "FLASH_COLOR": "200,223,0",
  "REF_1": "The layer references can contain useful information."
}
 
 
"LAYER": {
  "TYPE": "TOP_MASK",
  "NAME": "top_solder",
  "START_DRILL": "",
  "END_DRILL": "",
  "DRAW_COLOR": "200,223,0",
  "FLASH_COLOR": "200,223,0",
  "DIELECTRIC_CONSTANT": 3.5,
  "LOSS_TANGENT": 0,
  "ADJACENCY_DISTANCE": 0.508
}