SparkFun Forums

[denki]

i'm designing a part for a surface mount fastener http://www.pemnet.com/fastening_product ... +Fasteners, the r'angle fastener in that link. it needs to be just a square solder pad with two holes for the pins.

my question is how do i create a solder pad with holes in it? do i just draw a rectangle in the top layer and then place the holes, does it matter if the holes and rectangle overlap?

thanks

[AlexOtter]

What I usually do for that, is I create a square via, then finish it off (increase length, etc) with rectangles. That way you have a copper-free hole in the middle surrounded by whatever copper pad shape you need. Might be a slightly inefficient way to do it, but it works for me. Rough example:

[denki]

thanks! that should work. one question though, aren't vias plated? i thought only "holes" were copper free? not that it matters because it's not an electrical part, just wondering.

[denki]

also, it seems like i can only add a via in layout mode, is there a way to do as a part? maybe i could just do a "pad" through hole.

[Philba]

do you need the entire area? I'd just make a rect pad that fits between 2 holes.

[denki]

yeah that's what i just settled on. appreciate the help!