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seveibar merged 2 commits into from
Oct 3, 2026
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Document crosshatched copper pours with a CircuitPreview #916

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0959931
docs: explain crosshatched copper pours with a rendered preview
seveibar Oct 3, 2026
bc4d0f7
docs: use source-only previews and document custom hatch sizing
seveibar Oct 3, 2026
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59 changes: 59 additions & 0 deletions docs/elements/copperpour.mdx
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Expand Up @@ -50,12 +50,71 @@ Thermal reliefs currently use four `0.3mm` spokes. Unconnected plated holes and
plated holes on other nets continue to receive the normal clearance from the
pour.

## Crosshatched Copper Pours

Set `crosshatch` to fill the pour with a 45-degree copper mesh. Omitting it or
setting `crosshatch={false}` keeps the fill solid. Crosshatching works with
`useThermalReliefs` and the usual pour clearances.

<CircuitPreview defaultView="pcb" hideSchematicTab code={`
export default () => (
<board width="8mm" height="6mm">
<net name="GND" />
<copperpour
connectsTo="net.GND"
layer="top"
crosshatch
/>
</board>
)
`} />

By default, the mesh uses a **1mm pitch** and **0.25mm copper width**, with square openings
rotated 45 degrees. At the pour boundary, openings are clipped to leave a
0.25mm solid copper rim inside the normal clearance. Tiny opening fragments
are discarded. Copper around connections and obstacle clearances stays solid
to preserve pads, traces, and thermal spokes.

### Customize the Hatch Size

Use `crosshatchPitch` for the repeat spacing perpendicular to the copper strips
and `crosshatchWidth` for their thickness. Numbers are millimetres; strings can
include units. The square opening's side length is the pitch minus the width.
This example uses a coarser 2mm pitch with 0.4mm copper strips:

<CircuitPreview defaultView="pcb" hideSchematicTab code={`
export default () => (
<board width="8mm" height="6mm">
<net name="GND" />
<copperpour
connectsTo="net.GND"
layer="top"
crosshatch
crosshatchPitch="2mm"
crosshatchWidth="0.4mm"
/>
</board>
)
`} />

Both dimensions must be finite and positive, and the width must be smaller than
the pitch. Setting dimensions alone does not enable crosshatching. The solid
boundary rim and additional protection around connections follow the copper
width. Clipped fragments must have at least `crosshatchWidth²` area and survive
an inward offset of half that width; very small openings remain solid.

`outline` changes the pour's boundary, and margin props change its clearances,
without changing the mesh spacing.

## Copper Pour Properties

| Property | Description | Example |
| -------- | ----------- | ------- |
| `connectsTo` | Net that the pour is tied to. Often `net.GND` or `net.VCC`. | `"net.GND"` |
| `layer` | PCB layer for the pour (`"top"`, `"bottom"`, or an inner layer name). | `"top"` |
| `crosshatch` | Fill with a 45-degree mesh instead of solid copper. Defaults to `false`. | `true` |
| `crosshatchPitch` | Repeat spacing perpendicular to the hatch strips. Positive distance; defaults to `"1mm"`. Requires `crosshatch` to affect the pour. | `"2mm"` |
| `crosshatchWidth` | Copper strip and solid rim width. Positive distance smaller than the pitch; defaults to `"0.25mm"`. | `"0.4mm"` |
| `clearance` | Default minimum distance between the pour and other features (e.g. pads, traces, board edge). This is used as a fallback for specific margin properties. Defaults to `0.2mm`. | `"0.3mm"` |
| `padMargin` | Minimum distance from component pads. Overrides `clearance`. | `"0.4mm"` |
| `traceMargin` | Minimum distance from traces on other nets. Overrides `clearance`. | `"0.1mm"` |
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