If you are an engineering student or junior engineer getting started with PCB design, running an auto-placement tool naturally brings up a few questions:

"Why is this decoupling capacitor placed this far from the IC?"

"Is this layout truly safe for signal noise and power stability?"

While MODI Factory’s previous placement comments provided a high-level overview of the entire board, the new placement note deliver clear physical and electrical justifications—along with actionable inspection points—the moment you click any component.

Here is a look at what MODI Factory AI placement note offer and how to use them.

1. Get started in 3 minutes: auto-placement and checking placement note

Step 1. Create a project and select auto-placement

1. Sign in to MODI Factory and click [+ New project] in the top-right corner.

2. Select the [Auto-placement] card to proceed.

   

Step 2. Upload schematic and layout files

1. Upload your current schematic and layout files.

   

   
   

2. Configure your settings and run the placement; MODI Factory will generate the layout automatically. Before running placement, you can lock parts that require fixed positioning, or rotate and flip components as needed.

   

Step 3. Click a component to view its placement note immediately

1. Once placement is complete, click any component on the canvas that you want to inspect.

   

   
   

2. In the right-hand panel under the [AI] tab, a tailored AI placement note generated specifically for that part will open.

2. Understanding the placement note structure at a glance

Placement note are not just blocks of text. They are structured around the key areas engineers must verify during design reviews.

Detailed report fields

• Part information & summary keywords: Key tags like #Core_IC or #LDO_regulator help you make fast, informed decisions.

• Part Overview: Defines the component's general role in the circuit alongside its specific function in your board design.

  • Example: "An MLCC capacitor that prevents voltage drop when the IC draws sudden surge currents."

• Placement Facts: Delivers quantitative measurements (hard facts) rather than guesswork.

  • Example: "Measured pair: U1 VDD pin; distance is 2.1 mm, meeting the upper design threshold (< 3.0 mm)."

• Placement Interpretation: Explains the electrical implications and trade-offs of the current position regarding signal integrity (SI), thermals, and noise.

  • Example: "Placed near the U1 analog power pin to minimize trace inductance and support local power stability."

• Check Points: Provides a clear checklist of items to verify before moving on to routing.

  • Example: "Verify minimal loop area and ensure a solid GND return path during subsequent routing."

Tip: Can I rely on MODI Factory's AI placement note?

MODI Factory's Placement Notes are not just simple AI-generated text. Our rule engine first evaluates component classifications, clearances, and design rule verifications, then delivers them in a structured format.

Wrapping up

A great design tool should do more than just automate tasks—it should give you confidence in why a design was made the way it was. Experience faster, more reliable PCB layout with the newly upgraded MODI Factory placement note.

👉 Start using MODI Factory for free today