MODI Factory's new feature, 'Routing note', has been added. For university students or junior engineers new to design, PCB routing can be daunting.

"Which net should I route first?"

"If this path is blocked, how do I detour?"

While existing tools only showed the results, the newly introduced AI routing note is a friendly guide that explains the characteristics of the selected net and how it is advantageous to route it. It helps engineers immediately grasp "why this net should be handled first and in this way" and build a strategy.

Today, we introduce the core features and how to use the MODI Factory AI routing note.

1. How to check routing notes in 3 minutes

Step 1. Create a project and select auto routing

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

2. Select the [Routing] card and proceed to the next step.

   

   
   

3. Upload your schematic and layout files.

   

Step 2. Auto routing and net selection

1. MODI Factory executes AI auto routing.

2. Once routing is complete, select a net on the canvas that you are curious about regarding its routing direction or priority.

Step 3. Open AI routing note

1. Open the AI routing note from the right panel.

2. You can intuitively check the detailed analysis values and contents by hovering your mouse over the corresponding indicator.

2. How to read routing note indicators at a glance

The routing note analyzes the routing margin, congestion, intersection, and alignment necessity through four key indicators.

Routing Flexibility

• It indicates how many paths the signal can pass through.

• Practical interpretation: If the bar is on the right (single path), it means there is almost no path to detour. If another net occupies that path first, this net may have nowhere to go, so it is better to route it first. Conversely, if it is on the left (abundant paths), there are alternative paths even if blocked, so you can postpone the routing order.

Channel Congestion

• It analyzes how crowded the corresponding path is with other routes.

• Practical interpretation: If the bar is on the right (congested), it means the section that must be passed is already crowded. If you work on it later, you may have to make a big detour or the path may be completely blocked. If it is on the left (spacious), the channel is empty and there is almost no competition.

Crossing Frequency

• It shows how often airwires overlap before routing.

• Practical interpretation: If the bar is on the right (high crossing), it frequently overlaps with other nets. Setting this reference path first can reduce subsequent detours and modifications. If it is on the left (low crossing), there is almost no overlap, so the order has little impact.

Alignment Sensitivity

• It determines how much alignment is needed with the paired net.

• Practical interpretation: If the bar is on the right (alignment required), it shares many of the same sections with the paired net. Therefore, they must be routed together while matching the spacing and alignment. If it is on the left (independent), there are almost no sections to match in parallel.

Tip. The four indicators are different questions.

Each indicator of the routing note shows a different routing perspective. Rather than determining the routing order by looking at just one indicator, try to establish the optimal routing strategy by comprehensively checking all four indicators.

Conclusion

A good design tool should not only do the work for you, but also give you confidence in "why it was designed this way?". Experience faster and more pleasant PCB design with the newly updated MODI Factory's routing note.

👉 Start using MODI Factory for free today