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I have four layer PCB stack up but wish to use the bottom layer as a 'plane' layer instead of a signal layer. Is it possible to configure Altium like this through layer stackup manager?

  • L1 Top - Signal
  • L2 Mid - Plane
  • L3 Mid - Signal
  • L4 Bottom - Plane

I can use multiple polygons but for my design a negative plane definition with splits would be easier to work with.

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  • \$\begingroup\$ I don't recal exactly how to do this, but I do know that most people (at least the ones I talk to) advised against the use of plane layers in altium. If my memory serves me right, plane layers do not properly do DRC. \$\endgroup\$
    – Joren Vaes
    Jul 1, 2018 at 9:41
  • \$\begingroup\$ @JorenVaes I've been using Altium since it was called Protel, and never had a problem with DRC on plane layers. I wouldn't be surprised if there is some particular situation that causes a problem on some particular version of Altium, but I don't think a blanket rule against using plane layers is justified. \$\endgroup\$
    – The Photon
    Jul 1, 2018 at 13:58

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This is possible, when in PCB mode press d then k you can then edit the layers as such but you would change the lower layer to an internal plane

enter image description here

You don't specifically need to change the lower layer to an internal plane, a better way is to use fills or polygon planes for the lower layer and keep its definition as a signal layer. This is more appropriate to keep the power planes on one layer (and that way you can have multiple) whereas a internal plane can only have one net attached to it (although you can break these up with a 'negative' trace), much better to use planes.

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