Designing a PCB with DEX > Projects > The PCB > Tracks

A jumper is a short length of conductor just to jump over a routing obstacle on a PCB. There are uses, rarely, when it is impossible to finish a route due to an already routed track. A 3D model of the jumper is automatically created. Insulation is also added to the jumper if the jumper is long enough.

Adding a Jumper When Manual Routing

When you are manually routing a track:

1. Press the 'J' key to start a jumper. DEX will automatically add a via and start a jumper on the top side of the board.

2. Drag the mouse and the jumper's end point will follow the cursor. Press the 'J' or Space key to end the jumper. DEX will add another via to complete the jumper and return you to the layer you were on before you started adding the jumper.

Instead of pressing the 'J' key you can start the jumper on the bottom side of the board by pressing the 'H' key.

Editing a Track

To convert an existing track segment to a jumper:

1. Select the track segment by clicking on it.

2. Press the 'J' key to convert it to a jumper on the top side of the board or press the 'H' key to convert it to a jumper on the bottom side of the board.

Removing a Jumper

1. Select the track segment by clicking on it.

2. Press the Space bar to convert a jumper to a regular copper track.

Swapping the Jumpers Side

1. Select the jumper by clicking on it.

2. Press the 'J' key to convert it to a jumper on the top side of the board. Press the 'H' key to convert it to a jumper on the bottom side of the board.