Let pins on turned fine-pitch pads leave along the pad's axis

A QFN placed at 45 degrees had no exit on the grid: every horizontal or
vertical step from a pin passes its neighbours inside clearance. A pin whose
pad is turned more than ten degrees off the grid axes now leaves along the
pad's own axis, away from the part, until an L from there to a grid cell
clears every other net's pad, then searches as usual. The slanted leg is
checked and stored as an exact slab (segment_slab), not its bounding box,
in the grid stub checks and in the exact engine.

Where pins leave side by side, a cell names only its first owner, so stubs
are also indexed per cell for every connection near them; the exact
stub-vs-stub check, trace entry and rip-up all consult that index. A pin
with an axis exit and no clear cell reports no way out instead of falling
back to a cell on another net's route. diagnose.py replays with the exits.

bench/diagnose.py

@@ -215,6 +215,8 @@ def diagnose(
 
     # the board as the best pass left it
     state = _fresh(seen)
+    # pins on turned pads leave along their pad's axis: replay with the same exits
+    state._axis_exits = dict(routed._axis_exits)
     conns = state._conns
     for idx, (path, a_end, b_end) in best.items():
         conns[idx].a_end, conns[idx].b_end = a_end, b_end

src/freeroute/board/search_tree.py

@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 from dataclasses import dataclass
 
-from freeroute.geometry import IntBox, Simplex, overlaps_2d, segment_octagon
+from freeroute.geometry import IntBox, IntPoint, Simplex, overlaps_2d, segment_octagon, segment_slab
 
 __all__ = ["TreeShape", "ShapeSearchTree"]
 
@@ -63,7 +63,9 @@ class TreeShape:
         segment swept by ``half_width + clearance`` (exact integer superset)."""
         if self.seg is None:
             return self.tile.offset(clearance)
-        a, b, half_width = self.seg
+        a, b, half_width = self.seg[-3:]
+        if self.seg[0] == "slab":  # a slanted pin exit, at any angle
+            return segment_slab(a, b, half_width + clearance)
         return segment_octagon(a, b, half_width + clearance)
 
 
@@ -151,6 +153,25 @@ class ShapeSearchTree:
                 return True
         return False
 
+    def segment_conflict(
+        self, a: IntPoint, b: IntPoint, half_width: int, net_no: int, layer: int,
+        clearance: int, kind: str = "wire",
+    ) -> bool:
+        """:meth:`clearance_conflict` for a slanted segment, checked on its
+        exact swept copper instead of its bounding box (which would reach the
+        neighbouring pads of a pin leaving along its turned pad's axis)."""
+        copper = segment_slab(a, b, half_width)
+        grown = segment_slab(a, b, half_width + clearance)
+        for shape in self.overlapping(grown.bounding_box()):
+            if shape.net_no == net_no or not shape.on_layer(layer):
+                continue
+            if shape.blocks != "all" and shape.blocks != kind + "s":
+                continue
+            other = shape.exact if shape.exact is not None else shape.tile
+            if overlaps_2d(copper if not shape.clearance else grown, other):
+                return True
+        return False
+
     def rule_area_overlap(self, box: IntBox, layer: int, kind: str = "wire") -> bool:
         """True if ``box`` overlaps a rule area on ``layer`` that stops ``kind``."""
         for shape in self.overlapping(box):

src/freeroute/geometry/__init__.py

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ from .direction import Direction, IntDirection
 from .float_point import FloatPoint
 from .limits import CRIT_DOUBLE, CRIT_INT
 from .line import Line
-from .octagon import ceil_sqrt2, overlaps_2d, segment_octagon
+from .octagon import ceil_sqrt2, overlaps_2d, segment_octagon, segment_slab
 from .point import IntPoint, Point, RationalPoint, point, rational_point
 from .polygon import Polygon
 from .polygon_shape import PolygonShape
@@ -59,5 +59,6 @@ __all__ = [
     "shove_segment",
     "ceil_sqrt2",
     "segment_octagon",
+    "segment_slab",
     "overlaps_2d",
 ]

src/freeroute/geometry/octagon.py

@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ from .line import Line
 from .point import IntPoint
 from .simplex import Simplex
 
-__all__ = ["ceil_sqrt2", "segment_octagon", "overlaps_2d"]
+__all__ = ["ceil_sqrt2", "segment_octagon", "segment_slab", "overlaps_2d"]
 
 
 def ceil_sqrt2(radius: int) -> int:
@@ -82,6 +82,46 @@ def segment_octagon(a: IntPoint, b: IntPoint, radius: int) -> Simplex:
     return Simplex.get_instance(lines)
 
 
+def segment_slab(a: IntPoint, b: IntPoint, radius: int) -> Simplex:
+    """Convex cover of segment ``a``-``b`` swept by ``radius``, at any angle.
+
+    The rectangle along the segment, ``radius`` either side, with flush ends
+    like :func:`polyline.segment_box`: the ends of a trace leg sit on a pad or
+    on the square corner tile of the next leg, which cover them. Corners are
+    rounded away from the middle and the radius gets one unit more, so the
+    side bounds never under-report, and it stays tight for a slanted segment
+    off the 45-degree lines (a pin leaving along its pad's axis on a part
+    turned 30 degrees).
+    """
+    dx, dy = b.x - a.x, b.y - a.y
+    length = math.hypot(dx, dy)
+    r = max(radius, 0) + 1
+    if length == 0:
+        return Simplex.from_corners([
+            IntPoint(a.x - r, a.y - r), IntPoint(a.x + r, a.y - r),
+            IntPoint(a.x + r, a.y + r), IntPoint(a.x - r, a.y + r),
+        ])
+    ux, uy = dx / length, dy / length
+    nx, ny = -uy, ux
+    mx, my = (a.x + b.x) / 2, (a.y + b.y) / 2
+
+    def out(x: float, y: float) -> IntPoint:
+        return IntPoint(math.ceil(x) if x >= mx else math.floor(x),
+                        math.ceil(y) if y >= my else math.floor(y))
+
+    corners = [
+        out(a.x + nx * r, a.y + ny * r),
+        out(b.x + nx * r, b.y + ny * r),
+        out(b.x - nx * r, b.y - ny * r),
+        out(a.x - nx * r, a.y - ny * r),
+    ]
+    for winding in (corners, corners[::-1]):
+        slab = Simplex.from_corners(winding)
+        if not slab.is_empty():
+            return slab
+    return Simplex(())
+
+
 def overlaps_2d(shape_a, shape_b) -> bool:
     """True if the two convex tiles share 2-D area (a real clearance overlap).
 

src/freeroute/route/exact_router.py

@@ -41,6 +41,7 @@ from freeroute.geometry import (
     Simplex,
     segment_box,
     segment_octagon,
+    segment_slab,
     shove_segment,
 )
 from freeroute.geometry.polyline import corner_box
@@ -200,13 +201,18 @@ def route_board_exact(
         zip(result.connections, ends_list, strict=False), key=lambda c: c[0][0]
     ):
         wire_half = net_half.get(net_no, half_width)
-        boxes = _copper_boxes(wires, vias, wire_half, via_layers, via_half)
+        pieces = _copper_pieces(wires, vias, wire_half, via_layers, via_half)
-        wire_count = len(_copper_boxes(wires, [], wire_half, via_layers, via_half))
+        boxes = [(box, box_layers) for box, box_layers, _ in pieces]
+        wire_count = len(_copper_pieces(wires, [], wire_half, via_layers, via_half))
         if any(
-            tree.clearance_conflict(
+            (
+                tree.segment_conflict(*seg, wire_half, net_no, layer, clearance)
+                if seg is not None
+                else tree.clearance_conflict(
                     box, net_no, layer, clearance, "wire" if i < wire_count else "via"
                 )
-            for i, (box, box_layers) in enumerate(boxes)
+            )
+            for i, (box, box_layers, seg) in enumerate(pieces)
             for layer in box_layers
         ) or _end_in_rule_area(tree, wires, wire_half) or (
             outline is not None and not _inside_outline(
@@ -225,9 +231,15 @@ def route_board_exact(
             v for v in dict.fromkeys(vias)
             if v not in acc.vias and not _on_fixed_via(net_no, v, fixed_vias, via_half)
         )
-        for box, box_layers in boxes:
+        for box, box_layers, seg in pieces:
             oid = next(owner)
+            if seg is None:
                 tree.insert(TreeShape(oid, net_no, box_layers, box, routed=True))
+            else:  # a slanted pin exit: its exact copper, rebuilt for the DRC check
+                tree.insert(TreeShape(
+                    oid, net_no, box_layers, box, routed=True,
+                    exact=segment_slab(*seg, wire_half), seg=("slab", *seg, wire_half),
+                ))
             acc.owners.append(oid)
 
     accepted_before_recovery = set(accepted)
@@ -662,6 +674,27 @@ def _on_fixed_via(net_no, point, fixed_vias, via_half) -> bool:
     )
 
 
+def _copper_pieces(wires, vias, half_width, via_layers, via_half=None):
+    """Like :func:`_copper_boxes`, but a slanted wire segment (a pin leaving
+    along a turned pad's axis) comes with its end points, so it can be checked
+    on its exact copper: ``(box, layers, (a, b) or None)``."""
+    via_half = via_half or half_width
+    pieces: list[tuple[IntBox, frozenset[int], tuple | None]] = []
+    for layer, points in wires:
+        on = frozenset({layer})
+        for a, b in zip(points, points[1:], strict=False):
+            if a.x == b.x or a.y == b.y:
+                pieces.append((segment_box(a, b, half_width), on, None))
+            else:
+                pieces.append((segment_slab(a, b, half_width).bounding_box(), on, (a, b)))
+        for c in points[1:-1]:
+            pieces.append((corner_box(c, half_width), on, None))
+    for loc in vias:
+        vbox = IntBox(loc.x - via_half, loc.y - via_half, loc.x + via_half, loc.y + via_half)
+        pieces.append((vbox, via_layers, None))
+    return pieces
+
+
 def _copper_boxes(wires, vias, half_width, via_layers, via_half=None):
     via_half = via_half or half_width
     boxes: list[tuple[IntBox, frozenset[int]]] = []

src/freeroute/route/grid_router.py

@@ -34,8 +34,8 @@ import random
 from freeroute.board.board import BasicBoard
 from freeroute.board.items import ConductionArea, ObstacleArea, Pin, Via
 from freeroute.geometry import IntBox, IntPoint, Simplex
-from freeroute.geometry.octagon import overlaps_2d
+from freeroute.geometry.octagon import overlaps_2d, segment_slab
-from freeroute.geometry.polyline import corner_box
+from freeroute.geometry.polyline import corner_box, segment_box
 
 __all__ = ["GridRouter", "RouteResult", "route_board"]
 
@@ -126,6 +126,7 @@ class _Connection:
         "narrow",
         "half",
         "stubs",
+        "stub_near",
     )
 
     def __init__(self, index: int, net_no: int, a: Pin, b: Pin) -> None:
@@ -143,6 +144,8 @@ class _Connection:
         self.halo_nodes: list[Node] = []
         # each end's stub: its layer, its copper tiles, and the nodes it claims
         self.stubs: list[tuple[int, list[IntBox], set[Node]]] = []
+        # every node its stubs come near, claimed or not (see GridRouter._stub_near)
+        self.stub_near: list[Node] = []
         # the pins and zones each end may use, and which pin the route ended
         # on (None when it ended on a zone)
         self.a_group: tuple[list[Pin], list] = ([a], [])
@@ -218,6 +221,12 @@ class GridRouter:
         self._escape_cells = 12
         self._crowded_cache: dict = {}
         self._trapped_cache: dict = {}
+        # pin location -> where a pin on a turned fine-pitch pad leaves its
+        # pin row along the pad's axis (None: it leaves like any other pin)
+        self._axis_exits: dict[IntPoint, IntPoint | None] = {}
+        # and the other nets' pads near each such pin, its stubs' obstacles
+        self._axis_pads: dict[IntPoint, list] = {}
+        self._part_centres: dict[int, tuple[float, float] | None] = {}
         self.heuristic_weight = max(float(heuristic_weight), 1.0)
         self.trace_width = max(trace_width, 1)
         self.clearance = max(clearance, 0)
@@ -309,6 +318,12 @@ class GridRouter:
         self._zone_cells: dict[int, list[Node]] = {}
         # per-connection occupancy (owner = connection index)
         self._cell_owner: dict[Node, int] = {}
+        # Node -> connections whose stub comes near it. A cell has one owner,
+        # and a stub claims only cells nobody owns yet, so where several pins
+        # leave side by side (a QFN turned 45 degrees: neighbours 0.35 mm apart
+        # on each axis) the cell two stubs share names only the first, and the
+        # exact check between the later stubs would never run.
+        self._stub_near: dict[Node, set[int]] = {}
         # every connection whose via covers a cell, in claim order: a via two
         # connections share still blocks after the first of them is ripped,
         # and a route through it must rip all of them
@@ -536,6 +551,13 @@ class GridRouter:
                 if conns[i].net_no != net_no:
                     blocking = i
                     break
+        if blocking is None:
+            # another net's pin stub comes too close, though the cell it once
+            # claimed may since have been freed by a rip of its first owner
+            for i in self._stub_near.get(node, ()):
+                if conns[i].net_no != net_no:
+                    blocking = i
+                    break
         if blocking is None:
             return 0.0
         if not allow_ripup:
@@ -857,30 +879,143 @@ class GridRouter:
         clearance of the pad next door, though the straight exit clears it.
         """
         end = self._cell_center(cell)
-        dx, dy = end.x - pin_location.x, end.y - pin_location.y
+        head = [pin_location]
+        start = pin_location
+        exit_point = self._axis_exits.get(pin_location)
+        if exit_point is not None:
+            # a pin on a turned fine-pitch pad first leaves along the pad's
+            # axis, past the pin row, then takes the usual L to its cell
+            head = [pin_location, exit_point]
+            start = exit_point
+        dx, dy = end.x - start.x, end.y - start.y
         if not self._orthogonal or dx == 0 or dy == 0:
-            return [pin_location, end]
+            tail = [end]
-        if abs(dx) >= abs(dy):
+        elif abs(dx) >= abs(dy):
-            return [pin_location, IntPoint(end.x, pin_location.y), end]
+            tail = [IntPoint(end.x, start.y), end]
-        return [pin_location, IntPoint(pin_location.x, end.y), end]
+        else:
+            tail = [IntPoint(start.x, end.y), end]
+        points = []
+        for point in head + tail:
+            if not points or points[-1] != point:
+                points.append(point)
+        return points if len(points) > 1 else [pin_location, end]
+
+    def _leg_shapes(self, points: list[IntPoint], half: int, grow: int = 0) -> list:
+        """A stub's copper, grown by ``grow``: a box per straight leg and per
+        inner corner, and an exact slab for a slanted leg (a pad-axis exit),
+        whose bounding box would reach the neighbouring pads."""
+        shapes: list = []
+        for a, b in zip(points, points[1:], strict=False):
+            if a == b:
+                continue
+            if a.x == b.x or a.y == b.y:
+                box = segment_box(a, b, half)
+                shapes.append(box.offset(grow) if grow else box)
+            else:
+                shapes.append(segment_slab(a, b, half + grow))
+        for c in points[1:-1]:
+            box = corner_box(c, half)
+            shapes.append(box.offset(grow) if grow else box)
+        return shapes
+
+    def _axis_exit(self, pin: Pin) -> IntPoint | None:
+        """Where a pin on a turned fine-pitch pad clears its pin row.
+
+        A QFN placed at 45 degrees has no straight exit on the grid: every
+        horizontal or vertical step from a pin passes its neighbours closer
+        than the clearance. The way out is along the pad's own axis, away
+        from the part, until an L from there to a grid cell clears every
+        other net's pad (checked on exact shapes, as the exact engine will).
+        Any angle off the grid axes counts, not just 45 degrees.
+        """
+        loc = pin.location
+        if loc in self._axis_exits:
+            return self._axis_exits[loc]
+        self._axis_exits[loc] = None
+        shape = pin.shape
+        if not isinstance(shape, Simplex) or shape.is_int_box():
+            return None
+        corners = [shape.corner_approx(i) for i in range(shape.border_line_count())]
+        edges = [(b.x - a.x, b.y - a.y) for a, b in zip(corners, corners[1:] + corners[:1], strict=False)]
+        lengths = [math.hypot(dx, dy) for dx, dy in edges]
+        if len(edges) < 3 or max(lengths) < 1.25 * min(lengths):
+            return None  # no long axis to leave along
+        dx, dy = edges[lengths.index(max(lengths))]
+        ux, uy = dx / max(lengths), dy / max(lengths)
+        if min(abs(ux), abs(uy)) < 0.17:
+            return None  # within ten degrees of a grid axis: the usual exits work
+        centre = self._part_centre(pin)
+        if centre is None:
+            return None
+        if (loc.x - centre[0]) * ux + (loc.y - centre[1]) * uy < 0:
+            ux, uy = -ux, -uy
+        reach = max((c.x - loc.x) * ux + (c.y - loc.y) * uy for c in corners)
+        h, cl = self.half_width, self.clearance
+        span = reach + h + cl + 16 * self.step
+        others = [
+            p.shape for p in self.board.get_pins()
+            if p.shape is not None and p is not pin and not set(p.net_nos) & set(pin.net_nos)
+            and set(p.layers) & set(pin.layers)
+            and abs(p.location.x - loc.x) < 2 * span and abs(p.location.y - loc.y) < 2 * span
+        ]
+        self._axis_pads[loc] = others
+        for j in range(16):
+            d = reach + h + cl + j * self.step / 2
+            exit_point = IntPoint(round(loc.x + ux * d), round(loc.y + uy * d))
+            out = segment_slab(loc, exit_point, h + cl)
+            if any(overlaps_2d(out, o) for o in others):
+                continue
+            ex, ey = self._cell_of(exit_point)
+            self._axis_exits[loc] = exit_point
+            for ddx, ddy in itertools.product((0, -1, 1), repeat=2):
+                cell = (ex + ddx, ey + ddy)
+                if not (0 <= cell[0] < self.cols and 0 <= cell[1] < self.rows):
+                    continue
+                legs = self._leg_shapes(self._stub_points(loc, cell)[1:], h, cl)
+                if not any(overlaps_2d(g, o) for g in legs for o in others):
+                    return exit_point
+            self._axis_exits[loc] = None
+        return None
+
+    def _exit_clips_a_pad(self, pin: Pin, cell: Cell) -> bool:
+        """Whether the stub from an axis exit to ``cell`` comes closer than the
+        clearance to another net's pad (exactly, as the exact engine checks):
+        the exit was chosen with one clear cell, not every cell around it."""
+        legs = self._leg_shapes(
+            self._stub_points(pin.location, cell)[1:], self._cur_half, self.clearance
+        )
+        return any(overlaps_2d(g, pad) for g in legs for pad in self._axis_pads.get(pin.location, ()))
+
+    def _part_centre(self, pin: Pin) -> tuple[float, float] | None:
+        key = pin.component_no
+        if key not in self._part_centres:
+            mates = [p.location for p in self.board.get_pins() if p.component_no == key] if key else []
+            self._part_centres[key] = (
+                (sum(m.x for m in mates) / len(mates), sum(m.y for m in mates) / len(mates))
+                if len(mates) > 2 else None
+            )
+        return self._part_centres[key]
 
     def _stub_cells(self, pin_location: IntPoint, cell: Cell, half: int | None = None) -> list[Cell]:
         """Cells where another net's trace would come too close to the stub."""
         from freeroute.board.outline import _point_segment
 
         points = self._stub_points(pin_location, cell)
-        end = points[-1]
         reach = (half or self._cur_half) + self.half_width + self.clearance
         box = IntBox(
-            min(pin_location.x, end.x), min(pin_location.y, end.y),
+            min(p.x for p in points), min(p.y for p in points),
-            max(pin_location.x, end.x), max(pin_location.y, end.y),
+            max(p.x for p in points), max(p.y for p in points),
         )
         legs = list(zip(points, points[1:], strict=False))
-        return [
+        joints = points[1:]  # each carries a square corner tile
-            c
+
-            for c in self._cells_in_box(box, reach)
+        def near(c) -> bool:
-            if min(_point_segment(self._cell_center(c), a, b) for a, b in legs) < reach
+            p = self._cell_center(c)
-        ]
+            if min(_point_segment(p, a, b) for a, b in legs) < reach:
+                return True
+            return any(max(abs(p.x - j.x), abs(p.y - j.y)) < reach for j in joints)
+
+        return [c for c in self._cells_in_box(box, reach) if near(c)]
 
     def _stub_clear(
         self,
@@ -896,13 +1031,12 @@ class GridRouter:
         if keepouts:
             # the stub is off the grid, so check it exactly, as the exact
             # engine will: its copper grown by clearance must miss every keepout
-            from freeroute.geometry.polyline import Polyline, PolylineShape
-
             points = self._stub_points(pin.location, cell)
             if points[-1] != pin.location:
-                for tile in PolylineShape(Polyline(points), self._cur_half).tiles():
+                legs = self._leg_shapes(points, self._cur_half)
-                    grown = tile.offset(self.clearance)
+                grown_legs = self._leg_shapes(points, self._cur_half, self.clearance)
-                    if any(k.overlaps(grown if needs else tile) for k, needs in keepouts):
+                for tile, grown in zip(legs, grown_legs, strict=True):
+                    if any(overlaps_2d(k, grown if needs else tile) for k, needs in keepouts):
                         return False
                 # the track's round end at the pin, for a rule area
                 cap = corner_box(pin.location, self._cur_half)
@@ -916,15 +1050,16 @@ class GridRouter:
             allow_ripup and all(conns[i].rip_count < self.rip_cap for i in owners)
         )
 
-    def _stub_tiles(self, pin_location: IntPoint, cell: Cell, half: int) -> list[IntBox]:
+    def _stub_tiles(self, pin_location: IntPoint, cell: Cell, half: int, grow: int = 0) -> list:
-        """The stub's copper: its legs, and a square at each corner and at the
+        """The stub's copper (grown by ``grow``): its legs, and a square at each
-        cell end, where the route carries on."""
+        corner and at the cell end, where the route carries on."""
         points = self._stub_points(pin_location, cell)
-        tiles = [corner_box(point, half) for point in points[1:]]
+        tiles: list = [
+            corner_box(point, half).offset(grow) if grow else corner_box(point, half)
+            for point in points[1:]
+        ]
         if len(points) > 1 and points[-1] != pin_location:
-            from freeroute.geometry.polyline import Polyline, PolylineShape
+            tiles += self._leg_shapes(points, half, grow)
-
-            tiles += PolylineShape(Polyline(points), half).tiles()
         return tiles
 
     def _stub_owners(
@@ -944,13 +1079,23 @@ class GridRouter:
                 other = [tiles for lay, tiles, nodes in conns[owner].stubs if node in nodes]
                 if other:
                     if grown is None:
-                        grown = [
+                        grown = self._stub_tiles(
-                            t.offset(self.clearance)
+                            pin.location, cell, half or self._cur_half, self.clearance
-                            for t in self._stub_tiles(pin.location, cell, half or self._cur_half)
+                        )
-                        ]
+                    if not any(overlaps_2d(g, t) for tiles in other for t in tiles for g in grown):
-                    if not any(g.overlaps(t) for tiles in other for t in tiles for g in grown):
                         continue
                 owners.add(owner)
+            for idx in self._stub_near.get(node, ()):
+                if idx in owners or conns[idx].net_no == net_no:
+                    continue
+                theirs = [tiles for lay, tiles, _ in conns[idx].stubs if lay == layer]
+                if theirs:
+                    if grown is None:
+                        grown = self._stub_tiles(
+                            pin.location, cell, half or self._cur_half, self.clearance
+                        )
+                    if any(overlaps_2d(g, t) for tiles in theirs for t in tiles for g in grown):
+                        owners.add(idx)
             owners.update(self._via_others(c, net_no, conns))
         return owners
 
@@ -1031,11 +1176,16 @@ class GridRouter:
         return self._cell_of(IntPoint((box.ll.x + box.ur.x) // 2, (box.ll.y + box.ur.y) // 2))
 
     def _stub_cost(self, pin: Pin, node: Node) -> float:
+        if self._axis_exits.get(pin.location) is None:
             c = self._cell_center(node[:2])
             dx, dy = abs(c.x - pin.location.x), abs(c.y - pin.location.y)
             if self._orthogonal:  # measured the way the route itself is allowed to move
                 return (dx + dy) / self.step
             return math.hypot(dx, dy) / self.step
+        points = self._stub_points(pin.location, node[:2])
+        return sum(
+            math.hypot(b.x - a.x, b.y - a.y) for a, b in zip(points, points[1:], strict=False)
+        ) / self.step
 
     def _end_nodes(self, pin: Pin, net_no: int, conns, allow_ripup: bool = False) -> set[Node]:
         """Nodes a route may start or end on for ``pin``: the nearest cell and
@@ -1045,14 +1195,21 @@ class GridRouter:
         everywhere else, or a pin whose only way out another net has taken
         could never have it back."""
         layers = [layer for layer in pin.layers if layer in self.layers]
-        cx, cy = self._cell_of(pin.location)
+        exit_point = None
+        if self._orthogonal and self._crowded(pin, net_no):
+            exit_point = self._axis_exit(pin)
+        cx, cy = self._cell_of(exit_point if exit_point is not None else pin.location)
         nodes: set[Node] = set()
         for dx, dy in ((0, 0), *self._neighbours):
             cell = (cx + dx, cy + dy)
             if not (0 <= cell[0] < self.cols and 0 <= cell[1] < self.rows):
                 continue
+            if exit_point is not None and self._exit_clips_a_pad(pin, cell):
+                continue
             for layer in layers:
-                if (dx or dy) and self._enter_cost(cell, layer, net_no, allow_ripup, conns) is None:
+                # the pin's own cell is in its pad; an exit cell is not
+                checked = dx or dy or exit_point is not None
+                if checked and self._enter_cost(cell, layer, net_no, allow_ripup, conns) is None:
                     continue
                 if self._stub_clear(pin, cell, layer, net_no, conns, allow_ripup=allow_ripup):
                     nodes.add((*cell, layer))
@@ -1062,6 +1219,11 @@ class GridRouter:
         # cost, so it is only taken where a short step would not do.
         if self._orthogonal and self._crowded(pin, net_no) and self._trapped(pin, net_no, nodes):
             nodes |= self._escape_nodes(pin, net_no, conns, layers, (cx, cy), allow_ripup)
+        if not nodes and exit_point is not None:
+            # every cell past the pin row is taken: report no way out, so the
+            # search goes on to rip-up, rather than fall back to a cell out in
+            # the open on top of another net's route
+            return nodes
         if not nodes:  # nothing clear: fall back to the nearest cell, as before
             nodes = {(cx, cy, layer) for layer in layers}
             if self._keepout_boxes and not any(
@@ -1135,7 +1297,6 @@ class GridRouter:
         whose stub from the pin clears every other net's pad by the full
         clearance, checked on the stub's copper tiles as the exact engine
         will rather than on the grid."""
-        from freeroute.geometry.polyline import Polyline, PolylineShape
 
         reach = self._escape_cells
         near = [
@@ -1157,17 +1318,14 @@ class GridRouter:
                 cell = (cx + dx * k + sx, cy + dy * k + sy)
                 if not (0 <= cell[0] < self.cols and 0 <= cell[1] < self.rows):
                     break
-                grown = [
+                grown = self._leg_shapes(
-                    tile.offset(self.clearance)
+                    self._stub_points(pin.location, cell), self._cur_half, self.clearance
-                    for tile in PolylineShape(
+                )
-                        Polyline(self._stub_points(pin.location, cell)), self._cur_half
-                    ).tiles()
-                ]
                 for layer in layers:
                     if self._enter_cost(cell, layer, net_no, allow_ripup, conns) is None:
                         continue
                     if any(
-                        layer in box_layers and any(g.overlaps(box) for g in grown)
+                        layer in box_layers and any(overlaps_2d(g, box) for g in grown)
                         for box, box_layers in near
                     ):
                         continue
@@ -1230,6 +1388,7 @@ class GridRouter:
                     conn.via_halo.append(c)
         ends = ((conn.a_end, wire_segs[0], 0), (conn.b_end, wire_segs[-1], -1)) if wire_segs else ()
         conn.stubs = []
+        self._forget_stubs(conn)
         for pin, (layer, cells), at in ends:
             if not isinstance(pin, Pin):
                 continue  # ended on a zone or a plane: no stub
@@ -1237,6 +1396,8 @@ class GridRouter:
             claimed: set[Node] = set()
             for c in self._stub_cells(pin.location, cell, half):
                 node = (*c, layer)
+                self._stub_near.setdefault(node, set()).add(conn.index)
+                conn.stub_near.append(node)
                 if node not in self._cell_owner:
                     self._cell_owner[node] = conn.index
                     conn.trace_cells.append((c, layer))
@@ -1272,6 +1433,15 @@ class GridRouter:
         conn.routed = True
         self._settle(conn, -1)
 
+    def _forget_stubs(self, conn: _Connection) -> None:
+        for node in conn.stub_near:
+            near = self._stub_near.get(node)
+            if near is not None:
+                near.discard(conn.index)
+                if not near:
+                    del self._stub_near[node]
+        conn.stub_near = []
+
     def _rip(self, conn: _Connection) -> None:
         for cell, layer in conn.trace_cells:
             if self._cell_owner.get((*cell, layer)) == conn.index:
@@ -1292,6 +1462,7 @@ class GridRouter:
         conn.halo_nodes = []
         conn.trace_cells = []
         conn.stubs = []
+        self._forget_stubs(conn)
         for cell in conn.via_cells:
             count = self._via_nets.get(cell)
             if count and count.get(conn.net_no):
@@ -1328,6 +1499,9 @@ class GridRouter:
             for i in self._halo.get((cx, cy, cl), ()):
                 if conns[i].net_no != net_no:
                     owners.add(i)
+            for i in self._stub_near.get((cx, cy, cl), ()):
+                if conns[i].net_no != net_no:
+                    owners.add(i)
         return owners
 
     # --- pin access ---------------------------------------------------------

tests/route/test_axis_escapes.py

@@ -0,0 +1,113 @@
+"""Pins of a fine-pitch part turned off the grid axes leave along their pads.
+
+A QFN at 45 degrees has no straight exit: every horizontal or vertical step
+from a pin passes its neighbours closer than the clearance (0.35 mm away on
+each axis at 0.5 mm pitch). The grid leaves along the pad's own axis first,
+past the pin row, and the exact engine checks that slanted leg on its exact
+copper. Found on th-eda's lift ESC, where a QFN-24 at 45 degrees left 15
+connections unroutable on an empty board.
+"""
+
+from __future__ import annotations
+
+import math
+
+import pytest
+
+from freeroute.board import build_board
+from freeroute.dsn import parse_dsn
+from freeroute.geometry import IntPoint, overlaps_2d, segment_slab
+from freeroute.route.grid_router import GridRouter
+from freeroute.route.pipeline import (
+    _rule_clearance_dsn,
+    _rule_width_dsn,
+    _via_half_board,
+    build_exact_routing_result,
+)
+
+
+def _qfn_side_dsn(rotation: float) -> str:
+    """Two rows of five 0.25 x 0.8 mm pads at 0.5 mm pitch (one side of a
+    QFN and its opposite side), turned by ``rotation``; each pin of the top
+    row is its own net, routed to a pad 4.5 mm out, the pads fanned 1.5 mm
+    apart."""
+    cx, cy = 100000, -100000
+    t = math.radians(rotation)
+    out = (-math.sin(t), math.cos(t))  # the pads' outward axis after turning
+    along = (math.cos(t), math.sin(t))  # the pin row
+    pins, targets, nets = [], [], []
+    for i in range(5):
+        x = -1000 + 500 * i
+        pins += [f"(pin P {i + 1} {x} 1000)", f"(pin P {i + 6} {x} -1000)"]
+        px = cx + x * math.cos(t) - 1000 * math.sin(t)
+        py = cy + x * math.sin(t) + 1000 * math.cos(t)
+        spread = 1500 * (i - 2) - x  # fan the far pads out to 1.5 mm apart
+        tx = px + 4500 * out[0] + spread * along[0]
+        ty = py + 4500 * out[1] + spread * along[1]
+        targets.append(f"(place T{i + 1} {round(tx)} {round(ty)} front 0)")
+        nets.append(f"(net N{i} (pins U1-{i + 1} T{i + 1}-1))")
+    return f"""(pcb qfn (parser) (resolution um 10) (unit um)
+  (structure
+    (layer F.Cu (type signal)) (layer B.Cu (type signal))
+    (boundary (path pcb 0  115000 -115000  85000 -115000  85000 -85000  115000 -85000
+      115000 -115000))
+    (via "Via[0-1]_450:200_um")
+    (rule (width 150) (clearance 150)))
+  (placement
+    (component Q (place U1 {cx} {cy} front {rotation}))
+    (component T {" ".join(targets)}))
+  (library
+    (image Q {" ".join(pins)})
+    (image T (pin t 1 0 0))
+    (padstack P (shape (rect F.Cu -125 -400 125 400)) (attach off))
+    (padstack t (shape (rect F.Cu -300 -300 300 300)) (attach off))
+    (padstack "Via[0-1]_450:200_um" (shape (circle F.Cu 450)) (shape (circle B.Cu 450))
+      (attach off)))
+  (network {" ".join(nets)}))"""
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize("rotation", [45, 30, -45])
+def test_a_turned_fine_pitch_part_gets_its_pins_out(rotation):
+    result = build_exact_routing_result(parse_dsn(_qfn_side_dsn(rotation)), resolution=2, shove=True)
+    assert result.unrouted == []
+
+
+def test_the_exit_runs_along_the_pad_axis_and_clears_the_neighbours():
+    dsn = parse_dsn(_qfn_side_dsn(45))
+    s = dsn.resolution.value
+    board = build_board(dsn)
+    router = GridRouter(
+        board,
+        trace_width=round(_rule_width_dsn(dsn) * s),
+        clearance=round(_rule_clearance_dsn(dsn) * s),
+        via_half=_via_half_board(dsn, s),
+        orthogonal=True,
+    )
+    pins = {p.name: p for p in board.get_pins() if p.component_ref == "U1"}
+    pin = pins["3"]
+    exit_point = router._axis_exit(pin)
+    assert exit_point is not None
+    dx, dy = exit_point.x - pin.location.x, exit_point.y - pin.location.y
+    assert abs(abs(dx) - abs(dy)) <= 2  # along the 45-degree axis
+    leg = segment_slab(pin.location, exit_point, router.half_width + router.clearance)
+    for name in ("2", "4"):
+        assert not overlaps_2d(leg, pins[name].shape)
+
+
+def test_a_pad_on_the_grid_axes_keeps_the_usual_exits():
+    dsn = parse_dsn(_qfn_side_dsn(0))
+    s = dsn.resolution.value
+    board = build_board(dsn)
+    router = GridRouter(board, trace_width=round(_rule_width_dsn(dsn) * s),
+                        clearance=round(_rule_clearance_dsn(dsn) * s), via_half=_via_half_board(dsn, s))
+    pin = next(p for p in board.get_pins() if p.component_ref == "U1" and p.name == "3")
+    assert router._axis_exit(pin) is None
+
+
+def test_a_slanted_slab_is_tight_where_a_bounding_box_is_not():
+    slab = segment_slab(IntPoint(0, 0), IntPoint(10000, 10000), 750)
+    # a point beside the diagonal but inside its bounding box
+    from freeroute.geometry import IntBox
+
+    assert not overlaps_2d(slab, IntBox(8000, 0, 8100, 100))
+    assert overlaps_2d(slab, IntBox(4900, 4900, 5100, 5100))