The Board Shape can also be defined from selected objects (in 2D Layout Mode). Typically this will be a set of lines and/or arcs placed on the Keepout layer or a mechanical layer.

Use the following sequence of steps:

1. Set the View mode to 2D Layout Mode (View menu).
2. Open the View Configuration panel and double-click to edit the mechanical layer that holds the board shape. The Edit Layer dialog will open, where you can set the Layer Type to Board Shape, as shown in the video below.
3. Make the mechanical layer that holds the shape the active layer, and select the objects. The Edit » Select » All on Layer command is ideal for this; the selection set must only include the tracks and arcs that form the shape of the board outline.
4. Once all the objects are selected, run the Design » Board Shape » Define Board Shape from Selected Objects command. The Board Shape will update to follow the path defined by the selected lines. A warning dialog will appear if the software is unable to follow the centerline of the selected objects. The View mode will change to Board Planning Mode.

Importing an Outline to Use for the Board Shape

The Board Shape can be defined from a closed outline imported as DXF/DWG data.

By combining the ability to import DXF / DWG data into a mechanical layer and then defining the board shape from selected objects, a shape defined in a mechanical CAD package can be transferred into the PCB editor.

To prepare the new board for import:

1. Select File » New » PCB. A new blank PCB will open; the black region represents the current Board Shape.
2. Before importing a new shape, set the following as required to suit the requirements of your design and the shape being imported:

• The Units - set the units as required in the Other section of the Properties panel in Board mode 
• The Grid - double-click on the Global Board Snap Grid and set it as required in the Grid Manager section of the Properties panel in Board mode .
• The Origin - For a new PCB the default location for the user-definable origin is at the absolute origin, the bottom left of the design space. Select Edit » Origin » Set from the main menus then click to define the location of the user-definable origin, for example, the bottom left corner of the current board shape. It helps to set this to suit the location of the origin in the incoming outline.

The next step is to import the board's shape as a .DXF or .DWG file. Note that the shape to be imported must be a closed shape and internal cutouts are not automatically created (but can be defined later from imported objects).

3. Select File » Import » DXF/DWG to open the Import File dialog then ensure the File Type on the bottom right of the dialog is AutoCAD Files (*.DXF, *.DWG) then browse to find the required file. 
4. When the Open button is clicked the Import from AutoCAD dialog will open .
5. Set the Scale, Default Line Width and Layer Mappings as required then click OK.
6. Each DXF/DWG object will be mapped to an object and will be displayed in the design space. 
7. Make the mechanical layer that holds the board shape objects the active layer, then select all objects on that layer (Edit » Select » All on Layer).
8. To update the Board Shape to match the selected outline, run the Design » Board Shape » Define from Selected Objects command.
9. If the board includes board cutouts, these can be created by selecting the outline of the cutout and running the Tools » Convert » Create Board Cutout from Selected Primitives command.