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# '''PEC Via Sets:''' These are metallic objects such as shorting pins, interconnect vias, plated-through holes, etc. that are grouped together as prismatic object sets. The embedded objects are modeled as vertical volume conduction currents.

# '''Embedded Dielectric Sets:''' These are prismatic dielectric objects inserted inside a substrate layer. You can define a finite permittivity and conductivity for such objects, but their height is always the same as the height of their host layer. The embedded dielectric objects are modeled as vertical volume polarization currents.

A trace is a group of finite-sized planar objects that have the same conductive properties and same Z-coordinate. In other words, they are located on the same horizontal plane, or at the same vertical level on the layer stack-up. You can define two types of metallic traces in the [[Planar Module]]:

Slots and apertures are cut-out and removed metal in an infinite perfectly conducting (PEC) ground plane. When a slot is excited, tangential electric fields are formed on the aperture, which can be modeled as finite magnetic surface currents confined to the area of the slot. Therefore, instead of modeling the electric surface currents on the PEC ground around the slot, one can alternatively model the finite-extent magnetic surface currents on PMC traces. In [[EM.Cube]]'s [[Planar Module]], you define slot objects under PMC traces. A PMC trace at a certain Z-plane implies the presence of an infinite PEC plane at that Z-coordinate. Therefore, you do not need to define an additional PEC plane at that location on the layer stack-up. The slot (PMC) objects provide the electromagnetic coupling between the two sides of this infinite ground plane. By the same token, you cannot place a PEC trace and a PMC trace at the same Z-level, as the latter's ground will short the former. However, you can define two or more PMC traces at the same Z-plane. In this case, all the slot objects lie on the same infinite PEC ground plane. <br />

When you start a new project in EM.Picasso, the project workspace looks empty, and there are no finite objects in it. However, a default background structure is always present. Finite objects are defined as part of traces or embedded sets. Once defined, you can see a list of project objects in the '''Physical Structure''' section of the navigation tree. Traces and object sets can be defined either from Layer Stack-up Settings dialog or from the navigation tree. In the '''Layer Stack-up Settings''' dialog, you can add a new trace to the stack-up by clicking the arrow symbol on the {{key|Insert}} button of the dialog. You have to choose from '''Metal (PEC)''', '''Slot (PMC)''' or '''Conductive Sheet''' options. A respective dialog opens up, where you can enter a label and assign a color. Once a new trace is defined, it is added, by default, to the top of the stack-up table underneath the top half-space. From here, you can move the trace down to the desired location on the layer hierarchy. Every time you define a new trace, it is also added under the respective category in the navigation tree. Alternatively, you can define a new trace from the navigation tree by right-clicking on one of the trace type names and selecting '''Insert New PEC Trace...'''or '''Insert New PMC Trace...'''or '''Insert New Conductive Sheet Trace...''' A respective dialog opens up for setting the trace properties. Once you close this dialog, it takes you directly to the Layer Stack-up Settings dialog so that you can set the right position of the trace on the stack-up.

{{Note|The height of an embedded object is always identical to the thickness of its host substrate layer.}}

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=== Drawing & Managing Planar Objects ===