hybridfree/eevblog-posts huggingface dataset:
One panel, multiple boards - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: docmur
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2016, 08:57:03 pm
content: Hey GuysI have a project that will contain 4 different PCB boards. I have the boards laid out in different altium projects, my question is how can I panelize the different boards into one panel? If that's even possible.

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2016, 02:53:53 am
content: Create a new PCBdoc, Place->Embedded Board Array. Arrays can be 1x1, so a single board. The embedded array is linked to the source file, so if you make a change it will automatically update the panel.

author: docmur
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2016, 03:28:39 pm
content: Well I found one company who will charge $57 USD for 5 panels, each panel with 4 designs. That's pretty reasonable to me, I don't know where I could get it any cheaper. Thanks for the tip on how to the panelize the boards, worked great.

author: technotronix
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2016, 09:58:09 am
content: May be Embedded Board Array (Panelize) will work.
How to make Altium to build this beautiful kind of vias - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: rozeh
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2016, 06:12:43 pm
content: Today I was seeing a PCB project and I realised that the vias are so beautiful. look at 'em:And when I removed one of them:so nice!how can I create such a via in Altium?

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2016, 06:42:53 pm
content: I think you are looking for something called a teardrop. I have it in my cad, EasyPC and its not related just to vias but to all pads. I think it is there to add strength to the pads? Anyway for me there is an option to teardrop all pads. Maybe that helps?

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2016, 07:23:57 pm
content: Altium have something called design rules, You can do a lot of things there

author: vzoole
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2016, 07:31:50 pm
content: http://techdocs.altium.com/display/ADOH/Enhanced+Teardrop+Controlhttp://techdocs.altium.com/display/ADRR/PCB_Dlg-TeardropOptions((Teardrop+Options))_AD

author: Someone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2016, 03:35:35 am
content: Select the vias/pads you want to flow, then:toolsteardropand the menu pops up to add the primitivesIts a pain to remove them as they're just adding primitives so leave it until the layout is finished, and they only work on 90/45 lines.
Display selection when moving groups of object in PCB - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2016, 01:38:21 pm
content: Selecting one to a few objects in the PCB and using Move->Selection or dragging them with the mouse displays the selected objects while moving them, making it possible to see exactly where each component will land after moving. Select a bunch of objects and then attempting to move them, though, and the objects stay put with a bounding box following the cursor around until the new location is selected, at which point the components jump to the new location. This seems sensible, as moving a whole lot of objects at once could cause poor performance, particularly with online DRC. However, sometimes it would be preferable to suffer poor performance in exchange for being able to see where exactly the components will land. Is it possible to control this at all?Interestingly, when moving a union or a room the member objects always seem to be displayed, even when there are way more of them than would be displayed when moving a collection of free objects. Even more interestingly, performance isn't bad at all, even with online DRC enabled.
AD16 - Pen is different - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: katzohki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2016, 09:51:15 pm
content: So they moved the lovely pen tool from lower right corner of the interface into the toolbar up top. They also gave you the ability to set custom colors. Great, maybe more people will see it and the other feature is nice too.BUT - I can't click 1 - button to start highlighting and pressing space no longer rotates colors on the tool (also there's no indicator what color you're using).Can anybody help me restore this functionality? It's slowing my workflow because I use it to highlight nets during / for review.Edit: This link has an example of the old way it used to work:http://techdocs.altium.com/display/ADOH/Altium+Designer+Viewer+-+Viewing+Schematic+Documents
Push mode while dragging a track segment - an issue  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: jeroen74
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2016, 09:01:04 pm
content: I'm currently working on a modestly sized design, about 865 by 550mm, 8 layers, 66 cut outs of about 40x100 mm, 60 2mm grid 24 pin pressfit connectors, one 240 pin Samtec and a big ass Molex SeniorFit connector for power and 60 TR5 fuses.And 120 differential pairs that need to be routed through what little actual board space remains between the cutouts.... (it holds 60 printing heads and provides power and full-duplex 100 mbit LVDS links to each one of them).I set up some rules for the diff pairs, width, gap, clearance to other diff pairs, I even made a room to be able to relax clearance requirement around the Samtec breakout region etc. I completed all the routing but I need to clean it all up and beautify it.Now the real problem: the push functionality is exactly what I need here and it does work, but only on some parts of the design, and on some tracks a segment simply won't budge and I have no idea why. Disabling the intra pair clearance rule solves it, but that defeats the whole purpose of the toolThe diffpair interactive tool also does not really work in those regions, at one instant it somehow even produced a gap of 10mm! (it should be 0.2mm). I can understand that the tool might have problems with traces that are violating the rules,e.g. too close together, but that's not the case.And is the only way to move/drag a diff pair by basically redrawing it and relying on the loop removal feature to remove the previous remnants? (as per the manual?) Really? Not like in Pulsonix where you edit a diff pair really as a pair?

author: vzoole
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 21, 2016, 07:08:03 am
content: The fine tuning is painful in Altium.I mostly redraw a single track too, than try to move it because it's do it in a wrong way.
Highlight intensity - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: blueskull
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 20, 2016, 06:17:32 am
content: Hi,I have "over" highlighted nets in AD. When I try to place a track (PT), or try to drag any thing with a net, the entire board goes dark.I remembered it did not do this before. It only darkens the rest nets a little, not this much.How can I set the intensity back to normal? I tried to restart the software, and intensity option in preference, with no luck.Thanks.

author: radar_macgyver
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2016, 06:36:24 am
content: Its the box bracket keys that increase and decrease highlights. You can also use the menus that appear when you click "Mask level" on the bottom right.This happens a lot to me, since I use the 'P' shortcut which is right next to '['.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2016, 05:09:41 pm
content: Here's one that'll uncook your mind, for multilayer designs:Shift+STim

author: D3f1ant
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 20, 2016, 07:01:53 pm
content: Speaking of highlights, does anybody know if it's possible change 'crossprobe' from mask to dim?
Modifiying Part to put into Schematic Library -Solved- - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: HackedFridgeMagnet
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2016, 12:08:31 am
content: Hi Altium Noob here.I cant find a part PIC16F1619-I/SO in the Microchip libraries so I am trying to make my own library with this part from an existing one.Trying to use PIC16LF1509-E/SO.I have a .SchLib file that I added to the project.I can place the PIC16LF1509-E/SO into the schematic but cant get it into the .SchLib file.Obviously I am missing something really obvious. Can anyone help?Altium 16 first impressions.Really frustrating but I have to learn it so I will persist.Weird UI, Crashed 3 times trying to use the Vault, spend periods of up to 20 seconds waiting for screen to refresh.Seems to be what most people say about Kicad but in reverse.ps. Could do this in 2 min in Kicad.

author: HackedFridgeMagnet
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2016, 01:40:33 am
content: Ok got it.Helped from posthttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/altium/component-library-management/msg77042/#msg77042But copy and pasting what exactly?Design-> Add/Remove Library -> Projects -> Add Library ( add library to project temporarily)Ok break the compiled library into schematic and pcb libs.( for the source of the copy)Make your own schematic and pcb libs. (where they are pasted)All this using the default left hand pane. Use panes : Projects; PCB Library; and Sch Library.select source sch lib and goto the Sch Library pane. find component and right click to copy.now get destination lib and blank component open in destination and right click past.same for pcbsthen link the foot print.too easy.
Altium 15 Design views, how can I get it to work? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Gribo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2016, 03:22:01 am
content: Hello all,I am trying to add a design view (Zoomed in detail of the PCB) to my PCB. I go through the process (Place -> design view -> define area -> set layers -> OK) and nothing appears on the document. What am I doing wrong?Thanks.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2016, 05:37:00 am
content: In 2D view do Ctrtl+D and make sure Show Design Views is enabled.

author: Gribo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2016, 01:00:51 am
content: Thanks.
"smash" in Altium? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: kortsleting
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 21, 2016, 10:38:02 am
content: I tried searching but if this is a repeat, my apologies.Is there something like smash component in altium? I am working on a schematic and the part name (and value) is clobbering a component next to it. I would like to move them (name and value) somewhere else. Can someone point me to the right direction?Also, is it the same process in PCB?ThanksKorts.

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2016, 11:14:02 am
content: Just click right muse click properties chose where you want to be anything

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2016, 05:37:28 pm
content: You can always click and drag the designator or comment or other label, wherever you want. If you want it autopositioned, you can set that as well (double-click the part or the designator, or select multiple designators and do it from the inspector).Not sure what "clobber" and "smash" mean in this context; example pictures would be helpful.Tim

author: kortsleting
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 23, 2016, 01:37:05 am
content: Thanks everyone, looks like I need to do the grunt work of reading and trying myself (what's the other way?).Tim, "smash" is a very Eagle term. This is where we separate the component from its name/value; therefore we can move name/value anywhere in our workspace. Example of my problem (taken anywhere else from the web to give an example)You can see the names of some parts are intruding into other parts. In my case, the problem occurs when I am drawing electrical schematics. Thus my original post.Clobbering? I thought that was regular English...

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2016, 09:30:03 am
content: Simple click on the name and move anywhere you want, simple as that

author: kortsleting
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 23, 2016, 10:20:51 am
content: Excellent. Thanks guys.
What is the name of this type of connector? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: masoudium
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2016, 07:02:16 am
content: Hi,I need to design a PCB to mount a card on it, But I have no clue what the name of the connector name is!The pictures of the car is attached.Is this type of connector available in Altium library?

author: Zermalmer
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2016, 05:28:51 pm
content: Hi,In germany this kind of connector you find in "DIN41617" connectors.Normally they come with all pins, but afair they are easy to remove.

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2016, 09:33:09 am
content: https://world.tmall.com/item/527838252065.htm?spm=a312a.7700714.0.0.ey9nuS
Strangly messed up netlist in Altium - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: dohnalik
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 22, 2016, 12:40:33 pm
content: Hi,I just run into a netlist problem with altium designer...as we all now, changing lot of thinks in schematic will completly mess up netlist and you usually need to clear all nets in PCB and add them again (if you dont want to lose time with manual assigning)...well, now a very strange thing happened to me - I have short circuits on all 0603 resistors even that library is 100% OK, designators should be as well. They are also on some pins of some ICs (SC70) and I have no idea what is going on. When I create new PCB file and force chenges there, its all hunky dory.screen:Do some of you have any idea what is going on?Thank you very much.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 22, 2016, 12:55:59 pm
content: You dont really need to clear the nets. So what you should do: Check component links. So a PCB part has a unique ID, and the SCH part has an ID and they are matched with those, not the designators. When you change the SCH, even if you match the designators, the IDs might be different.So in the PCB editor, go toProject -> Component linksand make sure the liks are OK.

author: dohnalik
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 22, 2016, 01:06:56 pm
content: Already checked, they all look OK.Adding some more details:
Update schematic symbol from database library and reposition properties - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: electricar
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2016, 09:00:25 am
content: Hey folks,I got a problem with updating the schematic symbols after changing them in my schematic library (.SchLib). I’m working with an excel database library.Feels like I’ve tried almost everything from here:http://techdocs.altium.com/display/ADOH/Keeping+Components+Up-To-DateBut the symbols only change if I add them as new parts into my schematic from my library.Do you know if there is another solution for updating the symbols?My second issue is with the position of the component properties in the schematic library.I e.g. add the attributes “AC”, “partnumber” and “package” to a symbol. But independent of my manual positioning of these attributes around the symbol, they appear on the schematic in the same order in which I added them in the schematic library.E.g. if I add them in this order:ACpartnumberpackageand rearrange their position after that manually to e.g.partnumberpackageACThey will always be repositioned when placing the part in the schematic in the order of adding them into the symbol in the schematic library to in this caseACpartnumberpackageI hope I could make it understandable.Thank you very much in advance!Kind regardselectricar
Has AD peaked?  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: BMF
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2016, 05:15:34 pm
content: Since Altium is charging subscribers for worthwhile features like the PDN tool I wonder if Designer has reached it's peak in terms of core functionality. Maybe the upcoming X2 will be the true full featured package. I'm considering eliminating my subscription and then migrating towards another package. I don't want to the fund development of another software package and then have to buy it. Plus investing more time into a dead end package seems foolish. EDA users really need to demand standard libraries and design files. We tie up too much work in proprietary formats. Sorry I have to vent here, my cat doesn't understand why I don't use open source.

author: uncle_bob
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 16, 2016, 05:38:00 pm
content: HiWhat you are talking about, really, is lock in. It is hardly unique to one package or to one vendor. All cad has a tendency to lock you in to a program. From what I have seen, pcb layout is at least as bad as any of the rest.You pretty much nailed the real issue - libraries. To a lesser (but still vital) extent, transportable design files. We have all been doing computer based design for > 40 years now. Every single place I have ever worked is locked into this or that firstly by the investment in what *should* be standardized - parts libraries. I don't re-invent ASCII each time I switch text editors ....The "how" of getting from where we are to some sort of "open" environment is what is unclear. Nobody has really come up with a rational solution. If I decide today that I'm going to use this part in that package ... off to some sort of editor to build it up. That gizmo is likely a lot easier to use than it was 40 years ago. It's still not something you turn loose on 40,000 parts all by it's self.Crazy world.Bob
plated edge vias altium - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: alex934
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 18, 2016, 10:57:31 pm
content: Hi everyone,I would like to plate a hald via on Altium but i'm not doing it right. The result should be like this:I have my shape of my design with two half holes as you can see in attachment. If I put a Via it create a ringof copper, I just want the edge of the hole.What is the simplest way to do it?Thank you very much

author: D3f1ant
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2016, 06:28:41 am
content: It a limitation of the current version, plated holes are rendered round. Hopefully they fix it..dont hold your breath.You could export it into something like solidworks and render it there for a photorealistic pcb.

author: alex934
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2016, 01:57:58 pm
content: So you think that i can leave the ring plated and during the manufacturing process it will cut the ring in half via plated?Thank you

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2016, 02:01:47 pm
content: Quote from: alex934 on August 19, 2016, 01:57:58 pmThis is how they are always made, anyway. The hole is plated, then cut through, leaving a plated semicircle.Altium just draws the one part (plated hole) as before cutting, and the other part (board outline) as after cutting.Tim

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2016, 06:35:31 pm
content: However you draw it, be sure to discuss the castellations with your PCB fabricator. If they run this through their typical process you likely won't achieve good results. Routing straight through a fully plated hole usually results in the copper outside the route line getting crammed into the hole, so generally they'll either adjust the routing CAM or route across the holes before final plating.
Altium16 Schematic Questions - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Karamel
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2016, 06:49:23 pm
content: Hi,Nowadays, I am surfing with Altium16 O0 I used to leave Altium15.Anyway, in schematics of altium15, when i click on and drag any ic or part, i could drag freely and when I press CRTL and click on any part, now, wires and connections could strech (not freely)But, Altium16 works reverse. How can I change it? Or Can I change it?Best Regards,Karamel

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2016, 08:05:01 pm
content: Schematic -> Graphical Editing -> Always drag ?Quote

author: Karamel
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 26, 2016, 08:09:14 pm
content: Yeap! That's the answer!thank you so much thm_w. Do you use always drag feature? I did not get used...

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2016, 11:50:31 pm
content: No, just use as you say with ctrl key or shift keys, etc.Thinking about it I do use ctrl fairly often, maybe they've ran some user stats on that.
Gerber viewer strangeness - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2016, 08:04:30 am
content: So I just got Altium 16, while the previous I've worked with was 13. I've tried the gerber viewer, and it is working strange. They changed the usual mouse movement, so the mouse wheel scrolls the document, but it scrolls a kilometer? I mean i scroll one "tick" and my PCB is gone from the screen. Also, when I try to zoom out, the PCB becomes 10 pixel in size.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2016, 09:21:29 am
content: Beats me, I don't have a problem...Is it not just rendering badly? That's *always* been a problem, for as long as I've been using it (Summer '09 thru current).I wish they would configure the mouse for the same behavior as everywhere else. I have mwheel --> zoom, because that's what almost everything else does. Except CAMtastic, because... CAMsucksdick?Tim

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2016, 11:46:33 am
content: Sounds about right, CAMtastic has behaved that way since ~14 in my experience. Ctrl+Scroll should zoom in and out in a very coarse and clunky way, but the zoom and pan buttons on the toolbar work okay.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2016, 12:42:18 pm
content: It was always working a bit strange, like someone cobbled a totally different program into AD. But I never had this scrolling issue. Ctrl+Scroll makes one pad fill my screen ot the entire PCB 10 pixel. I need to use some menus to zoom.I opened a support ticket, maybe they fix it in a decade.
D shaped hole - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: dermeister
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2016, 01:40:37 am
content: I want to mount some connectors which are meant to be panel mounted onto my PCB. They require D shaped drill holes as shown in the attachment. Is there any way to make a hole shaped like this in Altium?

author: dermeister
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2016, 01:43:04 am
content: I should also mention that this hole should have a pad and ideally should be plated.

author: tesla500
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2016, 03:22:41 am
content: I wouldn't recommend making this hole have the D shape. You want the torque from tightening the nut to be transferred directly to the case, rather than the PCB. I would only make the case hole be a D shape. If you still want a D shaped hole, you could draw the hole shape with arcs and lines on your mechanical layer and put a note for the manufacturer to cut out and plate this hole

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2016, 06:45:44 am
content: Is there an alignment tab on the side?I think I'd be surprised if PTH is actually necessary. For example, you could simply expose copper around the perimeter, which contacts the face of the component and hardware. It's not like you'll obtain any benefit from the plated wall; you're unlikely to get consistent contact there. And not that you need much contact anyway; you probably just need something touching it, to ground it or whatever?But anyway, PTH or not, it's usually easily done. Not sure how I'd draw the D shape as a pad object, but a NPTH route is easily made like that.Tim
Altium - owned up and did the right thing. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mrpackethead
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2016, 01:23:14 am
content: I've been quite vocal in my criticism of Altium for some time, but events in the last few weeks, have given me new hope for them. First of all they acknowledged that in the past their have been a some issues with how things were handled for us, and they have taken steps to address them and today have put right some of the issues for me.Its not appropriate to say what they have done, but i have gone from being veryto beingIf thigns pan out well, then i will be veryin time.They have regrouped, change the management and it seems that maybe they are sorting things out.

author: rx8pilot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 01, 2016, 01:31:48 am
content: Great to hear this. While I cannot afford it today - I am aiming at an Altium transition as soon as I can afford it.
How do I create a board outline layer so I can generate a layer in Gerbers? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: slow_rider
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2016, 07:56:03 pm
content: I have finished my design and it seems I am missing a mechanical layer that defines the board outline? Thanks!

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2016, 09:07:47 pm
content: In the PCB editor, hit 'L' to bring up the layers menu, then select "Enable" and "Show" next to the mechanical layer of your choice. Typically Mechanical Layer 1 is used for the board outline. Draw the board outline on that layer, then select the outline objects and hit D,S,D to use them to define the board outline.In your gerber outjob, make sure that your outline layer is selected for plotting.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2016, 10:31:39 pm
content: Hmm, typically Keep-Out Layer is used for outlines, at least that's always been my convention (and Altium's).In any case, as long as the outline layer ends up in a .GKO Gerber, it'll fit the convention as the board outline file at most fab houses.Tim
Connector - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mika
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 14, 2016, 12:30:50 am
content: hello,where i can download a library from connectors like faston, terminal blocks.

author: andre_teprom
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2016, 12:47:44 am
content: Isn't it somewhere here?https://techdocs.altium.com/display/ADOH/Download+Libraries
Place Via (PV) and preset via sizes - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: poorchava
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2016, 12:18:03 pm
content: Is there a way to somehow select via properties from a list of predefined favourite via styles when using 'p-v' command? I mean in a similar fashion to how it is done during Interactive Routing?

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 20, 2016, 10:08:43 pm
content: I don't think so.There's P, T, (click), 2, (click), (right click), (right click) (don't move mouse between first two clicks), but that's slow.FWIW, P,V sets default other via properties, like tenting and test points. Can be useful, or annoying if you forget.Tim

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2016, 03:13:10 am
content: Maybe I'm missing something, but what's wrong with P,V, <Tab> and select a via style from the template drop down? (I think hole/via templates appeared in 16, or maybe 15.8ish?)
Smart PDF Print layer different scale - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: hamdi.tn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 15, 2016, 04:14:19 pm
content: Hi,i have a small PCB (35mmx35mm) and trying to output a pdf file in A4 format. so i need to scale up all layer except one where goes all the details about the PCB, company logo, pcb rev and all that crap that should remain as it is.I know altium can print on scale the whole thing but i never saw that it can scale individual layers. Is it possible and am missing where it can be configured ?

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2016, 05:35:17 pm
content: I don't think there's any way to do that with a normal PDF print, but the latest release (16.1) is supposed to come with some very nice drawing generation tools. If you have access to it, it's probably worth looking at.http://www.altium.com/altium-designer/whats-new#active-subscription

author: hamdi.tn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2016, 10:37:12 am
content: i saw that .. that pretty cooli asked for evaluation license. didn't used it yet will give it a try..

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2016, 12:49:13 pm
content: Look into Design Views?

author: hamdi.tn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2016, 03:59:00 pm
content: Quote from: T3sl4co1l on May 19, 2016, 12:49:13 pmYap this will do the jobThanks

author: Christopher
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2016, 06:45:31 pm
content: As a side note, Design Views looks super cool!
Update to 16.1.9 nuked my project? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Ice-Tea
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2016, 01:03:55 pm
content: Or more likely: I did something stupid that coincides with installing the latest version. Whatever the reason: placement is all out of whack on an existing project. If I take a component that placed just fine in the past, it refuses to even go back to the same spot as before (see attachment). I disabled online DRC and disabled the rules themselves for good measure. Ticked the "ignore obstacles" box. Nothing seems to help. Happens with all the components I tried. In addition, seems dog-slow now, as if it is constantly verifying an encyclopedia of rules. Seems to me like it is taking into account the 3D outlines (the grey translucent area on the selected component) even though no online DRC is active, all online rules have been disabled and no component placement rule is active anyway..I don't get it...https://youtu.be/CYJwamaeh5k

author: Ice-Tea
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2016, 05:41:54 am
content: | know. Not the first time I got burned by this either.Any takers on a solution?

author: Ice-Tea
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2016, 07:12:35 am
content: For those playing at home: Altium, apparently, introduced "component" pushing in 16.1. And this was enabled by default.Preferences -> PCB Editor -> Interactive Routing -> Component Pushing -> IgnoreThis was probably the only parameter on that page that Ihadn'ttried.Also: kudos to Transfer BV. Took a 3 min phonecall. So, I guess my subscription almost payed off for this year O0

author: IconicPCB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2016, 06:15:45 am
content: Yes...Good thing they were happy to take Your subscription money so that they could afford to tell You where they screwed up.
Embedded Board Array (Panelize) Duplicate Designators - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ANTALIFE
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 16, 2016, 03:56:27 am
content: HelloI have been given 4 separate PCB designs and have been asked to combine them all into a single panel, which I've done using the Embedded Board Array/Panelize option.My problem is when I generate a pick & place file since some of the individual boards use the same designators (e.g. LD1 & P1 are repeated twice) this makes setting up for production a bit harder.With that said would anyone know a way around this problem? I was told that a long time ago Altium/Protel handled this very cleanly, but in the more recent versions the feature seems to have been lost.Cheers
Via template tenting settings ignored? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: poorchava
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2016, 06:03:46 pm
content: Hey, I'm having an annoying problem with vias. I have defined the templates in a library to be soldermask tented. When i drag them from library onto the pcb it works fine, but when i try to use them when interactively routing, the always have a soldermask opening. I can change that by editing properties for all vias, butt I can't seem to find a way to place them that way.I have looked for some new rule in design rules panel, but there doesn't seem to be one. What am I missing?

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2016, 06:23:09 pm
content: Lock Primitives?

author: poorchava
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2016, 06:27:40 pm
content: Nah, not this.It seems that Altium will try to copy via styles from library to local resource of some description and the do stupid shit to them. Turns out you cann set minimum/maximum via sizes to follow particular template rather than size and this seems to have done the job. Vias are tented as they should.To be honest I'm not the biggest fan of the new via and pad system at all...
Batch DRC never finish ...  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mickae1
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 16, 2016, 12:47:01 pm
content: Hi,I would like to know why the batch DRC takes hours and hours to never finish its process.It is stuck on the step "online DRC Primitive track" . And why it's "online DRC" I didn't start this process but batch DRC. I really don't understand why it is stuck on this process. can someone explain what is wrong with all that ?My computer is very powerfull and I don't use the half of its power in terms of memory and CPU.
PDN plugin  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: D3f1ant
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2016, 06:54:33 am
content: Anybody been playing with the new PDN plugin? It works ok, but seems very expensive to me.

author: koko79
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2016, 09:51:43 am
content: How much is it?I have heard it is not thermally aware but do not know 100% if that is true.

author: D3f1ant
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2016, 07:09:35 pm
content: Yeah no thermal, voltage drop only. It's close enough to $3.9k followed by $900PA maintenance. Looking back at the quote it doesn't specify currency, assume it's AU$.I'm not aware of an elegant thermal plugin which would be more useful. Maybe this will evolve into it one day. At least this runs within Designer.
PCB 'Library only' Mechanical layer? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: PeteT
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2016, 12:38:27 pm
content: Hi,As I understand it, the only space for free text in a PCB library component is the Description line in the library component parameters.Is it possible to add more parameters somewhere, or make one of the mechanical layers a 'library only' layer, so that part drawing info can be written there, but doesnt get exported to the PCB files?Basically, I want to add a table so that it can be used for config control - noted who drew it, when it has been reviewed, and on what board/project it has been proved to be fit for purpose.The 'Description' parameter is a good place for a current status, as that can be included on a BoM and so reviewers know which parts specifically need reviewing and which don't - but it would be useful to have more than one text string available.I know mechanical layers can be turned off, but even so the component would still have the info there, any so selecting the component would include the area where the text box is on another layer, hence looking for a neater solution.Cheers,Pete
BOM Issue - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: EEVaditya
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2016, 04:27:08 pm
content: Hello,When I export a BOM from PCB Editor in Altium in Excel Template format, I can handle parameters like Designators, Manufacturers etc. but how to get Serial nos. column and It should get Incremented automatically.Please guide.

author: ANTALIFE
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2016, 12:34:55 pm
content: Serial numbers of what? Do you mean like manufacturer part number?

author: PeteT
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2016, 09:03:45 am
content: Hi,Our BoM template (excel xlt file) has columns headings with, for example, 'Column=Description' which brings in the headings from the library parts. Column 1 is used for the line item number within the BoM (which I think is what you are asking for, but if not it would work the same) = and in there we just have:=ROW(A13)-ROW($A$12)After our heading info, our BoM starts on row 13 and box A12 is left blank (so 0) and our standard template is pre filled for rows 13, 14 and 15. Altium then scales up from there as more line items are required.If you do want a serial number of some form, then 'A12' (or your equivalent) could have the starting serial number required.If the starting serial number comes from the design, A12 can be set to 'Field=Fred' where Fred is a variable set in the Project Parameters.Hope that helps,
IPC-D-356A export blind via issue - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: PeteT
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 05, 2016, 08:52:34 am
content: Hi,I have a design with blind vias (top to mid layer 1). Layer pairs are set up in the layer stack manager, and the design and created Gerbers look right and look to agree with each other. However, when using the 'fabrication Outputs' > 'Test Point Report' to create the IPC-D-356A export, the .ipc file generated has a continuation hole through the rest of the design, which caused errors when relinked to the Gerber files by our PCB supplier.I have tried a new, smaller, noddy design and this creates the same issues. An exert of the IPC file is:317DGND VIA - D0200PA00X 000600Y 004350X0000 S3307DGND VIA - D0200PA01X 000600Y 003800 S3L01L02027 VIA - A01X 000600Y 003800X0000317DGND VIA - D0200PA00X 000600Y 005450X0000 S3317DGND VIA - D0200PA00X 000600Y 004900X0000 S3307DGND VIA - D0200PA01X 000600Y 001600 S3L01L02027 VIA - A01X 000600Y 001600X0000307DGND VIA - D0200PA01X 000600Y 001050 S3L01L02027 VIA - A01X 000600Y 001050X0000307DGND VIA - D0200PA01X 000600Y 003250 S3L01L02027 VIA - A01X 000600Y 003250X0000307DGND VIA - D0200PA01X 000600Y 002150 S3L01L02027 VIA - A01X 000600Y 002150X0000307DGND VIA - D0200PA01X 000600Y 002700 S3L01L02027 VIA - A01X 000600Y 002700X0000317DGND VIA - D0200PA00X 005900Y 000500X0000 S3So the S3 (full stack) vias are noted correctly, but the S3L01L02 vias are followed by the '027' continuation hole. As I say, these holes do not appear in the design and the Gerber files look correct. Is there a setup issue which is creating this anomaly?Regards,PeteIs this
Create list for connections between Nets & Ports? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ANTALIFE
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2016, 06:31:19 am
content: HelloIs it possible to make (or extract) a list which shows what Nets are connected to which Ports?I know you can make a list of all the Nets and which component they go to, but I just want to make sure that all my Nets go to the correct Ports between schematics.Cheers

author: ANTALIFE
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2016, 12:05:16 am
content: Found a hackish way of doing it, just generate the Verilog file with the "Generate multiple Verilog files" option ticked to get connections for all schematics.Then you can just either read the files in notepad or import them into a spreadsheet.
Which version of Altium od DCCP847 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Cloud
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2016, 07:37:50 pm
content: So my problem is, the only windows machine that I currently have at home is intel NUC DCCP847DYE and as I have figured it can't run AD 16 so now I am looking which older version would be running good enough to make one PCB (2 layer and cca 40 components)?

author: D3f1ant
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2016, 07:59:52 pm
content: Why can't a NUC run AD16?

author: Cloud
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2016, 08:40:08 am
content: The graphics just aren't good enough to render even the 2D board.

author: Cloud
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2016, 03:54:07 pm
content: For me its piece of only 99$For Altium, I am using a better machine at work. But now I am sick and I have a deadline to meet so this would me my only option.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2016, 04:01:36 pm
content: How about getting the machine from work at home? Sounds like the easiest solution to me.
Can't import gerber to copper - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Korken
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2016, 12:57:19 pm
content: Hi all!I have gotten gerbers for PCB antennas that I want to make a footprint from.I follow how to do it with CAMtastic but when I want to generate netlist it complains about a NC drill - but there is no NC drill.Does anyone know how to get around this?Thanks!
Altium - Importing a DxDesigner design - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2016, 04:53:51 am
content: I need a way get a DxDesigner schematic project into AltiumThe Altium Import Wizard just creates a blank workspace, and I fear it's an old import "feature" as the wiki is years old. There's no log error messages.Any ideas how to migrate a design over to Altium before I die a slow death in Mentor.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2016, 09:56:02 am
content: Beats me. Have you called tech support?Tim

author: D3f1ant
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2016, 11:03:32 pm
content: I assume you have the Dx Designer plugin installed and your using the 'import wizard' not just trying to open it directly? I remember I had a similar problem with importing something and it was because I didn't actually have the plugin installed. It didn't give me any errors, just created a blank doc.

author: Gribo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2016, 11:56:49 am
content: I had to do the same in the past, I managed to export the schematic to OrCad 9, checked in OrCad, then imported to Altium. It had lots of errors, especially on the power nets (bad or missing GND and Vcc symbols).
default comment text, position, font - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: vixo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2016, 11:10:51 am
content: Is there a way to define default font and position for a component PCB view? Currently I have to go through EVERY component, changing the font size, stroke -> truetype, then the font, then the position. I waste so much time doing this stuff! Surely there must be a way to do all this by default?- just realised I can use the PCB editor to change the font and size for everything at once if I match only comment text rather than all strings with a find similar objects search. But I still have to move all the comments to where I want them, which is nearly always the same place on the component! Any ideas? Help much appreciated

author: D3f1ant
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2016, 10:33:01 pm
content: For any new boards, you can set the defaults in 'preferences->pcb editor->defaults->components.For existing boards, you can as you have already half discovered, use 'PCB Inspector' to change the fonts and positions for selections.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2016, 01:28:39 am
content: Don't forget the PCB Filter panel, so you can do powerful queries likeIsComponent AND (Name Like 'R*')to select all the resistors.Then go to Inspector, click the "Designator" link and change the properties, e.g. size, autoposition.I don't think there's any way to change the autoposition offset, unfortunately. While you have the Designators selected, you can M,S (Move Selection) to get them closer. Don't forget to switch them to Manual autopositioning, otherwise their positions will reset next time you move the components.Or save a step by filtering:IsDesignator AND (Component Like 'R*')Or filter by rotation (you can't filter by a designator's component angle; you have to select the components first, then follow the link) and position rotated labels, or...Tim

author: D3f1ant
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2016, 03:00:19 am
content: Quote from: T3sl4co1l on April 23, 2016, 01:28:39 amYeah I have requested they add a way adjust offset defaults before, years ago... still waiting.At least if you select all the designators, then auto position and rotate you can then move the whole selection to get a good head start.
Inverse net tie? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: radar_macgyver
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 12:10:59 am
content: I'm 'abusing' Altium to do schematics for industrial control enclosures. I made a library with parts for things like terminal blocks, power supplies, etc. I give the nets descriptive names, so that when things span sheets it still has connectivity.My question is regarding the terminal blocks. How would I tell AD that I want pins 1 and 2 to be the same net? It's sort of the inverse of a net tie (separate nets, but connected in copper on the PCB).If this worked, the rules checker (when compiling the project) would flag mistakes. Otherwise, (for this application) AD is just a drawing program.

author: mairomaster
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 10:00:19 am
content: If I understood what you want correctly, you can just give the same designators to the two pads in the footprint of the terminal. Altium might still require from you to connect them with copper in the PCB. That is normally a good practice, but in case you really don't want it, in the footprint you can use the same jumper setting for the two pads (jumper ID = 1 for example). Then you won't need to connect the two pads on the PCB.

author: radar_macgyver
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2016, 05:56:39 am
content: There are no footprints for this project since there's no PCB, it's just schematics for an electrical enclosure.I've tried setting the same pin name for multiple pins in a symbol, but that gets flagged as an error, and there's no connectivity between the two nets. I'll post an example here when I get to work.

author: radar_macgyver
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2016, 09:29:23 pm
content: Here's an example of what I meant. Here, TB3-1 through TB3-6 are DIN rail terminals. I am manually naming the nets on both sides of the terminal block so that they match. I would like the tools to know that those nets are internally connected by the terminal block. Is this possible? If so, the DRC would tell me when the two sides don't match.EDIT: fixed image link
AD16 download issue - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Philfreeze
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2016, 01:35:52 pm
content: I get this error everytime I try to download the newest version of Altium.Firewall and Antivirus are dactivated and I restarted the Computer and the download multiple times.If I click "No" about 20s (or 150MB download) later the installer will just crash and if I click "Yes" the window just appears again.Does somebody know what the problem could be?

author: 51mmz0rz
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 12, 2016, 04:08:30 pm
content: I would contact your Altium rep and try to get FTP access for the offline installer.

author: kendalll
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2016, 04:52:52 am
content: Perhaps you need to run the installer as administrator?But I agreeQuote from: 51mmz0rz on April 12, 2016, 04:08:30 pmTry that, they've been pretty helpful in the past for me when I had an install problem a few years ago.

author: Philfreeze
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2016, 06:57:23 am
content: Quote from: 51mmz0rz on April 12, 2016, 04:08:30 pmI contacted Altium and they sent me an offline installer for Altium 16. Now it works fine, thanks!Btw. the new step models created by the component wizard are awesome!