hybridfree/eevblog-posts huggingface dataset:
MTS310 Sensor Board Schematics - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: nsh1233
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2014, 03:37:52 am
content: I'm doing a school project and i am suppose to draw the schematics of this MTS310 sensor board on Altium Designer. But i'm not sure what 2conpads and 4conpads mean? (Refer to picture) Please help.

author: hkBattousai
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2014, 06:45:26 pm
content: They are just pads for soldering an input/output connector for each.Just leave some pads on the PCB as depicted in your project assignment paper. Later, you can either place a connector there or solder cables just like in the following image.

author: nsh1233
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 11, 2014, 01:03:03 am
content: Quote from: hkBattousai on July 10, 2014, 06:45:26 pmThank you so much! Any idea how big should the pads be?

author: hkBattousai
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 11, 2014, 01:47:16 am
content: They will be according to your connector selection.For example, if you choose a connector like this:The pitch between the pads must obviously be 5 mm. And of course, in order to prevent pads touching each other, the pad widths must be smaller than 5 mm. If they are going to conduct high voltages, keep the pad widths small. Their heights can more than 5 mm.If you want to directly solder wires to your PCB, pad dimensions can be chosen arbitrarily.In this case, I suggest drilling extra holes to tangle the wires through as in the image below, so that the mechanical strength of the connections will be higher.Good luck.

author: Laertes
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2014, 03:52:21 pm
content: If space is tight and mechanical strength is not an issue, you can also make some rectangular pads near the board edge and surface-mount the wires onto them. You can even find a nice little surface-mount connector that would fit your pads(for example, the Molex Pico-Spox series for really tight spaces) so you can choose wether you want to put the connector on or not (as hkBattousai explained for THT connectors).But maybe that's not an ideal solution for a school project because this technique is, in most cases, considered to be a bad practice due to its bad mechanical strength. But for prototying it might be a good thing. Another good use of this would be in constructions that will be potted afterwards, so the potting gunk will provide the mechanical support.
Mounting Holes - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: nsh1233
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2014, 05:27:55 am
content: So my board requires 2 mounting holes(Refer to picture).How do i create the mounting holes in Altium Designer? Do i need to create a footprint for it?

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2014, 05:36:07 am
content: just place two free pads.if you want to make it nice : create a symbol for it. i use a hole surrounded with 6 via's on a 60 degree grid to prevent stripping the plating from the screw hole . in the schematic i tie the construction to ground or shield ground depending on what they are used for.

author: David_AVD
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2014, 05:37:27 am
content: I created footprints for various hole sizes including an overlay circle to show where the bolt head (or nut driver) will extend out to.Set them to be a mechanical instead of standard types in its properties when you add them to the PCB.

author: nsh1233
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2014, 05:47:36 am
content: So i just create a pad like this?Quote from: David_AVD on July 15, 2014, 05:37:27 amThank you for your reply. What does it do when i change it to mechanical?

author: David_AVD
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2014, 06:05:10 am
content: If you don't change the type to mechanical, whenever you update the PCB from schematic the ECO will try to remove the hole component as it's not in the schematic.

author: DerekG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2014, 06:34:15 am
content: Quote from: nsh1233 on July 15, 2014, 05:27:55 amNote that the mounting holes are plated through. If you are doing a reasonable volume, try to ensure that your mounting holes are also plated through, just like all your other holes.This saves money as all holes can be done at the one time.If you have any unplated holes, the panel must be placed back on the NC drills after the etching process is completed.This is double handling for which you will likely pay for.

author: Precipice
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2014, 08:03:07 am
content: If you're lucky (and your board house supports it), you might be able to sneak your fiducial into the footprint too - right at the corner of the board, and not taking up precious space. Check to be sure that there's enough free space around the fiducial - my PnP and solderpaste machines are happy with this, but others may need more clearance. Worth a try, though, especially on a tightly packed board.Edit: The fiducial isn't part of the hole footprint, it's a standalone part, to make sure it appears correctly on the pick & place data with a location.
Panelized Board ODB++ export - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Laertes
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 12:31:01 am
content: Hi there,So we recently switched to a different PCB fab and they told us they'd rather get ODB++ than gerbers, if possible. Fine by me, export is just as easy.Or so I thought.I made a little PCB and then put six of them on a single Panel, by creating a separate PCB file and using the Place Embedded Board Array feature as I have successfully for a gazillion times. But now, instead of gerbers, I want to export ODB++. However, when I do, CAMtastic fails to open the generated ODB++ and kind of bugs out and the fab also told me they couldn't open the files.The error message CAMtastic gave me is: "Error loading ODB++ directory. The ODB++ data maybe already present or the ODB++ directory is empty".Exporting the single board in ODB++ went just fine, and I was able to export the panel as gerbers as usual.I also noticed that the file structure inside the .zip-file is completely different for a single PCB than for the panel.I tried exporting an older panel and that yielded the same results.Has anyone here experienced the problem and knows what's up? Is Altiums ODB++ exporter simply buggy or am I doing something wrong with the panel?RegardsLaertes
Import from excel to altium. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: idan
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 13, 2014, 01:18:00 pm
content: hey,I'm using altium designer 14.2. I know how to create a BOM, but i want to do the other thing around- to import a BOM from excel to my project.Meaning, to have an excel document with all the components i need, and with it to create a integrated library.how can i do it?

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2014, 02:54:40 pm
content: The spreadsheet doesn't contain any graphical or schematic information, so I don't know how you could hope to even start that...Do it one at a time by hand?!Tim

author: twistedresistor
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2014, 08:55:00 am
content: You could make a DBlib based on your Excel and then convert the DBlib to an IntLib.

author: idan
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 15, 2014, 11:19:05 am
content: How can i do it? can i draw it right from the excel to create the DBlib?

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2014, 11:35:27 am
content: You can store the whole library information in excel. You just need to create 3 additional stuff. A database in excel, a dblib to describe the excel for altium, schlibs for the schematic parts and pcblib footprints. I dont think anyone has a good way of explaining how to do it, this is something everyone has to do only once in their life, and the trivial methods are only for the vaults, and inlibs. If you cannot figure it out how to do, I would contact altium support.

author: twistedresistor
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2014, 01:49:29 pm
content: Look here at the section about Database Libraries for an overviewhttp://techdocs.altium.com/display/ADOH/Component,+Model+and+Library+ConceptsThis is the documentation about DBLibshttp://techdocs.altium.com/display/ADOH/Using+Components+Directly+from+Your+Company+DatabaseThis video shows DBlibs quite nicely, absolutely worth watching.Keep in mind that you don't have to use Access as source, an Excel sheet will do.At the least you need 6 columns to define a component in your excel, all the rest are parameters.Part NumberDescriptionFootprint RefFootprint PathLibrary RefLibrary PathLook at the information I provided and the example library from Altium (where to get it is shown in the video) it's not complicated. It's better explained in the help-files and the video as anyone of us could.After you created your DBlib, you can convert it to an integrated library within Altium.
Place components on PCB acording to dxf/dwg guide - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: MrRadiotron
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 02, 2014, 07:34:24 am
content: Hi there,I need to place a large amount of LEDs on a PCB in a pattern dictated by a dxf.is there anyway to have alitum auto create and place parts according to dxf objects?or is there a better way of doing this?last ditch effort I am going to have to get down and dirty with the scripting system and do it myself, not looking forward to that...so anyone/thing that can save me would have my greatest gratitudethanks!

author: Rufus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2014, 03:43:11 am
content: DXF can be imported to a mechanical layer and parts manually positioned snapping to endpoints of lines in the DXF.The X/Y location of parts can be edited spreadsheet style in the PCB List panel. If you can create a list of X/Y locations in designator order you should be able to copy and paste it to the PCB List.

author: MrRadiotron
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2014, 09:21:38 am
content: ok thanks, that's pretty close, I'll see if I can extract xys from the DXF

author: MrRadiotron
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2014, 07:35:30 am
content: ok so I've got the xys from the dxf, but I'm a little lost as to how to copy them into the PCB list...could you elaborate Rufus?

author: Rufus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 05, 2014, 07:56:12 pm
content: Quote from: MrRadiotron on July 05, 2014, 07:35:30 amAssuming the LEDs are placed. In the PCB List panel at the top selectedit modeall objectsinclude only componentssorting on the name column will hopefully list the LEDS in the order of your X/Ys.The PCB List panel works like a spreadsheet allowing you to cut/paste/copy rectangular areas. You probably want to load your X/Ys into an external spreadsheet first so you can copy columns or rectangles to paste into the list.

author: MrRadiotron
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 09, 2014, 02:06:43 am
content: Quote from: Rufus on July 05, 2014, 07:56:12 pmGotcha, thanks!
component outlines disapear while in interactve place - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: josy11
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 10, 2014, 06:34:19 pm
content: Hi All,I am a new Altium user and am working through the intro tutorial available from Altium designer help menu - I am trying to work through the MultiVibrator tutorial and am at the interactive placement step. I am using Altium 13.3.4. When I click and drag a component that is off the board ( initial import into PCB) the component outlines completely disappear and only reappear once I click and place the component within the board outline. The outline also disappears when I attempt to move the component again even though it is within the board outline.I am guessing it is a visibility setting, but I can't seem to find it. I have turned all layers on the layers and colors menu, and can find any option similar to "ghosting" component outlines while placing -Any help would be appreciated - I can't imagine placing components interactively without seeing themJoe

author: hkBattousai
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2014, 06:47:50 pm
content: Can you add some screen shots please.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2014, 07:20:15 pm
content: first things first :- get the 3.12 update. (or 3.13 from today ; hotfix for a bug i found)elements disappearing while moving if not an altium problem but more commonly a graphics driver problem.I had a problem a few weeks ago where , when moved , traces would disappear.. hovering over where they were supposed to be did show a 'highlight', move cursor away and they disappear. open the same file on a different computer and all is well.this turned out to be a graphics driver problem with the ATI video card i have. updating to the latest drivers solved that problem.

author: toohec
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 10, 2014, 08:36:55 pm
content: I've had this problem in the past (on multiple machines) and I was able to resolve it by turning OFF the "Use Alpha Blending" display option in the preferences dialog box. This option can be accessed by selecting DXP > Preferences; then navigate to the PCB Editor > Display section of the preferences window. You should see the "Use Alpha Blending" option on the right side.This will likely solve your problem. As mentioned earlier, you should verify that your Altium and display drivers are up to date as well, but you may still need to disable the alpha blending option.

author: josy11
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 10, 2014, 11:34:51 pm
content: Hi TohecGreat suggestion - it worked like a charm - thanks a million!Without starting any wars here, I am evaluating this system to purchase for some side work, as I used to layout boards many years ago- anyone care to compare this to PADS or other similar based systems? - goods and bads - no system is perfectThanks to all who responded - i will also update my eval if I can

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 11, 2014, 12:08:26 am
content: PADS is stagnant. nothing really new has happened since it was borged by Mentor.
Internal Planes - Altium - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: docmur
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2014, 03:46:17 pm
content: Hey EveryoneI added two new internal planes on my board in Altium 14 and I assigned the planes to GND and VCC, however no matter what I do the layout tool won't attach pads of those nets to the planes. Does anyone know how to get it to do this?

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2014, 04:07:35 pm
content: Quote from: docmur on July 06, 2014, 03:46:17 pmThere are pads and then there are vias. It may be a slip in terminology. If you did mean vias, how are you figuring out they're not connected? If you did mean pads then why would you want a pad on an internal layer?

author: docmur
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2014, 04:10:05 pm
content: Nope, I mean't pads. When ever I've used a internal planes in the past the surface mount pads attach directly into the internal layers. I could use a via but I've never had to in the past.

author: Precipice
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2014, 04:40:49 pm
content: Are you sure your VCC and GND are really called that? Not VCC_1 or something? (check on a component leg on the PCB).Also, don;t forget that there are rules controlling plane connections (for thermals, connection styles, etc) - and they're not the polygon ones.

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2014, 04:52:27 pm
content: Quote from: docmur on July 06, 2014, 04:10:05 pmYou are going to have put a bit more effort into your question, what you are saying makes no sense at all. Why on earth would you want a surface mount pad on an internal plane?If you are placing a through hole pad, right click it and check the stack up
Creatin Schematics Library: Keeping position of certain pins and text fixed? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: hkBattousai
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2014, 06:53:51 pm
content: I have created an opamp library.I use it in the circuit without any problem.However, if I rotate or flip the opamp vertically, its power pins and their text labels also change location.In a standard opamp symbol, the positive voltage pin is always on the top, and the negative voltage pin is always on the bottom. How do I keep these pins and text labels always in their originally defined locations.

author: David_AVD
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2014, 08:54:16 pm
content: Just unlock the pins after the flip and move them to where you want them?

author: Precipice
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2014, 09:10:54 pm
content: or, in this case, you could put the power pins in another subpart.But I'd just stick with unlocking and shifting the pins. (However, beware updating the part from the library!)

author: David_AVD
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2014, 09:21:02 pm
content: I've been meaning to split the power pins out into a separate part on some of the older components in my library.Doing that also allows you to swap the op-amps around (for better layout routing) without having to move the power stuff (supply nets and decoupling caps) at the same time.

author: hkBattousai
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2014, 06:34:06 am
content: Quote from: David_AVD on July 29, 2014, 09:21:02 pmLike this?

author: David_AVD
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 30, 2014, 08:23:36 am
content: Yes, but I simply make a rectangle with the two power pins. Doing a picture of the chip seems like way to much effort!
99SE how to close the paste mask over a pad (fiducial)? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: DTJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2014, 12:39:21 pm
content: I can't for the life of me find how to close the *paste* mask over a pad so the finished pad is not tinned during manufacture.Checking the pad properties there is an (advanced) option for paste mask "override". I've tried various values including negative values and it seems to have no effect on the paste mask around the pad.Any help please?Thanks.

author: DTJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2014, 01:18:58 pm
content: I'm not 100% certain but I think putting a -ve value in the paste override value works.The pcb view does not change but a preview print of the paste mask shows the "hole" disappear.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2014, 01:24:04 pm
content: Double click pad. Set paste opening to negative value of pad diameter.

author: DTJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2014, 10:41:34 am
content: Thanks F_E that seems to work well.
How do you guys define pads that are part of a PCB edge connector? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: 8086
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2014, 02:11:47 pm
content: I'm designing a board in mini PCI express form factor - and it has rows of pads on the PCB itself, obviously.I'm wondering what the best way is to link these to the schematic? To make library parts for the top/bottom pad sets and then align them on the PCB?Is there a way to define them as pads on the PCB itself, rather than a component? etcThanks

author: WarSim
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2014, 02:24:50 pm
content: The preference of making one component containing top and bottom contacts is so the tedious task of placing each contact is done once. By all means you could also place each contact each time if you wish but I have never seen a board designer do it.Yes the top and bottom "pad sets" are in one component including outline contours.Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

author: 8086
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2014, 02:53:45 pm
content: Does that not cause collision issues? As if you were trying to route tracks across a component?

author: WarSim
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2014, 03:13:29 pm
content: Non sure what you are referring to as a collision.My first guess is your layout program is applying a restrict mask where you don't want one.Second guess is you are using a group of overlapping components to make the connector.Actually a better course would be just use the one supplied by your board layout program.PCI-E is a standard connector there should be a prefab by now.For a custom edge connector the process is dependant on your layout program.Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

author: 8086
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2014, 03:28:24 pm
content: I will try and make the component part with the pads and see if it works.ThanksEDIT: Seems to have worked, thanks again!

author: marshallh
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 20, 2014, 04:22:42 pm
content: You download a PCI-e edge template from the vaule, copy & paste the footprint into a new component and use it yourself

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2014, 04:48:36 pm
content: Quote from: marshallh on June 20, 2014, 04:22:42 pmbingo.the vaults have templates for all pcie form factors. download and enjoy.
ALTIUM CROSS HAIR - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: kiran_shrestha
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2014, 09:37:39 am
content: I've seen in some youtbute videos and alitum help files in techdocs, the cross hair being so large in altium pcb editor . I've searched the whole internet and altium but couldnt find how to do it ?? So I need some help....

author: corax
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2014, 02:08:48 am
content: I think that what you are looking for can be found in the preferences:In version 14.1, from the top menu:DXP -> Preferences -> PCB Editor -> General ->Cursor type: select 'Large 90' from the drop-down menu.

author: kiran_shrestha
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2014, 06:15:08 am
content: Thanks man that is What I am looking for.. ..Is there any shortcuts for this ..

author: ludzinc
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 19, 2014, 06:50:15 am
content: Quote from: kiran_shrestha on June 19, 2014, 06:15:08 amWhy do you want a shortcut? You only need to do it once, not every time you start Altium.
AD6.6 showing some problem in opening project file. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: sandy
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 30, 2014, 10:01:12 am
content: Hi Board;I have reinstalled my AD6.6 ,due to some reasons . When I click on my "PRJPCB" file It opens and returns me a blank work space windowas shown below. Though I am able to open my project from file>open command , but not directly by clicking the project file .I have tried to google it but couldnt find anything usefull , can some one help me with the issue/setting.
Duplicating PCB layout without screwing up schematic - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: SArepairman
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2014, 06:01:47 am
content: I have four different parts to a circuit and I can use the same layout for each one. In the schematic I just copy pasted the circuit four times, then I reset duplicate designators and its great.In the PCB layout portion of the program I laid out one of these circuits. I can also copy&paste it three times, but then it won't agree with my schematic.Is there any easy way to do this? Or do I need to copy&paste it three times and manually rename every part?

author: kiran_shrestha
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2014, 11:06:29 am
content: I think you have to try component link... sub menu available in Project menu.

author: Bassman59
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2014, 07:28:22 pm
content: Quote from: SArepairman on June 17, 2014, 06:01:47 amEncapsulate the circuit to be duplicated into a schematic subsheet, and either instantiate it four times in a higher-level sheet, or use the "Repeat" directive on the sheet when instantiating it in the higher level.Then use Rooms to duplicate the layout.
How long does it take Altium To reply to a support requrest? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mrpackethead
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2014, 09:25:05 pm
content: I've been waiting now for over a week for a support request to even be answered. Seriously not impressed. It costs me a lot of money to pay for support to Altium and i'm not getting what i thought i paid for.Whats your experience folks?

author: DerekG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2014, 12:29:16 am
content: Quote from: mrpackethead on June 13, 2014, 09:25:05 pmAltium want other paying users to do the heavy lifting for them.It is best to (firstly) search the official forum for an answer or to (secondly) ask other forum members for a solution to your problem.The link ishttp://www.altium.com/en/contactAlso remember Mr Google is your friend, so asking him in several different ways will likely provide a positive result.In my experience you are more likely to get a workable solution from other forum members than from Altium Customer Support (who often don't use the software at all & have very little idea about you are even talking about).

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2014, 12:36:07 am
content: That's normal, I think. They're always "very busy".Money, what's that?Tim

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2014, 06:24:04 am
content: Quote from: DerekG on June 14, 2014, 12:29:16 amyou paid nearly 2K for support and you expect peek-a-boo game?

author: DerekG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2014, 03:51:55 am
content: Quote from: Mechatrommer on June 14, 2014, 06:24:04 amIt's probably not how you & I would view it, but Altium simply takes the attitude that the 2K gives you access to the latest releases of their software for 12 months.As I've said on this forum before, I do not particularly like the Altium software (I think Proteus provides a much better bang for your buck & if your wallet is even skinnier, DipTrace can also be considered) & neither do I like Altium the company.With Altium's 2K price increase to take effect in July, many prospective users will also be looking around for alternatives.

author: mrpackethead
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2014, 07:49:10 am
content: When i complained to the sales side of the business, things happened.. They know i'm actively considering rolling out the product to the rest of the business. Speaks volumes to me, and its defiantly making me wonder if i should spend another $60,000 with them in the next month.
Importing BRD from Allegro - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Mark IV
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2014, 09:31:27 pm
content: Hi!I'm trying to import a .brd file from Allegro with AD10 but, without ASCII file, it seems to not be possible. Can someone with Allegro help me? I can't attach the file (1.7 MB)Thanks!
Reusing a device sheet symbol - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: hkBattousai
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2014, 12:57:13 pm
content: I have built up a circuit consisting of a transformer with 6 secondary windings, 6 bridge rectifiers and a filter stage for each. I connected one of the ends of two bridge rectifier outputs to GND grid in order make a symmetrical voltage supply as seen in the screen shot below. It gives the following error message when I hover my mouse on the erroneous sheet entry points.Code:Sheet Entry DC+ (Output) net: GNDError: Nets containing multiple similar objectsError: Nets with possible connection problemsIf it is required, contents of the original sheet of the sheet symbol is as below:Why does this error occur? Can't I reuse a sub-circuit several times? How can I make this design error free?

author: gxti
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2014, 02:20:49 pm
content: It's complaining because you've used an "output" port, and two of them are wired together via the GND net. It is illegal for two output ports to be connected together. Change it to use something other than "output".

author: hkBattousai
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2014, 03:04:57 pm
content: I observed these messages for each port direction type:Code:Output --> ErrorBidirectional --> ErrorUnspecified --> WarningInput --> OKI changed them to "input" for getting rid of any warning or error message. But now it doesn't feel right to me since they are not actually input ports. Is there a way of defining an exception for just these two pins, or another workaround in a proper way?

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2014, 04:08:02 pm
content: In your transformer symbol , all the secondaries should be set as passive pins.In your block : all the ports should be set as passive
legs on the pads or on the board? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: suman
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 03, 2014, 06:36:44 am
content: Hi,I am learning Altium, I have made the footprint and want to embed the 3D step model as shown below picture-Is this correct?the legs are within the pads, and touching the board. what I am confused about is whether the legs should above and touch the pads or should it be within the pads and touching the board plane as shown by the picture.Many thanks

author: ElektroQuark
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 03, 2014, 07:26:07 am
content: I always put the models 0.05mm above the pads. You need space for the solder

author: suman
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 03, 2014, 07:41:02 am
content: how to do that?I imported the step model, then used the "set body height" option and then board level.also i found out that the model in my picture is not on the correct side

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 03, 2014, 11:42:47 am
content: T, B, F (Tools / 3D Body / Align Face with Board), click the model you wish to align, highlight then click the face you wish to align.You may need to clean up orientation afterwards by double-clicking the model and editing X/Y/Z rotation and standoff height manually. If nothing else, it's easy enough to eyeball a few microns in the zoomed 3D view.Tim

author: suman
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 04, 2014, 05:30:32 am
content: thank you, i will try that
Slot pads and plane connect - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2014, 09:01:10 pm
content: Think I've just made myself a real hum-dinger...I have a component with plated slot type pads. They are connected to ground. Ground is assigned to an inner plane layer (plane, not polygon).Can I control:1. The angle of the plane connect reliefs? (an aside, it bothers me that they are a fixed 45 degrees and, seemingly, cannot be changed?! Whereas, for apolygon, the angle can be assigned.)2. The shape of the 'expansion' (which appears to be copper generated uniformly around the hole/slot only, not clearance to the pad on that layer)?The slot pads are currently defined as "simple" (same shape copper pad on all layers). If I use "top-inner-bottom" definitions, I could set the inner layers to zero (or less, anyway) so that the auto-generated 'expansion' serves as the pad. But what if I want to keep the pad shape the same on all layers?Attached: pukey faded yellow color is the highlighted plane. You can see the pad overlaps the auto-generated 'expansion', violating the clearance gap (I haven't checked if this actually generates DRC, but it sure looks bad). The nearby pin, which has a round hole but an oval pad shape, also shows the same problem.Tim

author: toohec
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 16, 2014, 11:49:10 pm
content: As far as I know.... 1) no, you cannot you control the angle on the plane reliefs like you can on a polygon, and 2) the expansion is uniform and is not capable of being defined by the pad stack. So your current results in your image are standard fare for the automated options.If you really wanted something specific in regards to the plane connect style, you could always define the plane connect style as a direct-connect for the pins of interest, then manually adding polygon cutouts on the plane layer to draw your own reliefs. But that would be a pain to do for anything more than a handful of pins. I usually just stick with direct-connect plane styles for all plane connections anyway. Based on the image, the large pin slot just appears to be a shield/mechanical support tab, so a direct connect style would likely be fine.Quote from: T3sl4co1l on June 10, 2014, 09:01:10 pmI don't see any violation there. The visible oval pad that overlaps the expansion is on a different layer (non-plane layer), so there is no clearance problem. As you stated earlier, the expansion is based purely off the hole perimeter, and is independent of the pad structure on the normal signal layers.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2014, 12:38:48 am
content: you can set a design rule for pad to plane clearance.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2014, 01:17:19 am
content: Thanks, figured as much.Quote from: free_electron on June 17, 2014, 12:38:48 amIt's there, but it doesn't seem to affect the geometry, at least that I noticed. Which is weird again, since constructing the respective rule for polygons works fine.Planes seem like a neglected bit of code...Tim
.BAT ZIP-file generator for OSHPark / ITead Studio - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: gcardinal
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 08, 2014, 11:42:15 am
content: Just wanted to share my .BAT file for generating .ZIP file for oshpark.com / ITead Studio / etc services.Download and place it inside "Project Outputs for ___" inside Altium project folder.Double click and it will copy necessary files and compress them with WinRAR into a .ZIP file and add archive comment from "Status Report.Txt".After .ZIP is all done, temporary files are deleted.I use it to quickly check design on OSHPark as it can sometimes reveal things I miss otherwise.
Per-page printing orientation - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: dboyer
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2014, 08:09:12 pm
content: I have some schematic sheets that naturally lend themselves to landscape orientation (they are wide) and some that lend themselves to portrait orientation (they are tall). I created a set of templates to use, one set for 11x8.5 and landscape, the other to 8.5x11 and portrait. I was hoping that altium would read the orientation from the template's orientation option, but nope. Printing a mixed set of portrait and landscape schematic sheets in a project prints them all landscape orientated with the portrait docs scaled terribly.Is there a better way of doing what I had in mind? I would rather not force all schematics to be landscape orientated if possible. Things like FPGA banks look better portrait, IMHO.

author: dboyer
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2014, 04:23:05 pm
content: I don't know if it's supposed to be this dumb, but I think this might be a bit of an oversight on the printing design within Altium. There is only one place with the option to utilize the document options for page orientation - the outjob settings for PDF generation. I can't find an equivalent of the option in SmartPDF, at any rate. See this link for more info:http://aariologs.wordpress.com/2011/02/04/how-i-corrected-page-size-in-altium-designer-smart-pdf/

author: DerekG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2014, 02:12:11 pm
content: Quote from: dboyer on June 02, 2014, 04:23:05 pmYes, I have found the best way is to select all the pages you want printed, then scroll to each page (one by one), navigate to your printer driver settings page, select "landscape (or portrait)", then select "print current page only".A bit of a pain, but if anyone else has managed a fully automated way to successfully accomplish this, I would be interested too.

author: dboyer
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2014, 04:11:25 pm
content: The outjob isn't a terrible way to do it. I have been adding each of our output files one by one to an outjob to help facilitate creating and keeping up to date our design outputs, such as the assembly drawing or the schematics. It's actually pretty swank as each of the outputs magically goes into the right directory.One click generates the schematics and then they can be printed or emailed as needed from there.On a related note, does anyone know if there is a easy way to trigger every output in an outjob at once? It looks like scripting might be the only way to do it
Eagle import tool - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Robert.Adams
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2014, 02:07:16 am
content: I'm trying to evaluate Altium Designer 14 and the Eagle import tool seems to be relatively useless. I'm trying with the Arduino Nano files from here:http://arduino.cc/en/Main/arduinoBoardNano#.UyZYb_ldVmMI get a message saying they are not 'archived' layout or design files and to add archived .brd, .sch, or .lbr files. It also claims the files are probably binaries maintained by earlier versions of Eagle. I downloaded the free version of Eagle 6.5.0 and there doesn't seem to be a way to upconvert these files (I'm not sure they really need it, the tool might just be bad).Has anyone had any luck with the Eagle import on Altium?EDIT: I got the PCB import working. Maybe there is some weird way to ask Altium nicely to do it. Schematic is still being stubborn.

author: peter.mitchell
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2014, 04:29:11 am
content: I find with converting boards from eagle to altium, this script is a bit better than the importerhttps://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/677635/export-protelpcb.ulpbut it still isn't perfect.I found schematic worked perfectly though.

author: Fretec
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2014, 07:27:03 pm
content: I've tried the importer with a reasonably complex design and it seems to have imported it correct, besides from the track width:i.e. a track of 0.25 mm is imported as 10mil (= 0.254mm)Anyone has an idea on how to change this? I've tried changing the units to imperial in Eagle, but than the track is still imported as 10mil instead of 9.8xxx

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2014, 05:56:25 am
content: i've pulled in a few without problems. the files do need to be in the eagle xml format. they don't handle binaries.you can change the numerical precision altium uses for metric <-> imperial somewhere in the config of altium. you do need to restart Altium if you change it. Altium internally works in a decimal fractions of imperial ! (mils and 1/1000 mil)

author: Fretec
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2014, 07:44:49 am
content: The files are XML (Eagle 6.4) and even setting the precision to the max value didn't change itWider power traces (0.5mm) are imported as 20 mil - almost 0.5mil error, looks like the importerround to 1mil. If this is the case, this is either completely dumb or a bug
Exposed Pad Ground Termination??  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: skeematics21
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2014, 05:34:11 pm
content: How do i connect the Exposed 20-VFQFN pad of U1-21 to ground?

author: DerekG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2014, 09:58:55 pm
content: Quote from: skeematics21 on May 27, 2014, 05:34:11 pmJust place a track from the GND net on the lower RHS corner of the flat pack to the central earth plane (pin 21).I believe the auto-router did not complete it due to either:1/ a keepout area that is set up within the quad pack (so modify the keepout area to allow you to manually route to the pad) or2/ the design rules for the auto-router are set such that there is not enough clearance to allow a track though (so adjust your design rule clearances to allow you to get a track through - or else you will get a DRC error when running an integrity check of the board).Also, just a pointer of good advice - see the VDD track (SMD layer) immediately under the symbol U1 that forms a "V". This can allow the etchant to pool against the V which can eat through it. Just change the "V" for a "T" intersection & all will be good.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2014, 10:12:26 pm
content: Eww, so ugly!You have a ground plane under that thing, right? If it's a two layer board, fill both sides and stitch (move routes as needed to save vias and improve design); if four layer, VCC and GND shouldn't even appear on the surfaces except to connect to vias.Tim

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2014, 03:18:22 am
content: If you refer to inability to stich the pad to Gnd because of the DRC error, I remember what I did was I opened the PCB library that contained that footprint, removed the 4 small vias from the exposed pad and resaved. Refreshed the footprint from the library and stitched the pad to Gnd using my own vias. Do not know if this was the best way to fix it but resolved the issue quickly.

author: skeematics21
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2014, 12:44:47 pm
content: Thanks all.. Now how do i do a polygon pour "solid fill" just for the holes in the thermal pad?

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2014, 09:39:38 pm
content: Not sure if this would work, but...Create PolygonConnect rule:IsVia AND (Owner='refdes')Direct ConnectAnd maybe more conditions, say if you want to select just one polygon, you could name it and add that to the conditional too.Via-in-pad shouldn't have any voids at all. If this is where the via connects to another layer, you might as well just set direct connect on all vias (IsVia) (they're vias, not soldered pins, they don't need thermals anyway!).Tim
Component Update - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: skeematics21
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2014, 02:37:09 pm
content: I just updated a few mechanical components in my schematic and PcbLib. How to do apply these component changes so that it reflects on my existing PcbDoc?

author: marshallh
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 23, 2014, 03:55:32 pm
content: Right click compnoent on pcb > Component Actions >Update from PCB libraries

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2014, 06:14:33 pm
content: in the library browser ,right click ont he part and select update schematic form librarysame for the pcb library

author: skeematics21
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2014, 07:55:03 pm
content: THX

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2014, 12:05:43 am
content: Should be on the Tools menu, too.Beware of doing this on schematics.... you'll lose all custom parameters.Hopefully you wouldn't be needing to do that for something common, like all resistors.Tim
Is it possible to change schematic template? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: RDXx
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 18, 2014, 02:56:36 pm
content: I am using altium 9.4, and I am having problem with changing the schematic template.If I double click on the header, the document option "template File name" is grayed out and not changeable.The only template that I can change is in preference/Schematic/general/"Defaults template"But this option only change the template for the new schematics that I add to the project.Is there a way to replace the current template to another one for a already made schematic?

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2014, 03:12:48 pm
content: Detach the current template first.Then add a new one.I'm not exactly sure how it worked in those older versions.. We're at 14 now...

author: RDXx
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 18, 2014, 03:26:03 pm
content: Thanks!!!!You saved me from at least 2h of extra work.I found it under Design/Template/...
Importing a DXF into Altium PCB Library. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mrpackethead
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2014, 10:40:21 am
content: I'm stuck, i'm trying to import a complex shape via a DXF into a component library ( to make a footprint ). I can import a dxf into a pcb but not the component. The options just not there to do it into a library. IS there a way. I could draw it, in altium but its a lot of work, and i have quite a lot of things to draw, so looking for the 'better' way.

author: David_AVD
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2014, 10:52:12 am
content: Perhaps you can import into a temporary PCB then copy and paste into the library?

author: mrpackethead
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2014, 11:06:54 am
content: Quote from: David_AVD on May 18, 2014, 10:52:12 amhey David, hows BNE. I'll give this a try.

author: David_AVD
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2014, 11:14:34 am
content: I haven't tested it, but I'm sure I've copied and pasted exploded parts from PCB to library before so that part should work.

author: mrpackethead
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2014, 11:17:48 am
content: Edited thanks! that seems to work fine. Had to move the layers before i copied it though into the component library..It does seem like quite a work around, you'd think you could import directly.
altium ate my f**king schematic? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: SArepairman
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2014, 02:26:01 am
content: So I have a schematic file which opens to a blank document. The file is big, last time I saved and turned off the computer... now I open a 2400kB file and its just a blank schematic....

author: SArepairman
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2014, 02:30:20 am
content: ok i solved the problem but now my hand really hurts and the monitor is brokenoh wellplease include "revision history" saving into all programs you design to prevent someone from brutally killing you, this is all.

author: David_AVD
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2014, 08:03:20 am
content: Altium does backups by default and also has the history folder which probably had a recent version.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2014, 08:51:28 am
content: +1 for history folder under your project folderIt should be full of zip file backups of your older versions.

author: SolarSunrise
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2014, 11:44:46 am
content: Well this happened with aboard layoutI had routed like a week ago. Thankfully my macbook is still intact (hey it's the altium's fault, not my innocent laptop). Is this some kind of a bug on Altium's side?Also, thanks for the history directory tip! Now all I have to do is remove all of these backups to get back my computer space.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2014, 03:36:49 pm
content: Every time you save altium makes a backup zip file.There is also an option in the system settings menu where you can set a timed interval and how many it should keep there. I got mine set to 15 minutes. This creates a snapshot every 15 minutes.So don't complain. The program can do all that stuff.

author: dfnr2
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2014, 03:31:57 pm
content: In the "system" menu at the right bottom of the screen, you can select the Storage Manager, which will let you browse prior versions of the document, and load or compare them.

author: markus.dnd
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 13, 2014, 07:04:51 pm
content: Also, Who has their work documents on only one hard drive ? Seems nuts to me.I built my work pc so, that I have daily backup on external hard drive (only project related documents) Also timed backups, using release system and of course the backup per save system.I did once lose my 2 weeks work with eagle. No way I am gonna trust a single hard drive or program to keep my work intact.