hybridfree/eevblog-posts huggingface dataset:
Convert Altium PcbDoc file between binary and ASCII without Altium - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: i-am-neet
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 18, 2024, 07:32:57 am
content: Is there any toolkit or method that can convert PcbDoc between binary and ASCIIwithout Altium?Or any automation way to transfer binary to ASCII? (script or sdk)Any suggestion is welcome, thanks.
Pad Definition Troubleshooting in 4-Layer Stack Up - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: MuriTheMyth
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2024, 10:03:45 am
content: Hi folks,I hope you are well. I'm beginner in AD and this is the first 4 Layer board I'm doing.I've defined square pad for the 1st pin of the header footprint in the footprint library. Though, only the top and bottom layer correctly followed the defined shape (see screenshots). I'm wondering what happened here.Thank you very much to anyone who helped.Sincerely,Muri

author: Someone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2024, 10:18:20 am
content: Layer type, planes don't use pads.

author: MuriTheMyth
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2024, 10:27:26 am
content: Problem solved! Thank you so much!
How to get smooth edges in Altium Ground Pours - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Arsh ahmad
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2024, 10:40:56 am
content: I want to smooth out the attached marked areas of polygon ground pours in Altium Designer. In software like Allegro there is an option called smooth pours that removes all the sharp corners in pours.I don't see any such option in altium deisgner, please help me in finding a easier way.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2024, 02:45:47 pm
content: I avoid square pads for this reason.If nothing else, you can blanket set all square pads to rounded and set the corner radius small like 1%, but it'll look better with more like 20%.Tim

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2024, 03:31:54 pm
content: In the properties of the polygon pour, you set up Arc approximation to a smaller value.I also suggest changing the "Remove necks" to maybe 0.4-0.5mm then it doesn't pour below small SMD components.

author: plazma
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2024, 02:23:40 pm
content: Decrease arc approximation of the polygon.Even better... make the polygon pour hatched with 0.2mm track width and 0mm grid size. Decrease the "Min prim Lenth to 0.01mm. "Surround pads with" set to Arcs.
HELP! How do I reset the schematic editor toolbars to default? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: RedLion
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2024, 12:42:22 am
content: After I installed Altium Library Loader, the shortcut didn't show up in the usual place.So I followed this instruction (https://www.samacsys.com/altiumll-faq/) and now the toolbar arrangement in the schematic editor is completely messed up (by that I mean the thing in the picture, not sure what the "official" name is). Everything has ended up in random places, items have gone missing, and when I try to go into "Customize" and get , as soon as I exit the stuff disappears again. I'm quite new to Altium 23 and I'm not even sure what it's supposed to look like anymore.There has to be a way to reset this to the default, I can't be the first who manages to do this. Can anybody help?I'll admit I've been having a slight panic attack right now and I'm caught in the loop of making it worse the more I try.I'm prepared to nuke ALL settings and preferences and completely reinstall Altium if that fixes it.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2024, 01:25:40 am
content: Just drag them back into place. Enable any missing ones on View/Toolbars, right-click and disable whatever's extra.For a more precise solution, load your last saved desktop layout (View / Desktop layout / load/save/etc.). Youdidsave your layout right--?Tim

author: RedLion
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2024, 07:39:16 am
content: Quote from: T3sl4co1l on April 12, 2024, 01:25:40 amI'll try again with a clear head. Not remembering how it was before makes it harder though.Quote from: T3sl4co1l on April 12, 2024, 01:25:40 amUhmm, well...Does Altium 17 count?

author: mengfei
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2024, 01:52:02 am
content: here's what mine looks like @ AD21never did touch any of those icons besides taking out the middle floating icon bar

author: ajawamnet
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2024, 01:24:12 pm
content: I know deleting the .RCS file in the user's profile directory will usually revert toolbars back to the default installation. The profile directory is in the C:\Users\\Appdata\Roaming\Altium\Altium Designer{FUNKY LONG STRING OF CHARACTERS}\Back it up before doing anything...Dennis on the official forum released a batch file that shows what installation correlates to what {FUNKY LONG STRING OF CHARACTERS} if you have more than one install of Altium. zip of it attached.I have over 19 installs of Protel Altium products going back to Protel 99SE. On my old XP box I have Advanced PCB 2.8 still running.https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-dxp-developer/server-configuration-files#the-configuration-file-set
What Formula to use? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mengfei
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2024, 07:57:13 am
content: what formula do i use for these pads (footprint design) so that the sequence will be 1 to 11 for 22 to 32 highlighted pins or is there another way doing this but not manually.thanks.

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 23, 2024, 10:03:05 am
content: You could try: !-21Seehttps://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-designer/editing-multiple-design-objects#using-formulas

author: mengfei
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 24, 2024, 12:42:25 am
content: cool!thanks, i'll give those a try
BGA footprint wizard doesn't allow me different vertical and horizontal pitch - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: TnF
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2024, 12:56:58 am
content: BGA footprint wizard doesn't allow different vertical and horizontal pitch (aka pad to pad distance), it resets the other box as soon as i click out to edit it, any fix?

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2024, 07:42:33 pm
content: I see the same thing. Can you use the IPC footprint wizard instead to create it?The "Footprint Wizard" seems to be a bit simpler.

author: TnF
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2024, 10:32:35 pm
content: I've fixed them manually but it's definitely a bug. You can make any rectangular grid array with different x and y pitch, you can report it so they fix it if you want, i've tried the other wizard too but it doesn't support different pitch on each axis.
DESIGN BOARD OUTLINE - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: rattan
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 25, 2024, 08:04:48 pm
content: Hello, I am learning Altium and as a hobbyist i want to implement my design with nodemcu on PCB. I am using Grove Accelerometer board with nodemcu and The board does not have a footprint and i have to create it. So regarding this i have few queries.1. I want to create an outline on the main pcb for Accelerometer board and a four pin male header for connection. How can i do it and which layers i can use to create it?2.As the accelerometer board have mounting holes, so i want to use those non-conductive mounting holes to screw the accelerometer to main PCB board. for that how i can define and design the mounting hole on the main pcb.?Thank you

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 25, 2024, 09:03:34 pm
content: The best way is to make a library component for the module.Make a new part, draw your headers there, put a silkscreen boundary around it maybe with some description, and add mounting holes.For physical shape, layer can be M1 or whatever mechanical layer you've standardized in your library for component outlines + 3D bodies.You'd then compile the library, add to your schematic, and then place on the PCB.
Multipin mapping for not connected/used pads - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: qat
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2024, 02:12:07 pm
content: In Altium, I'm looking to utilize multipad mapping for footprints with numerous unused pads. However, in the PCB editor, these pads are displayed as part of the same net, which I assume was the original intention of the function. Is there a method to configure the Unrouted Net rule to disregard all these pads, or configure Altium to avoid generating a net for such pads?The most effective approach I've found is simply creating a rule like "InNet('NetU6_1,5,8')." However, for PCBs with hundreds of components, this isn't really feasible. I've also attempted to associate such pins with a parameter or class, but I've never quite managed to get it working.Any ideas??

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2024, 09:21:41 pm
content: By multi-pin mapping you are saying these pins are connected together in the IC, which is not the case.You can just have them as individual pins and hide the pins if you don't want to connect them to anything.Or hide the pins as above, and then write out the NC pin list so its clear from the schematic they don't connect.https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/668839/altium-wants-to-attach-nets-to-nc-pins-of-same-ichttps://resources.altium.com/p/tips-connecting-hidden-pins-altium-designerhttps://www.reddit.com/r/Altium/comments/10i0lkj/hiding_excess_pins_from_part_in_schematic/

author: qat
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2024, 08:42:12 am
content: Thanks for the response.Before I've always utilized individual pins for all unconnected pins, which works as intended. What I'm truly asking is if there's a method to alter Altium's behavior so that I can employ the multi-pin mapping in this manner, irrespective of the function's original intention?

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2024, 09:04:44 pm
content: As above, no.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2024, 12:14:40 am
content: remove those pins from the symbol. done. and do not use multi-pin mapping. it is problematic if you are going to use odb++. multi-pin mapping is the work of the devil
Altium V15 - Dup designators that won't fix on board level annotate - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2024, 08:30:39 am
content: So I have a schematic that uses many device sheets, some device sheets use other device sheets.The issue I'm having is in trying to get the designators all unique using board level annotate.The process does not seem to work right, once its done there are still many dups that it creates.Have tried "reset schematic designers" and reapplying them, no change.I have tried resetting unique identifiers, there were some dups that got fixed.Any ideas?

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2024, 08:37:33 am
content: I also get some odd errors like "Duplicate net names wire NetF5_2"This is for a wire that I have not give a manual net name, its giving its own internal net name to that net and for some reason its giving two nets the same name then complaining about it.

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2024, 09:03:42 pm
content: The duplicate net name may have to do with how you have the project structured. Altium isn't very sophisticated about how it compiles net names across multi instance sheet symbols, so there are some ways to set up sheets and connectivity between them that will confound it. It's entirely possible that whatever is causing the duplicate net names is also causing the designator problems, so you might want to try to resolve that first.As for the board level annotate, you might need to delete the annotation file from the project and start over once you get.any underlying issues resolved.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2024, 10:45:57 pm
content: Quote from: ajb on April 27, 2024, 09:03:42 pmyeah, I've tried deleting that file but no luck. Definitely still an issue somewhere.I think I will make a copy of the project and just start deleting sections, see if I can do a binary search and locate any problem area. Assuming it is a specific area causing the issue.The dup designators themselves don't seem to be limited to any section but it's hard to tell exactly.
How to copy symbol and footprint from one component to another? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: thomasx
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2024, 11:38:49 am
content: HiI have a component, MOSFET transistor, that I want to place on the schematic. The component is found by the Manufacturer Parts Search, but there is no schematic symbol and no footprint.Surely there is some way that I can easily copy symbol and footprint from another component that uses the same symbol and footprint into this one, how do I do that?Thanks!

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2024, 09:14:08 pm
content: Yes you can copy from another library or part. It could make more sense to find a part with symbols and footprint you want though.For the SCH symbol, open an existing symbol, select all, copy, and paste it into your symbol.For the PCB symbol, can copy it directly as the whole part, paste into your library.I would look at some beginner tutorials.https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-designer/creating-schematic-symbol#creating-a-new-schematic-symbol

author: thomasx
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2024, 11:18:41 am
content: HiThanks for your response!I was more looking for a way to easily copy the symbol and footprint from one existing component into another component that is found in the Manufacturer Part Search but that is lacking symbol and footprint and therefore cannot be Placed into the schematic.I guess that possibility just doesn't exist. I'm a bit surprised, to me it seems like it would be something that happens all the time. But maybe I am missing something else hereI always try to find components that already exist with symbol and footprint, but sometimes it's just not possible.I guess the question I should ask is - When I find a part in the Manufacturer Part Search that I want to place, but that lacks a symbol, how do I give it a symbol and make it placeable, or how do I connect it to a symbol so it gets placeable. I guess the fact that I don't know how to accomplish this, I also don't quite know how to formulate my question. But I hope I made myself understandable.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2024, 11:37:35 am
content: What version of altium are you using, answers will be quite different if you are on 14 vs 24 etc..Quote from: thomasx on April 22, 2024, 11:18:41 amWhen you say Manufacturer Part Search are you talking about the search system inside altium that searches through the included parts library?Also, when you say you "find a part", do you mean you find a footprint you're after and then need to make a symbol for the chip you want to use?
Polygon ignores when thermals are disabled in pad properties - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Alex N.
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 17, 2024, 10:32:01 am
content: Aye folks,I just ran into a very anoying problem after making little changes to an old project.In the old data I disabled the thermals for specifc pads (e.g. every 2nd pad in a row of bypass caps in narrow placements) in order to get nice connections.Somehow the current version of AD (24.3.1) ignores the disabled thermals in the pad properties.I could setup a design rule for that but I don't want to go over the whole project again.Any clue why AD is ignoring the pad properties?Did I miss something in the updates?Thanks for your help,Alex

author: Pseudobyte
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2024, 06:49:28 pm
content: I think you need to check the box on the polygon called "obey rules".

author: Alex N.
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 18, 2024, 06:03:13 am
content: Hmm.I have never seen the 'obey rules' checkbox before.It does not show this option in my AD.

author: Alex N.
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 18, 2024, 07:07:35 am
content: I just updated to 24.4.1 and now the 'obey rules' is visible.Unfortunately it has no effect.When I switch the design rules to 'general connect' for all polygons, there are some pads with and some without reliefs.When I *disable* the relief on a pad that has one, the relief is removed.When I *enable* it again, nothing happens.I could not manage to get a relief back once it is disabled.

author: Alex N.
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 18, 2024, 07:18:14 am
content: update:For some pads there is a *correlation* between the checkbox 'relief' in the pad properties and drawing a relief.(correlation -> for some pads the behaviour it is inverted, for others not)For some pads there is no influence of the checkbox at all.Once a relief is removed it can be restored (at least for some pads) by switching the design rule to direct connect,repouring all polys and switching back to relief connect and repouring again.Something got really messed up in this program.....Again....

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2024, 09:06:28 pm
content: I'm sure something is buggy, you can always go back to the old version you originally created the PCB in. For me on v20 it seems to work.I would say though, I get the feeling you are overthinking the design a bit. Would the direct connection on all vias really be bad? Are you worried cap will tombstone or something?
AD 24 BUG - local search path no longer recursive? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Shorty85
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 17, 2024, 11:35:47 am
content: Running AD 24.3.1 and today we recognized that search paths in local footprints are no longer recursive. Option is checked but not working any longer.Enabled the search path again (as it is no longer available by default since 21)https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-designer/accessing-defining-managing-project-options#search_pathsEdit shows paths recursiveBut here the recursive paths are gone and you cannot find footprints from recursive foldersCan anyone confirm?Does anyone know how to fix it (despite adding all sub-folders)?
Altium V15: How do I copy PCB layout across multiple device sheet instances  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2024, 12:40:48 pm
content: In altium v15, If I manually route all the parts in one device sheet/region on the PCB, how do I then duplicate this routing to all the other identical device sheets/regions on the pcb. Ideally so I can update the master one and it auto updates all the copies.Note, this is for Alitum 15, I know the modern version has more options for doing this.

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2024, 02:26:18 pm
content: Looks like AD15 has rooms, so if you enable room generation in the project settings for the multi instance sheet you should then be able to use Design > Rooms > Copy Room Format to replicate placement and routing from one instance to all of the others. Actually the 15.1 docs don't appear to mention auto creation of rooms, so you might need to create them manually?https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-designer/pcb-room?version=15.1

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2024, 03:20:14 am
content: Thanks. yes, it does create rooms i just delete them and turn them off because they always cause issues trying to move parts around.Will experiment with them, thanks.
PCB Editor: All Lines are Filleted - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: paredman
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 10, 2024, 08:07:14 pm
content: I'm fairly new to Altium Designer and so I still run into silly things I can fix sometimes. I am working on the silkscreen of a very simply board, and I would like to place a line pointing from a label to a component. Usually I would just hit P >> L and draw away, but today, if I try to draw a line with both x and y component, that line becomes a fillet instead of a straight diagonal line. I have attached a picture of what I mean ("Filleted Line.png"). I have also attached a picture of what I'm trying to achieve ("Diagonal Line.png").The only hints I can find within Altium is that when I am placing a line, the message at the bottom of the window reads "Line 90 End With Arcplane Line". I have tried Googling, reading Altium documentation, and reading through previous posts, but I have not found a solution to getting diagonal lines back.Has anybody encountered this before? How did you fix it?Thanks

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2024, 12:43:45 pm
content: Hit shift-space when placing the track to cycle through the corner modes (curved, diagonal, square, etc).
AD & Server CAL License Seat to User Ratio - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ANTALIFE
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2024, 04:21:02 am
content: Hey AllWith the Aus end of financial year approaching, I have been asked to review (and likely increase) our Altium Designer Enterprise & Altium Enterprise Server CAL license seat count.So my question is, what sort of seat to user ratio does your organization have, and how well has this been working out?As for us, we have 26 "active" Altium users, with 16 AD & 20 CAL seats. So, as you can imagine somedays my inbox is flooded with "License Lease was rejected" emails...Cheers, Anton
board edge  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: joniengr081
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2024, 08:00:53 am
content: Hello,Does anyone know how we can make such board edge ? I am using Xpedition VX 2.12. Kindly let me know how to add the board edge that go though the plated mounting holes as well. Thanks in advance.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2024, 08:26:30 pm
content: There is nothing too special about this edge, you just need to place a ground plane, then draw lines or polygons on your soldermask layer to uncover the gold plated PCB beneath.Some boards will have edge gold plating as well, but I don't think this has it. You have to tell the PCB manufacturer if you want that done.I'll ask to move this to the regular PCB forum as its not Altium.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 27, 2024, 08:57:12 pm
content: Xpedition isn't Altium..??

author: Batang
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2024, 12:26:05 am
content: Xpedition is from Siemens if I recall correctly.
Pour Clearance Slightly Off  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: SmuleChez
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 04, 2024, 09:08:58 pm
content: Hello!The the pours on my design are slightly off, its about less than a mil and it won't reasonably effect the physical board. However I would like to at least figure out why this is occurring.I am observing this behavior with both the clearance around the board edge as well as around traces. Please see the images attached.Changing the clearance of the board edge clearance to 0mil or turning off the clearance to the board edge pulls the pour straight to the edge with no gap, but with any value there is extra distance that is added to the clearance. Changing the width of the Board Edge has no effect on the clearance of the pour.I have also tried using the Keep-Out Layer around the board edge with a clearance of 0 mil, but then there is still a small gap between the Keep-Out Layer trace and the pour.Any help would be greatly appreciated.Thank you!

author: exmadscientist
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2024, 05:56:01 am
content: I have noticed this behavior too, going back many years. It's small enough of a difference that I've never been bothered to track it down, at least beyond concluding that no setting I can access will do anything about it.

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 05, 2024, 08:40:54 am
content: I'm not an Altium user, but fills in Eagle are are series of traces with non-zero width. That is a user setting. If Altium is the same, what happens when you decrease the width? In other words, maybe that offset is the closest it can get without splitting a trace.

author: SmuleChez
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 05, 2024, 01:52:13 pm
content: I have solved the extra gap between the pour and trace clearance by lowering the Arc Approx. value to 0.001 mil. However, that does not effect the Board Outline Clearance.Quote from: jpanhalt on April 05, 2024, 08:40:54 amI can convert the pour to "Hatched" and decreasing the width of tracks does change the gap.On some areas the pour appears to meet in the proper edge, but it other areas it doesn't. I attached an image that describes this behavior. The section of the left ends at a 90 angle on both sides, while the section on the right ends at a 45.
How to Repeat a sheet entry that is connected internally to a BUS - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Bakr_HB
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 28, 2024, 01:28:34 pm
content: In Altium Schematic Design, I have a circuit (CER1) in a sheet, and I use a BUS to connect multiple channels. In the parent schematic, I created a sheet symbol from the CER1 sheet. And since I needed to use CER1 twice, I used the REPEAT function to repeat the block, and the entries. Everything is working well except the sheet entry that has a bus connected to it internally. it is giving an error "Bus Range syntax error" How should I repeat this Bus?

author: Fgrir
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2024, 03:54:23 pm
content: It was a few years ago that I last tried it, but I don't think you can mix repeat with busses. I had to either split the bus into individual signals, or forget the repeat and just place separate instances of the block that used busses.

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2024, 04:02:00 pm
content: Fgrir is correct, you can't use REPEAT() with bus or harness ports. With only two instances of CER1 it shouldn't be a problem to just place two sheet symbols. If needed, you can create an intermediate sheet with those two instances, and on that sheet you can wire the busses together into a new bus or harness however you need, and bring that out to the top level sheet via a single port.
Static board insight - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2024, 10:19:02 pm
content: I am fairly sure that the board insight panel used to track the mouse. That is, move the mouse and one of the pair of X/Y values would track the live mouse movement (subject to the grid step). But now mine doesn't. I think I did something the other day when I was trying something else, so perhaps there is a setting that I've changed. But I'm blowed if I can find it, and I've gone through all the ones that seem to be available.The symptom is that none of the values change unless I move the mouse out of the window (so the board insight panel hides), and then when I move the mouse back in and the panel reappears it is updated. But again remains static. Using INS to reset the delta origin change the origin but doesn't update the panel until it hides and comes back.AFAIA, nothing about my system has changed recently, and Altium hasn't updated (it is 22.3.1) so there's no reason for any change.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2024, 11:30:12 pm
content: Duh!https://bugcrunch.live.altium.com/#/Bug/18149Quote

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2024, 11:16:21 am
content: Just to tidy this up...There are bad things said about Altium but on the plus side they don't cut you off the moment your support subscription expires. I have seriously expensive software which won't reinstall without a support subscription, for instance. I found that despite being off the books for some time I could still download the full offline 22.2.1 (just prior to the bug insertion), install and activate it and then update all the extensions, etc. So full marks there.Anyway, I installed the prior version and then found that the reason it took me 2 years to notice this issue is because I don't use it! (Not sure why the HUD is displayed, but perhaps that's what my messing about enabled.) Instead, for footprint creation at least, I tend to use temporary grids and/or guidelines to accurately place pads and stuff.
Line coating only - Altium Designer - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: tuan179
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 12, 2024, 05:56:51 am
content: Recently I am looking for a way to make a pcb like the attached picture. If I did it manually I would probably need to create solder surface areas all over the circuit board blanks (except the lines and copper coating). I hope someone will show me a faster way. Thank you so much!

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2024, 09:11:38 pm
content: This was discussed here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/altium/custom-soldermask/

author: tuan179
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 14, 2024, 06:40:26 am
content: thank you!
Circuit Studio differential pair routing - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: haintz
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 23, 2016, 05:20:55 pm
content: Currently evaluating Circuit Studio, have been using Eagle for more than 10 years. Also used AD in the past.CS has some really good features and the libraries are excellent.But it looks like there is a major problem in CSIt looks like Interactive Length Tuning is only available in Designer, or am I missing something? If meandering of differential pairs is not in Circuit Studio, this would be a major problem. Eagle has this as standard since version 6.Why would Altium, not put Interactive Length Tuning into CS?Is this some evil attempt at market segmentation???More and more designs today used high speed differential signaling. Even KiCad and Eagle have it where I can set a trace length and get interactive meanders that are length matched.

author: VasinD
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 14, 2016, 12:57:05 pm
content: Quote from: haintz on February 23, 2016, 05:20:55 pmYes, you are right. There is no length matching capability in CS. unfortunatelyeven in currently ver. 1.3

author: ubbut
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2024, 12:03:26 pm
content: Seems there is, but it's hidden:https://community.element14.com/products/manufacturers/altium/b/blog/posts/circuitstudio-routing-with-accordions
Mirror Gerber X2  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: bsarevalo
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 09, 2024, 05:02:41 am
content: Greetings dear intelligent community!, I am working on a double layer PCB project, to manufacture a prototype with my mini CNC3018 machine I must generate the Gerber files of the top layer and bottom layer. I have had good results with the "Gerber X2" format", I have enabled the "UI.Unification.GerberDialog.ShowMirrorColumn" checkbox in the system preferences to enable the gerber mirror option. I can indeed use the mirror option in the Gerber format, but in the Gerber X2 format it is not enabled. I must to enable the mirror in the bottom layer and I would like to use the X2 format, could someone help me, I attach some screenshots of the program! Thanks in advance!.

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 10, 2024, 05:33:39 am
content: You should not need to use Gerber X2 extensions for PCB milling.You should also be able to mirror the bottom layer of the PCB pretty easily in most Gerber to G-code processors.

author: bsarevalo
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 11, 2024, 01:55:17 am
content: You are right, I have managed to make the mirror with my G code editor, I use flatcam. Topic resolved.
Altium Co Designer - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Lyndsay_Doyle
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2024, 01:46:29 am
content: I need to export a stp file to my mech guy who uses CREO. The stp file from Altium is shite. It does not contain any silk screen or mounting holes. Forget any copper.I did, by trawling the forums such as this, managed to export a parasolid which CREO seemed to be able to work with.Then saw that Altium has Co Designer. All the videos are slick and everything works just fine.The problem with that marketing and sales video is that it does not tell you how to set all that up.I found an install guide that shows how to get the Altium side of it going but not the CREO. Sure, it shows the CREO bit installed, but it also says the mech guy has to have an Altium account.It assumes on every level that you know Altium inside out. Every time Altium updates its completely different and drives me crazy.Have you or anyone else set this Co Designer up?What, in reality does my Mech guy have to do?Any help gratefully received.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2024, 10:33:03 pm
content: The STP file Altium exports does contain mounting holes. If it did not, either your settings were set to not include them, or there is a bug with the version you are using.The information is here:https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-codesigner/preparing-ptc-creo-for-codesignfirst google result.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2024, 05:17:48 pm
content: Download the plugin from altium website. Your mech engineer does not need to know altium. Inside altium you launch the MCAD collaboration and perform a push (single mouse click). The mech engineer will get a notification. he does a pull and done.You need the plugin, that's all. yes your mech guy needs an altium account but does NOT require a license !. The altium account links all users into a workspace.

author: RiZsho
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2024, 06:23:25 pm
content: Quote from: free_electron on March 07, 2024, 05:17:48 pmFrom experience, it's enough to download the plugin from the Extensions and licenses page inside Altium. No need to even browse around the website.
Issue exporting EDMD (.idx) files : Missing components - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Memductance
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 05, 2022, 08:14:18 pm
content: Hello everyoneI would like to setup synchronization between my MCAD Tool (Solidworks / Circuitworks) and Altium Nexus which is used at my university. I generated the .idx and .xml file via "Mechanical CAD Collaboration->Export Baseline" but when I import the generated .idx file into circuitworks, the components are missing (see "empty_board.png").When I export the PCB data using "File->Export->IDF Board" I can correctly import it into Circuitworks (see "correct_import.png").I am not sure where the problem could be, has anyone experienced a similar issue and could help me resolve this issue?For reference, I have Altium Nexus 5.0.2 and Solidworks 2020 installed. I also attached the generated baselines files.Thanks!

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2022, 08:47:23 am
content: I played with the Solidworks codesigner thing ages ago and at the time after much fucking around I finally found some documentation suggesting I had to duplicate my entire component library between the two environments: pcblibs for altium and SLDPRTs for Solidworks. That's where I stopped because fuck that.I would hope that the current thing isn't that stupid, but it probably is. Have you tried that?I guess the whole thing is worthwhile if you build your component library that way from the beginning. We've recently switched back to Solidworks for MCAD and it's become really clear just how awful altium's step file export is so I guess the only way to get a decent Solidworks model from an Altium design is to have Solidworks do it.

author: Lyndsay_Doyle
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2024, 01:43:54 am
content: Hi AJB,I am in the same boat. I need to export a stp file to my mech guy who uses CREO. The stp file from Altium is shite. It does not contain any silk screen or mounting holes. Forget any copper.I did, by trawling the forums such as this to export a parasolid which CREO seemed to be able to work with.So I then saw that Altium has Co Designer. All the videos are slick and everything works just fine.The problem with that marketing and sales video is that it does not tell you how to set all that up.I found an install guide that shows how to get the Altium side of it going but not the CREO. Sure, it shows the CREO bit installed, but it also says the mech guy has to have an Altium account.It assumes on every level that you know Altium inside out. Every time Altium updates its completely different and drives me crazy.Have you or anyone else set this Co Designer up?
Viewing the footprint dimensions of a component before installing it - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: stm32f103c8
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 14, 2024, 09:04:59 pm
content: I would like to check the dimensions of the component before adding it to the schematic to make sure it fits.How can I see the footprint dimensions of a component?

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2024, 10:05:27 pm
content: Open the library, and edit the footprint.Or paste it into an empty PCB document and measure it there.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2024, 03:27:13 am
content: that's where library management is very important : name your parts properly and give meaningful descriptions. attach proper manufacturers and manufacturer part numbers. name your symbols and footprints with a <type>-<manufacturer>-<part number> syntax or use the JEDEC names like TO220 DO35 0603 SOT23. Design proper courtyards, pin markers. It takes the guesswork away.A lot of libraries floating around are pure garbage.
How to edit the defaut PCB grid presets - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: nikifena
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2021, 09:41:59 am
content: Hi there. I have an old AD17. Usually, I use "G" on the keyboard to get this menu. Unfortunately, some of the grids used by me are not here and I don't need some of the stocked. How can I edit/modify this set of grids with my own?Thanks

author: Pseudobyte
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2021, 12:15:45 am
content: Just press G twice and type in your desired grid.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2021, 01:37:24 am
content: CTRL+click on the offending menu item. You can edit the command and title (and shortcut: '&' underlines the following character) in the dialog.(Not sure if this has changed since AD18 or 20, but customizable menus have always been a thing in any case.)Tim

author: nikifena
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2021, 06:28:58 am
content: Thank you T3sl4co1l!Yes, that's what I wanted!Just one more question - how can I delete the unused presets? I've been using the metric grids only and the imperial are messing me.Thanks

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2021, 08:39:48 am
content: DXP menu (user button now I think?), or right-click toolbar/menu area, Customize. Look for "Snap Grid". Have fun.It's a not well known/understood/appreciated/used feature, I think? Granted, there's more than enough functionality in AD just to get used to in the first place, remembering all the default menus as they are, let alone the shortcuts, let alone customizing your own. There are just a handful of changes I've made, to this day. Potentially very powerful feature... or dangerous too, hehe.Tim

author: snoopy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2021, 03:19:10 am
content: This is what I did. Right Click on the menu bar and select Customize.Look for "Snap Grid" in the left hand Commands list box. Then select a grid that you would like to copy from the right list box to customize ie to create a 0.05 mm grid click on 0.025 mm and then click the "Duplicate" button. It will then create a new  category in the left hand list box with a copy of the 0.025 mm grid option. Find this new  category and click on it and you will see the copied 0.025 mm grid setting. Double click on this and change the 0.025 mm parameters to 0.05 mm. Once you have done this you have to drag this new category with the a left mouse click to the "PCB Popups" menu and then insert it into the "Snap Grid" menu at the appropriate place.regardsdavid

author: Someone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2024, 02:33:53 am
content: Quote from: snoopy on December 27, 2021, 03:19:10 amThat "PCB Popups" menu that appears is extremely useful and I only found it through your post. It can be used to add some extra grid sizes on preferred increments as you did, but it is also possible to delete unwanted default grids. Or remove other menu items on the context popups that are on that list (not all context menus are within there, but still very handy).
Board Cutout within a Footprint Pad - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: gandi
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 20, 2024, 03:29:28 pm
content: Hi,I am trying to make a footprint for a USB C connector from Hirose.The part number is CX90B1-24Phttps://datasheet.lcsc.com/lcsc/2111232030_HRS-Hirose-CX90B1-24P_C597821.pdf.This connector has a weirdly shaped pad as shown in the following pictureI made a pad from a custom shape and placed board cutout inside.But it doesnt work. The DRC shows a clearance issue with the board edge (although I tried exclude it with "not InBoardCutoutRegion")and the pad itself has no cutout.Any suggestions how to fix this or is it possible to create a cutout for a pad?Thx Martin

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2024, 03:41:29 pm
content: You can place slot holes in a pad, if you change the hole shape. L shaped hole...Maybe two pads on top of each other?When you think your software supports everything, connector manufacturers invent new problems...Honestly, if it was up to me, I would just select a different part number and tell Hirose about it.Also every connector footprint is simultaneously under and over defined in dimensions. The ones that you need are never there, but its filled with repeated info.

author: gandi
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 22, 2024, 08:42:36 am
content: I switched to a connector with a more common and easier footprint.At first I thought it has to be possible to create such a footprint.
eye diagrams in altium 2024 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: nomar123
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2024, 01:56:45 pm
content: Is there any way to generate an eye diagram in the signal integrity toolkit in Altium 24? Found some old altium forum posts that say there is no eye capability but those were from several years ago. Has altium added any way to generate an eye diagram from layout traces??
pcb auto annotation. Altium designer 15.0 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: georpo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2024, 03:22:26 pm
content: Hello everyone!I am in the middle of a big pcb design without schematic and I have named all capacitors "C?" , all resistors "R?", all ICs "U?" etc.Is there a way for Altium to assign designators automatically? C1,C2 R1,R2 etc.Thanks for any ideas.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2024, 09:33:38 pm
content: You asked here and already got an answer:https://www.reddit.com/r/Altium/comments/1arra8x/altium_designer_auto_annotation/

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2024, 10:11:35 pm
content: Don't have AD15 to check, but from the Tools menu there could well be a "Re-Annotate..." menu item which will probably do the biz for you.

author: Batang
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2024, 01:46:55 am
content: "a big pcb design without schematic"Why!!

author: georpo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2024, 01:58:47 pm
content: hello and thanks for all replies.It does not matter how I got here.without schematic, is there a way to have altium change all the C? to C1,C2 etc

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2024, 03:23:27 pm
content: Quote from: georpo on February 17, 2024, 01:58:47 pmAs I posted earlier, use the Re-Annotate menu item from the Tools menu (screeny from AD13 attached).

author: georpo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2024, 03:51:28 pm
content: re-annotate changed ALL designators to "1"I already tried this before asking.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2024, 04:02:20 pm
content: OK. It would be useful for you to mention that at the start, although I don't know why it doesn't number them sequentially.Edit: Just tried this with a plain PCB which isn't in a project and has no schematic. None of the components had the ? number (that is, they were already C1, C2, etc. I chose ascending x then ascending y, then all the various combinations and even 'use board position'. Every time the component designators were changed appropriately.You might try click a component, then right click and select 'same as' using only 'component' as the match. That will select all components. Then run the re-annotate and see if that helps. If not then your board is borked or your designators aren't actual designators, or something similar.
Can't route a closed loop - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Manul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2024, 05:40:41 pm
content: I'm sorry if this was asked before, I'm struggling to find good, descriptive words for a search query.My question is, why exactly Altium does not allow me to close a loop in the example below and which rule controls that?

author: Fgrir
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2024, 05:52:14 pm
content: I thinkPreferences | PCB Editor | Interactive Routing | Automatically Remove Loopsis on by default, uncheck it and I think you will be able to do what you want.

author: Manul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2024, 05:59:09 pm
content: Oh man, I was searching for more than an hour and playing with design rules, completely forgot that it might be a global preference. Thanks a lot, it works now.