hybridfree/eevblog-posts huggingface dataset:
Altium Snap to Grid (and not something else close by) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mc172
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2020, 04:07:02 pm
content: Does anyone know how to turn off the annoying "smart" snap settings in Altium? I've named it that myself, not sure what it's really called. I'm trying to drag polygons around and it's constantly trying to get the endpoints to snap to some other reference, say, collinear to some other edge of a nearby polygon, instead of just snapping to the grid. It's causing me to have to edit everything twice to get things square or at true 45°.I've uploaded a picture. I want to get rid of the angular snap lines (in green) and just snap to the grid.Cheers.

author: Pseudobyte
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2020, 05:12:42 pm
content: You can set the snap axis range to 0. Otherwise if you can toggle hotsnap modes by pressing shift+e and cycle between(none aka grid only, single layer, all layers) you can fine tune the axis and point snap range by adjusting the snap distance and axis snap range in the properties window when nothing is selected (shift+c)

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2020, 09:43:32 pm
content: Hold CTRL to temporarily disable snapping (doesn't work on polygons, you'll still get the green lines to vertices in the object).Snapping objects/features are controlled in the document properties (select nothing, open Properties panel).Tim

author: mc172
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2020, 12:14:22 am
content: Cheers guys. I figured it out: holding shift after selecting the node does the trick.I only figured it out because I mashed the keyboard in frustration.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2020, 12:33:08 am
content: Fuck me, is that what does it? That's completely undocumented! Thank you!Weird, holding SHIFT seems to make vertex dragging/editing update slower, or something. At least on the version I have installed. Go figure...Tim

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2020, 02:09:42 pm
content: On the preferences panel, when nothing is selected, you can enable/disable snapping to objects among other things.
Creating Altium Assembly Drawing Layer pairs - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Sahiru.Dilan
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 26, 2020, 05:13:26 am
content: Hey,I tried to make layer pairs for Assembly Drawing as Robert describes in his tutorialhttps://youtu.be/L36KicrU45Q?t=1415.I have Altium 20.1.14 and it seems like it does not work. Can anyone help me out here.Thank you all

author: Pseudobyte
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2020, 02:05:35 pm
content: Fairly Similar processRight click on Component Layer Pairs >> Add Component Layer PairGive it a nameselect the mechanical layer numbers for the top and bottomand then set the layer type to "Assembly"These are the pairs I use.
ActiveBOM component grouping. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: boyddotee
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2020, 03:04:09 pm
content: Hi All,Hopefully someone can tell me what i'm doing wrong as ive not used this feature before.I'm using AD17.11 (Build 656), and i have a BomDoc associated with the project along with a output job for the bill of materials linked to the BomDoc, but when i generate the bill of materials i get 1 entry for every component (unlike the pcb bom function which groups them) with each one taking the selected vender etc from the BomDoc.Thanks,Chris.
Altium Viewer Offline Installation / Installer - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ricko_uk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2020, 09:57:09 pm
content: Hi,I downloaded and registered (i.e. got username and password) for the altium viewer but when I try to install it on a client's machine that does not have internet connection after a couple of steps it says it come up with the following error and when I press ok it exits the isntallation:"EULA download has failed, setup cannot proceed. Error from appregistry.ap.altium.com. The server name cannot be resolved"I also downloaded the license they sent me the link for (in the registration email) but it doesn't even get to the stage where it asks for it.How can I install the Viewer on a machine that is not connected to the net?Thank you

author: jc101
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2020, 08:19:10 am
content: You could try putting that name into the local hosts file against a loopback (127.0.0.1) - it would then resolve, but then might fall over not being able to get the page/file.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2020, 07:55:05 pm
content: Is this the summer 09 viewer or a newer version?QuoteThey used to have the link on their site but maybe its been removed now.

author: ricko_uk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2020, 08:30:27 pm
content: Thank you.They still have. That's what I ended up doing.You just have to request it and explain why you want an offline installation.
Altium DBLIbs in Solidworks PDM - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: simonSD
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 18, 2020, 02:53:51 am
content: Hi,Has anyone used DBLibs in Solidworks PDM Vault?Our team consists of 3 EEs and occasional PCB layout contractors, and with growth in number and complexity of our board designs and part libraries, we are considering taking plunge to store ECAD data in Solidworks PDM vault to keep in sync with out ME friends and maintain a single release process. One thing I am still trying to find out from Altium repor Solidworks VAR is how to implement a unified shared component library. I am not interested in Altium Vault/365 right now since it doesn't keep us in sync with cross-functional design team. So has anyone gone down this path, and more specific questions are:Can we store a DBLib in the PDM Vault?Are there are any DB frontends (free or not) to use as a starting point?Thanks!

author: envisionelec
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2020, 07:49:36 pm
content: Following this with interest!
Changes to vault in AD20 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: daedalus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2020, 05:24:57 pm
content: I've been out of Altium for some time now, and just moved to the latest version. It seems that when i search for generic passive parts in Altium's content vault it pushes me towards the new Manufacturer part search dialog. This dialog doesn't have generic passives, so i have to pick specific manufacturer part numbers, which then make my schematics a mess of serial numbers. Is there a set of generic value based parts in this that i am missing? or failing that a clever way to reformat the MP search results to show value, tolerance, etc when placed?It seems like this is a big step backwards, as now i have to deal with issues like packaging at the schematic entry stage, rather then when doing BOMs towards the end of the design, and swapping generic parts with specific manufacturer part numbers. Is there an upside to this change that I am missing?

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2020, 01:03:06 am
content: It's kind of still there. To get to the old vault, and the generic parts therein, you need to:1. Set Explorer.ShowContentVault in the advanced settings (from settings, general page).2. Start the explorer panel and log into some server (your default cloud area is fine). The resultant managed area dialog has your server name at the top left. Click that and you can then select "Altium Vault Content". Voila.

author: daedalus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 31, 2020, 08:35:40 am
content: Thanks, that was exactly what I was looking for.
How to get circular ground pour? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Robert.Adams
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2014, 10:59:10 pm
content: Hello,I've been trying this for a day or so and I can't seem to get a circular ground pour in Altium 14.3. I've created a circle as an online and did convert to polygon from selected primitives. After going to the polygon manager and trying to pour the polygon I get a ground trace that runs along my other traces instead of a consistent pour. What am I doing wrong?!?

author: ludzinc
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 01, 2014, 11:09:20 pm
content: I've been caught by this one before.When you convert from selected primitives, the 'Fill Mode' is set to 'None - Outlines Only'.Change the Fill Mode to Solid (see attached).

author: Robert.Adams
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2014, 11:12:00 pm
content: Thank you so much! Ugh, I should've caught that.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2014, 11:41:38 pm
content: why so complicated ?simply draw a circle on the layer you want to pour. in the inspector : check the box that says : 'keepout'pour a simply rectangular plane and checkk 'remove dead copper'

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 02, 2014, 03:48:03 am
content: Personally, I'd draw a rough polygon around the outline and set the clearance to keep-out at something ridiculous (as it seems you're going for a fairly large pullback in this case). Pretty much what f_e said.Tim

author: ludzinc
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 02, 2014, 04:38:23 am
content: Quote from: free_electron on July 01, 2014, 11:41:38 pmYou say Po-tay-toe I say right click convert, don't draw extra rectangle.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 02, 2014, 05:13:18 am
content: Quote from: ludzinc on July 02, 2014, 04:38:23 ami can go back and alter shape , you can;t ...

author: ludzinc
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 02, 2014, 06:10:15 am
content: Wha?I reshape my outline and right click again. Simple.There's often more than one way to do something - doesn't mean mine is better than yours. I don't like your's as the neat freak in me hates Rooms / Polygons that extend past a board's edge, your workflow suits you better.The Gerbers would be the same in both cases (all other things being equal)....

author: will9twl
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2015, 07:05:12 am
content: tried what ludzinc suggestedpretty easy indeed! thanks!

author: sweetbug01
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 29, 2020, 11:43:34 am
content: Place menu -> Polygon Pourpress tab and select ground in net dropdown, check (remove dead copper) checkbox from propertyleft click and drag (+) cursor over round pcb to pour layerdouble click right mouse button.
Harness Schematics - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: tonyh88
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2020, 04:57:01 pm
content: Hi,I need to draw a lot of cable harness drawings to interconnect multiple PCBs and peripherals in a big project and I was wondering how you guys were handling that in Altium Designer. Or are you using a different software for that part?Presently the way I was doing it is that I'm creating a multi part component for every connector in which I include:1) a picture or dxf of the connector for the physical representation2) a normal schematic component with all the connector parameters embedded for the wiring connection using standard wire in AD3) extra parts if needed ( crimps,crimping tools, screws etc...)I then create a separate schematic for every harness in which I place the components just created and a table image copied from an excel spreadsheet that lists all the wiring gauge/part number/pinout etc...Something I don't like about this is that the table is not editable directly since it is an image and it requires back and forth between AD and excelIn a perfect world what I would like to be able to do is to include this table directly but I don't see an easy way to do that in Altium. Maybe in draftsman? I didn't play much with draftsman as some of our users are using circuit studio and I don't think it is compatible.Anyway if you guys have any exemple or ressource to point in how you handle this kind of work I would be glad to hear !Thanks!

author: daedalus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2020, 06:00:46 pm
content: Last time I had a lot of cables to design I went with RapidHarness, which deals with BOM for the wire parts and produces decent 2d drawings, its not free but it is very easy to use.
managing my libraries - can i edit .schlib like a spreadsheet? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: vixo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2020, 02:20:19 pm
content: I have a small library (the .pcblib and .schlib are separate files, never integrated them as im not sure why you would - feel free to tell me what im missing) and I want to add certain fields to every component in the .schlib and remove others, edit the names and get everything consistent without manually editing every single one in the edit window - is there a way I can edit the .schlib like a spreadhseet? I had a look at the .schlib file in notepad and it seems intelligible but I haven't found a way to do this through altium.Is there a way I can do this?I did skim the info about database libraries, im anticipating someone may say that's exactly what I want but it looked a bit overly complicated, maybe im wrong

author: vixo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2020, 02:47:22 pm
content: oh i found it! - parameter table editor

author: alexwhittemore
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2020, 09:58:57 pm
content: As you've found - pcblist, schlist, and (what is it, schliblist/pcbliblist?) are my favorite features across all of Altium. Eagle is finally at least getting there, but I've done thousand-pin complex programmatic pin swapping using just schlist and Excel.IntLib vs separate schlib/pcblib - I prefer to design every library item as a component, where a library component gets put down on schematic and board such that if I put the right symbol and wire it up in schematic, the thing that shows up in the BOM can be soldered to the board in that position and work. For most passives, this level of integration isn't terribly necessary, and I DO use generic components for that. But even then - you have to know before layout time that your "10uF 0805 unpolarized cap" actually exists in the world, and "before layout time" means schematic.
Altium 365 - User invited but cannot see projects - Solved - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: VermontEE
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2020, 03:20:06 pm
content: I have added and invited an outside consultant to an Altium 365 project. They accept the invite but cannot see the any projects. Has anybody else run into this problem?The user had to log out of Altium 365 and then log back in, then it worked.

author: Omicron
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2020, 03:41:28 pm
content: You need to share the project with him. Inviting him to join isn't enough. When you share the project you can specify if you want it to be read only for him or not.

author: VermontEE
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2020, 05:16:14 pm
content: Thank you for the response, but they had been invited. I also sent an invite to my home account and that worked effortlessly. Altium seems as buggy as the code I write.
fanout not work after import change from scheme - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Gioreva
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 01, 2020, 07:44:57 am
content: HiHelp, helpFanout not work after import change from SchemeAlso autorouting, only route some track.What it is imported from the board that stops me fanout?It does, whether I leave the room, whether I remove it.
Altium: How do I disable dynamic sensitivity on 3D PCB navigation? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2020, 01:45:25 am
content: When you navigate around in 3D PCB space the sensitivity of the input axis's change dynamically.When the view gets close to your PCB it gets less and less sensitive (in the depth direction) until it almost stops working altogether.(I think this is intended to stop you accidently flying too far and going straight through your PCB and out the other side)However this is really annoying, it often makes it hard to get the 3D view I want.It's annoying when using the mouse but even more annoying when using a 3D space mouse (eg 3DConnexion) and wanting to fly anywhere.Does anyone know if this can be turn off and how to do it.I had a look but couldn't see anything.
Rooms - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Spark-Doctor
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2020, 11:03:50 am
content: Hi AllI am currently using a trial of AD20 and getting along quite well. I use Circuit Studio at the moment so it has been fairly easy to migrate over but i am having a problem with the Rooms.I have completed all the schematics and move them over to the PCB. All of the rooms are created and labelled correctly. I grab the first room, move it into the PCB and move the components around. I then go and grab the second room and it will only move the room leaving all the components behind. I have deleted everything and re-loaded the rooms but it still happens.I have found that after up-loading, whatever room i move first will move ok but whatever room i move next will only move the room itself, not the components.Is this a BUG or am i doing something wrong?Many ThanksIan

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2020, 11:47:03 am
content: Why do you have multiple rooms for the same components..?Don't know that I've ever had a situation quite like that before; normally when I have components mis-named or mis-linked and tied to multiple rooms, it's a logical-or operation, i.e., the components will move with any room they are linked with; not an exclusive or first-come operation. Seems to further suggest incorrect configuration in any case.Rooms aren't too useful outside of hierarchical designs; you can disable them under Project/Options (C, O), Classes, Generate Rooms, untick for applicable files.Tim

author: Spark-Doctor
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2020, 12:30:25 pm
content: I don't have multiple rooms for the same component. I have the power rails on 1 schematic, ADC on another, Arduino on another and so on.When the rooms come across to the board, all the correct components are in the right room and i can pick any room at random, move it onto the board and arrange the components, but when i grab the next room, only the room moves, all of the components stay outside of the board.Ian

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 14, 2020, 01:13:20 pm
content: Ahh. So the components are unplaced, off board, and after touching any one room, they all stop working? Or that initial one keeps working, none others?Rooms are design rules; you can check their definitions there (D, R). Maybe they're not set to move things, or maybe it's getting un-set somehow..?Also, anything missing in Project/Component Links (C, K)?Tim

author: Spark-Doctor
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2020, 07:32:53 pm
content: Very strange outcome. I tried all your suggestions and problem persisted. Called Altium support and they got on Zoom and had a look. Turns out i was using the SamacSys Component search engine and still had the search box running in the background. When he closed it down, everything worked perfectlyThank you for your help.On a side not, very much like the software and have bought it.
Footprint not found (PADS import) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Mark
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2020, 03:16:19 pm
content: When importing PADS project files, PCB and libs into Altium I am left with a nice looking schematic and a nice looking PCB, but since PADS uses PKG_TYPE for the footprint, there is no footprint listed in the properties of each schematic symbol. Instead, the footprint name that I want to use is listed as a PKG_TYPE parameter in the schematic symbol.How can I fix this?

author: Mark
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2020, 05:11:31 pm
content: Ok, I think I figured it out. I missed an option when importing the project, there was a CELL VALUE text box that allows mapping of the footprints. Hopefully that has fixed it.
Importing Altium DXF to Solidworks Loss Of Details - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: petersanch
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2020, 09:06:31 am
content: Hello,I want to import a DXF exported by Altium into Solidworks.The DXF looks right in the SW import preview but once imported in a sketch, then all of the details in the pads for the QFN disappear.Has some one seen this before? Does it have to do with the way the DXF is exported in Altium?Cheers
Altium traps:  stuck by accidentally setting search path to root... - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Byonnem
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 07, 2020, 08:45:07 pm
content: Hi Guys,I made a mistake... I set the library search path accidentally to the root, and hence it is scanning my entire harddisk..It seems that I cannot cancel it with ESC. or any other key for that matter and thus had to force it to terminate with task manager. Which luckely only resulted 5 min of work lost.The plus side is, the program is proofing to be very stable, it was not crashing, and I did not get a "does not response" warning from windows... (which you do get from many other programs such as the adobe suite and certain autodesk programs when a user makes the same error)O well, I learned my lesson. But it still is very silly that one cannot cancel a running task...Any other traps or good Altium advise for a "young player"?M.D.S

author: Pseudobyte
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 08, 2020, 01:52:03 pm
content: Shortcuts are attached to the toolbar, do not customize the toolbar. On time i hid all the buttons because i rarely if ever use them. Doing so disabled all my hotkeys, and I was struggling to put two and two together. Here I am trying to press delete to remove a component and nothing was happening.

author: sean0118
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2020, 05:31:44 am
content: Quote from: Byonnem on June 07, 2020, 08:45:07 pmYes, when using the IPC footprint wizard don't enter a stupidly high number of pins to see what happens,not even for a joke.It turns if you try to generate a 1000 pin part the wizard breaks. Also, each time you open the wizard it automatically loads in the previous values used, so it crashes again on open...Trust me, I';ve already tried it so no one else has too.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2020, 08:20:33 am
content: Quote from: Pseudobyte on June 08, 2020, 01:52:03 pmYeah, this threw me for a loop going from 17 to 18+... At least there's an option (Tools/Preferences, System?, Advanced) to hide it without disabling the shortcuts.Tim

author: Byonnem
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 15, 2020, 08:48:24 am
content: Quote from: sean0118 on June 15, 2020, 05:31:44 amhahaha. This is now really tempting, but i'll withhold myself from doing it.Quote from: T3sl4co1l on June 15, 2020, 08:20:33 amThanks for the tip!M.D.S
I'm having trouble manually importing a part into Altium - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: seang
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 12, 2020, 02:28:34 am
content: I'm importing this transistor called "ATF-34143" into Altium. I found a file for it here:https://www.snapeda.com/parts/ATF-34143-TR1G/Broadcom/view-part/I download it and import it using "import wizard" on Altium. It imports a .PcbLib file but no .SchLib file! The tutorial I'm watching () is telling me to copy the .SchLib file and paste it somewhere, but I can't do that if I have no .SchLib. Is there a way I can make the .SchLib manually? I can't figure this out!

author: Pseudobyte
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2020, 12:56:43 pm
content: Are you sure there is actually a schematic symbol it doesn't look like snapeda has one.

author: seang
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 12, 2020, 07:06:30 pm
content: Good point, there is no schematic symbol at all... how do I import it in that case? They have the footprint.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2020, 07:30:44 pm
content: Draw your own schematic symbol or copy it from another library (open the library, schematiclib, select everything in the symbol, copy, then paste to wherever the new symbol is being drawn). Make sure the pins match up correctly.You can copy entire components in pcb/schlib and paste them into other libraries, or you can copy the "drawn" portion, whatever is more convenient. I'm sure Feranec will mention it somewhere.
Circuit Studio colour scheme in Designer? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2020, 01:02:46 pm
content: Hi, am trialing Designer after using Circuit Studio and one thing I really did like about CS was the colour schemes. Are there any ready made colour schemes for Designer that I can load in to match CS?ThanksTrev

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2020, 04:34:56 am
content: In CS go to Preferences|PCB Editor|Layer Colors  and for an action select "Save As color profile..."In AD go to Preferences|PCB Editor|Layer Colors and then "Load color profile..." and point to the file you saved above.AD doesn't seem to add new profiles to the saved list. Well, it does, but it forgets on restart. The colours remain as set, though.

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2020, 08:00:47 am
content: Thanks, Simon. Was a bit obvious really, I should have figured that one!

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2020, 08:10:59 am
content: In hindsight maybe I shouldn't have set it out quite like that - took me an age to find the first time too.In AD, the View Configuration panel is your friend. Unlike in CS, it's trivial to turn layer visibility on and off, and the View Options tab is full of goodies: transparency being the biggy. From the Configuration drop-down, select 'Altium transparent 2D' for a pretty reasonable demo.
How easy is it for Altium to... - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mpbrock
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2020, 11:52:51 am
content: If someone produces a MCAD enclosure and sends me a step file, how easy is it to create an outline to fit the enclosure and push connectors etc.. about to fit when they do umpteen revisions of it.Tried doing this in EAGLE/Fusion 360 with the new integration and it works really well - couldn't see a way to do it in Circuit Studio, altering the board outlines manually all the time (complex shape) to fit the step dimensions gets boring real fast. Does Designer have something like the Eagle/Fusion 360 pairing? Where you can import a step model and create PCB outline from that?

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 10, 2020, 12:32:11 pm
content: Circuitstudio 1.3 can make an outline from 3D body.This feature was removed in later versions, Altium must have decided it was too good to give to CS users.You can run 1.3 alongside the latest version just for that feature if you wish.https://www.element14.com/community/message/219683/l/csv14-what-have-i-done-wrong-if-board-shape-define-from-3d-body-is-missing#219683

author: mpbrock
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2020, 01:01:42 pm
content: Thanks voltsI'm guessing if CS can (or could!) do it, then Designer will definitely be able too

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2020, 01:21:09 pm
content: Part way down it details how you can take from a step file of an enclosure the outline for the pcbhttps://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-designer/pcb-obj-boardshapeboard-shape-ad
Altium forum access? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: jayk
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2020, 07:40:14 am
content: Is it only possible to access the Altium support forums if you have a paid support contract?

author: Pseudobyte
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2020, 12:50:33 pm
content: I want to say the answer is yes you need to be paying maintenance. I may not be a good source though because I have never been off maintenance.

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2020, 06:37:39 pm
content: We are no longer under subscription, but I still have access to the forum, bug tracker, etc. Maybe that will change if someone from Altium reads thisI imagine that even if you had a subscription at one time you should have access, but that may depend on when you were under subscription as policies change over time.

author: Elasia
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2020, 02:29:00 am
content: Only one that requires someone being subbed are the beta forums that i know of

author: jayk
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2020, 05:45:11 pm
content: It does seem like you can't get to the forums without an AltiumLive login. Google searches related to Altium generally return documentation pages (often for older versions), but never seem to return relevant threads in their forums. I'm currently evaluating Altium so I have a login, but I wonder if it will still work once my eval period is up. I'm honestly a little worried that I might spend $6K for a product, decide not to renew the maintenance for whatever reason, and then lose access to those forums. I can't think of another PCB CAD package that essentially puts a paywall in front of their web forums.

author: Pseudobyte
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 28, 2020, 12:55:30 pm
content: Quote from: jayk on May 27, 2020, 05:45:11 pmThis forum is much better anyways. I think the collective us can usually answer any questions that come up, and usually faster than the forum. (not to pat us on the back or anything)

author: davide6893
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 28, 2020, 05:40:27 pm
content: Quote from: jayk on May 27, 2020, 05:45:11 pmI have an evaluation license on the Altium account but I have been denied access to AltiumLive and therefore to the forum. How did you do it?

author: jayk
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2020, 02:45:41 pm
content: I also had a problem accessing their forums when my eval license started... I could log in to my account but it wouldn't let me access the forums. I talked to one of their support folks and they got it sorted out in a day or so.

author: davide6893
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 06, 2020, 11:01:03 am
content: Quote from: jayk on May 29, 2020, 02:45:41 pmThey do not deign to answer me or approve access temporarily

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 07, 2020, 08:35:41 pm
content: Maybe when you finally found a way to get on that forum, you will be surprised that the forum isn't that great
Turn off grid / shading on printed schematics - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: euzer
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2020, 10:03:06 am
content: When I print a schematic (AD20) a fine dot grid (or shading) is applied, even if I turn the grid off under preferences in the schematic. The schematic itself was set to line grid (if I use it), so not sure if the dots I see on a print off are some light shading. How do I turn this off?ThanksEdit: Fixed - the RGB values weren't all 255 under properties->General->Sheet colourMy current problem is getting net junctions to print as filled solid when I select black and white printing - they're shown as just a outline. If I select colour or grey then the junction is filled but the wires are shown in a dithered non-straight style.
Altium simulator?? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Agrum
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2020, 12:53:43 pm
content: Hello everyone.I would like to know if Altium has a simulator inside and how it works.If I understood well, it has a Spice Simulator that works with Spice models. Is it correct? Is it included in the normal license pack?I would like to know if it is also possible to made a simulation which take into account all parasitic effects introduced by the PCB design.Thank you

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2020, 09:20:52 pm
content: The simulator is just a spice simulator, it doesn't do any kind of characterization of the PCB to determine parasitics if that's what you're after. Well, it has some SI and PDN analysis tools, but those are only analysis and not simulation AFAIK. So if you want to simulate with parasitics you'll need to incorporate those into the schematic the old fashioned way.I messed around with the simulator a bit, but honestly it was too much trouble to import the required models, also some of the parts I was interested in at the time didn't have models in a format Altium could use. I remember the process being kinda clunky and poorly documented, so unless you're going to be doing a lot of simulation it's probably faster just to use ltspice or whatever instead, and deal with having to re-enter the schematic.

author: alexwhittemore
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2020, 10:35:19 pm
content: Quote from: ajb on May 21, 2020, 09:20:52 pmI usually don't do the kind of board work that merits simulation in the first place, but I had a circuit the other day I did want to verify for sure met expectations around threshold voltage and power dissipation in a MOSFET. Super simple. Couldn't even do it in Eagle, because there's no way to simulate just a subsection (sheet, selection, whatever) of the schematic. It's all or nothing. Ended up doing it in LTSpice as usual.Would love to know if Altium's the same way - never did bother to simulate anything while I was using it (other than the odd LTSpice job here and there because, same reason).

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2020, 11:02:23 pm
content: Altium simulates whatever is implemented -- if you've only added models for the relevant area, that's what goes to the SPICE engine. You will get warnings that the other components don't have models.Tim

author: Agrum
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2020, 07:22:58 pm
content: Thanks for your help!!
Altium 20 does not allow me to place components and wires on schematic - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: shykori
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 29, 2020, 05:55:38 pm
content: Hello, I'm having some problems with schematic creation in AD20.When I double click an item in components panel then click on schematic sheet to place it noting happens. Same when I try to use a place wire command.It still allows me to drag and drop components but I can't connect any wires to them and none of placing tools work. And I cleared filters still no help. May be I missing something?After installation Altium automatically imported licenses and preferences from previous version. May be they where imported somehow wrong and clear install will help?I would be glad to hear any thoughts and suggestions how to fix this.

author: shykori
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 30, 2020, 07:25:33 am
content: FIXED.As I thought fresh installation WITHOUT importing preferences from previous version fixed my problems.
The source of "Extra Pin… in Normal of part" warnings - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: snoopy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2020, 12:56:08 am
content: This has always been a bugbear everytime I compile a schematic and get tons of these types of warnings. What on earth are they talking about ?? Even the Altium online help does not make it clear what is going on with these warnings. This concept of viewing mode of the parts in the library was totally foreign to me until I came across across this website and explanation and now it makes perfect sense !http://www.programmersought.com/article/89083545460/I managed to clean up the library by deleting alternate modes with bogus footprints and pins thus reducing the number of warnings ! Now most of the warnings remaining are things like power ports connected to passive components flagging a floating port error etc.cheers
Routing through polygons in AD? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: jayk
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 11:49:37 pm
content: I'm currently evaluating AD 20. In Orcad I can route through a polygon and Orcad modifies the polygon on the fly. Is there a way to do this in Altium? So far I've only been able to hide ('shelve') the polygon, do my routing and then re-pour it.Is there a way to make the outlines of shelved polygons visible?

author: Pseudobyte
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2020, 02:02:06 am
content: I like to set the visibility of polygon's to draft and then also enable the dynamic settings in the main preferences.Preferences >> PCB Editor >> Polygon Rebuild >> check both boxesand I also likeIn the view configuration panel:View Options >> Object Visibility >> Polygons >> Draft [/]

author: jayk
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2020, 03:10:13 am
content: Thanks a lot... this is just what I was looking for.Have you used Altium for long? What's your opinion of it relative to other tools?

author: Pseudobyte
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2020, 02:18:28 pm
content: Quote from: jayk on May 19, 2020, 03:10:13 amIt is very intuitive compared to most every other tool I've used. Quick to learn, hotkeys feel pretty natural.For instance if you want toPlace aTrack you pressPthenT.Feature wise it is definitely improving. I would really appreciate quality of life improvements that exist in other tools. Shape manipulation is pretty weak in Altium where as in Allegro it is pretty fantastic. The eyedropper they added in the 20.0 release made me very happy now it isn't a pain in the ass to set nets.Altium is my preferred tool to work in.

author: Elasia
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2020, 02:33:21 pm
content: I love dynamic polygons.. just place/move the track or components and tell it to or let it auto regenerate, design rules make them pretty effectiveI usually have one large polygon on the inner layers that are not represented by plane layers as well and my tracks/kos just cut out what they need from it

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2020, 09:22:54 pm
content: If you get into a lot of polygons or complex designs, you may want to shelve some of the larger polygons while routing, that way they're not taking time to repour constantly. You can do that in the polygon manager, shortcut is T,G,M IIRC? Just remember to unshelve and repour before creating fabrication outputs!
fabrication layer output altium - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Morgoroth
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2016, 06:17:43 am
content: Hi,I've searched a lot in Altium configuration trying to get a fancy fabrication layer output like in the attached images, but without success, so if someone know the secret configuration please share it.Google hasn't been a help on this and I really want a nice output fabrication layer for my PCB.Thanks in advance,JP

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2016, 08:23:27 pm
content: Design / Board Options, Display SheetThis gives you the white background. I never use it, personally, because PCB view isn't made to work with a white background, and it doesn't do anything otherwise.Place / Drill TablePlace / Layer Stack TableIf you are using through holes, the default Drill Table settings will be fine. If using blind holes, it's probably a good idea to place several tables, and change their settings to each layer pair, or include the column that says which layer pairs a hole belongs to.To add the mechanical-sheet stuff (the row/column margins, rev block, title block), you need primitives, probably copied from another template project. I don't use these either personally, but I have customers who do.Tim

author: Morgoroth
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2016, 10:21:04 pm
content: Works great !!!, ty !!

author: dodonny
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 16, 2020, 05:01:09 pm
content: I'm posting here new information for people like me who looking for this parameter in the new version of Altium Designer.Because Design>Board Options>Display Sheet does not exist anymore.Click in gray background (select nothing) > Proprieties panel > on the bottom of the bar > Sheet SettingsI looked for this for about 1 hour... this is why I reply to this old post.

author: Pseudobyte
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 01:21:38 pm
content: Or you can just press shift+c to clear any selection.
Polygon<>polygon clearance vs. pad <> polygon clearance - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: tomex
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 14, 2020, 04:00:56 pm
content: Hi everyone,I have encountered an interesting feature (or a bug) in AD19.0.15 and have no good solution to it.Pictures are worth a thousand words so I'll try to explain with the help of a few. A rectangular SMD pad is surrounded by polygon like this:The gap is defined in design rules. However this rule is obviously not obeyed in corners of the pad - the polygon gets rectangular as well as the surrounded pad instead of keeping specified distance and creating radius.On the other hand, when you place a polygon inside a polygon the rule is obeyed with no exceptions. The corners get rounded as in the picture below.This creates an ugly design when the SMD pad is a part of a polygon.This can be solved by defining a rule for polygon <> polygon clearance to be exactly sqrt(2) times the pad <> polygon distance. This, however, solves the aesthetics but creates larger gaps which may be unacceptable.Any idea how to keep all clearances the same and still produce nice-looking design?

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 14, 2020, 04:47:15 pm
content: Know what's worse? Check the soldermask layer... in extreme cases you can end up with soldermask openings overlapping the adjacent copper, exposing it!Easy solution: don't use stupid square pads, they're ugly, their corners don't work right, and probably something about stress or solderability or something, I don't know. I prefer them for aesthetics if nothing else, but Altium's functionality on square corners is obviously an issue...If you don't want to go through your libraries, this can be done on the PCB: open PCB Filter, queryIsPad AND (PadShape_AllLayers = 'Rectangular')go to Properties (older AD: PCB Inspector), change pad shape to Rounded Rectangle, set Pad Corner Radius to say 5-30% (depending on if you want it to look basically square still, but be handled as rounded to get the right corners, or to round it off visibly).May have to insert additional steps if you have pad stacks in the design, obviously.BTW, you can do this in the libraries as well, just query and edit the whole library; do set aside some time to inspect everything and make sure it didn't bone anything up, though. The warning that you "can't undo" the operation is worth heeding.Tim

author: cgroen
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 15, 2020, 10:48:25 am
content: Quote from: T3sl4co1l on May 14, 2020, 04:47:15 pmThanks for that one Tim!I had not noticed the "Filter the whole library" option before!Regards,Carsten

author: tomex
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 09:03:16 am
content: Thanks Tim for your reply. I'm using vault-managed libraries so I'm a bit limited in editing those.Quote from: T3sl4co1l on May 14, 2020, 04:47:15 pmThe soldermask looks alright in my design.Quote from: T3sl4co1l on May 14, 2020, 04:47:15 pmThis is very good tip, thanks. Rounded rectangle with Pad Corner Radius set even to 1% makes the polygon round in corners!Tomas
Can someone please convert this 1 page ORCAD schematic to Altium. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Jester
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2020, 04:45:29 pm
content: Can someone please convert this 1 page ORCAD schematic to Altium.The version of Altium I'm using (14) seems to only import older versions of ORCADOrcad file can be found here:https://www66.zippyshare.com/v/afPlBbSx/file.htmlMuch appreciated

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2020, 05:02:19 pm
content: Hope this helpsImported, then saved as sch binary 4.0.Rename the file and jsut delete .txt

author: Jester
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 12, 2020, 03:02:06 am
content: Quote from: AlfBaz on May 11, 2020, 05:02:19 pmLooks great, thank you.
altium 19 - dragging components within schematic - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: vixo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2020, 03:18:35 pm
content: i've been using altium 19 recently and there's something bugging me - when i used altium before, I was sure that when dragging objects (components, net labels etc.) within schematics, i could drag the object without it affecting the neighbouring nets, but when i use it in altium 19 i drag the nets along with it. I had a look at the preferences, but I can't find the option that controls this behaviourdoes anyone know how I can control this? To be clear, I want to be able to drag components without moving the attached nets - the component just automatically disconnects

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2020, 06:48:54 pm
content: Try selecting the component by dragging the mouse selection area from right bottom to left top , vs left top to right bottom.

author: enz
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 30, 2020, 05:52:33 am
content: You have to hold down the Strg-key when clicking the part with the left mouse button (you can release the key once the part is moving).

author: cgroen
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 30, 2020, 06:49:05 am
content: Quote from: enz on April 30, 2020, 05:52:33 amThat will be the "CTRL" key outside of Germany I think (at least that's whats works for me)

author: enz
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 30, 2020, 06:56:30 am
content: Quote from: cgroen on April 30, 2020, 06:49:05 amUps, not enough morning coffee yet, I think

author: cgroen
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 30, 2020, 06:58:08 am
content: Quote from: enz on April 30, 2020, 06:56:30 amNo worries(but thanks for the info, had been looking for this myself a few times!)

author: vixo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 11, 2020, 09:36:06 am
content: late reply - thankyou! works great