How can I reuse "Generate output" options? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: sebmadgwick
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2017, 03:32:35 pm
content: The "Generate output" feature generates the BOM, Gerber files, schematic pdf, etc. It understandably requires quite a bit of setup and has allot of options. The setup is saved to the *.OutJob file so that the user does not need to repeat the process each time they generate outputs. However, the *.OutJob file is not portable between projects. This is a problem.Many users will want to use an identical setup for every project, and when a different setup is required, it would be far more convenient to create this by modifying a existing setup rather than starting from scratch.Is it possible to import/export the "Generate output" setup to/from a project? Does anyone else find the absence of such feature problematic?

author: Harvs
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2017, 09:02:05 pm
content: Yes absolutely, you just need a text editor.Copy it out somewhere as a master, then open in a text editor and search replace the relevant bits. I don't have it in front of me what they are, but it's quite obvious if you scroll through. I have it setup with a script.There's also lots of options in the outjob that you can change in a text editor that they haven't added dialogs yet in CS. E.g. you'll most likely want colour schematic prints, so change the PrintKind field in the print options to =0. Or if you need to print a mono instead of gray scale, change it to 2.There's quite a few of these sort of things buried in that file. I also switch off the useless BOM page and use the csv output.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2017, 10:35:11 pm
content: Preface: I don't know how stripped-down it is from AD.I like to use an OutJob where all the output filenames are set up thusly:The output names themselves are basic, i.e., "Schematics", "PCB Prints", "Gerber", etc. The Output Containers have the setting: use custom filename,=ProjectName + ' ' + OutputName + ' Rev ' + RevisionAnd the outputs all auto-generate e.g.Sprong Flanger Schematics Rev 2.pdfSprong Flanger BOM Rev 2.xlsxSprong Flanger Gerbers Rev 2.gbletc.The variables are pulled from Project Options/Parameters.Tim

author: sebmadgwick
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2017, 11:17:30 pm
content: I briefly tried modifying the *.OutJob file content before my original post but I was unable to successfully reuse a file in a different project.It is good to hear that Harvs has been successful in this approach. I will try again.

author: Harvs
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2017, 08:55:37 pm
content: I'm interstate on a job, if you don't have any luck when I get home in a week l can post my scripts for it.

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2017, 10:05:31 am
content: I edited the printkind parameter and it made no difference. I changed every instance of it I found in the the output file and it still printed greyscale.Maybe they disabled some of these features better than we thought. I can live with black and white but its a shame. Sure there is probably another workaround somewhere.Bit frustrated that I can't change the location for all the settings file. I can save and load from somewhere else but for example the template file for a schematic, I can not change its location to a dropbox folder so that I can sync between computers. When I create a new schematic it will only allow me to set the template from the Altium folder location. I have to create a new schematic and then change the template to the one in dropbox. Again it is not the end of the world and the schematic template is a really nice feature. I suppose it's just being organised.UPDATE: My mistake on this. I tried it again on a new project and it worked. Strange.