hybridfree/eevblog-posts huggingface dataset:
Default Soldermask Stop - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Sparky49
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 18, 2018, 05:58:32 pm
content: Hi,I've just received a batch of PCBs with soldermask covering many of the pads. Fortunately I was able to scrape this off so this run isn't useless, but it seems I have changed a setting somewhere which results in the top soldermask stop not being applied when I place a pad in the footprint editor. I have tried searching for what this setting might be, but with no luck. Is there an option I should specifically check, or have I borked this right up?I am using Altium Designer 14.3.Thanks in advance.

author: r0d3z1
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 19, 2018, 11:20:06 am
content: 1) check you gerber2) check your solder mask expansion rules

author: ANTALIFE
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2018, 05:09:27 am
content: Like r0d3z1 said, check the Gerbers you sent to the fab house. To be safe I would load them into a program other than Altium CAMtastic, like DFM Now (https://www.numericalinnovations.com/pages/dfm-now-free-gerber-viewer)

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2018, 08:49:33 am
content: PCB Filter Panel, query:IsPad AND SolderMaskOverridePCB Inspector Panel: untick Solder Mask Override.D, R (Design / Rules), find the soldermask expansion rule, set to a typical value like 3 mil (from pad edge, not hole edge!).As said, never hurts to check your gerber output either.Tim

author: Sparky49
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 20, 2018, 02:02:35 pm
content: Thanks guys, fixed it. Was an error in the soldermask expansion rule.Normally I would view them on GC Prevue or the JLC Gerber viewer, but on this occasion I skipped that to go on holiday.It's always that one time it isn't checked eh?Lesson learned.

author: UStralian
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 26, 2018, 05:47:53 pm
content: Your fabricator should also have caught this, and if not, you should maybe look for a new fab. You can add notes to your fab drawings to specify that soldermask shall not intrude on any surface mount pads (and make sure the pad master is included in your gerbers). The exception is SMD (solder mask defined pads) where the mask opening is smaller than the pad copper, but these can be identified manually if you ever use them.
Pin swapping - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: harsam9
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 15, 2018, 11:00:36 pm
content: Hello,I have a high-level schematic which only contains sheet symbols whose ports are wired together to define the inter-sheet connections.I am trying to do pin swapping on components contained in a schematic which is referenced by multiple "copies" of the same sheet symbol, i.e. one schematic -> 4 sheet symbols. Altium is not happy when I try to push the pin swapping from PCB > schematic, the ECO fails with red crosses.Is there a specific way to approach pin swapping when dealing with a several sheet symbols that reference the same schematic?Thank you!

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2018, 08:34:38 pm
content: Are you trying to swap the pins on all instances of the schematic sheet, or only on particular instance(s)? I don't think the latter would work, because the underlying sheet would have to be different for the different instances.Can you share the exact messages you get when you try to push the swap back the the sch?FWIW, I haven't messed with pin or part swapping since like AD15, because at the time it was just plain broken. I'm not sure if it's gotten any better, I haven't bothered to try it since.

author: harsam9
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 22, 2018, 12:27:22 pm
content: Hello and thank you for your reply. I managed to get it working in the end, so for anyone that is interested...I got rid of the multi-sheets and instead made unique sheets for all the sections of the design.I separated the wires and nets so that they "floated" on the schematic sheets as per the attached screenshot.Under Project > Project Options I set to allow pin swapping by, "Adding/Removing Net-Labels". This ensures that your schematic symbols remain intact.
IC Design Toos - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mingming
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2018, 03:49:43 am
content: Is altium going to develop IC Design Toos?https://www.altium.com/resources/investor-announcement/technologydaypresentationfy19.pdf

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2018, 04:06:34 am
content: According to that logic they will also be a component distributor, semiconductor manufacturer, and PCBA house.That's just some lame marketing slide.

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 17, 2018, 10:19:07 pm
content: Taken in context of the presentation, they're looking to expand from the design process into the procurement and manufacturing processes. They already have a ton of the design tool market captured, so it makes a lot of sense for them to get into procurement tools (Octopart) and manufacturing management tools (Ciiva), because ultimately those are all very closely related. These are sensible lateral expansions into adjacent product areas, whereas expanding into PCB fabrication, IC design, semiconductor manufacturing, etc, would all be much more substantial vertical moves.Honestly, there is a real opportunity to provide legitimate value to the users by providing better integration of the design, procurement, and manufacturing management areas, and that was the ostensible reason for the acquisitions of Octopart and Ciiva. Honestly I would love to have better procurement and BOM management tools right there in my CAD software, but only time will tell if Altium will turn this strategy into something really useful to the majority of their customers, or something that is useful but far too expensive (like Nexus/Vaults), or if it ultimately becomes a dead-end boondoggle like the FPGA/MCU tool integration.
AD16 pcb layout, understanding selectio with "shift click to select" - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: starman18
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 17, 2018, 01:12:31 pm
content: After years of use, I still haven't figured out how to efficiently select an object in AD layout. I use a lot of polygons and rooms - so at times they're stacked up and so selecting a via can be tricky!Reading the docs doesn't make it more clear -https://www.altium.com/documentation/15.1/display/ADES/PCB_Dlg-DefinePrimitivesSelectableWithShift((Shift+Click+To+Select))_ADbut the words in Preferences -> PCB Editor -> General -> shift click to select suggest that you can avoid selecting items by check those primitives in 'shift click to select'. So I select everything exect the type of items I'm working with (today its vias). After checking everything but vias, I return to my layout and right click, drag a via and the selection dialog pops up asking if I want to drag the track or via!What am I missing?TIA!
Multiple 3D bodies to one 3D body - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: csheldon
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2018, 11:13:30 pm
content: Hi all,I want to create altium library for plug-in screw terminal block. I need 2 pin and 3 pin versions.I have found 3d models of 2 pin versions. Is it possible to create 3 pin version out of this? (author says it is possible)And how to do it in Altium?Thank you very much for your answers

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2018, 01:40:48 am
content: You don't do this in Altium, you do this in a 3D CAD program. Fusion 360 is free for hobbyists and small businesses, and cheap otherwise, and works quite well for this sort of thing. If you don't want to go to that much trouble, you could place two of the 2-position versions into the Altium footprint, with one position overlapping, but that would be a bit gross.

author: Wan Huang Luo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2018, 03:01:22 am
content: I can tell you how if you use unigraphics NX 9

author: Mechatrommer
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2018, 06:26:30 am
content: Quote from: ajb on November 10, 2018, 01:40:48 amright...
Synchronise active BOM manager and schematic user parameters - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: pascal06
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 09, 2018, 01:26:08 pm
content: Hello,I'm discovering the "active bom manager" in Altium Designer 14.I understood the whole concept, but I think there are missing some functions, I guess (maybe I haven't discovered it yet):is there a way to synchronise -or- do a sort of "backannotation" from an "active BOM manager" to the corresponding user parameters ?You may know that pairs of parameters like "Suplier x / Supplier Part Number x" are added in a schematic component, when you right-click on it, and add a "supplier link".As this, when you first create an active bom, theses parameters are used to populate the "BOM catalog".Now, you can add "solutions" for each component, by e.g. adding other supplier links.But it seem at this stage there isn't a way to synchronise theses informations back to or add user parameter in schematic...Thanks in advance.Pascal

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2018, 04:00:01 pm
content: I don't think there's anywa way to move data in that direction by design. It would be counter to the general workflow that Altium embodies.I think you can get supplier parameters out through BOM outjobs, though.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2018, 04:11:33 pm
content: Seconded, I'm not aware of any direct method.As for indirect -- you could output the columns in the BOM (as above), then copy-paste them back into the spreadsheet view. Might be tedious, but meh.Tim
Show the parameters from a component in the schematics - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: tiraxinas
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 08, 2018, 01:44:11 pm
content: Hi,How to show the parameters from a component when the component is selected in the schematics?Regards

author: veryevil
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 08, 2018, 01:59:46 pm
content: Properties windows. There is a parameter tab

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2018, 05:43:39 pm
content: More specifically, you can turn on the visibility for a given parameter in the parameters tab of the properties window, and then you can select the parameter in the schematic to control the visibility of the parameter name separately from the value as well as control its visual style.
Power plane Clearance and Expansion - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: snoopy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 08, 2018, 12:36:45 pm
content: I notice the default values are 20 mils for both clearance and expansion. Seems a bit excessive especially for fine pitch through hole parts.I would have thought 10 mils was enough.What do you use for this setting and why ?cheersdave
Outjob BOM generation - redlines - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Kanc1erz
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 27, 2018, 09:15:19 am
content: Hello,I noticed that some of the projects have "red lines" to the output container, like in the image below:BOMs are generating normally, everything looks fine, however I am a bit anxious about it. Can it be fixed somehow? Or what is wrong?Thanks in advance for the reply.

author: Kanc1erz
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2018, 11:45:09 am
content: Anybody? Still curious about it

author: halexa
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2018, 12:33:15 pm
content: Here you gohttps://www.altium.com/documentation/18.0/display/ADES/((More+about+Outputs))_AD

author: Kanc1erz
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 07, 2018, 01:48:53 pm
content: Thank you so much! As simple as it is
AltiumMS.exe - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: kaadam
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2015, 11:17:37 am
content: Hi!Does anyone know what AltiumMS.exe is doing in the background? (http://prntscr.com/8lraxd) It's pretty anoying, i hate when my notebook has to turn on the fans and i don't do any hardcore job....Thanks!

author: cjurczak
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2018, 06:43:14 pm
content: I know this post is quite old, but I have stumbled into the answer. The AltiumMS.exe is only active when I have placed solid works parts in the 3D view.
AD18 solid region does not adapt a net name  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Warhawk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2018, 06:54:50 am
content: Hello everyone,I have a following problem:A solid region in the layout does not accept a net name if it is placed over an object that is already connected to a net.This should work. As the matter of fact, it has always worked in AD17. In my AD18, I need to rename every single region manually. This is a productivity killer. My company has recently switched to the AD18.1.9. We have our own user environment configuration and the nice guy behind it sometimes likes to fiddle with settings which I would rather never touch. For this reason, I am not sure if this is a bug in our user environment (settings) or in Altium Designer.Could someone with AD18 please check this behavior?Thanks, Jiri

author: Fgrir
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2018, 05:20:21 pm
content: I see the same behavior here with more or less default settings on 18.1.9, but interestingly placement of a fill will still pick up the net of an underlying trace or pad. There is even a little pop-up asking which net to connect to if you place the fill over multiple nets. Seems like a bug to me.

author: Warhawk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2018, 06:17:25 pm
content: I've just accidentally discovered that when i try to modify the polygon it picks up the net name.It is a bug then

author: Fgrir
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2018, 06:35:10 pm
content: Quote from: Warhawk on October 25, 2018, 06:17:25 pmAh, so it does. At least place/modify seems easier than manually setting the net. Looks like you don't even have to modify the polygon, just grabbing and releasing one of it's handles seems to be enough to trigger the net name pickup.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2018, 07:20:14 pm
content: Has not it always been like that? Same happens for vias.

author: Warhawk
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 06, 2018, 06:47:13 am
content: Just for the completeness - Altium confirmed that this is a known bug with no date for fix.
I have some pads which overlap the edge of the board - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: snoopy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2018, 12:10:36 pm
content: I have some screw holes which have a pad that overlaps the edge of the board and is giving me an online drc error with a keepout barrier I use around the board. I would like to include a pullback using a keepout like you can do with the polygon fills. Is this possible to do with pads or any other copper that is to close to the edge of the board or do you have to edit the gerber files to do this ?cheersdavid

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2018, 03:19:28 pm
content: Pads are primitives, so I don't think there's any way to carve them up.Does the hole intersect the edge?If not, you can simply set the pad size to a minimum and then draw the pad shape as a polygon with mask expansion enabled. Unmasked polygons with a pad in the middle to establish electrical connection to the schematic symbol are the way you get arbitrary pad shapes in Altium anyway.If so, and you don't need it plated, you could just draw the pad shape as a polygon and make the part circle of the drill part of the board outline. If you need it plated, you could either ignore the error and call out your intentions to the PCB fab, or draw the polygon and tell the fab they need to edge plate the appropriate area.

author: snoopy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2018, 03:47:47 am
content: yes the holes clear the edge of the board. It's only the pads that extend out to far.cheers
PdF layers  printed in corner  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: gogoman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2018, 01:17:28 am
content: Hi Hi Inherited a PCB design, printing the PCB the layers are placed in the right hand cornerhow is this correctedthanks

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2018, 04:01:06 am
content: Is there an object (it may be small, lines or the like?) in the top-left corner?Tim

author: ANTALIFE
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2018, 05:17:24 am
content: Besides the small/hidden objects like T3sl4co1l said, make sure that your print area is selected as "Extents" and not "Display"
Alternate parts parameters - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Giaime
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2018, 11:14:32 am
content: I have a design in Altium 18, with multiple variants: 2 are "effective" variants, a third one was the "default" one ("[No variations]").There is a component that is present in all variants, however it has alternate parts: an inductor with 2 different values, same package, same everything. Both components are from the Vault.I initially placed one of the 2 values in the design, before creating the variants.After creating the variants, in one of the variant the component is "Fitted" (which means no variation), in the other variant it is "Alternate Part". I choose the alternate part from the Vault in the following window that popped up.However I cannot seem to find a way to edit the component parameter of this new part I choose as an alternate.If I click on the part on the schematic (both on the "normal view" or the "compiled view"), with either of the 2 variants active, it still shows the parameters for the first part I placed, not the "alternative" part.In the Variant Management window, the parameters in the "Component Parameters" tab in the bottom of the window are not editable, no matter what combination of clicking, right-clicking, copy&paste, etc... I use.A solution that should work would be to clone the parts from the Vault into a local library and edit the component parameters in the library, then use an alternate part from the library instead of from the Vault. But I would prefer not to.Anyone can shed some light?
Altium Designer Draftsman export/print to PDF - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: halexa
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2018, 01:18:39 pm
content: Hi,Don't know if this is a bug in Altium or if I'm doing something wrong.I have a draftsman document with squares that have an ANSI-37 pattern fill with 50% opacity. When i export or print the Draftsman document to PDF the fill is missing.And i tried to change the opacity to 100% and it doesn't matter.Any clue, anyone?

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 24, 2018, 09:07:39 pm
content: Never used draftsman but maybe its the Altium PDF exporter - maybe try printing or print to XPS/PDF.If all else fails, your screenshots look OK to me

author: halexa
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2018, 08:03:37 am
content: I caved in and went with a solid fill with 50% opacity. Did not found a work around for ANSI fill
jobout file help - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: gogoman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2018, 05:15:12 am
content: Hi It's a challenge to generate pdf and setting up a job file. Can some explain how to print each layer on a separate sheet.the other problem is the tittle block is mirrored when the bottom layer is printed, how can this be fixed?If someone has a template which they would not mind sharing, it would be a great help.thanks

author: julianhigginson
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2018, 04:38:05 am
content: I assume you're talking about printing a PCB document?rather than doing a "pcbprint" from the outjob, these days you'd be better off setting up the drawing in draftsman, and then printing the draftsman document from your outjob.Draftsman is actually very useful, and I found it had a pretty minimal learning curve once I decided to start using it.

author: gogoman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2018, 01:06:15 am
content: I figured it out, but I wish it was better documented.I'll look into draftsmanthanks f
Frankensteining two welders together  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ZombieWelder
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 22, 2018, 12:39:36 am
content: Hello dear internet folks!I'm rigging a drive motor that's a bit oversized for the cheaper harbor freight machine. The circuit that drives the 24v DC motor produces only 22v that's not enough particularly when I add the gas magnetic valve. My all purpose power supply makes the motor happy with 0.65A and 25V , the gas valve pulls about 0.4A .I'm having hard times uploading pictures .It seems 24v AC coming in drives a big 220v contactor that switches the power to the main transformer, some of that 220v gets down to 24dc by a rectifier? 892h-1ch-c no7/nc5A. Wich drives the motor. The speed I'm guessing is changed by a triac jrf730 and potentiometer B470k there's a tiny IC I can't make out the numbers of and some capacitors and passives I don't think matter but IDK I'm a noob:/Any help much appreciated! !!Sent from my SM-G870W using Tapatalk

author: ahbushnell
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2018, 01:41:02 am
content: You are in the wrong location.Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

author: ZombieWelder
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 22, 2018, 01:47:08 am
content: Oops,Thanks I'll repostSent from my SM-G870W using Tapatalk
Multi body parts - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: owiecc
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 23, 2018, 02:06:06 pm
content: How do you handle parts that are somehow physically connected together. I mean e.g. a PICe connector, card latch and PCIe card itself.In schematic I would prefer to have the card pins and its designators visible.In PCB editor I need to have the correct distance between the PCIe connector and edge latch.For production I would need two separate components because I need to buy them separately and assemble them separately.Is there a smart way out (single component that has two parts included) or do you just have two separate components (connector and latch) and annotate the pinout in the schematic?

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 24, 2018, 08:44:38 pm
content: It's strictly one component, one part unfortunately. You could use snippets to sort-of simplify placement, but that's about it. Or maybe include some reference markers in a mechanical layer within the footprint to make alignment on the board easier.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2018, 04:47:04 am
content: Multiple parts on the schematic, to generate multiple parts in the BOM. If you like, you can attach a [mechanical, no pins] footprint and position it over the main component, so the 3D model looks right and the pick-and-place file agrees.Set the Description, or a Note or something, on the mechanical parts, so the BOM says where they are to be assembled (e.g., "ATTACH TO J5").Alternately, create a second-level BOM that lists everything that plugs into the board after soldering. And so on, into the box build, if applicable. Components on this level are beyond board scope, so shouldn't be managed in Altium anyway -- a separate spreadsheet or database or MCAD or whatever system would handle that.Or make schematics for everything and generate them from Altium, what do I care?Tim
Activating my NanoBoard 3000 Altium license - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Arznei
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2018, 05:00:58 pm
content: Hello,I am completely new to this whole Altium stuff. I just recently bought an Altium NanoBoard 3000 which was never used by its previous owner and should have an unused Altium (Softdesign) license still available. I did manage to install Altium Designer Summer 09 and it does recognize the board and offers me to register my 12 months subscription. However when I try to actually register my account with the software I get the following error message:Error from portal1.altium.com : 500 Internal Server ErrorError from portal1.altium.eu : 404 Not FoundError from portal1.altium.com.cn : 404 Not FoundI understand the board is pretty old and the Altium Designer Summer 09 is also old, but is there a way for me to activate my license? From what I can tell using Altium Designer is the only way to program the NanoBoard so it would be a real shame if it were just bricked like that.Thank you for any help!

author: ANTALIFE
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2018, 11:00:13 pm
content: Have you had a look here:https://techdocs.altium.com/display/ALEG/Altium+Designer+Summer+09+-+DownloadsAlso are you you using a private licence?

author: Arznei
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2018, 06:28:22 am
content: Thank you, I have had a look at that site and downloaded the updates for the software. However I am not sure what to make of the Private License Server. I wouldn't mind to install it but currently I don't have a license - I'm trying to generate one, but Altium just shows me the errors.As far as I understand the NanoBoard has a unique ID and when starting Altium Designer it connects to the board and tells me there is a license available for it. It just seems the old version of Altium Designer (Summer 09) can't talk to the current activation servers. I tried using portal2 instead of portal1 but that didn't help either.Is there a way to download newer versions of Altium Designer from their website? I tried signing up for the 15 day trial but so far I only got an email telling me someone would get in contact with me. I was hoping maybe I can use a new version to activate the license for the old version?

author: Arznei
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2018, 11:33:53 am
content: Well I just had a conversation with Altium support and they basically told me the NanoBoard is no longer supported and they don't have any way to activate the license for me. So basically that NanoBoard can now be considered a brick, since programming should have happened through Altium Designer.

author: ANTALIFE
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2018, 11:31:19 pm
content: Yea had a feeling that might be the case, see my PM
why I can not make keep-out lines in AD18 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ali_asadzadeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2018, 11:42:19 am
content: Hi,I'm using altium 18.1.9, In the PCB when I try to draw some lines in the keep-out layer it automatically switch to the Drill Drawing, and also in the properties windows it does not list the Keep-out layer as a selectable layer!Do you know what's going on?

author: ANTALIFE
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2018, 06:38:24 am
content: Heh never realized it changed. By the looks of things now you have to go:1. Change to "Keep-Out Layer" layer2. Right click anywhere in window then -> Place -> Keepout3. Choose what you want to place4. Place object and the modify what you want to keep out

author: mengfei
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2018, 06:27:05 am
content: or you draw a Mech Layer > select all (you want to keep out) > tools > convert >Convert selected primitives to keep outor select all layer you want as keep out > copy > go to keep out layer > edit > paste special > paste on current layer

author: mairo
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 08, 2018, 08:41:06 pm
content: Quote from: mengfei on October 08, 2018, 06:27:05 amI believe this is not possible now with AD18 (I think was introduced in later AD17)

author: mengfei
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2018, 03:43:51 am
content: Quote from: mairo on October 08, 2018, 08:41:06 pmi'm using AD18 & this is what I did.

author: mairo
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 09, 2018, 10:43:52 pm
content: Yes, you are right, I just check it as well. In the past I always used to convert between layers from the quick properties window - e.g. b/w a keepout to mech, or vise versa, but from AD17 (one of the latest releases) it was changed so that this quick change was not available any longer. I even contacted AD to see what is going on. Theirs response was that this was not possible any more and keepout primitives would just be able to covert only to available copper layers and nothing else - it sounded very strange to me at the time as I did not get the reasons behind the change, but did not dig deeper on this.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2018, 04:05:34 pm
content: The keepout layer is deprecated. you should no longer use this as the indivudal objects now have keepout possibility.
Polygon won't connect to ground - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Plecto
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2018, 10:55:02 am
content: I suddenly came over a weird problem that I've never encountered before, my polygons won't connect to same net pads. They do connect if I choose 'hatched' instead of 'solid', they will also connect if I change the polygon connect rule to 'direct connect' instead of 'relief connect', but I don't want my polygons hatched and I don't want direct connection. Can anyone help me?

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2018, 11:22:36 am
content: can you post your altium file, or make a new file with the same issue.Then we can try to figure out what rule is causing your problem.

author: Plecto
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2018, 11:52:46 am
content: This is a work related project so I can't post it here. The problem is not with any other projects so I'm afraid I can't replicate it either.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2018, 12:19:36 pm
content: drag a box around the entire PCB, copy/paste it into a copy of another project without the issue.i'm pretty sure this is a design rule issue though, there will be some odd rule configured somewhere.You could just start deleting all your custom rules until it starts working.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2018, 04:03:55 pm
content: make sure that 'pour over all same net object' is checked
PCB Filter stupidity - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2018, 07:35:30 pm
content: This drives me crazy. One would expect thatIsTrack OR IsVia OR IsPolygonwould be sufficient to select all of the copper objects in a PCB, but because the PCB Filter does not distinguish between (copper) tracks and (non copper) lines, you also get all of the lines on every layer. Okay, so let's addAND OnSignal, surely that will filter out all of the stuff not on signal layers, right? Nope, OnSignal doesn't do shit.OnCopper? Also does fuck-all. Even free 3D Bodies on mechanical layers get included! MaybeOnTop? Nope, still get all of the lines in any topside components, even though component primitives are locked. There's alsoOnTopLayerfor some reason, maybe that will work? Nope, same asOnTop.Okay, different tack.(IsTrack OR IsVia OR IsPolygon) AND (Not InAnyComponent). Hey, that works! But what I actually want is free copper not attached to a net, so let's addAND (Not InAnyNet), and. . . now I get polygons that are DEFINITELY in nets! WTF? Okay, strikeOR IsPolygon, and okay, that does exactly what I want, except I also wanted polygons, but oh well.I don't often try to do compound filters like this--has the PCB filter always been this bad, or is this new in AD18? Am I just doing something wrong?

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2018, 08:05:58 pm
content: Are you not using parenthesis/operator precedence correctly?(IsTrack OR IsArc OR IsFill OR IsRegion OR InPoly) AND OnCopper should work fine. Or shorten that to skip any you're not using (or add any I've forgotten).That might be a catch, too. Polygons are (as far as I know) a sort of hidden union object containing regions. So IsRegion grabs region objects as well as the copper inside polygons. Another oddity of AD.Disclaimer, I'm still in AD16 so I'm not sure if this has changed.Tim

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 23, 2018, 09:26:39 pm
content: I tend to over-parenthesize as a rule, doesn't help. Playing with it some more, it seems like IsPolygon is not compatible with (Not InAnyNet):(OnCopper AND (IsTrack OR IsVia)) And (Not InAnyNet)works.(OnCopper AND (IsTrack OR IsVia OR IsPolygon)) And (Not InAnyNet)does not work (tracks and vias are selected correctly, but it selects ALL polygons).I had forgotten about InPolygon, that also doesn't work with (Not InAnyNet) but in a different way:(OnCopper AND (IsTrack OR IsVia OR InPolygon)) And (Not InAnyNet)selects tracks and vias correctly, but does not select ANY polygons.Simplifying it to justIsPolygon and (Not InAnyNet)orInPolygon and (Not InAnyNet)shows the same problems.Okay, that's at least a specific enough problem to take to BugCrunch so Altium can ignore it for the next ten years.IsTrack and OnCopper does seem to work now, I swear it didn't before, but I could just be losing my mind.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2018, 04:02:43 pm
content: (istrack or ispolygon or isvia) and onsignalgrabs all on signal layers. does not include planes.
Planar inductor in PCB - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ali_asadzadeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2018, 06:17:46 am
content: Hi,I want to keep the inductor Trace width and spacing to a fixed value, I do not know how to do it in altium, since all the tracks have the same net, do you have any Idea how to implement it?

author: mrpackethead
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2018, 06:35:01 am
content: Build it as a component, then bring it in as a part. Albeit a part that is ony made up of copper on the board.

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2018, 06:40:59 am
content: Set up a grid where the spacing is equal to your terrace width + space to make drawing the coil easier. Use a net tie to prevent shorts between the ends of the coil.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2018, 06:50:44 am
content: Yes, make a footprint and assign it the Net Tie property.Tim

author: ali_asadzadeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2018, 08:12:40 am
content: QuoteThe problem still remains, how to make a footprint! preciselymaking sure the trace and spacing remains the same.

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 24, 2018, 03:01:43 pm
content: For a square coil as you've shown, just set up the grid so that snapping to it will give you the correct center-center spacing of your turns. Setting the trace width should be obvious.For more challenging shapes you can use a more sophisticated drawing program to create the shape and then import this as a DWG. You will probably still need to do some massaging.

author: ali_asadzadeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2018, 06:10:02 am
content: QuoteThanks for the tip

author: mengfei
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2018, 06:29:13 am
content: I remember in the Old Altium someone make a plugin for that but it was spiral

author: ali_asadzadeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2018, 01:27:39 pm
content: QuoteThanks, do you have the name of that plugin, or can you share it?

author: mengfei
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2018, 03:50:42 am
content: Quote from: ali_asadzadeh on October 08, 2018, 01:27:39 pmwill try to look for it somewhere in my drivein the meantime try thesehttps://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/231746/making-planar-transformers-in-altium/231756

author: Gribo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2018, 11:34:20 am
content: https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/231746/making-planar-transformers-in-altium

author: ali_asadzadeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 09, 2018, 12:39:46 pm
content: Thanks
I CANT LAYOUT PBC LİBRARY - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Christmas
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 04, 2018, 05:57:58 am
content: Hi im a new learner and ı have an issue ; ı cant install pbc library for layout ı go to patch but ı cant find in computer the pbc library which ı already made how can ı solve that ı can find sch library but ı cant find pbc

author: Deridex
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 06, 2018, 08:30:37 am
content: Welcome to the Forum.But i am sorry, i don't understand what you are talking about. Could you explain your problem a little bit more ?

author: mengfei
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2018, 06:06:30 am
content: two ways:you can just open your Library by double clicking it or inside Altium, just double click yourpcb.lib or yourpcb.pcblibor in the "panels", click on panels > select Library > Libraries > Install
Change default grid type - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Araho
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2018, 07:24:56 am
content: I'm struggling a bit right now - can't seem to find how to set my default grid type to Lines and not Dots.I know how to change it for each document/project/library, but currently I need to set it every time I start something new, which is annoying. I don't see this setting in PCB Editor -> Defaults, nor anywhere else in user-wide settings.Anyone know how to set this?

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 28, 2018, 06:50:32 pm
content: I think you have to change this in your default file template. Somewhere in settings there's a section for file templates, so if you change the grid settings in the PcbDoc file you find indicated there that should change it for all of your new PcbDocs in the future.
View PCB in 2D and 3D at the same time - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: cgroen
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 20, 2018, 02:49:34 pm
content: In Altium Designer 17 (and 18?) is it possible to have two instances of a PCB open at the same time where one is showing the board in 3D and the other is showing it in 2D (for placing traces etc) ?I think the answer is "no", I have not been able to find this info anywhere but thought it would be better to ask here

author: dtb
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 20, 2018, 03:41:27 pm
content: I can't speak for Altium, but I know you can do it in OrCAD. It's not a new feature, but there is an animated GIF on the Sneak Peek page for the next release that shows it:https://www.orcad.com/sneak-peek**Full disclosure, I work for Cadence.
Routing from end of track changes layers or switches on keep out ! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: snoopy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2018, 12:15:40 pm
content: I've had this issue on many different versions of Altium. Sometimes when interactive routing from the end of an existing track that is not completed the silly router will flip over to another layer and start routing on another layerI find I have to delete tracks back to the nearest pad and restart the route again. The other thing it does time and time again but not always is to start a route with the track keepout option enabledWonder if anyone else has experienced this and perhaps there is a simple fix for it but ca be very annoying after a while ?cheers

author: mengfei
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2018, 02:25:25 am
content: I think this never happened to meanyways you could try:- must be on the current layer when you start to route- try to use single layer mode (shift + S)- when you start to route the uncompleted track, check if it snaps at the end point of that track before starting

author: snoopy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2018, 11:31:04 pm
content: Yes thanks, I believe I have tried all of that at some stage or another. Anyway I will just live with it for the time beingcheers

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2018, 08:34:46 am
content: Are you not just clicking through to a trace on another layer? That's the only time I've ever seen routing change active layers.Tim
3d issue  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: hw01.jt
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 10, 2018, 11:20:11 am
content: hiii created footprints of male headers of 2.00 mm pitch, but when i run that script on altium designer it shows me half 3d view of component . so can anyone suggest me what should i do to get proper 3d view of component.

author: kuikmaa
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 10, 2018, 03:33:42 pm
content: What script have you run?In your PCB library, you can go to:Place -> 3D BodyChoose "Generic 3D Model"Click "Load from File"Choose your step fileClick "OK", and place the model on your footprint.When you press "3" to go into 3D mode, you should see the 3D model.
AD18 - Stop automatic compiling of schematic - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: SVFeingold
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 17, 2018, 03:58:44 am
content: Pretty much what the title says. Every time I perform any action in a schematic in AD18, such as adding a wire or net label, moving a part, etc. The whole thing freezes up for 1-2 seconds and says "Compiling..." down in the message bar. I can't seem to find an option to disable this. I disabled the Online DRC in the PCB Editor settings, but that didn't do it. There must be a similar option for the schematic editor, any idea where I might find it?

author: mengfei
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 17, 2018, 07:34:45 am
content: mine does that also, compiling, but in a split of a second so it's really unnoticeable when I edit the SCH.try to reset your settings to the default settings in the tools/preference/system/general/advancealso in the project/ project options & see what happens.I remember someone asking this in the Altium Forum
dxf importing problem - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 09, 2014, 10:21:34 am
content: I have to import the pcb outline as a dxf but nothing is imported, altium simply zooms out and pans toward the top right corner.In the import window the outline dimensions are recognized.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 10, 2014, 09:12:45 am
content: If i import the dxf and set the unit as mil or inch altium correctly imports the dxf but not in mm. Any ideas?

author: mengfei
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2014, 09:31:59 am
content: Altium can only import Ver.12 DXF from autocad, AFAIKis it that format.did you also try to fiddle with the settings in the import page?

author: huseyinozdil
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 12, 2018, 01:18:30 pm
content: Hi i have also importing problem.I have a referance design .dxf file , when i import it to autocad there is no problem but when i import with altium the curves turning to straight lines and its resolution drops badly. Please help me

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2018, 06:56:00 pm
content: What are the shapes in the dxf? If you have polylines or splines, try exploding/flattening these into lines and arcs.

author: mengfei
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 13, 2018, 07:34:18 am
content: the problem with Altium, even AD18, when importing DXF files is that make those curved lines in reverse order & make them into million small little dots which makes the pcb file load & refresh forever!AD18 now directly imports DWG files, when doing so change the mil to mm.

author: huseyinozdil
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 13, 2018, 08:53:37 am
content: Problem solved.Thank you @ajbHow to solve;1-Import DXF file in Autocad2-Select All item with ctrl+A3-Run Explode command4-Save as other formats, (i choose Autocad2013 drawing .dwg)5-Import new .dwg file in Altium.And be happy
[solved] diff pair headaches - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: aandrew
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2018, 03:59:17 am
content: Hey everyone,I'm not new to Altium, nor to using differential pairs in Altium, but I cannot resolve this compile error regarding diff pairs.The circuit:I have USB_D_P and _M (and FTDI_D_P/M). I've got the pair clearly marked with a diffpair directive, and hovering over the wire shows the wire is picking up the net name. The compiler, however, flags two related errors:1. "Missing Negative Net for differential pair , positive net ", and2. "Missing Negative Net for differential pair , positive net "?! It thinks that my USB_D_M is the positive net for a brand new pair, not the negative net for the USB_D pair!It's also complaining about that for FTDI_D and FTDI_D_M, but that's just the same issue with another diff pair.I have two dozen other diff pairs on other schematic sheets without this problem.I've tried adding diffpair directives on the nets at the USB connector J7, I've tried renaming the nets so there is only one underscore (for _P and _M), I've tried nuking the net names/directives and adding them back... this is maddening!

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2018, 05:48:50 am
content: The suffix for the negative side of the pair should be_NFYI, you can use a single diffpair directive attached to the blanket to set the diffpair property as well as the class.

author: aandrew
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2018, 04:36:32 pm
content: Thank you. I did not even see that. Of course it works now. I'm an idiot.