Circuit Studio Bugs/Issues - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: LabSpokane
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2016, 03:47:02 am
content: 1. The Vault -a) nearly impossible to see the components you are searching for due to all parameter columns being enabled by default.b) Ability to copy / paste schematics and footprints from the vault to use as the basis for new parts is disabled or does not work.c) Slow vault performance2) Part Creation -a) User-created parts in CS do not have their origins set correctly (even if they are created directly on top of the origin) and will be placed all over the PCB window. This does not occur with parts from the Vault. There seems to be no mechanism by which the origins can be corrected by the user. (I have a request into Altium on this).b) There is a bug when attaching a STEP file to a PCB component. The STEP file will not attached until a simple 3D primitive is created and viewed. Then and only then will the software allow attachment of a STEP file.3) Little to no CS-specific documentation4) BOM Generation - Exported Excel files are corrupt. CSV files work fine.Unless I get a workable solution for the user-created part placement issue, I won't buy Circuit Studio. That is a total show-stopper. It makes it worse than Eagle. And not being able to re-use schematics and footprints from the Vault as one is supposed to be able to is a real drag as well.For anyone in the market for CircuitStudio, you'd do well to fly before you buy - as in generate a small project all the way though fab and make sure it works out. I beat my head against the wall for a couple of weeks and I'm pretty close to dropping it and crossing my fingers for Eagle to improve. There's a lot to like, but what is broken/crippled/undocumented renders it nearly unusable at the present time.

author: rwoody1995
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 22, 2016, 09:53:21 am
content: Copying packages / symbols from the vault in screenshots:Attachment 1. Find a part in the vault.Attachment 2. In the bottom half of the vault window switch to preview and double click package or symbol.Attachment 3. Right click desired package -> Operations -> "Clone blablabla"Attachment 4. Opens in temporary clone library, select all, copy then paste into a new component in your library.Is that what you meant was disabled/does not work?

author: IanJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 22, 2016, 11:11:47 am
content: Quote from: rwoody1995 on July 22, 2016, 09:53:21 amRight click disabled when I try anyways.Ian.

author: LabSpokane
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2016, 03:00:24 pm
content: Quote from: IanJ on July 22, 2016, 11:11:47 amSame here as well.

author: rwoody1995
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 22, 2016, 03:56:17 pm
content: Hm... well I have no idea, it's always worked for me.

author: IanJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 22, 2016, 04:22:34 pm
content: Quote from: rwoody1995 on July 22, 2016, 03:56:17 pmCS or AD?Ian.

author: rwoody1995
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 25, 2016, 10:17:52 am
content: Circuit Studio

author: LabSpokane
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2016, 01:00:12 pm
content: Quote from: rwoody1995 on July 25, 2016, 10:17:52 amWhich version?

author: rwoody1995
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 25, 2016, 01:13:29 pm
content: Still running 1.1, updating to 1.2 soondidn't think something like this would be removed in the update though...

author: IanJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 25, 2016, 01:38:21 pm
content: Hi,There is a way around changing footprints.......but has a caveat.So, you've laid down a component from the Altium Vault.....but don't like the footprint.You find a footprint in the MISC IntLib.Right click properties on the component on the PCB and you can change the footprint there. Point it to any other footprint.Downside is that if you compile and update the PCB from the schematic the footprints on the PCB jump back to the original ones.Note: I tried CTRL-C the new footprint to my own PcbLib1.PcbLib library and referencing it there.....but it resets also. The problem is because the original footprint is still referenced in the schematic and no way to change it.The only way I guess is to design your own complete library component......schem (design from scratch) and footprint (copy from any vault/library).Ian.

author: LabSpokane
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2016, 02:36:12 pm
content: I hereby award Ian the award for talented perseverance. I've had so many crashes and endless "please wait" loops that I've gone back to ... shudder ... Eagle.It's a pity because Circuit Studio has MUCH to like / love about it.

author: rwoody1995
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 25, 2016, 03:03:45 pm
content: I haven't figured out how myself yet but I was told it is still possible to properly clone vault components in version 1.2 but they made it even more convoluted than it was in 1.1 which my screenshots were from...

author: IanJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 25, 2016, 06:02:11 pm
content: Quote from: LabSpokane on July 25, 2016, 02:36:12 pmNooooooooo. Don't do it!I have to say CS is pretty good even at Rev 1.2. It has it's issues, and I have forwarded mine to Altium via my contact, but even as it is I think it's better than Eagle by quite a distance.As much as I like the Eagle GUI.......the library editing is too much to stomach. It grates on me everythime it comes to use it. The amount of times I have 'smashed' a component just to make on the fly changes has become a joke. Lazy!Saying that............AutoDesk may turn things around.Ian.

author: IanJ
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: July 25, 2016, 06:03:52 pm
content: Quote from: rwoody1995 on July 25, 2016, 03:03:45 pmInteresting......I have had a look, including creating my own integrated library just incase one of those had to be used to clone to......but no luck so far.Ian.

author: LabSpokane
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 25, 2016, 06:20:12 pm
content: Quote from: IanJ on July 25, 2016, 06:02:11 pmThe feature issues I can work around. The hangs and crashes I can't. I'm still very hopeful for CS, but the lack of response from Altium is disturbing to say the least. Generally technical support is very responsive pre-sale.It makes me sad because the routing features and ease of part creation are beautiful things.

author: RF-Tech
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 28, 2016, 04:06:41 pm
content: OK, I'm one of the first buyers of CS - and really glad to see the price drop and interest increase. I use AD every day so migrating over to CS hasn't been a problem - I'm just now getting time to work with it so if some of this stuff is old news I apologize in advance.1) You've got to be able to view your gerbers once they've been generated. In AD you can add a cam document and then import the gerbers into the cam window with a few short steps - very helpful.2) Being able to 'find similar objects' like AD would be great, if it's in CS I haven't been able to find it.3) Is there a way to add Directives to nets in CS? It has Diff Pair directive, but is there a place where you can add rules in schematic; Net Class, PCB Layout, Blanket, etc., another AD feature.4) Need to be able to quickly and easily clone a part in either library - CS allows you to clone a footprint in the pcb library and rename which is good, this is needed in schematic as well.5) A polygon pour manager similar to AD would be a helpful feature.So....I know CS is CS and AD is AD, but these features are pretty basic - hope V2.0 has some of them.About Bugs:One thing that appears to be a bug, while working in the library it suddenly stopped allowing me to double click on a component and viewing the 'Library Component Properties' dialog box - tried closing the program and reopening, nothing - kept working and few seconds later got the "Unable to get *something-something* from Altium.com", who knows what's going on, I'll try again later tonight maybe restarting my machine will clear it up.-S

author: rwoody1995
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 10, 2016, 02:29:09 pm
content: Finally got around to updating to 1.2 on my work PC as I only had it on my laptop before, the way I've found to clone footprints from the vault now is to create a sacrificial project with a schematic and PCB, place a component that has the footprint you want to copy onto the schematic, update to pcb and then in the pcb editor, right click the footprint in the PCB, hover over "Component Actions" and click "Explode Component To Free Primitives" in the sub-context menu, then just select all of it, copy + paste into your new custom footprint as before and you're done.

author: bson
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 11, 2016, 07:58:11 pm
content: Did they ever address the library cloning? I'm loathe to obtain a time limited evaluation license for something that I know isn't going to work for me. If they've fixed this I'd love to take a close look!

author: LabSpokane
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 11, 2016, 08:07:05 pm
content: Quote from: bson on September 11, 2016, 07:58:11 pmI just recently was contact back by an Altium VP to discuss this issue, among others. I haven't had time to call him back. I probably will out of courtesy, but at this point, it's pretty hard for me to seriously consider CS a contender. I think this price cut was a desperate attempt to save the product, but without cleaning up the product, it's pointless. And with it taking weeks to get a response back to simple questions, which have to be answered by a vice-president of all things, I have little hope for Circuit Studio's future.Furthermore, the only product update information I have seen is for Circuit Maker. So, my guess is that Circuit Studio will likely die as a product and at some point, a bean counter will have to recognize that Circuit Maker is a financial sinkhole with no AD licenses sold as a consequence of makers upping their game.I could see dropping $5K on a professional tool someday when the need arises, but spending $1K to be a bilge-class passenger on a rudderless ship isn't my idea of a good time.

author: rwoody1995
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 12, 2016, 08:32:01 am
content: Quote from: bson on September 11, 2016, 07:58:11 pmLibrary cloning as in cloning components from the vault to your own library? they changed the process in V1.2 but my post last month; the one right before yours, explains how to do it, its been supported since release as far as I know as I've been using CS for about 12 months now.

author: mrtn
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2016, 02:30:56 pm
content: If it's any consolation there appears to be online documentation now. (hit F1 in CS.)Net classes seem to be missing in entirety unless I'm just confused.I was laying out a PFC supply which has several HV nets so I wanted to make a class for them all..You can create rules based on net names, but that's a hassle.You can tell from what was removed from AD that they tried to make it simpler and say "well it costs less, the user should have to work a little harder..."I guess that's reasonable (maybe? ... maybe??) but it's annoying knowing how to use AD and then finding out that they just tore features out of AD to make CS.

author: Harvs
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2016, 08:06:16 pm
content: Quote from: mrtn on December 04, 2016, 02:30:56 pmYes it is, however for us that know AD, at least we know how it was suppose to be done in AD so when something is completely missing in CS you know they've just ripped the feature set out and forgot to replace it with something. I feel for those folk that don't have this background info and a left completely bewildered by seemingly adhoc missing things. For example the ability to create a design rule from the wizard and having no way of editing it.

author: Harvs
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 04, 2016, 08:24:46 pm
content: I'd like to start a proper bug list over on this forum, as I've seen posts go "missing" from the e14 forum (none of mine so I don't know why??)What's the best way to maintain a list like that in this forum?

author: mrtn
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 05, 2016, 11:42:59 am
content: Quote from: Harvs on December 04, 2016, 08:24:46 pmInteresting that you say that about e14. I did a Road Test review of Circuit Studio and they deleted my post and deactivated my account because they thought I was a spammer.

author: Geoff_S
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2016, 03:33:14 am
content: Quote from: rwoody1995 on August 10, 2016, 02:29:09 pmI'm probably missing something obvious. I have tried to follow the above, but get stuck at the "update to pcb" step - attempting to compile the project results in a slew of errors about unconnected pins. So do I need to also temporarily wire up every pin on the component in my sacrificial schematic

author: Harvs
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2016, 05:11:00 am
content: Quote from: Geoff_S on December 22, 2016, 03:33:14 amNo, you only need to care about errors as appose to warnings (things like unconnected pins should just be warnings.) Are all you schematic symbols annotated?I made a video and posted separately showing how I do this, maybe it'll help.

author: JamesH-AltiumOfficial
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2016, 06:06:46 am
content: Hi Geoff_S,For the footprint that you've updated to the PCB from the vault component, you shouldn't need to explode to free primitives. Go to the PCB and copy, Left Click the component, go to the PCB library and in the list of components, Right Click > Paste 1 Components.Best regards,James HarrimanAltium

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2016, 06:24:38 am
content: Quote from: JamesH-AltiumOfficial on December 22, 2016, 06:06:46 amWelcome to the forum James.Great to see you here.We hope you can stick around and help members with their varoius WTF moments with your products.EditBTW James, here's a good place to start looking:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/altium/

author: Harvs
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2016, 06:41:29 am
content: Interestingly I think I found a bug (or general lack of understanding) whilst doing that last video.If I import a STM32F103C6 from the vault, it does not matter which footprint variant I select in the schematic component properties dialog, I always ends up as an L variant imported to the PCB.Weird I've never seen this behaviour with local libraries.

author: Geoff_S
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2016, 07:00:43 am
content: Quote from: Harvs on December 22, 2016, 05:11:00 amThe schematic was annotated, but (by default ?) the project was set to raise errors for floating input pins. I temporarily set that to "No report" and was able to proceed.Quote from: JamesH-AltiumOfficial on December 22, 2016, 06:06:46 amThanks James. I followed Harvs video which showed the process nicely, and it does indeed work without exploding. Good to see an Altium rep in the forum.

author: JamesH-AltiumOfficial
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2016, 04:46:41 am
content: Quote from: tautech on December 22, 2016, 06:24:38 amThank you tautech! Yes I'll try to help and will keep a look out for gotchas etc.Best regards,James HarrimanAltium

author: JamesH-AltiumOfficial
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2016, 04:49:09 am
content: Quote from: Geoff_S on December 23, 2016, 07:00:43 amThanks Geoff_S. Harvs' video looks excellent.Best regards,James HarrimanAltium

author: mrtn
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2017, 01:50:23 pm
content: Schematic z-buffer stacking options missing.- It doesn't appear that you can move drawn schematic elements (bare text, boxes, lines, etc.) forward or backward.e.g. in the attached image I can't figure out if/(or how) you can move the yellow box behind the text or move the text in front of the box.In Altium Designer you'd hit 'm' which would bring up the move menu and you could send to back / send back / move to front / whatever.oh wait, I found it- I have to click 'Tools' - Move - Send to Back.This should be somewhere in the right-click menu. It just makes sense to be there.

author: mrtn
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2017, 05:11:54 pm
content: Found a bug that makes it crash:1. Place net labels ('N' hotkey)2. Press 'W' (wire)CS stops drawing the schematic correctly and crashes (yes I generated a report.) this is the first crash-worthy bug I've found in CS.OutOfMemory at 24E2E0FC.AdvSch.dll, Base Address: 249A0000.Exception Occurred InPlaceNetLabel

author: JamesH-AltiumOfficial
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2017, 05:06:39 am
content: Hi mrtn,Thank you for reporting this. Doing this is nesting commands and should work but is an unusual way to work. I noticed the screen doesn't update to show the wire being drawn, but if you right click to back out of the Place Wire command then the wire is drawn and another right click shows the Net Label being placed as expected.I could not provoke the out of memory crash that you're seeing. Perhaps the memory rose a fair bit but not far enough on my system because I don't have as much running.If this becomes a big productivity hit please let me know.Best regards,James HarrimanAltium

author: technotronix
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2017, 01:19:01 pm
content: Quote from: LabSpokane on July 22, 2016, 03:00:24 pmI am also not able to right click. Its disabled.

author: JamesH-AltiumOfficial
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2017, 11:58:10 pm
content: Hi technotronix and Ian,Right clicking cancels the current command and drops back to the previous nested command, but doesn't actually display a right click menu. If the shortcuts for commands are pressed multiple times, then each right click drops back to the previous one.While trying to provoke a crash I pressed N and W several times and then right clicked several times to see the Net Label appear on my cursor. But I didn't experience a crash because I had plenty of memory and so the memory didn't run out. I would only expect memory to run out if some sort of loop condition or other crash had occurred.If it keeps happening in normal workflow and/or you're able to show me some steps to reproduce the crash, please let me know.Best regards,James HarrimanAltium

author: mrtn
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2017, 12:48:37 am
content: Fair enough I guess - I think I would call it unintended functionality at least. I have 24 GB RAM so the "out of memory" must be something internal to CS.Quote from: JamesH-AltiumOfficial on January 17, 2017, 05:06:39 am

author: FrankT
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2017, 09:06:20 am
content: A few issues I've come across in my first day of play...1) Selecting "Open Recent" from the "File" menu will go to the recent files page, but will then immediately navigate away to the start page.2) Selecting any of the videos in the start page will come up with an error "This video is either unavailable or not supported by this browser" Error Code: MEDIA_ERR_SRC_NOT_SUPPORTED.3) If CircuitStudio is left running and the computer goes to sleep, CS will immediately crash when the computer wakes up.

author: Harvs
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2017, 10:06:48 am
content: Quote from: mrtn on January 18, 2017, 12:48:37 amNesting commands itself can be quite useful, for example I often use it to crossprobe parts then hit T to drop a text string on the assembly layer without exiting the crossprobe command.CS is still 32b, so unless it was linked to use expanded memory (4GB), it'll only be capable of using 2GB even on a 64b system.

author: mrtn
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2017, 01:00:51 am
content: Quote from: Harvs on January 28, 2017, 10:06:48 am"Out of Memory" is the most common crash/error dialog that Altium / Circuit Studio throws up. My reply was just a snarky reply to the assertion that my computer might be to blame for CS crashing.

author: GlowingGhoul
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2017, 10:33:33 pm
content: Altium CS system requirement recommends 8GB memory, with 4GB the absolute minimum.It is possible for a 32bit app to access up to 4GB in Windows.

author: iainwhite
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 03, 2017, 02:28:35 pm
content: Quote from: GlowingGhoul on March 01, 2017, 10:33:33 pmJust for fun, I checked the build options for the CS executable, and it has been linked to use large addressing i.e. 4GBCode:Microsoft (R) COFF/PE Dumper Version 14.00.24215.1Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.Dump of file C:\Program Files (x86)\Altium\CS\DXP.EXEPE signature foundFile Type: EXECUTABLE IMAGEFILE HEADER VALUES14C machine (x86)B number of sections5807A9F3 time date stamp Wed Oct 19 13:14:27 20160 file pointer to symbol table0 number of symbolsE0 size of optional header81AE characteristicsExecutableLine numbers strippedSymbols strippedApplication can handle large (>2GB) addressesBytes reversed32 bit word machine

author: Optoeng
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 09, 2017, 07:41:48 pm
content: Anyone figure out how to do Global Edits in CS? For example, I'd like to be able to change the size and orientation of all of my Overlay text with a single command. This was simple back in the Protel days, using 'Global Edit', and I see that AD has a facility for it. However, I have not found how to do it in CS. Selecting all components and changing a property only changes the property of one component. Using the Filter seems to only have the effect of highlighting filter outputs on the display and making it easier to select them one at a time.\

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 09, 2017, 11:14:21 pm
content: http://documentation.circuitstudio.com/display/CSTU/PCB_Pnl-PCBFilter((PCB+Filter))_CSFor example:In PCB filter select object=text and layer=top overlayIn PCB editor window select all 'filtered' objects by pressing Ctrl-AAll top overlay text is now selectedNow open the Object Inspector - change Text Width / Height properties as you wish.

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 16, 2017, 07:21:21 pm
content: Just digging up this old thread to add some solutions to problems discussed here...(1) Cloning components from vault(2) Net Classes - although limited compared to Altium Designer still useful for setting track width/clearance rules(3) Doing multi-channel without roomsThanks to harvie256 on YouTube (are you kicking around here?)Edit: Yes he is, username Harvsand he has posted these vids here in CS forum already, so sorry for repost.

author: Optoeng
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 17, 2017, 11:22:53 pm
content: Thanks. That works for PCB, but I have not found any similar method that works in Schematic.

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 18, 2017, 01:55:22 pm
content: I think you are referring to your previous question on using the filter tool for selecting PCB items.I agree, there seems to be no filter tool for schematic, there is the "underline" tool for highlighting a net but it doesn't allow you to select a net and change its wire properties. E.g. if I wanted to colour all ground net wires green, I have to select wires manually...unless I'm missing something. No big deal for me.Edit:I was wrong, again. E.g. to change wire properties:To select all wires in a net use the Home > Select > Connection tool and click on the net you are interested in.At the very top of the object inspector panel select "Include Only: Wires"

author: negativ3
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2017, 04:44:36 am
content: Hi,How do you get a track during routing to "stick" to component pads?I have routed a board but if I want to jog a component, the track does not move with it...Thanks

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 23, 2017, 08:40:58 am
content: Need to change your preferences first:File > Preferences > PCB Editor > General > Other > Comp Drag > Select "Connected Tracks"Then use Tools > Move > Drag ...and select the component.Usually makes a mess for all but the most trivial things so prob best just to move component then drag each track.

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2017, 09:18:49 pm
content: New bug. Serious one.After upgrade to v 1.4 license errors....I have bought a license... It seems confused by that fact. I thinks it is trial with too long expiration date...It was perfect before..I'm pissed now that I upgraded to 1.4...UPDATE: I got contacted by Altium support within 2 hours and they sorted it out. On the spot. AWESOME support!! Thanks guys!

author: negativ3
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2017, 05:31:09 pm
content: Updated from 1.3 > 1.4 with no issues.

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2017, 06:09:25 pm
content: Quote from: 2N3055 on March 24, 2017, 09:18:49 pmWhat did they do? I have the same issue?

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2017, 06:23:00 pm
content: Quote from: trevwhite on March 26, 2017, 06:09:25 pmThey did something on server side not sure what.. I complained here , few hours later I got contacted by support, gave them my info, and half an hour later they asked me to try again and it worked perfectly...Where did you buy it from? in EU Farnell has address altiumsupport@farnell.com, in US altiumsupport@newark.com ....

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2017, 06:38:03 pm
content: Thanks, 2n3055I have the trial version loaded and then bought the license through Farnell. I shall send an email using the email you provided and hopefully that will all get sorted.

author: mrtn
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2017, 12:57:19 pm
content: It looks like the Polygon Repour setting in PCB preferences is missing. When you (for example) drag a component that invalidates a polygon you receive this popup (Img 1)The hyperlink in the popup jumps to the PCB preferences, however there is NO polygon repour setting in Circuit Studio preferences.The second image is from Altium 17 which has this setting.Is it the intended operation that the user has to shelve all polygons? For small designs I like the polygons to automatically repour because it only takes half a second and gives you a better view of what's going on.

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2017, 01:12:55 pm
content: Quote from: trevwhite on March 26, 2017, 06:38:03 pmLooks like they magically fixed it for me. Thats good support and it did appear a minor irritation so no real harm done.

author: eng101
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 10, 2017, 03:55:13 pm
content: On 1.4 having major library issues.After creating a new part and recompiling the IntLib the part does not appear in the library. Instead a duplicate library is created in the libraries field of the components placement window, this duplicate does have the part but it won't allow me to place it. The only way to place the new part in a schematic is to drag it from the library toolbar on the right side of the window.After placing the part using this workaround Circuit Studio then can't find the footprint to update the PCB, so I have to go back into the part in the library, right click and update the schematic, it then works but it's a lot of steps to do something really simple and really common.

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 10, 2017, 08:07:40 pm
content: I'm not having any issues like that.Can you post your integrated library project here - or a create a new one to demonstrate the problem?

author: eng101
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 14, 2017, 03:23:58 pm
content: I figured it out, the issue is that V1.4 generates the IntLib file in the "Outputs" folder within the project directory instead of the "Project Outputs for XYZ" folder in the same directory like the previous versions. The result being that there was 2 versions of the same library installed, I had to manually remove the old one and install the new one, this sorted it out. I've noticed they've done the same renaming with the actual project outputs.Unrelated it actually generates a different folder for Gerbers depending on whether you generate them using the "Outputs>Gerber" or "Projects>Generate Outputs" which is odd (this is not new to version 1.4 though).

author: jc101
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2017, 02:04:57 pm
content: Anyone updated to v1.4 got hit by the component rotation bug?https://www.element14.com/community/thread/60122/l/rotate-component-in-14-is-terrible-helpI've gone to edit a PCB and now find it unusable, no issue in v1.3 apparently anyone know where there is an installer for that?Farnell not seeming to be offering support bar the standard "will pass than on to the developers", followed by silence.

author: plazma
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2017, 02:06:58 pm
content: Use shift+space to rotate. Otherwise the component my go of screen. Or change rotation from properties.

author: jc101
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2017, 02:10:59 pm
content: Quote from: plazma on May 21, 2017, 02:06:58 pmWow, that works a treat.What does the Shift do, it isn't listed in the shortcuts as a command?

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 22, 2017, 08:41:35 am
content: Use spacebar to rotate.Shift+spacebar just rotates in opposite direction.

author: plazma
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2017, 08:53:27 am
content: Quote from: voltsandjolts on May 22, 2017, 08:41:35 amNope. With the bug spacebar rotates the component around one of the board origins. With shift+space the component rotates around its own origin.

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 22, 2017, 09:30:42 am
content: Spacebar alone works fine for me in 1.4

author: plazma
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 22, 2017, 09:51:20 am
content: Quote from: voltsandjolts on May 22, 2017, 09:30:42 amThe bug is in PCB. In schematics rotation works.

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 22, 2017, 10:18:52 am
content: Spacebar alone works for me in PCB too, even with an offset origin.Others on the E14 site have reported issues that were fixed by using Shift+Spacebar so your right, worth trying if you have problems.

author: daqq
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2017, 04:56:59 am
content: Minor bug: Whilst importing a PCB and doing the online DRC, the dialog that shows the progress is set to be always on top of the desktop. Since this is a long operation, I can't switch between windows to do anything useful.

author: FrankT
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 12, 2017, 06:51:22 am
content: 1. When you zoom out when viewing a PCB, the net labels on pads and tracks get smaller, then disappear, then come back again as you continue to zoom out.2. In both schematic capture and pcb design, when you click on a toolbar item such as Wire, you can't then change your mind and click on another toolbar item. You are stuck in Wire mode, so every click on the toolbar actually passes through onto the schematic or PCB, drawing wires, or placing parts if you clicked on that option. I've had lots of unexplained items appearing in my designs because of that.

author: Phoenix
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2017, 11:44:04 pm
content: I've started trial circuit studio - maybe buy myself a license if I like it enough. One bug in the PCB editor so far:When I change a component footprint then push the update from the PCB library to the PCB document "Update PCB with ____" sometimes some of the overlay lines disappear, usually the vertical lines. Closing and opening the file doesn't help.In fact it also does it with horizontal lines. I.e. a square outline becomes 2 vertical lines.

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2017, 11:14:30 am
content: Quote from: Phoenix on November 01, 2017, 11:44:04 pmI would be inclined to trial Orcad as well before making your decision. I like CircuitStudio and it is what I use but the customer support is virtually zero and it irritates me to think we are left out in the cold after giving them our money. There is no schedule for updates, no proper interaction with customers. Any bug reports are just left hanging.I previously used EasyPC and must admit their customer service was exceptional. Any bug reports would get instant feedback and they would release several bug fix versions throughout the year. And you knew the next version would always be out in the summer.I spoke with UK support for Orcad and it felt like they were with you every step of the way. But with Altium it really is insulting how little client support they offer.Trev

author: plazma
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2017, 12:01:21 pm
content: Quote from: trevwhite on November 02, 2017, 11:14:30 amWhat is the Orcad price?

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2017, 12:14:36 pm
content: It depends on your distributor.America has a promo on and UK is offering something similar. I think if you talk to the country distributor they will be able to give you an idea of cost especially if you indicate you are trialing CS, etc.

author: Joel_l
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2017, 10:23:55 pm
content: I agree with this, I bought CS with moderate hopes. There are some UI and feature items that are annoying but the lack of apparent support is the most frustrating. if you look back in time a bit, there was supposed to be a 2.0 at the end of 2016. Since I bought this ( about 6 months ago ) I have only seen one update and that mostly addressed a bug that Altium introduced in a previous release.CS is usable, but if I were to do it again, I think I would go another direction. Seems Altium has no interest in the product.Quote from: trevwhite on November 02, 2017, 11:14:30 am

author: trevwhite
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2017, 10:53:09 pm
content: I actually would go so far as to say it has put me off any idea of upgrading to Designer because of the bad treatment with CS. As a company for them to just ignore everybody regarding CS it isnt the right way to go about things. So even though I like CS I am not about to give them more of my money after such treatment.

author: Phoenix
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2017, 10:53:59 am
content: Quote from: trevwhite on November 02, 2017, 11:14:30 amThe lack of bug fixes is what concerns me. There are a few niggles that I'm still getting used to...30 day trial is plenty long enough to start getting a small library of components how I like it. Might have to try some other packages. I've also heard good things about KiCad.

author: negativ3
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2017, 12:11:40 pm
content: The way the vault defaults to all columns is a real PITA. Is there any way to make a default column list of say, part no & description, Supplier & price per?

author: ahbushnell
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2017, 02:35:18 pm
content: Quote from: negativ3 on December 26, 2017, 12:11:40 pmMake a new topic.

author: tim_c
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 01, 2018, 10:54:53 pm
content: Long post - sorry, lot of content here.I sent the attached to the UK support address listed in CS. I'm copying it here to let others know about the bugs I've found and to see if we can:1. Ensure that the vendor is aware of the bugs that people are encountering. I listed a couple of those in the rest of this thread for completeness.2. Try and get some of the bugs fixed.3. Get more information to allow people to make a decision as to what they next design tool will be.4. Try and get some better engagement with Altium / Element14 / Farnell and the likely buyers of their productI'm interested to get confirmation that others see the bugs too - just so I know its not "just me"I am an Eagle user who is constantly hitting the board size limits and am looking to convert across to a more capable product as I won't use subscription based software products at all. I place myself at the higher end of the hobbyist market, so well away from the maker / shield / blinky-light space where most seem to be moving towards?. I am just an ordinary user, I have no links to any of the vendors, other than being a customer that also uses Element14 and other suppliersHaving researched the topic, I signed up for the 30 day trial of CS over the Christmas break and have watched the CircuitStudio getting started videos on YouTube). As a result of this, I have a number of questions and I've found a number of bugs that need reporting back so that they can get investigated and fixed, thus improving the product. Currently it feels like an incomplete beta release of a product that has a lot of potential if the issues are fixed.During my research, and evaluation, I reviewed the information at the EEVblog athttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/circuit-studio/circuit-studio-bugsissues/75/which lists problems others have experienced. I have included some of these issue (that are relevant to me) within the attached to ensure that you are aware of the issues and to find out what is being done to resolve them. You may want to review the whole thread to ensure that you know of all the issues.My machine is above average spec (It runs Windows 7 x64 on a quad core I7, 32GB RAM, SSD, 2 x 4K screens). I have a reliable Internet connection over FTTC. I do not experience problems in any of the other apps I use and the machine is patched up to date.Due to the problems I have encountered, I have removed the application along with all of its settings, rebooted and reinstalled, then repeated the failing operation. No errors were reported during installation on either occasion and I rebooted after install and before using CS. The installed application was v1.4.1 (build 99)It would be great to get a response since I need to make a decision on the successor to Eagle and who's going to get my money. KiCad doesn't look robust enough yet, but with NASA as a backer, this can only improve. I've not seen larger projects undertaken in KiCad which makes me cautious. Eagle is out unless they revert to sensible pricing without the subscription. I'm really surprised that one of the market leading products is so broken - with what I've found in just 3 days of testing with it. Hopefully this is just teething problems for the new user interface and Vault which will be quickly resolved.To aid others in their reviews and decisions on CircuitStudio, I've posted a copy of this note to the above EEVblog forum and I'd like to get the response out there too. This will help others and allow them to test the issues I found and see if they are relevant to them.I notice the time limited upgrade offer for £375, which is finally in the right ball-park for hobby usage. How long is this offer valid for?BTW - I wouldn't expect any hobbyist sales at £1K, that's a good amount towards a family holiday or a newer car. Even if a hobbyist was doing loads of hobby projects in a year, I still can't see any of their wives being happy with that sort of cost. Put into perspective, the budget for many projects in the hobby markets are typically <£100 - £200 for the larger ones, so spending far more than this on a CAD tool is extremely hard to justify. The sales people need to understand their potential market. We need a decent quality, capable, reliable and productive tool that doesn't break the bank. Many of us are involved in other ways with the industry and influence the upcoming generation of potential new engineers.As backgroundI started by importing an Eagle file that is a 160x100 6 layer board with 5 schematic sheets and three custom libraries, one of my components, one of externally supplied script based library objects and one for Xilinx FPGA's. The import was largely successful, with only the following issues being encountered.1. The import did not keep the sheet names, it gives generic names instead, this means that you have to manually rename them to get back to a like-for-like on existing designs. In most applications, its as simple as right-click, rename, but in CS the only options I can find are to open the existing file, work out what it was supposed to be called, do a save-as to create a duplicate of it, then save the project, then remove the now duplicate file from the project. Surely there is a simpler way - what is it?. Can you also report the import bug please.2. I was unable to import the Xilinx FPGA library, which was 40Mb in size, CircuitStudio started importing, gave a "please wait" message then crashed out. I was unsuccessful in importing the library, but found the equivalent components in the Altium Vault and will just switch to them if I go ahead. This will be a bit time consuming given the 324 pins involved. I might be able to extract the single device I'm using and just import that as a workaround. 40Mb isn't a large file in the days of GB's of RAM and TB's of disk capacity, this file should import without error.General questionsHow do you download the install files to allow a re-install in the future?I can only find the initial downloader tool, not the main installations files.There is not much point having an off-line licence file, if I can't download the application for backup purposes.Where can I find the help files in PDF form so that I can read off-line, for example when sitting on the train, or if I'm working off-line. All the application help seems to go direct to the Internet.Both of the above along with the need to use the Vault for any form of productive use implies that you need to be on-line all the time.What is the support model for CircuitStudio?There appears to be a bit of a black hole between Altium and Element 14, so exactly what does the annual subscription buy?Is it just Vault access or is there any support capability / upgrade capability in there too? If so, what does it cover and who provides that support?I have made some test diagrams by following the demo videos on YouTube, but I placed the wrong footprint devices - I work in Metric but searched for 0603 components, I ended up placing 0201 components as the Imperial equivalent of metric 0603. How do I replace the package but keep all other device attributes such as component name, value, PCB placement, etc. Eagle has a right-click, "package" option to alter just the package, where a component has multiple package styles. How do I do this for a group of objects?I am unable to find an option to replace a component with something different - e.g. if I want to replace a connector with a different form of connector (say a different footprint or a 90 degree version, etc.). How do I achieve this?The above are important to help Eagle users move to parts that are in the Altium Vault - to help with maximising value from CS and simplifying things like parts lists etc.Given that many hobbyists produce PCB's at home, how do we print locally the image files that we need at 1:1 scale, with different options for black/white only printing, reversed video, 180 mirror, etc? The Output, printing option does not offer any of these options and the Gerber files are no good for home use !I note that the CS application is only 32 bit and does not use all the resources of my computer - e.g. when auto-routing. I note that a 64 bit version of the Altium Designer was announced in late 2017 (http://www.altium.com/company/newsroom/press-releases/preview-altium-designer-18-altiumlive-2017-annual-pcb-design-summit). What are the plans to release a current generation 64 bit version of CS and is the application properly multi-threaded?I note that the file formats used by the application are binary format and not open documents like many other applications use in 201x - e.g. MS Office and its variants, web pages, competing PCB design tools, etc. What are the plans for open format documents, so that I am not tied in to one application vendor and can easily move to a successor platform at the appropriate time. Are the binary formats documented and openly available for others to write importers from?Why do I need a pie chart tool on the Schematic editor? Can you explain what this might be used for? I've never seen a pie chart on any schematic before.Farnell / Element14 provide a number of library definitions for either Eagle or generic scripts that can create the objects, how will this be used with CircuitStudio? I can find no interface to import the scripts with within CS, other than applying them into Eagle, then importing the resulting library to CS, which is not really a productive way to do that. Alternately, will you ensure that all components are present in the Altium Vault? If so, can we have a link from the component to the Vault equivalent, since its far more likely that people will research parts, their features / costs, then move to the schematic to draw it.Searching for Farnell product codes or manufacturer part codes within Altium Vault does not return matches in many cases. I thought Element 14 was behind the circuit Studio edition of Altium? How are you expecting people to easily link components from the web site back?At the CS web site (http://documentation.circuitstudio.com/) it says "we value you feedback", yet there appears to be no way to provide feedback, since the survey closed over 6 months ago. It was also based on closed questions, rather than allowing potential customers and existing customers to provide real feedback to help improve the product. Can you provide the current feedback address details please?Fixes to bugs reported by othersCan't rotate a component in the PCB editor with the spacebar - This can be done, but you can't just select the component and hit space or Shift-Space for counter-clockwise, you also have to have the left hand mouse button down in most cases. This is shown in the training video sequences.BugsAltium Content Vault - this just isn't finished. I spend more time recovering from application errors and trying to get visible data within it than selecting usable components to place. As examples:Search for the generic 2n2222, Initially, it says "All Folders, 0 occurrences", leading you to believe that there are no matches, yet when you click on the "All folders", you get 4 occurrences that are not completely non-readable as everything is x.. t.. 3.. n.. 8.. Even the column headings are the same. Stretching the window across a 4K screen still gives no readable information, stretching across TWO 4K screens gives some readable information. A list of desired columns would be useful - like you do on the Farnell web site, it is after all the same components and parameters that we are interested in !I've found the "printer icon" to the right of the search button that filters parameters (most apps use a funnel), but selecting a couple of those results in your search "2n2222" gives no results and all entries in the filter tab just disappear, so I can't change the list to refine things. Re-submitting the search forgets all the filters and starts over. This is useless.At 4K screen width, I notice that the un-readable headings have down arrow options (that don't appear until you hover over them) and you can manage to get your mouse pointer between the left hand side of the column and the down-arrow marker, you can read the heading. On a standard HD screen, this is not possible on most of the columns as the drop-down takes the available space.If I set a filter on say the HFE column of >100 and < 900, then we get two icons in the column heading that prevents viewing the column in the above manner again, unless you remove the filter first.I try to get back to the folder view by pressing the green left arrow in the top right and get a "Please wait" (which seems to translate to get ready for a crash in a couple of seconds time), followed by Access violation at address 1FD0B6B4 in module 'ADVPCB.DLL'. Read of address 00000000 at 1FD0B6B4If you are successful in extracting a component from the Vault and press right-click, the place option is greyed out unless you are already on a schematic sheet. If you want to move to one, it can be difficult to move the Vaults window out with it attempting to dock with the main window all the time. Why doesn't the place option let me choose the sheet to place it on if there isn't one it can use.For fun, I opted to dock the Vaults window to the left menu, Its completely un-usable since you just get the folder view, none of the search or output data is visible - what's the point of allowing it to dock here??If you use the Search tab for the "generic search", things get worse. I've had search results for 2n3904's return 144 pin and 100pin QFP packages, female sockets, chip inductors, etc. I currently don't trust the search tool.Some attempts to drag column widths out so you can read the t.. 3.. type text results in refusal of the UI to do this request, other times it works fine.The data on the search tab does not refresh correctly. I've had situations where a search on the search tab for 2n3904 followed by a search on the structure tab for 2n2222 shows 2n2222 data in both tabs, not 2n3904 per the search box contents above it. I've also had problems getting the search tab to refresh any data, it just refuses to search a second time, but can sometimes be coaxed by clicking around the form on other fields, then pressing search again, other times it just flat refuses. Closing and re-opening the Vault page makes no difference.The generic search does not always do a new search after the initial search completed - even if you hit the search button or press return.The search box has hung completely for 30-40 seconds before coming back. This hangs all of CS, not just the Vault Explorer, then it just jumps back into life.If you try and search using the generic search and type text "2n3904*", the search window will open a drop-down automatically, pressing return (to do a search) results in nothing happening. In all other all other apps when you hit return in a search box, you would expect them to execute a search. Within this app, you have to press tab, to close the drop-down that the app automatically opened for me, then press return. This is wasted keystrokes and not intuitive.A number of other bugs and error messages were received randomly during testing.In Altium Vault, "Refresh All" resulted in "Invalid Pointer Operation". Sometimes this is followed by "DXP.EXE has stopped working" and the whole application closes.When in system preferences, set to defaults "Privileged instruction at 000204B2., Base Address: 00020000."Searching for 2n2222 in the search tab resulted in "retrieving items" .... and we wait, and we wait ... about 30 seconds, "Please wait a moment", a second "please wait a moment" (showing different progress), followed byAccess violation at address 51EC4F53 in module 'FolderAspect_FlexibleBrowseItems.dll'. Read of address 00000010 at 51EC4F53.This repeated 8 times along with further "Please Wait" messages before I was able to get back to a working UI. Sometimes multiple concurrent "please Wait" messages with different progress bars were on screen.On another occasion, it went round an endless loop of error / please wait and I had to terminate the application after more than 12 errors.The user interface is very inconsistent and very frustrating to use, why can't I use the same commands / approach throughout CircuitStudio, rather than having to learn a new command for each component. Microsoft defines the Common User Actions (CUA) for Windows, CS doesn't use them, for example Ctrl-F = Find.As examples:1. Want to search for something - use the "type here to search" box in the top right - but it will only ever search the PCB, not the schematic., but from the schematic, use right-click, find text (or Ctrl-F) and it will indeed find the text, plus it changes the screen zoom, then pops up a pointless messages box that I have to close before continuing on - why did one action turn into 3?? There is no right-click, find component on the PCB layout tool and the Ctrl-F standard shortcut for find in all apps does not work.2. The application does not stop when it loses the focus. All other Windows applications and Linux applications stop if you not on their window - for example if you alt-tab to another window etc. If you are in CircuitStudio and doing something like routing a wire and you alt-tab to get to another application CS keeps panning around trying to route the wire, you can even move around the CS window whilst dragging the new app window, or just move the cursor and it follows the cursor location. This is not what's supposed to happen if an app no longer has the focus. eg Word does not keep scrolling, Chrome doesn't keep scrolling etc.3. Some keyboard shortcuts do not work as expected, for example whilst routing wires, right-click and escape are supposed to stop the action. Escape does not work reliably to stop routing a wire, Having the context menu and cancel on the same button is weird.4. The undo function is very selective on what it will undo, it only seems to work on about 50% of actions, change the grid or layer settings, etc - no undo, move a component, will undo.5. Keyboard shortcuts - Design Rules Check (DRC), if you double-click on the offending DRC failures, the screen moves to show the issue in the PCB, which is what you would expect. If however you try and use the arrow keys, nothing changes - other than the mouse pointer walking up and down the screen unexpectedly (as a function of the zoom level). See the "what has the focus" bug again. However if you press return, then it does move to the next/previous issue, why can't I just use up and down arrows to speed up looking at the issues. Take out all the superflurious keystrokes.6. Keyboard shortcuts - Compile Document. I'd expect this to work similarly to how the DRC works as its doing the same job, but its only consistent till you double-click onto an error line in the messages window, you can't go up and down with the arrow keys, it either just moves the Schematic up and down instead or sometimes, just moves the cursor up and down in the messages window but doesn't affect the blue bar showing which error is selected. Why is it so inconsistent and un-usable? You can however move up and down by keyboard until you click on a line. Given where the bounds of where the mouse pointer will move, it looks like the focus bug again showing through from the underlying schematic.7. The menus are all jumbled up - why are all the Save options in 3 different parts of the File menu? Save Project, Save Project As at the top, Save, Save-as in the middle, then save-all at the bottom, or Open Project at the top and "Close All" (which presumably is the project), yet it's at the bottom? Open Recent doesn't show recent projects, which is probably the only thing you will want to do, since other files are shown in the project view.8. The message window isn't a separate window in the Z-order for all OS windows, so you can't click on the Schematic view to put it behind and hide it (or say put Chrome / Notepad between it and the main app), thus allowing you to switch between the views, you also can't move it easily around as it wants to constantly dock with the main window, so you have to either put up with it taking space at the top or bottom of the window or keep closing and opening it as needed. Apps like Notepad++ uses the approach of making it transparrent so you can see the main window whilst still being able to move the cursor back of the search window to see its contents / move to the next match.9. The main application is a tabbed interface, with lots of tabbed docs for the schematics, which makes sense. Why can't things like the message window work in the same manner, then we can put it where we want it and without it taking up screen real-estate.10. The mouse wheel does not scroll up and down long lists like it does in every other Windows application.It looks like some of the developers would benefit from additional training on productive user interface design as currently, the net result for people who try and use the application and who come equipped with a knowledge of standard Windows ways of working and the way that Eagle works. This results in an unnecessarily steep learning curve and a need to un-necessarily learn the differences within each component of the application. Reducing this step by following existing standards, using consistent approaches across application components and performing better testing of the application to remove bugs can only accelerate user transition to CS.Based on the release date of Sept 2016 for the initial release of CS 1.2 (http://www.premierfarnell.com/content/altium-circuitstudio-v12-now-available-exclusively-element14-edelivery) and the initially high price of the application, I'm guessing that real-user use of CS has been fairly limited to date. I expect that the community would be more than willing to provide constructive feedback in return for resolution of the issues encountered.When is the next release expected to come out - I note that 1.4.1 came out in July 2017.Updated ? -> KiCad in 2 places.

author: e14softwareuk
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 03, 2018, 12:01:30 pm
content: Hi TimThank you for taking the time to relay your experience of getting started with CircuitStudio, lots of valuable feedback for the community and Altium. I’d like to take this opportunity to address some of the issues raised, a number of which are simply a matter of being new to the product.Help & SupportThe main contact points for technical support are the forums at element14.com/altium, our dedicated software support email software@element14.com (also recommended for bug reports) and of course you can contact Farnell front line support by telephone , live chat etc. The maintenance subscription gives you access to software updates and our technical support desk.Alternate FootprintsEach symbol can have any number of footprints assigned and you can override a footprint directly in the schematic editor. Use of these capabilities is largely down to your preferred way of working, either having dedicated symbols with one assigned footprint or more generic parts with multiple footprints. See the discussion athttps://www.element14.com/community/thread/62351/l/schematic-design-workflow-hints-please.Altium Content VaultThis vault is the same one also used by Altium Designer so the products in there are not Farnell specific, this isn’t a special set of components to keep you buying from Farnell (although of course we would love you to buy from us). In addition to the vault there are a number of downloadable libraries available fromhttps://designcontent.live.altium.com/.The supplier link feature is designed to allow you to lookup Farnell (and others) pricing from your schematic. You are correct in that the Vault interface is not ideal and would benefit from some improvements. Our best suggestion is to use the Search tab rather than Structure tab to display results because this does not add in all the possible columns.Other IssuesThe search box will search schematics but you will need to compile them first. The window docking system is very similar to many other IDEs, if you hold CONTROL whilst dragging a window this prevents docking. The message panel can be docked with other windows to create a single tabbed window, not quite the same as being able to dock with the main design sheets but it does mean you don’t need as many separate windows or regions of the main program occupied. If you need to change one or more symbols on a schematic you can use the object inspector to change the component without needing to delete the existing ones and re-add the new ones.Do feel free to browse our Altium forums atelement14.com/altiumand if you have specific issues that you need assistance with please email us atsoftware@element14.com.Peter Barnard, Global Software Applications Engineer, element14 | Farnell | Newark

author: tim_c
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 03, 2018, 09:37:45 pm
content: Hi Peter,Thank you for your response. You are right that I'm new to the product (hence the eval), but fear not, I (and I'd assume the majority of other forum users) well versed in IT and Electronics, so generally pick up new products easily when they follow recognised standard ways of working - and get frustrated by them when they don't, since we spend much of our times using Windows, Linux, Mac, test equipment, vending machines, etc and the all have a common way of working. When things work differently for no apparent reason, this is often when things go wrong.I have copied on the e-mail to the other e-mail address. How do we decide if a support e-mail should be sent to altiumsupport@farnell.com or software@element14.com. I had assumed that the latter is generic and the former, given the product name was more specific and therefore the correct one to use. do incorrectly addressed e-mails get forwarded on internally to e14 / FarnellI read the alternative footprint link suggestion, but this doesn't seem to resolve the problem, my problem isn't one about not knowing the values etc, its that I placed a component from the provided library with the wrong footprint and want to flip it to another one to correct the problem. I would have assumed that the provided Vault components would take full advantage of the CS product and allow all the appropriate footprints to be selected in the manner you discussed. We're back to vending machines again - this is how other products I've used work too.Re the vault - if you want us to buy from Farnell, then please make it easy to find your part numbers in the Vault, it does after all ask which repositories should be used for parts during install (Farnell, Newark and others). Don't forget that browsing your web site is easy, browsing the H.. B.. T.. Vault I.. N.. T.. We are all pushed for time so go for the optimum path that works best for us.Other issuesSearch - from within the schematic - Thanks for the suggestion. I compiled again, i'd already done this to get to the PCB layout. The suggestion doesn't work. I'd send a screenshot, but when the app looses the focus, it clears the search error message.. It says "no items match your search", even though I can see the component next to the message.Ctrl key to prevent windows docking - That makes it easier to move things around, thanks. Perhaps this should be added to the shortcuts link along with any others that are missing. Offline readable documents would help here too ..I'm aware of the ability to dock the messages window, this takes screen real-estate and a more common way of working is switching between panes, thus allowing the whole screen estate to be best used. This is common in all other multi-windowed applications, perhaps this is why the docked AND tabbed, but not interchangeable or playing nicely with other Windows outside the main application frame approach is so difficult to get used to.Given that windows are moved around a lot and decisions on layout preferences are used far less, would it nor make more sense to reverse those, so that a window move acts like any other window move in the OS and a Ctrl-Window move docks it. Less keystrokes and a more logical way of working.In regards to the open issues, think I've already got that covered, you have e-mails on both support addresses and you are aware of this thread. I look forward to receiving a response in the coming couple of days.I was thinking this morning, perhaps if the product manager wanted to drop by the forum and say "Hello" or provide contact details, then that may help the potential new users of CS too, alternately, the "We welcome your feedback" problem could be resolved and used to achieve the same thing.I think you will agree after reading the forum top-to-bottom that the general experiences from those who have tried the product are not great, yet we all realise the potential that you have here with the product if the stability and usability issues can be sorted out in a timely manner.RegardsTim

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 03, 2018, 09:56:12 pm
content: Quote from: tim_c on January 03, 2018, 09:37:45 pmHmm. Forums are never full of people turning up to say "it's great", those people just get on with the task at hand.I have done twenty-something mid-size projects in CS and I think its a great tool for the money.Yes, there are fixes/improvements to be made and I'd like to see a bit more activity from the supplier - but I would likely still be saying that if I'd chosen any other ECAD tool on the market.I'm sure Altium will appreciate your feedback but TBH your posts here are too long and ranty to get a proper response. Maybe pick your top three bugs and push them on the E14 forum?

author: tim_c
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 03, 2018, 10:58:59 pm
content: Valid observation re forums. So what fixes / improvements are you proposing ? What tips can and "ahhhh.. " moments can you provide to the rest of us ? What did you move from ?The reason that people seem to want to post here is because its from a reputable source and several people reported that postings go "missing" on the e14 forum - moderation to remove bad news perhaps ??Accept the point about post length, but lots of things need reporting and sorting, its not intended to be ranty. What I want to achieve is to get the tool more usable and get better engagement between supplier and potential customers, since it looks like the best ECAD option once it works for the higher end of hobby / low end professional use.I've already said that the price point is about right, by my maths and with the current offer, it works out to £250 + a years access to the vault +VATIf they fix the issues and make it workable, they can have my cash.If I had to summarise the top 3 issues, then its summarised in 4 words - Functionality, Usability, Stability and Support.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2018, 12:49:44 am
content: Quote from: tim_c on January 03, 2018, 10:58:59 pmMaybe exactly why, with your post only a few hours old why Peter chose to jump aboard with his fire extinguisher.Moderation here is very transparent and fair, just as it should be.

author: JamesH-AltiumOfficial
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2018, 03:41:45 am
content: Hi tim_c and tautech,Thank you and the other posters for your excellent feedback in this thread (and other threads like the survey thread). We're gathering as much feedback as possible for planning of the CircuitStudio updates this year.By they way, Element14 did investigate the missing posts and a generic spam trap was trapping a few messages, so it wasn't a moderation issue. This spam trap is triggered very rarely and not something getting in the way. I'd encourage posting on both forums and remember more Element14 staff can easily post on their forum, with rich content like videos, etc.Best regards,James HarrimanAltium

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 04, 2018, 08:45:18 am
content: Quote from: tim_c on January 03, 2018, 10:58:59 pmI contribute to this forum as much as I can, trying to help with specific issues that folks have when using CS.I think this is more useful than a list of my hints and tips. Some folks don't even read the CS docs before posting issues, let alone a random list of tips on a forum.Quote from: tim_c on January 03, 2018, 10:58:59 pmAhh, your cheating there, that's four issues! ..and they are too wishy-washy to get a meaningful response from Altium.Imagine you were talking directly to a programmer what specific three issues/features would you want her/him to work on?For me it would be:(1)Autosave (should take 30mins tore-enableadd in!)(2)Layer Sets(3)OutJobsDisclaimer: I don't use importers or the vault, so maybe you have pointed out issues which need more urgent work.

author: e14softwareuk
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 04, 2018, 11:38:05 am
content: Hi TimJust to confirm I've received the email you sent. I have investigated and it seems that altiumsupport@farnell.com is currently going into a black holeso nobody from our support teams would be seeing your request. I've requested for this to be fixed so please don't use this email for now, send any requests to software@element14.com.In general we (element14 | Farnell | Newark) only monitor and respond to our own forums on a regular basis at element14.com/altium. This is definitely the best place to post if you have specific issues that require an 'official' response. Discussions are also welcome and you should find other CircuitStudio users willing to pitch in with their experience as well.To help new and seasoned users we will very shortly be launching an official Knowledge Base in conjunction with Altium. This will help overcome having to search through lots of forum posts and provide high quality answers to specific questions as well as best practice articles. Watch this space as they way...Best regards,Peter.

author: ahbushnell
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2018, 03:48:35 pm
content: (3)OutJobsI vote for outjobs

author: mars01
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2018, 08:54:53 pm
content: Another bugs that I just encountered:- copy/paste is not working very well while trying to copy one symbol from a component to another component in the same SCHLIB file. It seems to be a random bug because sometimes it works but only after a session of furiously clicking on the canvas...- I can't move the opened tabs position like dragging to the right or to the left of the active tab. If the tab is opened in another window (like on another monitor) I can't drag it back to the main window. It will not dock. Also, if I try to drag a tab into an open space on the main monitor (or on the second monitor) it will not undock and create a new instance of CS. Altium Designer can do that and it seems a really simple thing to not be included with CS. It just annoys. Right click on the tab and click on the "Open in a new window" works but once separated it can't be brought back.LE: Oops, just tried one more time to dock a separated tab and this time ... it worked. What the ....

author: mars01
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 05, 2018, 11:57:11 pm
content: Now, isn't it really "fun" when you can't save anymore? Yes, I do save often but then again ...Code:Access violation at address 00B6D0FE in module 'DXP.EXE'. Read of address 00000008 at 00B6D0FE.Exception Occurred In SaveObject

author: mars01
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 06, 2018, 02:21:28 pm
content: In the SCH Inspector the option "Show Comment" visibility tick is missing. Something like the "Show Designator" tick from the attached picture.Can be useful when using the Value parameter in the Comment and that value is long (like showing different parameters - e.g value/voltage/ESR for a capacitor) and can be in the way while laying the schematic but required when looking on the schematic.

author: mars01
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2018, 06:58:25 pm
content: Another issue found.In pick and place file one can't select the parameters to include. I may need to add a Manufacturer# or a Digikey#, Farnell# but this can't be done due of lack of configuration options.We are stuck with Designator, Footprint and Comment.------Also, once I add a length rule like showed here:https://www.element14.com/community/community/manufacturers/altium/blog/2017/07/27/circuitstudio-routing-with-accordionsthen I'm stuck with it, there is no option to delete it.LE: One of the comments in the cited article mentioned this last issue and the reply was what it was. Maybe it will be fixed.

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 07, 2018, 07:34:39 pm
content: I don't think that is an actual 'issue' or bug, just an intended feature to differentiate from AD.If your assembly contractor is demanding that format then a bit of spreadsheet or python script magic should make it easier for repeat jobs.Length rule - why do you need to delete it?

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2018, 08:04:25 pm
content: I have few biggest gripes:1. Output JOBS templates doesn't exist. Look at Eagle. They actually did that one very good.2. Length tuning (meandering, accordion traces in Altium parlance). No support for differential traces, you can create rules, but not delete or edit them, and they are not visible anywhere.. Implement it right or don't implement it at all.. It exist in a marketing sheet, but it is not usable (it is broken and doesn't work).. And throws all kinds of errors that it is missing some parts of code that was torn out hastily...For example of simple implementation that works look at DIptrace...3. Eagle NEVER crashed on me.. Like NEVER.. Also, Diptrace never did either... Circuit Studio is full of bugs and errors...Honestly, if Diptrace had Push&Shove routing, it would be better tool in this range... Simpler and faster to learn and use, and more stable...I really want to like it (and there is many thing that I like). Also Altium people were very helpful when I needed support.. Plus for that... But it is a product that doesn't inspire confidence quality vise (too much crashes and bugs) and is obviously not a rounded, wholesome product, but more of Altium designer crippled by chopping of things with an axe..And it is based on old 32 bit code, that will be abandoned once Designer fully moves to 64 bit..My yearly maintenance will be due in February.. If there is no updates that show moving in the right direction, i might look elsewhere...Regards,Sinisa

author: 2N3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2018, 08:25:05 pm
content: Quote from: voltsandjolts on January 07, 2018, 07:34:39 pmBecause if you happen to create it you can't get rid of it.... And you can't disable it .....You cannot set length manually or from net (it doesn't do anything), and if you make rule from net or manual value, it keeps that length as default for all routing from that point on...All. And you can't disable it, delete it or edit it...Regards,SinisaEDIT:typos..

author: mars01
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2018, 08:25:52 pm
content: Quote from: voltsandjolts on January 07, 2018, 07:34:39 pmYou're right of course but on the same line of reasoning we can draw PCB's using Paint wouldn't you say? Of course, I'm just exaggerating it, to make my point.Regarding length rule not being able to be deleted ... the word "clutter" comes into my mind.Don't get me wrong, this is not simply pointless criticize or searching for "cracks in the surface", I just list them here once I find them so it's easier for James to "collect". Some of those might not be "essential" but it will certainly make the software "feel" more finite.-----Another issue is that even if the check-marks exists in the PCB Inspector, there is no field to actually adjust the Solder mask expansion value and Paste mask expansion value, globally. Though it can be done individually for each pad (in it's Properties).

author: mars01
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 07, 2018, 09:40:28 pm
content: Another issue found.Every once in a while I get the following message when I try to place a component on the schematic.If I just ignore it (click OK) and if I try again to add the component, select a different library and then reselect the original one, it will recognize the library and it will place the desired component on schematic.

author: Isaac_alaska
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 18, 2024, 03:45:16 am
content: just started using circuit studio, went all through the "from idea to manufacture" tutorial, and then built one small board. now i'm on my second, larger board, with more parts, finally got the schematic done and i'm ready to compile. i'm receiving the following error:Quoteis there any known fix or things to try for these type of problems? figured i would post here while i try to work my way through it.-Isaac

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2024, 06:44:03 pm
content: What OS are you running it under?

author: Isaac_alaska
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 18, 2024, 09:07:19 pm
content: Quote from: PlainName on January 18, 2024, 06:44:03 pmI'm on windows 10, restarting the computer and program again seems to have taken care of this issue this time.now i'm dealing with extensive "off grid" warnings although as far as i can tell every pin is properly on the grid. ignoring the warnings seems to be okay, for now

author: EE-digger
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2024, 11:03:30 pm
content: Extensive off grids can occur if you placed parts on a smaller or larger grid than the wiring. On Altium Designer, I've grabbed an entire sheet of components, zoomed in close and moved the entire group onto the proper grid.I don't recall if CS has the tools to do that. Only dropped by here by accident. You can look for object selection filters and choose parts but not wires if possible.There could be other causes, I'm not sure.Good luck.