hybridfree/eevblog-posts huggingface dataset:
Placement rules - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2021, 05:09:17 pm
content: I've noticed 1-2 versions ago, that there are new placement push and shove rules applied. So I cannot place components to close to each other. And it still applies, after I turn off the rule. It seems to be completely broken with anything that is rotated by 45 degrees.How do I make it stop?

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 23, 2021, 09:48:13 pm
content: Can you show a screenshot?Are you using a 3D body for the part to correctly define it?

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2021, 03:07:15 pm
content: Quote from: thm_w on November 23, 2021, 09:48:13 pmIt would probably be a video.I have 3D model for each part.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2021, 03:18:59 pm
content: Found it, this was driving me crazy. It's in: Interactive routing/Dragging/Component pushingThis is not routing, this is component placement!
Can't rotate a schematic symbol anymore! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: k5xh
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 28, 2021, 05:25:54 pm
content: I've been using AD 19 for several years and have been able to figure out most strange things that occasionally come up. But I had one yesterday that I can't figure out and its driving me nuts!I was working on a new schematic. When I started everything was acting OK. I could have a resistor symbol floating on the cursor and hit the space bar to rotate it into the proper orientation. In the middle of placement the ability to rotate with the space bar went away!Hitting the space bar while holding a floating symbol now puts a little green check mark by the symbol and it does not rotate.If I hold the control key down while hitting the space bar it will rotate the symbol.I have rebooted and started over but the problem persists.Anyone have any ideas as to how to get things back to "normal"?Thanks, Mark

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 28, 2021, 09:22:48 pm
content: They changed the default from move to drag, something like that.https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-designer/sch-dlg-schprefsform-grapheditschematic-graphical-editing-ad?version=18.1Try changing the "Always drag" option in preferences->schematic.
Altium simulation not working correctly?? :o - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ricko_uk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2021, 09:14:00 pm
content: Hi,I use the latest Altium (updated a couple of days ago) and I was trying to simulate a circuit and was not giving the results I expected.So I simplified it over and over again until I got to a very basic resistor and capacitor circuit. And it still does not seem to work.For example in the attached resistors/capacitor circuit, changing the resistor values of R1 and R2 (even by very large amounts) does not change the results...The sim setup gives "green" on all setup checks...Attached is the full schematic/sim.Am I doing something wrong?Thank you

author: mkissin
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 26, 2021, 11:14:57 pm
content: I haven't used the Altium simulator, but have you checked...If it's like a lot of other SPICE packages, 1M = 1 milliohm. Try setting them to "1Meg"

author: alexwhittemore
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2021, 03:16:23 pm
content: mkissin is absolutely right - you've shorted input to VCC. I make this mistake like twice a week. Gotta be 1Meg

author: ricko_uk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 27, 2021, 03:53:58 pm
content: Thank you mkissin and Alex,yes that's what it was.
How to unroute and reset component placement - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: nick39
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2021, 01:49:00 pm
content: Hi,I have a project that has all the components placed and routed. I would like to know how can I unroute everything and reset all the components locations so that I can place and route everything again.Thanks!

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2021, 04:30:52 pm
content: On the route menu, select 'un-route' (at the bottom) then 'all'.For the components... I'd just select them all and drag off-board

author: Pseudobyte
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2021, 02:26:45 pm
content: If you select all your components you can reset the placement with. T >> O >> O

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2021, 07:22:58 pm
content: Mind that polygons, regions, etc. may or may not be "unrouted" in the process, and you'll have to delete them separately. (I almost never use the feature, I think most types are removed but polys stick around?) Also mind locked objects if any.I find it handy to keep some of the initial placement; the arrange-components commands tend to randomize things. I guess if you're going for a complete cold start that's useful, but even a bad (but complete) placement is still a good starting point. But YMMV.Tim

author: alexwhittemore
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2021, 08:50:04 pm
content: Quote from: T3sl4co1l on May 07, 2021, 07:22:58 pmCan confirm - "unroute" doesn't kill polygons, you have to delete them. Also, I like the shortcuts U-U-N (roUte, Unroute, Net) and U-U-A (roUte, Unroute, All) although I only really use the first.Agree with Tim that having SOME placement is a better starting point than not, but I'll add:If you're going to the extreme of completely ripping out all routing and placement, might as well just start with a brand new .PcbDoc. Maybe you need to keep design rules or something? I think you can get away with highlight all>delete then Design>Import fresh.
Altium API paste special? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Cloud
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2021, 08:15:10 am
content: I am trying to make a script, that would select all the objects from one layer and paste them onto different layer. But in API documentation I can't seem to find paste special. There is one example, but it reads element by element and redraws them onto different layer.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2021, 08:24:31 am
content: You select everything, open PCB list panel (view menu), and edit the layer it's on.Takes a few seconds, unless you do this very often, I dont think making a script is worth it.

author: Cloud
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2021, 09:46:26 am
content: I have to edit cca 10k components so I would rather have script that does this for me

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2021, 10:33:25 am
content: Quote from: Cloud on April 15, 2021, 09:46:26 amIf you select all components at the same time, than it takes the same amount of time to do it than 1 component.Excluding online DRC and whatnot.

author: Cloud
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2021, 11:10:20 am
content: Quote from: tszaboo on April 15, 2021, 10:33:25 amSorry I wrote a big misleading, I have to add this copy of the layer on pcb library with 10k + components

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2021, 04:27:42 pm
content: So you need to specifically duplicate some items?Then, more than layer change is required. (Layer and other parameter changes can be done across a library, given a suitable query; the operation cannot be undone, so save the library before doing it.)I'm not familiar with the scripting engine, but I would suspect a copy-all, paste-all is not available on libraries; you'll have to iterate across all parts and do it. So, whatever calls are needed to enumerate or increment the current view, and select, duplicate and change objects in that view.Tim
Oddness with rooms - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: angust_uk
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2021, 07:44:32 am
content: Hi allI'm using a few rooms in my design to copy placement and tracking, but I've got to an odd point where some traces associated with one room seem to move with a second one (which overlaps but is on a different layer). The attached image hopefully helps explain - the room on the right is fine; when I move it, only parts from that room move, but the ones on the left show me dragging a room around but taking with it traces from another room.Am I misunderstanding what rooms should do? All I want to do is copy the part location and traces from one room to several more and be able to continue to move them around independently.EDIT: just realised it looks like animated GIFs don't work! Hope the above description is clear enough

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 12, 2021, 01:59:40 pm
content: Yeah, overlapping rooms don't always behave... sometimes they grab whatever's in their bounds (so, whichever one you grab, picks up the overlapping stuff), sometimes not... and polygons don't reproduce at all (unless that's been changed recently, I forget).It looks like you're using pairs of rooms here, maybe you should add a hierarchical level, one up from these, that includes both? Then there's no overlap, it's all in one room. (Just disable the unused rooms in Project Settings/Classes.)Tim

author: angust_uk
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2021, 08:23:42 am
content: Many thanks Tim; I'll give that a try!
Polygons ignoring board outline clearnce - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Wor3d
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2021, 09:36:20 am
content: Hello, I am using latest (21.2.0) version of AD21 on W10 machine.Until yesterday everything worked fine, but today I found out after repouring my polygons that they started to ignore the BoardOutlineClearance. Interesting is, that they follow the rule around board cutouts (route tool), but not alongside the edge of the board. I am attaching the picture.I have tried: Shelving polygons, repouring all, deleting/dupicating the rule, creating manual rule under Clearance (with custom query), restarting AD21 and restarting my PC.Thank you very much!

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2021, 10:26:40 am
content: I never got the point of that rule anyway, regular clearance does the same thing.Tim

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2021, 04:54:19 pm
content: What version are you on? I was just doing some testing here and I'm also seeing polygons respect the clearance rule around cutouts but not around board outline on 21.2.0 Build 30. Same thing on multiple boards, including ones I designed on March 3, which was right before 21.2.0 was released. So this looks like a regression.Aha:https://bugcrunch.live.altium.com/#Bug/15474Per a user there, there is a workaround:QuoteThat works for me.

author: Wor3d
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2021, 08:52:56 am
content: Wow, what a find. Thanks a lot, that fixed it. It's funny how they can manage to break stuff with every update, but the new features make me update every time

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2021, 12:33:34 am
content: they have a hotfix for that

author: Wor3d
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 04, 2021, 10:19:27 am
content: Yap, I am always on the newest version. Fixed now
How can I customize the help panel ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Lymon
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 03, 2021, 09:28:37 pm
content: Hello, I'm new to Altium designer. I need x and y coordinates while drawing. There are these coordinates at the bottom. However, after 1 second, it starts showing keyboard shortcuts in this section. How can I make x and y coordinates constant in this section. I want to turn off keyboard shortcuts helper. Thank you

author: penfold
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 03, 2021, 10:14:48 pm
content: Which version are you on? Also, is that the symbol editor window?That bar along the bottom is called the "status bar" if that helps with googling, unfortunately, I don't think it is editable (I may be wrong). In version 21.1.1 the coordinates are on the left-hand side of that bar and don't disappear for any reason.If you are concerned with placing the line/wire at a known position, you can draw it to some arbitrary shape and then edit the XY data in the "properties" panel. You can invoke the properties panel (if it's not already visible) from the "panels" button on the right-hand side of the status bar.

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 04, 2021, 09:18:29 am
content: My preferences for drawing with fixed coordinates in PCB:(1) If possible, just set the grid spacing to match requirements and use that.(2) Otherwise, use Edit > Jump > Jump New Location (hotkey J L) and type in coordinates.(3) Last resort, for more complex shapes, use some MCAD software to create a DXF and import that to altium. I use SolidEdge 2D (free with registration)But just realised you are in schematic editor. Jump still applies. But, hmmm, not sure what you are trying to achieve.
Sheet symbol annotation not working - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Wor3d
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2021, 10:04:26 pm
content: Hello fellow Altium users (especially those lucky ones with Altium workspace enabled).We are trying to get the "recycled" sheet symbols to work, basically we want to make templates (like "24V input protection") which then everyone can use without re-inventing the wheel, or having to search old projects. Feature itself looks okay, but we are unable to annotate the old schematic properly, or re-annotate the new ones. I always end up with duplicate designators. I tried the official altium advice, but to no help. I am attaching some pictures.
Stack multiple =Name in output job naming scheme - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Fire Doger
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2021, 07:53:03 am
content: Hello,I am wondering if it is possible to have multiple =Name in file names separated by an escape character or bracketsWhat I want to achieve is to export the file names something like ProjectName_Date_DesignerID.xxxI tried with comma and encapsulating in '' but didn't work

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2021, 06:21:41 pm
content: Looking in my standard outjob file I have this, which seems to work:Code:=ProjectName+'-'+OutputNameSo seems you need to have only one '=', concatenate things with '+' and any literal strings need to be enclosed in single quotes. I don't recall seeing this really documented anywhere, I think I got to this via trial and error.
PCB footprint for a dome switch - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: barbqman130
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 13, 2021, 11:03:56 pm
content: Can anyone explain how to create a footprint for a dome switch in DXP 2004? Is there a component for this?Thanks,Dennis

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2021, 05:13:57 am
content: It's the same as creating a footprint for any other component. Have you looked at any of the wide range of library creation tutorials that are out there? Where are you getting stuck?

author: Pseudobyte
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2021, 03:50:13 pm
content: If you are refering to making pad shapes that are not circular or rectangular in nature, you can use fills/regions.Draw the shape you want and then place a small pad within the shape on the same layer. During layout you may need to update primitives from connected nets (shortcut combo d -> n -> u)

author: kimlanbu
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 16, 2021, 01:42:07 pm
content: Find the switch in mouser and select one with 3D model and layout. It is the easiest way.
Net Names and Net Labels - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: BitsnBytes
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2021, 04:37:03 pm
content: Hello,When I export PDF of my schematics, net labels and net names does not appear in PDF. I have checked all the settings but could not find out where the issue is!!Regards.

author: Batang
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2021, 02:53:45 am
content: Go to Preferences-->Schematic-->General and uncheck Render Text with GDI+See if that helps.

author: BitsnBytes
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2021, 08:23:20 am
content: QuoteThanks I will check and get back.Regards

author: kimlanbu
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 16, 2021, 01:27:29 pm
content: Did you zoom enough ? If you are using especially foxit reader, it does not render until some zoom value.
Layer Transparency grid not showing - Version 17.1 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Mikekoz13
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2021, 01:06:23 pm
content: In my Layers config screen under the transparency tab the grid of layers for adjusting individual layer transparencies is not showing. This is in version 17.Any ideas anyone?Thanks for any help!

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2021, 03:27:10 pm
content: What happens if you uncheck "only show used layers"?

author: Mikekoz13
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2021, 04:07:26 pm
content: Nothing...the grid choices are still not there.
Copy command makes Altium freeze for ~10 seconds - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: beeboopbeep
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2020, 06:49:27 am
content: Hi everyone,I've recently installed Altium Designer 20 on my PC and my laptop and I'm seeing an odd issue on my laptop where when I copy a component on schematic sheet, the whole Altium program freezes for approximately 10 seconds and then finishes the copy command. I don't see this copy command issue on PCB editor on the laptop.. I don't see the schematic copy command issue on my PC and everything works without issues on my PC.I don't believe it's a performance issue with the laptop (it's a brand new 2019 Razer Blade 15).Has anyone had the same issue with Altium copy command and if so, did you find a fix for it?Thank you for your help!EDIT: SOLVED!!!The issue was with the service Print Spooler and some nasty combination of network printing service (PaperCut) and HP printer. I didn't know that Altium Designer specifically uses Print Spooler service for all copying commands but it does... (more details here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/altium/why-does-it-require-the-print-spooler-service-for-simple-copypaste-operation/).The previous issues I've seen from Google search was that their Print Spooler Windows service was off so it gave some error when using the copying command. However, my laptop's Print Spooler service was on and I had a default printer already set and I never got an error; just extremely slow copying command where Altium would freeze. I had a hunch that it had to do with my network printer app that I had to install for my office called PaperCut where it directs all printing jobs to the office printer via network. I uninstalled PaperCut as well as removed the HP printer from my printer list. After, everything works smoothly!

author: JuniorJack
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2021, 10:37:47 am
content: Hey,Sorry to bring up an old post, but that advice really helped fix the same issue with AD 20 working installation that happened seemingly out of nowhere.All i had to do is delete two network printers.Thank you!
Altium: How do i remove this gap between the stackup layers in 3D mode - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 18, 2020, 11:08:29 pm
content: I'm using Altium 20.1.14Anyone know how to get rid of these gaps between the stackup layers in 3D mode.My Flex pcb is 0.1mm thick and the stackup confirms this, but in 3D it's more like 2mm due to all these gaps.

author: Pseudobyte
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2020, 05:34:45 pm
content: can i get a screenshot of the layer stackup window

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 22, 2020, 07:20:25 am
content: Thanks,Yep, will post pic in a few days.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2020, 03:39:00 pm
content: there is a slider in 'view configuration , second tab' where you can 'explode' the board. check that it is set to 0

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2020, 11:53:46 am
content: Quote from: free_electron on October 25, 2020, 03:39:00 pmThat was one of the things I checked. but it was already zero

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 26, 2020, 08:20:53 pm
content: Some more pics.That grey block in first pic is a 0.1mm height extruded 3D body with 0mm standoff for reference.So looks like issue is with the top coverlay layer. Other layers look ok. Including bottom coverlay.

author: Pseudobyte
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 28, 2020, 01:30:38 pm
content: I can't seem to recreate the issue you are seeing. I tried your stack-up as well as adding different board regions trying to break it. I am running 20.2.5Sorry i couldn't help

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2020, 01:03:41 am
content: Thanks anyway,I might try to make a brand new project, see if that has the issue.I can always move everything to the new project.

author: Helloworld33
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 11, 2021, 06:17:11 pm
content: Did you ever figure this out?

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2021, 10:20:42 am
content: Nope
Auto Release License on Program Close? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: katzohki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2016, 07:14:05 pm
content: Any way to set up Altium Designer to auto-release the license when you close the program?

author: Kelbit
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2016, 10:16:03 pm
content: Why would you want such a horrible feature? If this was implemented properly, Altium wouldn't be able to sell nearly as many licenses!But seriously, if anyone knows, this would be great. We're constantly running into this problem at work - someone finishes up with Altium, closes it and walks across the building to do something else while the seat is still tied up for a few hours. We have five seats between eight EEs and we're a consulting outfit, so this can cause serious problems sometimes.

author: katzohki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 09, 2016, 08:01:51 pm
content: Hey I got really busy moving right after I asked.Seems like this is firmly in "feature request" territory. We would definitely like to be able to do this or at least time-out "viewer only" licenses.

author: bolerm
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 03, 2021, 02:46:30 pm
content: Couldn't agree more. Trulyannoyingandbad design.Vote on implementing automatic release of shared licenses here:https://bugcrunch.live.altium.com/#Bug/5688And pass along to other users. More votes => more likely implemented

author: SilverSolder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 03, 2021, 02:49:48 pm
content: You could use something like Macro Express to create a Windows macro to "release license and shut down", and distribute that to all the users - and require them to shut down using that macro.

author: halexa
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 04, 2021, 07:50:23 am
content: Voted
Can Altium import projects and libraries from Mentor Graphics PADS 9.5 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: AndersJ
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2021, 05:55:23 pm
content: I am considering moving from PADS to another pcb CAD program.Q1. Does Altium offer eternal licensing, as in buy once and use forever?Q2. Can Altium import PADS 9.5 projects, footprints, schematic symbols, decals, parts, libraries etc?

author: dmills
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2021, 03:55:31 pm
content: Yea, AD licenses can work that way, note that support is an ongoing cost, if you want to get the updates, and you generally want to stay about a year behind, they are a bit notorious for the "Does it compile? Does it Link? Well then ship it already" school of software testing.I have successfully imported .asc layout from Pads9.5, never tried for a schematic.What does not seem to do anything very sane is import from DxD (Spit!), but DxD is not even that reliable at loading its OWN work, I hated that tool.
Import of Orcad/Allegro Footprints Into Altium Designer - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: nsingh
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 25, 2021, 09:57:23 pm
content: I'm using Altium Designer 21 and have successfully 1) imported my Orcad schematic (*.DSN file) and 2) imported my PCB file from Orcad PCB Designer/Allegro (*.BRD file) and have 3) done component linking (by reference designator) successfully.However, when I look at a schematic part in Altium, it says "no footprint found." It still lists the fooprint name originally listed from the DSN file, but apparently no footprints were ever imported or put into a unified library?I'd have thought the footprints would have been extracted from my *.BRD file.What am I missing here? Thanks for your insights.
Too few Symbols/Footprints ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: IamSynthetiC
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2021, 04:13:07 pm
content: Greetings, I first started designing my own board and schematics on EasyEDA, then i moved to KiCAD, and finaly to Altium. One thing i liked about KiCAD is its simplicity, its vast collection of symbols and footprints, and they way i can associate one with the other through the footprint manager. That way, making a schematic is very easy.When it comes to designing the PCB though, i prefer Altium. But I feel Altium lacks the variety of symbols and footprints KiCAD offers. and I find myself spending more time building them from scratch, or searching for them online. And that feels wrong, for a program of thatcalliberto not have an equally or more effecient way than a free one. Am I doing something wrong ?

author: penfold
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2021, 06:13:38 pm
content: Library structures, schematic symbols and PCB footprints tend to be quite company specific, so Altium along with its predominantly commercial user-base would probably be very reluctant to share anything 'useful' a) because there's a lot of effort that must go into making sure there are no problems b) a lot of effort in making sure every part is readily configures to any 'house styles' and c) there's a lot of 'value' in a good library part and commercial guys would be understandably unwilling to share... and that hefty price tag certainly doesn't encourage any community support for hobbyistsIts a bit of a pain to adjust to different footprint editors so I do feel your pain, but if you go through some of the library part creation tutorials and get used to doing it, it does get easier! The part creation wizards can be helpful and many manufacturers are starting to release libraries of their parts (Wurth Electronik libraries are pretty useful)
Parts are disappeared from Manufacturer Parts Search - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: majdgh
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2020, 03:25:54 pm
content: Hello Everyone,I have a strange Problem, i have opened Altium Designer as usual to start a new Project and i have noticed that 99% of components in Manufacturer Parts Search have now no Packaging to download!even the stm32f4 series. Only some resistors and Chips still has the Package Symbol!Even the Parts that i have used in old designs have disappeared. So i see the part but no Package available to download. I have contacted Altium Support and waiting for the answer but i wanted to ask the community if someone has the same Problem. Thanks in Advance.

author: anovickis
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 25, 2021, 08:25:40 pm
content: I bet you are still waiting for that answer :-)It's always best to manage your own libraries that you have created and validated and preferably not polluted by bringing in outside parts
Altium - Access DBLIB import issue - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: AmitT
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2021, 08:34:31 am
content: Hello all,long-time EEVblog viewer and first-time forum user here!I am a first-time Altium DBLIB user. While I am using Microsoft Access dblib to import components it imports all parameters.After importing few components, for the new component, it shows the below error.Error - Record too largeIs there any way to limit/minimize parameters in Altium Access dblib while importing the components?Thanks,AmitT
How to Altium 17 multi PCB project  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: strawberry
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2021, 06:44:49 pm
content: How to Altium 17 multi PCB project ?

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2021, 07:24:38 pm
content: You don't, unfortunately. Multi-board projects were introduced in AD18.
How to route traces without losing the sight of everything [SOLVED] - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Lucky-Luka
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 16, 2021, 10:15:05 pm
content: Hi allWhen I try to route traces everything turns black except the initial and final pad. How can I see everything?Thanks

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2021, 06:56:08 pm
content: This is controlled by the mask/dim/highlight sliders on the "View Options" tab of the "View Configuration" Panel. There may also be a setting that controls what happens when you're in interactive routing, I don't remember and didn't immediately see anything in settings
Component clearence constraint  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Lucky-Luka
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 16, 2021, 06:12:56 pm
content: Hi allWhy is there an error regarding a collision if the silkscreen is not touched but only the perimeters of the components are touching?Is it normal?In the attached images you can better understand what I'm trying to say.Thanks

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2021, 06:24:13 pm
content: Guessing your screw hole component has no 3D information. In that case, Altium assumes the rectangular bounding box is its collision volume.Easy solution, add something to the model, representative of what fits inside it. If nothing, maybe a grain of sand.Tim
Interactive Differential Pair Routing Not Adding Vias - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: hal9001
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2021, 12:00:00 pm
content: Im using the interactive differential pair routing tool. Whilst routing when I switch layers, I expect 2 vias to show and space according to the rules like when using the regular interactive routing tool, but vias are not showing up when switching to any layer. There aren't other traces or components near by.Did I change an option by mistake? Has any body seen this before?

author: hal9001
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2021, 12:05:33 pm
content: The differential nets names end in _N and _P and contain differential directives on the nets in the schematic.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2021, 04:32:22 pm
content: Right, the nets must be named and classed correctly otherwise you can't use P, I at all.Also, the rules are consistent between layers, right? Obviously, you can't route pairs on layers they're prohibited on...Interactive routing is weird, sometimes you can hit L and it just places vias wherever (at current follow/look-ahead position, or last solid traces), sometimes it whines and gives you nothing, in which case you have to undo the L (hit it a few more times) and press 2 instead to lay down some vias. And then you might still not be able to switch layers and have to cancel, select the vias and resume from the desired layer.Is that what's happening, or have you been through that and it's still not working?Tim

author: hal9001
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2021, 08:15:18 pm
content: L did not make any vias so I hit 2 and that finally added the vias but had to switch layers as you said. Weird behavior indeed, wonder why 2 is the only method that works.Saved me hours of trial and error, many thanks Tim!

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 15, 2021, 10:25:18 pm
content: I think it depends on what you started routing from, or something? It feels weird and inconsistent, so I never stopped to take note of what is actually doing it, and just stop and re-route like that. :shrug:Tim
Altium 19 CRASH  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Lucky-Luka
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 15, 2021, 02:17:50 pm
content: Hi allAfter I've completed the schematic I've compiled it and then i've selected the voice UPDATE PCB DOCUMENT under TOOLS.Then EXECUTE CHANGES. After all the green ticks have appeared the program crashed. I've tried to shut down the PC and turn on it again but the same thing happened again.Is it my program or is there something wrong in the files of the project?I attach a picture of the crash. The program freezes and I cannot even click on the "send and close" button.Can anyone check the attached file?https://www.dropbox.com/s/w5x1bsj3xc5qadx/My_board_V1_1.7z?dl=0Thanks

author: Pseudobyte
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2021, 03:47:56 pm
content: Your link is broken. I am guessing there is something that belongs in place of the "..."

author: Lucky-Luka
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 15, 2021, 03:53:17 pm
content: I've corrected the link.btw I've downloaded an Altium 21 trial version and the problem is gone but I would like to understand if others have the same issue with my file to understand how to fix (if possible) the Altium 19 installation problem.
Track width error [SOLVED] - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Lucky-Luka
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 16, 2021, 03:40:05 pm
content: Hi allI've placed all the components in the PCB. I've run the DESIGN RULE CHECK.I've got width constraint error... I cannot understand it since I've got still no tracks in the PCB...The error is referred to the first pin of the headers...I attach the error, the image of the footprint of one of the headers with the error and the error shown as "< 0.3mm" (the min track width rule I've chosen) in the PCB after the error check.Can anyone help me?Thanks

author: penfold
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2021, 03:43:23 pm
content: Can you check the footprint? Is there some fragment of a trace on the top layer? What's the bulge on the left hand side of pad 1?

author: Lucky-Luka
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 16, 2021, 03:57:43 pm
content: I've disassembled the footprint and I've found a track under every first pin of the headers!I haven't drawn them consciously...MisteryNow that I've deleted them all those errors are gone.

author: penfold
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2021, 04:02:50 pm
content: Great! Its easily done, just for future note, if you use single-layer mode and scroll through the layers it makes things like that stand out a bit easier for problem finding
How to highlight nets and remove/add layers in Altium Free viewer? (21.0.0.235) - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ocset
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2021, 10:45:00 am
content: Hi,How to highlight nets and quickly remove/add layers in Altium free viewer?...in PCB.At the moment i have to remove/add layers by a number of clicks for each layer.....is there not a table you can get which shows all the layers,then you can quickly uncheck/check a box to remove/add that layer?Also, i have the PCB panel open, and i am clicking on the net name, but it is not highlighting it in the PCB. Please advise?Also, the Altium free viewer constantly hangs and “blue circles” when running on my Acer aspire 3 laptop. I am using windows 10.The Altium website does not say what is the system requirements for the free viewer. Do you know what it is?(the full blown purchased Altium designer needs an intel i5 processor or equivalent, which goes up to 4.2GHz…….my Acer aspire 3 laptop only goes up to 3.2GHz….could this be the problem?)

author: BitsnBytes
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2021, 06:59:26 am
content: Hi,To highlight the any net press CTRL and left click on any SMD or through hole pad associated to the net.To add / remove layer you can use short key SHIFT+S.In the bottom pane of Altium you will see LS (Layer Stack) on left corner right click on it to enable / disable any layer.Regards
All of the pads on my PCB footprint are on the same net. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Braeden151
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 09, 2020, 10:42:44 pm
content: So I made my own symbol using the symbol wizard for the RN-52 bluetooth module. I then made my own PCB footprint and linked them together. Each pad on the footprint has a unique designator that corresponds to a pin on the symbol. I checked the pin mapping between the symbol and the footprint and all was well.However in my PCB all of the pads are on the same net. When I try to manually assign a pad to a net ALL of the other pads get assigned with it. So suddenly they're all GND or 5V or what have you.This is very odd and I'm not sure how to fix it.Any help is appreciated!(Using Altium 20.0.10)

author: ANTALIFE
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2020, 03:54:30 am
content: Share your PCB & SCH footprint

author: Pseudobyte
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 10, 2020, 06:44:10 pm
content: Make sure your footprint primitives line up with your schematic pins and you do not have any hidden pins.If it isn't the above I suspect you actually have a connectivity issue. I doubt there is an issue with Altium.I think this goes without saying, but pin names have no effect on connectivity. Make sure that your pin designators are the things that are unique.

author: Batang
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 11, 2020, 04:30:28 am
content: Share your PCB & SCH footprint.

author: alexwhittemore
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 14, 2020, 12:20:13 am
content: This sounds a lot like all of the pins are in the same physical spot for some reason - like you added 8 pins that are in the same spot, then not realizing, added 7 more in the proper position around the symbol, and somehow mapped only the first 8 that are actually on top of each other. Then when you wire up one, you wire up all.Long story short, check that your pins aren't somehow physically overlapping in the symbol.

author: BitsnBytes
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 07, 2021, 07:40:29 am
content: Make sure that pin designators of Schematics symbol and PCB footprint are unique and have same correspondence

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2021, 04:02:20 am
content: Do you have the pads configured as jumpers?
Multi-part footprint - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Rachie5272
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2021, 07:55:58 pm
content: Is there a way to have multiple parts in a single footprint? I'm making a board which interfaces to a daughter card using two connectors, kind of like an arduino shield. I need a footprint which has the proper spacing between the connectors, as well as a 3D model of the daughter card. It's easy enough to make a footprint with enough pads for two connectors, but how do I set up the pick and place properly for the two connectors?

author: ANTALIFE
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2021, 10:26:00 pm
content: I am guessing you have two (or more) SMD connectors. In such a scenarios the best way would be to separate all of them, as in each SMD connector has a different designator. For example H1A, H1B, H1C...

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2021, 01:27:42 am
content: No, there's now way to do that in Altium. A reasonable alternative is to have a footprint for the module that only contains reference geometry for the module, plus whatever you want to show in the silk screen, or any specific board features the module requires like cutouts or keepouts, and optionally a 3D model of the module as it would sit in the connectors. Then place the mating connectors as separate components, using the reference geometry in the module footprint to set their location on the PCB. The module footprint can have its component type set so that it does not appear in the BOM (although you could have it show up in the BOM if you want).A more complex solution would be to create a multi-board project where the module is one board, but this is probably not worth doing unless it's a board you're also designing.
Measurement tool for PCB  in free Altium viewer? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ocset
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2021, 10:00:03 pm
content: HiIs there a Measurement tool for PCB in free Altium viewer?At the moment i'm doing it by drawing a rectangle with corners at the points where i want to measure from/to...then doing hyp=sqrt(o^2+a^2).Its difficult to hold the rectangle on still with my left hand on the mouse, and then copy dx and dy from the screen with my right hand using a pen.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2021, 10:43:54 pm
content: ctrl + m to measure

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2021, 08:07:14 pm
content: QuoteSounds like you're making a rod for your own back! The correct answer is, of course, given above. But suppose there wasn't an actual measuring tool and one had to do it via your method....I assume you're right-handed since you write the answer with that hand, so using the mouse left-handed is going to lead to tears regardless of anything else. Why can you not use the mouse normally and then, when the rectangle's corner is where you want it, justleave go of the mouse? It's not going to run off after some cheese but will stay where you leave it. Then copy the measurements at your leisure.But aside from that, I am intrigued as to why you need to do that at all. Can you not just look at the screen and repeat to yourself,sotto voce, "128, 57" or whatever the x and y values are. Surely they would then stay in your mind long enough to pick up a pen and write them down without needing to refer to the screen mid-transcription.

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 21, 2021, 11:04:35 pm
content: In addition to the proper Ctrl+M measurement tool, if you have the heads-up display enabled you can use the dx and dy values for quick measurements along those axes. Shift+H toggles the HUD, Shift+D toggles the delta display, press the insert key to reset the delta values to zero at the cursor location.
Hatched Polygon is poured wrongly - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: trashina
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 19, 2021, 09:20:20 pm
content: Hi,Trying to add a Hatched Polygon Pour to my Flex-PCB it didn't work as expected (see image). Does somebody know why this happens and how it can be avoided?Im working on Altium 21Best,Trashina
Can you do it in AD? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: olkipukki
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2021, 12:42:29 pm
content: After years of use Altium, still a lot of things to learn to improve own efficiency...Can you do similar in Altium?OrCAD Capture Autowirehttps://youtu.be/L5f2zUt18B4?t=45

author: EE-digger
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2021, 04:46:17 am
content: CS has auto wire so I'm sure AD also does.Start a wire at a pin, use shift+space or space to toggle end and corner modes and TAB to enter auto wire mode. A small dialog box asks for a time limit for routing and also a L (low) to H (high) chance of cutting something.In auto wire mode, the wire will be a rubber band that is heavily dotted. Click on the destination and it will route.It's a bit tricky and just took me about 10 minutes to get it right.It would be nice if documentation was better but that's why we have forums
Circuitstudio auto placer non functional? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: EE-digger
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2021, 02:44:59 am
content: ** copied to CS.thread ""I've been evaluating CS for a few weeks for hobby and some small contract projects. I've used AD for a few years prior to this and Allegro for many years prior. I'm impressed with what CS brings to the table at its price point.The "hidden" features in CS, accessed from the upper right search box, show an "auto placer" but it seems to be non functional.Has anyone tried to utilize it?
Text upside down in newer Altium versions - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: PeterF
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2016, 07:33:24 am
content: Hi,This is an interesting problem that I belive was introduced to me with Altium 16 and 17.Some text strings are set to orientation 180, which make them upside down (at least this was true for a few I checked, I haven't bothered checking all upside down texts I've seen so far).They were not like this when they were originally created, so I am assuming there is some bug going on here?Has anyone else noticed this?(I even noticed this in a schematic symbol, which is really annoying to fix..)

author: PeterF
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2016, 12:23:38 pm
content: It seems that the setting for "Display strings as rotated" was checked for some reason in newer versions. Maybe it's a new feature.I am not sure what the feature aims to perform, but very few of my strings are actually rotated so I believe it may not be working as intended.If anyone finds this problem go into preferences and disable it

author: Gixy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2016, 02:29:36 pm
content: Altium is made in Australia...

author: D3f1ant
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2016, 07:06:25 pm
content: Can't say I've seen this behavior, but you can change defaults for almost everything editable in new document defaults. Perhaps your settings file got corrupted at some point and so sticks with you through upgrades.

author: clodnut
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 08, 2021, 02:36:23 pm
content: For those finding this thread through web searches:This may be due to a new default option which displays strings at their rotated angles, instead of restricting them them to 0° or +90° (which was the default in earlier Altium versions).This can be disabled in Tools -> Preferences -> Schematic -> Graphical Editing -> Display Strings As Rotatedhttps://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/326995/altium-designer-flips-all-text-notes

author: Pseudobyte
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2021, 02:09:12 pm
content: Quote from: Gixy on December 01, 2016, 02:29:36 pmIsn't it designed mostly in San Diego nowadays. I think their development team is fairly global, but mostly in San Diego.**Update**Browsing LinkedIn seems to say most of their software team is in the Ukraine.