How to place a function defined curve in Altium designer? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Vilius
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2024, 03:57:16 pm
content: Hi,I am starting a new project of complex log spiral type antenna in Altium. Technical details of the project does not matter this time. I was wondering how can you place a curve that has been defined according to the mathematical formula? I need some crazy curves in Altium this time, luckily, I know the exact mathematical expression to follow, but doing this as a manual polygon pour with hundreds if not thousands of points is simply not an option this time. Worst case, I could possibly import it as a monochrome picture with 1:1 ratio and make the polygon pour out of it, but I am strict in precision as well. There has to be a way to do this properly in Altium. Any ideas or experiences? Thank you in advance.The curves I am after: (in attachments)

author: ANTALIFE
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2024, 03:31:58 am
content: I think the best way would be to export the curve as a DXF and then import that into the PCB. During import you will be able to select the layer you want it to go on, plus the line/track width.

author: dmendesf
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2024, 04:06:57 am
content: I´m also in need for something like that to draw parameterizable PCB inductors. I think the only way is to draw them using the pascal commands. When I download some PCB footprints (I think from Ultra Librarian but maybe Samacsys or SnapEDA) it downloads a pascal source code that draws lines and holes to make the footprint. I´d like to find a documentation for these functions but maybe reverse engineering a footprint like that is all that´s needed.

author: dmendesf
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2024, 04:44:33 am
content: Just found this:https://github.com/johannesbook/draw-planar-inductor/tree/masterIt´s far from what I need to do but it´s a start...

author: jmarkwolf
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2024, 04:46:33 pm
content: Quote from: Vilius on January 16, 2024, 03:57:16 pmThat's a very complex shape. I wouldn't expect you could draw anything like that directly in Altium.As Antalife suggests draw it in some mechanical CAD package then export it to DXF, then import the DXF into Altium.Alternatively, find some editor software package that can import the PNG file you have, then resize and edit to your hearts content, then export to DXF, then import the DXF into Altium.Good luck.

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2024, 12:43:26 am
content: It may be possible to use some open source SVG tools and then convert to DWG and then import. That probably opens up some options in mathematical graphics tools that may allow you to easily translate your requirements. Would likely be worth doing some validation, perhaps loop back (SVG -> DWG -> PcbDoc -> DWG -> SVG) and comparing.

author: ahbushnell
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2024, 02:30:20 am
content: There are several scripting languages available for Altium. You might look into that.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 23, 2024, 03:56:30 am
content: excel. create table with start and end points for vectors. copy and paste in the pcb list panel as tracks