hybridfree/eevblog-posts huggingface dataset:
Room designators - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Mathis
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 05, 2015, 11:06:46 am
content: Hi everybody!Have anybody find out - is it possible to make normal component designators for components in rooms? I mean if i make standard schematic and update pcb than I have forexample: C1, R1, U6 etc. If I make a room with components with reapeat than I have: C1_1, R1_1, U6_1 for 1st room and C1_2, R1_2, U6_2 for 2nd room etc. If I change in Board settings to show only Logical designators than I have C1, R1, U6 for 1st room and C1, R1, U6 for 2nd room atc. Is ther a way how to make it as normal Designator: C1, R1, U6 for first room and C2, R2, U7 for 2nd room etc?I hope you catched the idea...(I'm using Altium 10)

author: jamieoc
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 05, 2015, 03:47:11 pm
content: I don't know about AD10 but in AD15 this can be done. Things might not have changed much so you might be able to roughly follow the steps below in AD10.With your project open go to tools>board level annotate.Down the bottom of the popup select annotate options.Change the naming scheme to "$ComponentPrefix$GlobalIndex".Change Process location of to part.Select all sheets you want to annotate and click OK.Back in the board level annotate pop up click annotate>annotate undesignated.Check the designators have been updated as you like in the PCB component instance column.Accept the changes.Let me know if this works in AD10.One thing I would say though is that I find on multi-channel designs its a good idea having the channel number embedded in the designation to make it really easy to follow where each component goes during prototyping and debug. If your not a fan of the underscore you can always change the formatting in the project options. I like to use something like R1C1 or if you don't want the channel suffix and you have less than 10 of each component type you can always use R1x or Rx1.

author: Mathis
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 06, 2015, 11:03:41 am
content: Thank you very much - tried to find this by my self allready for half a yearYes it works in AD10 just fine. In my case - for prototypes I use standart type: C1_1 etc, but this was more aimed for mass production.
Altium and their FPGA IP Cores - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Avien
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2015, 12:20:27 pm
content: Hello,have anyone tried to export Altium IP Cores and using them outside Altium?I am interested in TSK3000A (soft cpu), CAN and BRAM Controller for ProAsic3.I successfully implemented those IP's on M1A3P1000 using Altium-JTAG, but in next step I will have to change to another FPGA (same vendor, but another family not supported by Altium).They can be in form of a black box.Also... I need to find how can I connect black box IP core to my Libero design.Any help will be appreciated.MK.
So SolidWorks... - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Poe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2015, 08:24:47 pm
content: Solidworks / Altium partnership should be nice.

author: KenGaler
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 29, 2015, 01:49:14 pm
content: I just started using Altium Modeler for Solidworks recently and it works very well. They will send you a short term license if you want to try it. I'm able to export the PCB to SW, modify the PCB, place the parts that I care about in SW, and then bring it back into Altium. Very nice.http://www.desktop-eda.com.au/solidworks-modeler-for-altium-designer/
Vault component doesn't support revision state validation - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: janos
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 23, 2015, 09:31:22 am
content: Hi guys,I am just starting to learn to use Altium Designer 15. I'm coming from several years of experiance with EAGLE, and have found this forum to be quite a supporting place for AD issues. So I hope you guys can give me a bit of support on my early steps, so that I can soon give it back.Currently I try to figure out how I use components that already exist, and I'm using this USB connector from the Altium Vault. However, when i compile the project (using Project->Compile PCB Project ...) I get this warning with the message "Component J2 48204-0001: Can't perform revision state validation: Altium Content Vault doesn't support revision state validation".Doesn this mean:- I shouldn't use the Altium Content Vault components?- I shouldn't use revision state validation? (how would I disable that?)- I have done something wrong, like configured something incorrectly?I'd be glad about some hints on this!CheersJanos

author: daedalus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2015, 07:34:00 pm
content: Hi, Here is a link about revision states, that explains whats going on. Basically altiums vault doesn't return revision state info, so you get that warning, easiest is to ignore it or disable it (location of setting is in the link). If something is obsoleted then its not pickable from the vault (by default), so I wouldn't worry about not having this check.http://techdocs.altium.com/display/DMAN/Lifecycle+Definition+Enhancements
How to move pins between subparts? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Robert.Adams
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2015, 01:57:30 am
content: Hello All,I'm using a micro from the provided Altium libraries (Atmel ARM) and I'm trying to figure out how to move the VDDOUT pin with some other power pins (VDDOUT is on subpart 2 while the other pins are on subpart 3). Whenever I click the edit pins button on subpart 2 and reassign the pin, it goes to subpart 3 but the text is invisible! I haven't found a combination of send to back/bring to front that fixes this.I'm using Altium Designer 15. Help?

author: DerekG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 23, 2015, 02:33:32 am
content: You need to modify this back in the library. Best to save your modified component with a slightly different name & leave the standard library part unchanged.
AD15, cant find intlib - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: daedalus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2015, 01:55:52 pm
content: Hi, I have been away from Altium for some time now, just started up again on AD15, and am having a strange problem. It seems that integrated libraries aren't in the New->Library menu any more. Has this function been renamed in the new version?I did check the documentation, which is of course woefully out of date, and the new tutorial videos only seem to cover vault wank

author: daedalus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2015, 02:21:09 pm
content: ah ffs, its now in new->project...->Integrated library, nevermind
Multi sheet design in Altium - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: maxpayne
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2015, 08:20:08 am
content: I am facing strange problem while transferring to pcb from a multisheet schematic. All nets are not transferring successfully and some nets are mixing up with other components. There are lots of unconnected components though they are connected in schematic. Same is happening for other 3 rooms also.But when I combined the 4 schematics in one single sheet and updated the pcb. This time all pins are connected successfully as it is in the schematic!I tried with net identifiers as "flat" in project options but still the problem exists.How can I solve it ? What may case the problem ?

author: hkBattousai
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2015, 08:23:04 am
content: Did you compile your whole project?Did you validate changes before updating the PCB?What errors did you get in (1) and (2)?

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2015, 09:26:51 am
content: What does your schematic look like? The PCB view isn't the problem here, so there isn't much to read from it.Did you use Off-Sheet Connectors or Ports and Sheet Symbols to connect the sheets? Were they connected correctly?A design that works (mostly) when flat, should probably be made flat... Hierarchical design is mainly only important when you have many repeated subcircuits.Tim

author: maxpayne
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 11, 2015, 10:29:18 am
content: Quote from: hkBattousai on April 11, 2015, 08:23:04 amYes. I have done so. It gives no error.

author: mengfei
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2015, 03:53:59 am
content: did you do a DRC on the SCH?will Net to port connect?any missing Net name?Any similar designatorsdoes the SCH part match with the PCB footprint name? like a diode being 1-2 in sch then A-K in footprintmake sure that the SCH is 100% error free before transfecting to PCBhth

author: Mikekoz13
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2015, 01:21:19 pm
content: It looks/sounds like you may have broken Component Links OR Channel Offset errors.
Altium footprint for keypad....pad.  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: guscrown
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2015, 10:36:50 pm
content: I am in the process of designing a new PCB and I will incorporate existing mechanical parts. I am looking for a reference footprint for this type of pads:They look fairly common but I have been unable to locate any footprints for something similar.Help is greately appreciated.

author: sacherjj
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2015, 10:39:42 pm
content: When you are drawing the PCB footprint, you just make a polygon region on the Top Layer.For a patten like this, I use lines and arcs, then select all of them and create polygon from those items.Then you place at lease one pad inside this area. This is where the schematic to odd pad electrical connection is done.In many instances like this, you will just have to make one for yourself, based on the button datasheet.

author: guscrown
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2015, 10:42:07 pm
content: Thanka for the tip. I don't have a button datasheet. It is basically an off the shelve part, but I will reuse the rubber buttons for our project. I guess I will have to copy it as best as I can

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2015, 03:44:48 am
content: Note: don't forget to set the soldermask property for the region, too!Tim

author: guscrown
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2015, 04:04:30 am
content: Yeah, I'm guessing I have to draw it like this:

author: DerekG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2015, 04:13:14 am
content: Quote from: guscrown on April 17, 2015, 04:04:30 amYes, that looks good & I see you have Pad 1 & Pad 2 already designatedNow, if the device is likely to be used in humid environments (like the subtropics/tropics or even by people with with perspiring hands), consider having the key-pads coated with gold for longevity.
Altium and Board Cutouts, How is the info sent to the board house? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: FivePoint0
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2015, 08:56:44 pm
content: How is a cutout of unusual shape e.g. d-sub shape communicated to the board house?Is it by ticking the box "Generate Board Edge Rout Paths"? If so what tool size?Some people insist it should be drawn by hand on a mechanical layer.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2015, 09:08:36 pm
content: 2mm is considered as standard low cost. It is possible that the house will make the PCB for you if you give them the outline, it is possible they will insist on you supplying the gerbers with a 2mm thick lines layer. Why dont you just call them, and ask?

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2015, 09:08:52 pm
content: you have ad-shaped hole in the board ?all you have to do is create the features from the board.Design - Board Shape - Create Primitives from Board shape,then select Include cutouts and send it to a mechanical , or better to the keep out layer.the board house will read the GKO file and use that as contour. don't worry about size of the routing bit. the cam processor is smart enough to mill outside or inside depending on nesting.

author: FivePoint0
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2015, 10:13:33 pm
content: Quote from: free_electron on April 13, 2015, 09:08:52 pmCheers "Include cutouts" is the key! Gerber is created as expected now.Thanks.
Channel Offset Errors - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: gvirb
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 11, 2015, 10:36:19 pm
content: I have a sheet where I copied set of components a certain amount of times. Each set of components were assigned a property of ClassName with a unique class name for each set. From the PCB document's classes menu, I created a channel class consisting of all of the sets for which I want to copy room formats.When I go to copy room formats from one the rest, I receive an error mentioning sequence errors. Any suggestion on how to correct the issue.I am using version 14.3.

author: Mikekoz13
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 13, 2015, 01:12:10 pm
content: The attached document will explain it very well. Look at sheet 10 and work your way thru... it's pretty easy and takes only a few minutes.
Altium Vaults for small teams. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mrpackethead
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2015, 07:45:06 pm
content: Anybody got any experience with the Altium Vault process, and can make an educated comment based on real experience.Our team is growing and we have a number of people working on projects.. Is their any value to be had.. The cost of the vault is not trivial.

author: DerekG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2015, 10:49:49 pm
content: Quote from: mrpackethead on January 20, 2015, 07:45:06 pmIf you pay the annual maintenance fee, access to the component vault is included. You also then get Altium updates at no further cost.Making new components in Altium is not difficult & the Altium 10 "frozen library" is freely available to download. Fellow forum member, Free Electron also has a great downloadable library for Altium.In my opinion, it is not worth paying the annual maintenance fee unless you want to keep up with the latest version. You will get more help on forums like this than from Altium's support staff themselves.

author: Christopher
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 23, 2015, 10:29:01 pm
content: I thought the purpose of the Vault is to have everyone using the same global part library?That sounds like a great idea to me.

author: DerekG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2015, 12:59:54 am
content: Quote from: Christopher on January 23, 2015, 10:29:01 pmIf you have a current subscription, you get access to the component vault. You can then pick these components at will & use them in your design.This works well if you are happy with their footprint. There will be times that you want a modified footprint (ie you a using a relay from China whose footprint is "almost the same" as say a Tyco Electronics (Potter & Brumfield) part.Tyco cost my company thousands of dollars due to non delivery of an agreed delivery schedule. We therefore refuse to source any parts from Tyco Electronics (we even moved our alarm monitoring away from them after our local company was bought out by Tyco).

author: mrpackethead
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 24, 2015, 01:56:09 am
content: you get access to "Altiums" vault, but not your own vault. Having a private vault costs you a bunch of cash.

author: Ice-Tea
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 31, 2015, 11:17:51 am
content: Quote from: mrpackethead on January 24, 2015, 01:56:09 amCorrect. I think it used tot include a personal vault, but since 2.0, it includes nothing. Not worth it for me. Might just as welk have a central, SVN manager database.

author: mausball
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 10, 2015, 08:38:15 pm
content: I had a long talk with Altium US about the 'new' vault (2.0) system and how heavily it's biased toward large companies. They agreed it was no longer suitable for small companies or teams like mine (>20 person consulting company). To say I was disappointed is an understatement.
Pulling the trigger on Circuit Studio - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: jmarkwolf
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2015, 12:27:44 pm
content: I've satisfied myself that Circuit Studio contains 95% of everything I use on the full-boat Altium package at work. I won't always have access to Altium, so I'm making the leap.As CAD software development typically goes, I'm sure Circuit Studio be "sweetening the pot" as time goes on, so I'm confident in my purchase decision.The only real down-side I've seen so far is the inability to read/write Altium PcbDoc's. Projects, libraries and schematics are fully compatible.I'm aware of methods to translate the Altium PCB files to/from other PCB formats utilizing other CAD packages, but I don't have these "other" CAD packages. I suspect Circuit Studio will include this ability in future releases.Can anyone advise as to economical/reliable 3rd party conversion utilities/methods to allow reading/writing Altium PCB files with Circuit Studio, whose native PCB format is apparently Eagle. I want the continuous ability to translate these files. Don't want to use temporary "30-day eval copies" of other CAD packages.

author: DerekG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2015, 01:49:34 pm
content: The main Circuit Studio thread can be found here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/altium/altium-circuit-studio/And some more information regarding import filters can be found here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/altium/altium-circuit-studio/msg630505/#msg630505

author: jmarkwolf
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2015, 02:14:18 pm
content: Thanks Derek.I'll ask the moderator(s) to move my thread there.
TRansferring only ONE schematic to PCB document - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Kanc1erz
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2015, 11:33:12 am
content: Hello again, still got basic problems with AD.I have a PCB Project with two schematic documents and few PCB projects (more than one version)When I push D+U - Design -> Update PCB (and choose proper PCB) then all items fromALLschematics are transferred into chosen PCB. But I would like to transfer only 1 schematic to PCB. Where can I find such option?I tried to search in Google, but nothing interesting found, or just the query was not clear enough to Google.Thanks in advance.

author: Vipu
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 27, 2015, 10:57:45 am
content: Once I too face same issue and what I did is,I made 2 different project and updated

author: hkBattousai
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2015, 12:29:54 pm
content: In this situation, I temporarily remove one schematic from the project. Update the PCB. Then re-add the removed schematic to the project. This is my workaround. I would like to know it it has a proper solution.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 27, 2015, 02:40:37 pm
content: cant be done.you are using it wrong.a 'Design' in altium is 1 board. not 1 page.you cannot have 2 pcb's in one design.

author: DerekG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 28, 2015, 02:22:45 am
content: Quote from: free_electron on March 27, 2015, 02:40:37 pmFree Electron is correct.If you have several variants of the pcb (and/or schematic), simply re-save the entire project with a new name.Then make the variant changes within each project.This is not only logical but helps you to be quite methodical as well.
PCB Silkscreen Artwork - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ColdKeyboard
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2015, 04:14:09 am
content: I was wondering if any of you are willing to share your methods of creating PCB silkscreen artwork.Sometimes I want to add a logo to PCB, or small drawing. Usually I copy the image to the Photoshop, convert it to grayscale bitmap and then Copy&Paste it to Altium.However sometimes it works just like I want it to, but more often I just crash my DXP.exe or the converted lines/poly have extremely poor quality.Are there some other methods of doing this or do you have some tips and tricks to share with the rest of us?Here are some PCB Silkscreen Artwork Examples (not mine, I just Googled them... obviously)

author: Batang
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2015, 08:30:49 am
content: Whenever I need to add a logo etc to a PCB I create a TTF font and then us that font as a text string.So letter 'A' for example is the Image you want to place.Being a font character also allows all the features of a text string i.e. rotation, layer and size.Just use a font editor that allows a bitmap image etc to be imported.Cheers

author: Batang
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2015, 09:44:17 am
content: Here is an example.Cheers.Update: I have included the TTF font, see the HowTo image for usage.

author: ColdKeyboard
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2015, 04:35:27 pm
content: That's a great method. Way better than one I've been using so far.I'll just have to find some decent TTF font editor.

author: ehughes
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2015, 06:07:59 pm
content: I use the font method as well. It has produced the best results.

author: ColdKeyboard
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2015, 09:42:36 pm
content: What software do you use to create TTF with your logo?I'm looking for one that is simple and easy to use, if possible and that works under windows

author: ehughes
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2015, 10:40:17 pm
content: http://www.high-logic.com/font-editor/fontcreator.html
Scaling a step model to be used in Altium - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: hkBattousai
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2015, 03:00:05 pm
content: When doing 3D PCB design, I usually import STEP models for complex circuit part from ".step" files which I download from some certain websites. Sometimes I can't find the exact STEP model I am looking for, but I find a larger or smaller version of it. Is there a way of scaling a STEP model in a ".step" file without using a CAD software other than Altium? A simple desktop application or an online tool can be a possible solution.

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2015, 06:38:29 pm
content: Maybe Autodesk's free 123D software? I looked at it once for doing simple adjustments to step files, and while it's a CAD package it's a rather simple one. I assume it should be able to scale step file without too much fuss.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2015, 10:27:23 pm
content: Huh... you can scale primitives in a Union, but I don't know if this works for STEP models. Give it a try?Otherwise yeah, you're looking at having something 3D oriented fixing the model.Tim
Soldermask removal from copper polygon - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Araho
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2015, 05:06:12 pm
content: Hi!It's me again, with another Altium-related question.I've got some slight issues creating polygons in the soldermask layer, when copying a polygon from another layer. I have an outer polygon on a round circuit-board, constrained by belonging to a net called E_SHIELD. Between the outer ring and the inner area I have a keepout line, to make the polygon fill stop. This works beautifully to create both the inner (GND) and outer (E_SHIELD) polygons (See picture 2 for polygons in copper layer) (and yes, I probably need a larger clearance from the board edge *checks design rules*).The outer polygon is supposed to have no soldermask, so after reading the forum topics, I tried copying the polygon and then changing the layer to Top Solder. However, this leads to what is seen in picture 3, which is basically nothing (both before and after a repour). The polygon is selectable in the correct layer, but as long as Remove dead copper is selected, nothing gets drawn. However, if I remove the checkbox and then repour, picture 4 happens: A flood fill that doesn't match the constraints on the copper layer.I've obviously botched/misunderstood something in the way Altium works with polygons, but I really hope I won't have to draw the regions in the soldermask layer by hand, because of all the curves etc. Does anyone have a tip to how I can fix this, and the way I should do this from scratch in the future to avoid these kinds of issues?Araho

author: Rufus
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2015, 05:21:54 pm
content: Explode the copper polygon pour to primitives which will create a region then move the region to the desired layer.

author: Araho
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2015, 06:23:38 pm
content: Ah, genius! I'll try that!

author: Araho
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 24, 2015, 07:36:14 pm
content: Yup, worked perfectly! Thanks, I learned something today as well

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 25, 2015, 03:26:50 am
content: Note that, obviously -- the mask will never refresh when the original poly is repoured, so you have to repeat that every time it changes. Which hopefully won't matter in this case, but keep it in mind.Tim
Altium & Origin/Import Issue - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: fcb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2015, 09:40:18 pm
content: How do I force the CURRENT ORIGIN to be a precise distance (i.e. entered manually, not by clicking on a point) from the ABSOLUTE ORIGIN.Also, when I import a DXF as the board outline, this requires the offset from the ABSOLUTE ORIGIN not the CURRENT ORIGIN - is there a way to change this?
Altium PCB rotate component opens dialog box - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: newie
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 23, 2015, 01:45:32 pm
content: Hello Members,Greetings of the day!!I am looking for altium PCB rotate object to 90 degree by default.But it instead it opens up a dialog box and ask to enter a value.I tried to fix it from preferences>>PCB Editor>> General>> Rotation step 90.000but it is not working.Can some please help me with this. I am using Altium 14.1.5 and new to PCB designingThanks!!

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2015, 01:58:14 pm
content: While dragging the component, press spacebar to rotate the part 90º counterclockwise. Shift+Spacebar rotates 90º clockwise. Does that do what you want?

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2015, 02:36:22 pm
content: spacebar and shift-spacebar will rotate by the step set under preferences-pcb editor-rotation step

author: newie
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 24, 2015, 06:33:31 am
content: Quote from: ajb on March 23, 2015, 01:58:14 pmYes, I am looking for the one you stated. Pressing spacebar opens up a dialog box to enter rotation step. I want to fix it instead of every time entering value 90 degree or such.

author: newie
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 24, 2015, 06:35:42 am
content: Quote from: free_electron on March 23, 2015, 02:36:22 pmI tried this to set rotation step from preferences, but it didn't worked. Still on pressing spacebar, it ask to enter rotation step in dialog box.
Polygon rule problem - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Korken
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 30, 2015, 02:02:45 pm
content: Hi all,I have been trying to get a rule for polygons working but I am unable to find my error.I have the simple rule that vias that belong to GND should have a direct connection to the GND plane (check attached image).But it does not work I get the normal 4-spokes connection on vias.If I try my rule in the PCB filter box I get all the correct vias selected.What have I done wrong?Thanks!

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 30, 2015, 02:32:01 pm
content: I do this and it works. If nobody provides an aswere by the time I get my PC back together, I'll have a look and let you now

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 30, 2015, 02:48:38 pm
content: your rule is wrong.you let the tool search for an object that is 'in GND' AND is a via and compare against another object that is 'in gnd' and is a via ... that doesn't work. your logic is flawed. you are setting the rule against two via's that are ground.set your second object to 'all'and why only do this for ground ? i simply set this for all via's connecting to a polygon.

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 30, 2015, 03:59:53 pm
content: Quote from: free_electron on April 30, 2015, 02:48:38 pmJust had a look (been a while) I use IsVia and all

author: Korken
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2015, 07:03:20 am
content: Thanks both of you!What really got me is that I do not yet fully understand what it means to compare against another object in a rule.Since I only have a via, I do not want it to compare against anything (I just want it to connect)? The rules part of Altium is still a bit fuzzy for me.

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 01, 2015, 03:42:51 pm
content: Quote from: Korken on May 01, 2015, 07:03:20 amThe example at hand may not be the best but generally you create a rule that applies interaction between two objects. In this case the first object is a via and the second, ALL with "direct connect" applied between the twoA clearance rule is a better example where the first object may be a certain net and the second can be everything else (ALL) or some specific other net or group of nets

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 02, 2015, 06:53:46 pm
content: Quote from: AlfBaz on May 01, 2015, 03:42:51 pmAnd since polygon connect rules only affect how polygons connect to pads and vias, it's implicit in the rule that one of the objects must be a polygon and the other must be a pad or via. You can use the second object filter for more specific rules--for instance to select only polygons on certain layers, or only certain named polygons--if you wanted some polygons to connect one way and others another.

author: Korken
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: May 03, 2015, 10:02:52 am
content: Ahhhh! Thank you both for the clarification!Now I'm starting to et a better hang of it.
Changing default color of power objects: "Vcc" and "Gnd" - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Kanc1erz
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2015, 07:51:25 am
content: Hello there,I want to customize a little bit AD, that is: I changed style of the GND symbol to:and the colour is good enough, to I would like to have my Vcc (default power port) to be blue - color no. 101).Is it possible to conduct such changes?I change styles in options of the toolbar: Customize, then Wiring, I select "place power port" then edit and window appears:What should I add to line "parameters" to change the color permanently? Maybe there is no option like this?Please, if you can help me - answer.

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2015, 03:52:28 pm
content: Preferences->Schematic->Default Primitives is the place to change the default appearance of objects on insertion. However, I don't think there's any way to make the default appearance of the Ground power objects different from the Vcc objects by default, if that's what you're asking. If you want to customize the insertion command in the toolbar, then you can just add the parameter "Color=101" to the parameter string in the "Edit Command" dialog.

author: Kanc1erz
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2015, 01:20:38 pm
content: Quote from: ajb on March 21, 2015, 03:52:28 pmI have different styles in those power objects - GND is like above, and Vcc is "arrow style". What I would like to do is this:I have styles set, only what I need to do to change the color of Vcc from red to "101" manually and then copy object using shift+drag.Adding to the parameters "|Color=101" does not change Vcc to blue, but to brown and changes the color of the GND as well.
Importing multiple Altium 3D PCB exports into a single Solidworks project - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: tesla500
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2015, 01:14:04 am
content: I've been having problems when trying to import multiple Altium 3D STEP exports into Solidworks. Different board would have components of the same name resulting in the wrong 3D models being used. Finally figured out how to get around this! Thought I'd throw this here so others can benefit.http://omeganaught.com/2015/03/importing-multiple-altium-3d-pcb-exports-into-a-single-solidworks-project/

author: daedalus
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2015, 12:40:57 am
content: hi, to fix this, open a single board step file in solidworks. With the assembly open, use file->pack and go, then set the save to folder to someplace else, check add prefix, and set the prefix to board1. Click save.This should turn parts called C1,C2,C3 into board1C1, board1C2, board1C3.You then need to open the exported assembly and use it in your top level design.You have to repeat this for each board.
Altium library save to .pcbdoc & .schdoc ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: deephaven
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2015, 03:12:47 pm
content: I would like to use FE's library but don't use Altium. I can import .pcbdoc & .schdoc and wondered if someone who has FE's library loaded could do an export to those file formats?

author: hkBattousai
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2015, 03:48:26 pm
content: One should always mention full form of an abbreviation at least once unless it is too obvious.

author: deephaven
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2015, 04:09:41 pm
content: Quote from: hkBattousai on March 11, 2015, 03:48:26 pmOops, yes sorry. It's Free Electron's library which he has put in the public domain.
PCBWorks: WTF Altium? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: xuio
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2015, 09:34:27 pm
content: Why is altium creating so many new products?CircuitMaker and CircuitStudio seem to serve a purpose - being a free/low-cost Altium Designer, but why did they announcePCBWorks?At first glance I thought that this would be some sort of extension to Altium Designer so you can interface it to SolidWorks better,but no: PCBWorks seems to be a complete PCB design suite on its own.(please correct me if I'm wrong)(source:http://gfxspeak.com/2015/02/13/mechanical-electronic-integration/)I like the idea of interfacing Altium to Solidworks, but why create another tool, when they could have just offered it as a (paid) extension to Altium Designer.Moritz

author: ElektroQuark
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 28, 2015, 09:35:53 pm
content: To charge even more.

author: hkBattousai
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2015, 09:41:04 pm
content: 25kg sack of flour: $201kg packet of flour: $1You always earn more as you divide your product into smaller pieces.

author: xuio
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2015, 09:45:35 pm
content: Quote from: hkBattousai on February 28, 2015, 09:41:04 pmYes, but I think most companies don't want to switch to another tool and re-train all their people.

author: hamdi.tn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2015, 09:47:13 pm
content: i don't think it's a complete pcb design suite, i think it use pcbdoc created and edited with AD then export them to solidworks friendly form , like step better than AD do, cause for now altium can't export the copper layout or the mechanical layout, just the 3d package linked to the component on the board and the board itself.so i guess your first thought is the right one , just an additional tool, not a cad by itself

author: xuio
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2015, 09:54:04 pm
content: Quote from: hamdi.tn on February 28, 2015, 09:47:13 pmMaybe, but there is an exsisting tool for that:http://www.desktop-eda.com.au/solidworks-modeler-for-altium-designer/Maybe this is meant for MCAD people, to give them a mechanical look on the PCB, but still being able to change something opposed to a STEP model.

author: hamdi.tn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 28, 2015, 10:06:29 pm
content: Quote from: xuio on February 28, 2015, 09:54:04 pmcould be , but as a daily user of altium i rarely use altium 3d capabality in useful thing except giving an idea to a client about how his product will look like ... but once i needed to do some thermal analysis with solidworks so i needed to export a board with it's copper on it to take count of the thermal dissipation du to the copper. couldn't do that cause AD can't do it. so after all this can be useful.

author: RF-Tech
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2015, 02:18:59 pm
content: I called up GoEngineer to see how much PCBWorks will be priced, they say it will be about $5K USD - they were right about the CircuitStudio pricing, so they are probably right about this as well.-S
Nested footprint - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: kcs
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2015, 12:03:25 am
content: I would like to know what are the best practices to make nested footprints. Could anyone provide a sample library where there is one component that has a footprint designed to accept three or more different cases. I am particularly interested to know how and where do you define which pads of each sub-footprint are connected.

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 07, 2015, 10:34:28 pm
content: You mean a single footprint that will accept, say, an SO8 or a DIP 8? You can link multiple pads to a single schematic pin by giving them all the same designator in the PcbLib. This works best if the different packages all have mostly the same pin mappings. Otherwise, you could just place all of the footprints you want on the PCB/schematic as separate components, which would give you maximum flexibility--and you should be able to use design variants to indicate which package is actually fitted in any given situation. You'll need to create a suitable design rule to avoid clearance violations if the footprints intersect.
How to link multiple components with their supplier informations in one step? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: quertyftw
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 06, 2015, 01:40:56 pm
content: I would like to update every selected component and link it to a manufacturer part number. I've tried via the SCHLIB list panel but it looks like that I can't edit nor find the supplier* columns.Am I doing it wrong?

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2015, 04:58:56 pm
content: those columns are automatically added.in the schlib simply add the part info.save the schlib and then do an update from lib in the schematic. that will pull in the data.
Extracting elements/footprints from existing project to intlib  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Kanc1erz
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2015, 03:57:45 pm
content: First of all I would like to say hello to everyone, cause it is my first post hereI got a little problem - I received recently a complete project - scheme and a PCB project, but the PCB is made not well enough so I need to design it from the begining. The problem is that I cannot transfer the elements to the new PCB sheet, because AD does not see the footprints.Is there any possibility to extract footprints and elements from schematics to brand new library? I heard somewhere about this possiblity, but I don't know where to search for it.I am not keen on attaching multiple libraries found in the Internet or draw new footprints..Please, if you can help me - answerThanks in advance.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2015, 04:49:28 pm
content: Design -> Make integrated library
ALTIUM DXP Icon Disappear - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Daniel92708
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 02, 2015, 10:59:38 pm
content: Hi All!I have just installed my Altium Version 15 but my DXP icon is disappeared. Please, help .Thank you and Regards.

author: DerekG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2015, 11:43:27 pm
content: Navigate to the directory you installed Altium in.Locatedxp.exeRight click on "dxp.exe" then choose "Send to" then choose "Desktop" (create shortcut).You should now see the DXP icon on your desktop.It you want to rename it, right click on the icon & choose "rename".
Altium - DRC violation messages - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Jayy
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2015, 01:11:53 pm
content: Hi,Can someone please help.In Altium 15.xx version when using DRC in PCB how to get the errors listed in the message Panel.Thanks,Jay

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2015, 03:52:49 pm
content: Tools > Design Rule Check, Click "Run Design Rule Check".

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2015, 04:55:03 pm
content: There should be a PCB Rules and Violations workspace panel also, that is more useful.

author: Jayy
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 18, 2015, 05:05:08 am
content: Thanks for all your replies.I found out that if i grab the message panel out of the bottom then i can see the messages.I just made some alignment in the message window now it's ok.Regards,Jay
Visibly applying paramters to components - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2015, 09:31:20 pm
content: I'm trying to apply a ClassName parameter on a set of components so that I can target them with a specific design rule in the PCB. I can define a ClassName in each component's individual parameters, which works fine, but I'd really rather this be done in a visible way on the schematic (I'm also not sure how durable this approach is when synchronizing with libraries later on). Using a blanket with a Parameter Set directive would seem to be the way to go, but this applies the ClassName parameter to the enclosed nets, not the enclosed components. Is there some other way to make this work?

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2015, 11:26:23 pm
content: what is the pcb rule you are trying to apply for the components ?

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2015, 11:47:47 pm
content: At the moment it's a component clearance rule, but I'd like to know as a general question if there's a way to do this. The rule in this particular case works exactly as intended with the ClassName applied in the component properties, no problems on the rule side of things.For the record, I also tried using a PCB Rule directive on the blanket covering the components in question, but I just wind up with a bunch of rules that target all of the nets contained in the blanket, and nothing targeting the components.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2015, 04:27:01 am
content: Yes there is a way to do this ,but you have to be VERY specific in the definition of the rule. If you just define it as clearance it will show up everywhere.- draw your blanket.- add parameter set- make the parameter set touch the blanket.- double click the parameter set symbol- click 'add as a rule' button- click 'edit rule values'- under 'Placement': pick 'Component Clearance Constrain't : The wizard will open. Set it up. click OKdone.

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2015, 05:12:43 am
content: That was one of the first things I tried. When I do that I get a component clearance rule between InNet() and All for each enclosed net, but those rules don't have any effect on the components (which makes sense, because components don't have a Net property). Even if those rules did the trick, having 12 rules where only one is required is pretty ugly.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2015, 05:23:02 am
content: yep. you're right. for some reason it does 'innet'.. that's a bug.report it.

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2015, 04:12:22 pm
content: Okay. It's frustrating how often I find myself wondering if I've run into a bug or if I'm just not going about it right.Is this actually a bug, though? Now that I check, I find three separate entries for this as a new feature request on Altium Live, but no indication there that it's worked previously (ie, that it's a bug).
Anybody else having troubles with the login into Altium? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: reagle
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 23, 2015, 01:30:34 pm
content: Multiple machines this morning get bounced when going through Account Sign In:“SOAP error in Login: unable to connect to serverhttp://ids.live.altium.com/?cls=soapwith code 0”I am assuming it's on their end, but it's awfully quiet on twitter and their forums.

author: reagle
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 23, 2015, 01:50:21 pm
content: Yep, they got some issues - I just talked to their rep

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 23, 2015, 02:36:47 pm
content: seems to be fixed now.
Interactive Routing - Curved traces & 'Any-angle' traces - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Poe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2015, 09:49:54 pm
content: So are the 'any-angle' and curved traces a novelty? .. or are there techniques to use them effectively?I'm trying to hug a curved board edge, but not having much luck. Can the radius be changed?Also a bit buggy. Anytime my mouse moves near a different net, it defaults to 45/90 mode...Same with the 'any-angle' trace option. A 30° trace is easily routed through two holes when they're all the same net, but defaults to 45/90 when their nets are different. Clearance rules check out. It's like the instant that the interactive routing tool has to account for another net, it defaults back to 45/90.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2015, 09:55:12 pm
content: if you have mulitple lines that need to hug in any angle do a multi-route. no point in fudging that yourself. let altium handle itselect the trac ends you want the route and type P-M. they will all follow you and flow nicely.

author: Poe
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2015, 10:17:22 pm
content: Found that I can slightly adjust the radius with the period and comma shortcuts, but wow is finicky.I only need to run one trace. Does interactive multi-trace routing operate similarly to simply interactive routing?I'm using Winter 09. I think they added additional curved routing features in 10?

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2015, 10:23:42 pm
content: Multitrace is just like single traceBut eh, winter 09... That is old....They got new editing features in 13 and up that winter sumer don't have...