Altium Designer 16 Libraries WTF - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 25, 2016, 09:35:17 am
content: So I've been using Altium my entire career, I even worked there for 4 years. But I've only ever used up to AD10 and regular locall libraries. Vault wasn't really a thing back then.So I get a new AD16 licence and I figure surely they have improved the library system with the Supplier Search that looks great, Octopart etc.Nope, if anything it's worse. Either that, or I'm just stupid.So I load up AD16 and want to start placing a part on a new schematic sheet.Only two libraries are installed (typical Altium, nothing changed there it seems)Ok, so I can download and install libraries the old fashioned way, but of course they froze those back back at AD10, I knew that:http://techdocs.altium.com/display/ADOH/Download+LibrariesOk, so I can install them from the local installed libraries. Nope, they have bugger all, classic Altium, good to see things haven't changed, but I kind of expected they all be online now, so ok.Ok, so let's try the new Supplier parts integration they have.WTF, can't find that anywhere in AD16. No icon, no mention option, nothing in the place part dialog, nothing.I'll come back to this.So let's try the vault system search from the main menu. Nope. Zip. Zilch. Nada.Ok, so let's log into Altium's component Vault. Err, nope. No default address, no details, nothing. Scratch that.That means linking vaults to traditional libraries is out:So I frantically google and get Help on how to install a library component from the new Supplier Search feature, awesome!http://techdocs.altium.com/display/DMAN/Ability+to+Add+Components+from+Supplier+SearchI create a component library file and follow the instructions (it's convoluted and hidden away, but lets run with it):So I search for a part and up it comes, this is great!But nope, whatever I search for its doesn't have schematic symbol or footprint. Damn.Fat lot of good that would have done anyway because AD16 can't even read that component library fileThis is getting stupid.Then I remember the components were on the live portal website thingo, and bingo!https://designcontent.live.altium.com/Why can't there be a direct link to this from AD?Why can't I see and install these libraries automatically from within AD? Like, seriously. Jesus.Bloody registration, piss off!But I have a Live account, so ok, I can download them. But were can you download them ALL? You know, if I want to work offline.But hey, this is 2016, I want to search everything Altium has to offer, so I try the search, and LOLBut I try again, and bingo!Something is going right:So I clip on a part and can I download the libary? Nope.So I can hotlink back to the Libary, cool, but still can't download it. This is stupid.Oh shit, I just realised I'm in the Vault Explorer, seems you can't do anything there except view the entryhttps://vaultexplorer.live.altium.comBack to the designcontent server and search there works, phew:So I can download the ZIP, uncompress it, and install it the old fashioned way:Back to the 1990's.WTF Altium? SeriouslyIs this what someone who installs AD16 can expect to go through do to place a basic component?Why isn't anything integrated? (a buzz word you've been flogging for a decade)You've got that great looking Supplier Search thing buried away and almost inaccessible.I still have no idea how Vaults work or how I can access Altium's default component in their vault which I can view online.What did you buy Octopart for if this not seamlessly integrated and easy to find and use and place parts?Why can't AD just access those parts online with a single click?What's up with the component library?I know I've been out the game for 5-6 years, but has nothing improved?Yes, I know that libraries are complex business and companies have need for Vaults and version control etc etc, I'm a former professional PCB designer, I get it.But seriously, why can't I just open AD16 for the first time and create a new schematic and place a part from your (otherwise extensive it seems) online library?I'd even be happy to use the old manual library system I was used to if I could just access those online libraries easily. But website -> Download ZIP -> Extract ZIP - > Install manually is the only way? It seems nothing has changed in a decade or more in this regard? The same old dialog boxes, nothing seems to have been improved.Either Altium's library solution is still retarded, or I'm really really dumb and have missed the obvious.Maybe my previous AD knowledge has been a hindrance?

author: abaxas
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2016, 09:50:44 am
content: Have a beer, a comfy seat and 30 mins to chill out.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 25, 2016, 10:01:16 am
content: Quote from: abaxas on November 25, 2016, 09:50:44 amI need it...

author: RickMartin
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 25, 2016, 10:18:49 am
content: We just got AD17 today and it is no different.A couple of nice improvements over AD16 in some areas but libraries are still the same.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 25, 2016, 10:23:12 am
content: Quote from: RickMartin on November 25, 2016, 10:18:49 amThanks.So it's not just me?It's been 5 1/2 years since I was there and they have acquired octopart and had all that time to refine the supplier integration etc, yet a new user can't just find and place a part?Crazy.

author: RickMartin
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 25, 2016, 10:53:37 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on November 25, 2016, 10:23:12 amSadly it is, with everything that Altium has going for it, something simple and straight forward (given what is available with other EDA tools) seems to be a real challenge. I am however, used to the round about ways of dealing with libraries via Alitum but I can see why new users would find it hugely frustrating.

author: pigrew
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2016, 01:03:28 pm
content: I've found the Altium component vault quite nice, but I do admit that it's tricky to find where to add the "Altium Content" vault.Also, I don't know how to copy the vault items into my libraries, so I can't edit footprints (for example). There's probably a way....To configure the standard vault, you must first sign up for an Altium account. Then, go to the "Vault Administration" preferences pane, and click "Add Altium Content Vault". The address is "http://vault.live.altium.com". It won't ask for a server name, but it will demand that Altium has already been signed into an Altium account.After that, you can search the vault, and drag items from the vault onto schematics.See attached photos.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2016, 01:55:58 pm
content: Quote from: pigrew on November 25, 2016, 01:03:28 pmRight click and select download.Huh, I thought vault required subscription... I can still view and download the content vault, at least.And yeah, you need the Altium Content vault -- Tools/Preferences, Data Management, Vaults, add Altium Content Vault. Seems to me, it was already configured, on my install. YMMV?I don't have an Altium Vault (the kind under System/Altium Vault) configured, and have never used it. That might be the subscription part.Tim

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2016, 02:16:14 pm
content: I am not sure why Dave had that many problems accessing components in Vault. I added Vault Tab to my tabs bar and everything is smooth ftom their with one mouse click to activate the tab. I will post a screenshot or two when i get home tonight.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 25, 2016, 11:49:13 pm
content: Quote from: T3sl4co1l on November 25, 2016, 01:55:58 pmOK, that worked for me now. It was not enabled by defaultBut when I place a part on the schematic it's still using the old library system and doesn't show anything to do with vaultsBut I can actually now right click and place a part from the vault viewer, but you have toknowto a) install the vault, and b) go to the vault viewer.How hard is it to add a Place From Vault option in the schematic?

author: Macbeth
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2016, 12:06:07 am
content: Compare that with the latest freebies like KiCad and RS Designspark?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 26, 2016, 12:12:01 am
content: Quote from: Macbeth on November 26, 2016, 12:06:07 amYep, I might actually do a video comparing different packages in (and only in, otherwise it gets out of control) simply creating a schematic, finding some parts, and laying out a very simple board.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 26, 2016, 12:13:26 am
content: Just installed AD17Exact same problem, Altium content vault is not installed by default

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2016, 02:25:17 am
content: Yes thumbs down for not filling the path by default, in fact I had to call support to find out how connect to the Vault.Other than that, I activate the Vault tab and search seems to work just fineand supplier chain information is availableSame if to hover the mouse over the schematic symbol once placed.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2016, 02:36:43 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on November 25, 2016, 11:49:13 pmFrom Place Part you go to ... -> Available Libraries -> Installed, click Install->Install from Vault, and install the needed library , then it becomes available in the list of installed libraries and you can select/place parts as usual, but this is ridden with bugs and error messages pop up as you try to select and place a component. One of the bugs is all the Parameters are missing in the component properties, as supplier chain information is lost.This is how component properties look if you place a part directly from the VaultAnd this is what it is if you place using the method I described aboveSo they admitted it is a bug and the advice was not to use Place Part menu (PP shortcut) when using Vault.EDIT: supplier chain information is dynamic and may be pulled on the spot online from Altium, so I can understand it may be dropped once you make a local copy of a library, even though I am still on a subscription. But Parameters missing - ? come on, should be like that.

author: julianhigginson
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2016, 05:35:29 am
content: Everyone I know using AD professionally is just plugging along, dragging their old libraries up through altium revisions as they go. (maybe adding 3d bodies at some point..)I don't care what libs come default in altium because, well, I have my own I want to use anyway. Ones I know work and represent the parts in my parts database because I designed boards with them already.I know people who connect to the Altium vault to pull down new parts, but I really can't be bothered. Always seems easier to make the 2 library parts (if needed) manually, and link them from my database. The AD footprint wizard is great for anything standard, and dropping in a 3d body is so simple once you get the hang of it... Anything weird, like these funny new sensor PGA things popping up everywhere lately, I would spend about as much time double checking anything I downloaded as I spend just making them from scratch anyway..I realise this is not the case for someone using AD for the first time, though.. and it does look pretty painful from a getting up and running perspective.What happened to your old libs from 5 years ago, Dave?

author: carljrb
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2016, 08:14:06 pm
content: Quote from: julianhigginson on November 26, 2016, 05:35:29 am+1 to that. I don't want whatever libs Altium has made (including content online or from vault). Last I checked they were all pretty bad, just like most libs you'll find anywhere (plenty good for hobbyists though). I always remove whatever comes with it by default.When you make your own libs, you get to chose what mechanical layers you'll use for what purpose, and make use of them accordingly in your PcbLibs. It'll work properly with your PCB templates, with your preset layer pairs. You'll also get the expected output with your standard job files. It's a *really* big point! Anybody else's libs just won't match and will require significant rework at least, and also checking to ensure the footprint is ok (measure and compare with datasheet, then make sure pins on PcbLib and SchLib match, and fix the attributes in the SchLib to match your standard). It's really not much more work to start from the datasheet at that point, and you know the job is done right.It's a fantastic tool when you've made good libs but I'll certainly agree that it takes time and experience to get started the right way (much like all specialized tools).

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2016, 04:15:39 pm
content: "But website -> Download ZIP -> Extract ZIP - > Install manually"Yes. It is the only way, I can accept. For common components, I have a library, whatever I need uncommon, I prefer creating one. It is quite sad, there was no advancement in the past 4 years. Ok they made the vault, but unless you are sure, you will be subscribed for the foreseeable future, I would avoid it.They made a new IPC footprint wizard. It creates very good STEP models fort the parts, not gray boxes. And the libraries are not upgraded with them. They released CS with a bunch of pre-made footprints, which contained round holes, which did not work in CS. You can create integrated libraries, but if you try to open them, they fell apart to schlib and pcblib, and you cannot edit it as such. It feels like they made 5 different way to make libraries, and none of them works well. I have not found a good way to add a component link to an existing part, without messing up the component.

author: julianhigginson
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 27, 2016, 11:13:12 pm
content: Quote from: NANDBlog on November 27, 2016, 04:15:39 pmI would love to use vault, but so glad I never did.. original vault allowed small users to get used to it for free, and build up lots of their own data, now they are stuck with unsupported old vault, and even single one-person shops need to buy a very expensive license and subscription to continue using it with updates.And quite frankly, as much as I'd like to use vault for my company, I can't justify the expense.. especially when I need to collaborate with other engineers who aren't a part of my company, I would still need licenses/subscriptions for them to work with my vault.QuoteYeah it's sad... they built so much choice over the years, but there was never any real focus on making any of the options great.This is the reason I stick with plain schematic and footprint libs that I maintain myself and upgrade as needed, tied together with a database. You have to maintain the database yourself, but at least you know schematic libs and footprint libs will always work and never be taken away from you!I wonder how many people would like to use a basic Altium librarian VM that looked after the database and its management if it was simple to create and start working with?

author: MikeF
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 01:05:53 pm
content: If you thing the libraries are bad (and they are) then wait till you try the documentation.Mike

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 01:16:45 pm
content: And if you think Altium documentation is bad, try MS Office Help.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 02:37:25 pm
content: Quote from: julianhigginson on November 27, 2016, 11:13:12 pmI'm doing the same thing. PCBlib, SCHlib, glued together with an excel table, edited in excel, and a DBlib. Oddball, one-off components just SCHlib and PCBlib, in the project folder.I dont think this is the correct way of doing it. I need a third party software like Excel, because Altium does not provide the right tool?

author: MikeF
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 02:43:47 pm
content: Clarification regarding the documentation - The documentation is actually okay but finding what you are looking for is a pain in the derriere.Mike

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 03:16:04 pm
content: Quote from: Bud on November 28, 2016, 01:16:45 pmF1 -- most useless shortcut in all of MS Office!Tim

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2016, 11:14:55 pm
content: Quote from: NANDBlog on November 27, 2016, 04:15:39 pmSo how does Vault work when you drop your subscription, I assume you can still use placed parts but can't update or access new parts anymore?If that is the case, Altium likely did this in part to cripple pirated versions and encourage subscription.Someone has posted a torrent here where they uploaded all the old intlib's, I think it was here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/altium/altium-designer-14-3-13-unified-library/

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 29, 2016, 03:15:18 am
content: Quote from: MikeF on November 28, 2016, 02:43:47 pmYep, agreed.

author: julianhigginson
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2016, 03:42:35 am
content: Quote from: NANDBlog on November 28, 2016, 02:37:25 pmIt's OK - You need excel installed to be able to have BOM templates, anyway.(Note that if you don't use BOM templates, and just want the spreadsheet parts database, you *can* use libre office. so no need to actually buy any extra software. Just a need to install and use freeware)I think the issue is that really for a database driven system (which this feature is really about - excel spreadsheet is just a simple way to have an easily dealt with portable "database" on disk in your dev machine) And you do need a way to properly manage and maintain a database - for a start, database allows any kind of data to be stored, in whatever order you organise it - all defined by your manifest.. so it'd be hard for them to write a tool that let you properly manage the database for an arbitrary manifest... or write your own manifest to create a new database in the first place... and what about big data imports and exports to/from other business systems? Also, if Altium was your only access method to a database, then stuff goes wrong, how do you rescue it? By forcing you to be responsible for the database, I think they do you a massive favour in the long run.

author: julianhigginson
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2016, 03:51:55 am
content: Quote from: thm_w on November 28, 2016, 11:14:55 pmVault is licensed the same way as Altium Designer (and the same way as the new CST PDN plugin)1) you pay a license fee upfront to buy a perpetual licence that you can install and use forever.2) Altium require you to maintain a subscription on that license in perpetuity if you want to get updates ongoing. (they used to sell major version upgrades to perpetual licenses before this)So if you stop paying vault license fees you are stuck with whatever was the latest version of the vault at the time your license expired.if you have multiple licenses that you need to use (ie, a team) Then you're limited to updates to vault software by the date of the subscription that expired first.

author: carljrb
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2016, 01:32:32 am
content: Quote from: MikeF on November 28, 2016, 02:43:47 pmTrue enough. Lots of times it's easier to find the information elsewhere by googling it.Then again, they'd like you to pay for their expensive training services (a few thousand dollars for 4 days). There's other options (Robert Ferranec's videos for instance) but no matter what you pick it just won't cover everything, and there's always gonna be some new features to keep up with.Sometimes you'll manage to find tips elsewhere (like ninedot connect's videos) but I wish Altium would make these redundant. They haven't posted a single video in the community video library since 2014. It wouldn't be too hard to post a few quick how-to's for their new features on there... Their blog also has very little content. Webinars are a pain to watch and seem mainly like a sales pitch instead of training.I far prefer to just use plain PcbLibs+SchLibs as-is, without Vault or DbLibs (only seems to complicate things, without actually being useful in any way)

author: DerekG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2016, 08:47:14 pm
content: Quote from: julianhigginson on November 29, 2016, 03:51:55 amI thought you actually lost access to the vault full stop!I started out with SmARTwork in 1988 the moved across to Protel in 1990 (in the days when Nick Martin told me in Adelaide that "the software is so good we don't need to supply a demo version for people to try"). I upgraded a number of times until several years ago when I decided to bite the bullet & move over to DipTrace (& Proteus as a contract engineer).I just got so sick of all this so called Altium "integrated" stuff that caused me so many headaches.Yes, Altium is very powerful & yes, with Altium you can do almost anything you want when designing a PCB.But, I can move from the schematic to the PCB in DipTrace smoothly without any "hassles" which makes DipTrace a more productive package for me.A group of us have been working with DipTrace to implement lots of shortcut keys in a similar fashion to Altium.We have also been working hard on the libraries, which got implemented in Ver 3.0Instead of going down the path of providing the multitude of manufacturers parts (ie via part number from On Semi, Microchip etc), we have gone down the path of simply searching for the generic footprint name (ie TO220, SOT23, SOIC8 etc). If there is an odd ball footprint, just choose a standard part that is close, make the modifications to it in 2 minutes flat, then save it.Yes, I still use Altium when upgrading legacy boards, but I often cringe when something that should be simple turns out not to be.In the Protel days most of the menus where logical & self explanatory. Unfortunately with Altium, this is often no longer the case.

author: Randy_Clemmons
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 05, 2016, 06:34:55 pm
content: Take a look at Parts for Altium, this is a free turnkey DBLib library.http://pcbparts.blogspot.com/p/downloads.htmlYou can us this free Access database library as a starting point to to create you own DBLib library. This is an Access database, however you do not need to purchase Access to use an Access database with Altium.Also, there is an optional (not required) Frontend application that is reasonably priced that greatly simplifies DBLib library maintenance.The Frontend supports drag and drop from Digi-key and Mouser. No typing required to create parts !Regarding the optional Frontend app.If you don't have Access installed and you wish to take the Parts Frontend for a test drive, you can download a free Access runtime.See:http://pcbparts.blogspot.com/2015/01/parts-getting-started.htmlbest regardsRandy

author: julianhigginson
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2016, 05:02:31 am
content: Quote from: DerekG on December 01, 2016, 08:47:14 pmI think that was the original vault (the one that was all hosted in the cloud during that period when when Altium was based in China, and the userbase collectively lost their minds over the idea of their precious IP all being stored on a server in Beijing...)So yeah - The first version of the vault could only be subscribed to as a service (you can still get components managed by altium off a similar vault now!) and so when you lost your subscription I assume you lost access to the vault.Now when you buy Altium vault, you have an installer that you can put it on your own server, which you need to maintain yourself, and you have your own vault instance, with whatever version you're subscribed to... so while it's got the same name and does mostly the same things, it's a very different product.

author: julianhigginson
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2016, 05:15:24 am
content: Quote from: Randy_Clemmons on December 05, 2016, 06:34:55 pmNice to see a simple example dblib project available, and at that price for the frontend it would make sense for many people to just adopt this rather than roll their own system in many cases.One thing I'm a little curious about is the access database approach... to me, Access seems, well, a bit niche and a bit dependent on microsoft. SQL database, to me, seems more like something that is appropriate for ongoing use. Even if it needs a server, and can't run off a drive or network drive.... have you considered doing the same thing with a SQL database?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 07, 2016, 08:00:08 am
content: Quote from: julianhigginson on December 07, 2016, 05:02:31 amThere was a huge outcry during that period. All the big US defence contractor Altium users were going to ditch it if they didn't back peddle. Altium back peddled

author: julianhigginson
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2016, 09:57:50 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on December 07, 2016, 08:00:08 amTo be fair, it was never a requirement to use the vault. They only ever offered it as a paid add-on. And I get the impression that very very few people paid to add that particular version of it on.Now I think back to that time, I remember there were people on the Altium forum who were doing US defence work that were freaking out badly enough just over the move to China "I CAN'T DESIGN TOP SECRET PROJECTS FOR THE US GOVT USING SOFTWARE WRITTEN BY SOMEONE IN CHINA!!!" At the time I remember thinking - if the chinese govt want to hack your computer and steal your data, they don't need your EDA software to be written in china... also, maybe, if you don't want to be hacked, it's probably best not to advertise yourself as someone doing top secret military design work....

author: Kelbit
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2016, 10:00:17 pm
content: One useful library feature for Altium is actually somewhat hidden, it's the IPC compliant footprint wizard, accessible from the tools menu when a PCBLib is open:This is *way* better than the default wizard you get when you do right click -> component wizard. It supports way more package types, and actually follows the IPC design rules for footprints (you can even specify board density and it'll add or remove copper as applicable). As of AD16 it also can generate realistic looking 3D models for your parts (not just an extruded box). It's improved my workflow significantly - I don't go looking for footprints anymore, I just create them.Of course, this feature is rarely mentioned in Altium promotional materials because it's not a value-add for them since it's part of the base price, so some people aren't even aware it exists.

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2016, 10:08:38 pm
content: Quote from: pigrew on November 25, 2016, 01:03:28 pmTHIS.. By default vault is turned off. go to vault manager click on 'add altium vault'and the rest is all automatic.if you have your own vault : same thing.you can also map the vault as a generic library. that makes searching parts even more easy.

author: DerekG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2016, 11:47:57 pm
content: Quote from: Kelbit on December 07, 2016, 10:00:17 pmYes, I agree with you. Altium heavily promote their library vault primarily to keep people paying their yearly subscription fee.DipTrace have been going down the line of IPC compliant footprints in their libraries - with many hundreds already available including the 3D modelling.All I have to do is to look at the manufacturers data sheet for the footprint, search for that in the DipTrace IPC library & 99% of the time it is already there for me to select. In the 1% where it is not, I simply modify a footprint that is close to what I need ... which takes about 2 or 3 minutes flat.

author: julianhigginson
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2016, 12:14:17 am
content: Absolutely. the component wizard is what makes doing DIY components with standard packages such a quick and simple task, that most people I know don't bother with downloading parts in the first place.

author: Miles Teg
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2016, 05:09:48 pm
content: I'm also finding my way on Altium libraries by first, making a search in the public altium vault (finding commons Ti chips, Microchip, STmicro, wurth connectors) to have a fast component to place.If I want to keep these sources internally, I just copy/paste symbol and footprints in my files and link them in my database.Then for unknown component, I find quite easy to use the IPC footprint wizard and create my own component.With that, now I don't even bother to spend time looking for "foreign" libraries or components than creating the component myself.

author: Randy_Clemmons
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 08, 2016, 07:24:08 pm
content: Try Altium's Ciiva Search, it greatly simplifies finding parts in Altium Content.See:http://pcbparts.blogspot.com/2016/12/get-ciiva-parts.html

author: KenGaler
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 12, 2016, 12:51:07 am
content: I've been using Altium for a couple years now and I would not be if it weren't for Parts FrontEnd. I have about 6K in the dbLib. Forget the silly vault, this is the way to go.http://pcbparts.blogspot.com/2015/01/parts-getting-started.htmlKen

author: Vudu
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 28, 2016, 05:44:36 am
content: Hey Randy,Thought I'd give pcbparts a try to see if I like it. After messing about with having a 64bit install for office, and needing to use 32bit instead, I came across 2 issues:First, it keeps telling me I have to unzip the files everytime I load from access file>open, but seemingly the desktop shortcut that was installed is ok. Bit weird, and it causes access to crash on me. Using 2013 on a parallels VM.Second, the import of files from either digikey or mouser doesn't work as shown in the video. Not sure if its beacuse mouser is au.mouser for me, but digikey doesnt work and its not au. However in the video and via the blog site it describes to click and drag the file 'image' from the address bar. I dont have that, and am wondering if it might be because I'm on FF and not chrome or ie...Anyway I'm not sold on this thing considering its about $500Au. Great in principle coz I dont want to have to work to hard for it haha, but even if it worked well I think its a bit steep on the $$, and would likely get more attention if it was cheaper price point.

author: mrtn
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2016, 11:02:27 pm
content: I created a set of IntLibs that contain a load of SMT capacitors (4,000) and resistors (6,000) which I scraped from Digi-Key.Murata capacitors and Panasonic ERJ resistors.I know everyone likes their own libs but I thought someone might find these useful.See this post:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/circuit-studio/generated-capacitor-and-resistor-libraries-from-digi-key/

author: Randy_Clemmons
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 01, 2017, 05:09:04 pm
content: Vudu,Thank you for taking time to look at Parts and providing feedback.Parts (Access) was not tested on a Virtual Machine (VM). I am not surprised to hear you had some issues there.Regarding the URL drag and drop. Parts was tested with Firefox, I.E. and Chrome, however the feature only supports a few country codes, i.e. USA and Canada. Users I know in Belgium and Australia have found that if they switch the country code to USA or Canada at Digikey or Mouser the URL drag and drop feature works.If you can't use the URL drag and drop feature you can still avoid a lot of typing by dragging or using cut and paste to get text and datasheet links into the database without having to key in all of the data one character at a time.You should be able to select any html text on a webpage then drag and drop the selected text to any text field in the Parts Frontend. For example you can select a Mfr Part Description online then drag it onto the Parts front-end form.I would like to hold and online meeting with you to better understand the problems you encountered with the Parts Access database. I'm keen to work with you, as I don't get many opportunities to work with Aussies, about 98% of Parts user base is located in the states.Let me know if you would like to meet online and discuss database libraries, please use the link below to request an online meeting.http://pcbparts.blogspot.com/p/contact-us.htmlbest regardsRandy

author: technotronix
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2017, 01:59:55 pm
content: I am using Altium designer from last many years and really happy with this.