hybridfree/eevblog-posts huggingface dataset:
altium mechanical layer pairs - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Aztlanpz
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2018, 12:36:24 am
content: How do you create mechanical layer pairs on Altium 18?Thank youAztlan

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 05, 2018, 07:46:43 pm
content: View Configuration (L), "Layers & Colors" tab, In the "Component Layer Pairs" Section, right click -> "Add Component Layer Pair".I'm not sure how todeletea layer pair, though. It looks like you have to remove all primitives first and then delete the layers? That seems silly.
Clearance rule to component specific board cutouts - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: owiecc
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 01, 2018, 02:20:01 pm
content: I have a problem with a clearance between some nets and a cutout I have for one of the components. Is there a query that allows me to select the cutouts?There is a InRegion() query that might be useful but I do not know how to address the cutout areas with it.Just to specify, the problem arises from using this rule:1) InNetClass('HV')2) NOT InNetClass('HV')

author: Mikekoz13
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2018, 12:55:38 pm
content: If I remember correctly, cutouts are "Regions" so you would have to set up your clearance rules accordingly.
Trace, pad and silkscreen colour?? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: primeval
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 20, 2018, 09:41:41 am
content: Hi all -Complete Altium newbee here with a question (maybe a silly one?).Why are the traces and pads and silkscreen in my project coloured black and how do I change the colours? (See attached images)

author: Ice-Tea
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2018, 10:33:19 am
content: Like this...

author: primeval
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 20, 2018, 10:40:24 am
content: Tried each colour option from that drop down menu with no luck? (see attached)*Edit - Opened project in Altium 16 and the colours are normal. Still can't work out why Altium 18 displays different?

author: Franck
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2018, 01:45:01 pm
content: Hi primeval,I see that your window is dark, are you using a black theme?Could it be linked to your issue?When you use Altium 16, do you use a black theme too?Franck.

author: primeval
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 20, 2018, 02:02:22 pm
content: Hi Franck,I have attached an image of the same board loaded in Altium 16. These are the colours I expected to see.The dark theme is default with Altium 18, I don't think theres an option to change. Still unsure why the board is displayed in different colours, everything just seems darker?

author: Franck
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2018, 02:55:56 pm
content: Quote from: primeval on February 20, 2018, 02:02:22 pmOK, I didn't know about Altium 18 "charcoal background" (that's the way they call it).When you are in 3D view, type L and you should get the "View Configuration" panel.Attached is a picture of my config.

author: primeval
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 20, 2018, 03:13:17 pm
content: Thanks for the settings, roughly copied them into the "View Configuration" panel. Results attached, no luck, still very dark.

author: Deridex
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 21, 2018, 04:58:57 am
content: Hm, i'm using AD18 at work and i'm not having such problems.I can only gues possible reasons for it:- maybe Singlelayermode (Shift+S) is activated ?- maybe a optical filter is enabled (gets cleared by Shift+C)- maybe a displaydriver problem
Free HyperLynx DRC - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Gazza9
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 14, 2018, 08:00:13 pm
content: Has anyone had chance to look at this free HyperLynx DRC product that can be used with AD?https://www.mentor.com/pcb/hyperlynx/electrical-rule-check/drc-editionsSupported PCB layout systems and formats include:• Mentor Graphics PADS®, Xpedition®, and Board Station®• Cadence Allegro®, SPECCTRA®, and OrCAD®• Zuken CADSTAR®, Visula®, CR-3000/5000/8000 PWS, and Board Designer• Altium® Designer• ODB++• IPC-2581

author: julianhigginson
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 15, 2018, 05:23:09 am
content: sounds interesting!Might have to try to run some of my designs in this and see what it does.
Re-organizing libraries, how to update old projects to new locations? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Icchan
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2017, 04:04:06 pm
content: Hi.I'm somewhat new to Altium, so excuse my ignorance that led me to this situation.I have a bunch of projects with part libraries (SCHLib, PCBLib, 3D models) that are situated inside the project folder. The names are basically "project_name.PCBLib" and "project_name.SCHLib" and they only include components that were made on the spot for that particular project. They're not organized by type or manufacturer, they're just the parts of the project in a messy single library.Basically made adhoc on the spot.Now i would want to move to more centralized library scheme where I would have SVN-server that stores my library files and they are organized by type into folders and sub-folders.e.g: Library/Footprints/Dpak...SSOP etc. and Library/Symbols/IC/Op-amps/... etc..I will use DBlib or SVNLib to tie this all together using MySQL database.The issue is, that if I move all the stuff from project specific libraries to the new system, I need to update all the projects to use the new locations or if I make a change into any component, the older projects won't update with he new data.I've spent better part of two days trying to figure out if there any proper way, a tool or something to make this easier.But my current understanding is, that after organizing all of my parts in to the new system and locations, I need to open every project and manually point all the components to the new location of that components data.Has anyone ever done this kind of migration before and how?I can always do all this completely manually, but i hope i don't have to use few weeks doing this and making absolutely sure nothing breaks in the process.thank you for all the help you can give

author: cadguy68
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2018, 08:06:12 pm
content: Yes, I had to do this, for dozens of projects. Manual, slow, boring, time consuming, but necessary.After 5+ years of adhoc libraries we finally created a DbLib linked to our corporate database which is really nice now. But I also had to spend about a half-year converting all of our 'current' and 'recent' projects to the new database library format. Doing so also revealed additional things that were needed in the database library scheme.It's was a huge project, but well worth the effort. Life is good now, especially when BOM time comes around
AD 17 Autoroute - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: meerweten
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2017, 05:57:55 pm
content: As i'm short in time for a project i was trying to get the autorouter to work (never got it working).the problem is that is does noting :/tried it on a simple pcb still nothing.Am i missing something?All tutorials i find on the internet just press the autoroute and it seems to work...See images.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2017, 01:16:08 am
content: Autoroute is driven by design rules. For example, you might be able to route it by hand using any allowed trace width, but the autorouter will only use the Preferred trace width, and if that conflicts with clearance rules or a number of other things (SMT Connect, maybe?), it won't go.Tim

author: meerweten
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2017, 07:16:59 am
content: OK i'll have a look @ my design rules then.thanks for the input!

author: cadguy68
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2018, 07:49:16 pm
content: I've found that Altium's autorouter works 'a little better' with completely through-hole designs (no smt devices).Surface mount devices, even with fantouts, just seem to cause it to choke and embarrass itself.
Protel 99SE - Mini PCIe card end foot print - anyone got one? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: DTJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 06, 2018, 06:14:12 am
content: Hi Guys - has anyone got a Protel 99SE footprint for the edge connector (fingers) on a Mini PCIe card that they can share with me or alternatively point me to an online library that I can down load?Just trying to avoid drawing it up from scratch.Cheers!

author: stefanh
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2018, 01:48:30 am
content: Full sized Type F1 PCIe Mini Card, form factor and signal assignments.https://designcontent.live.altium.com/TemplateDesignDetail/PDE-0001-00004Not sure if this is backward compatible with 99SE though.

author: DTJ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2018, 11:55:16 am
content: Thanks Stefan I'll check it out.
AD17 - Draftsman - Mechanical parts are hiding components underneath - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: nickagian
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 09, 2018, 08:27:06 am
content: I'm having this problem with my draftsman document that I try to create for my project. I have to say, this is my first time with AD17, so perhaps the solution is very obvious but I am not aware of it.So I have included two heat sinks and a plastic cover for an oscillator in my design, as mechanical parts. I have placed them in the PCB, naturally above other components (the processor, the FPGA and the oscillator). However, when I create the draftsman assembly view these mechanical components are solidly displayed and thus all the parts underneath them are not shown.I haven't yet found a solution how to make them transparent in the draftsman. I have tried changing the opacity of their 3D models in the PCB, even hide them completely, but this seems to only influence the PCB itself and not the assembly view.Does anyone know something in this direction?

author: cadguy68
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2018, 07:03:53 pm
content: Same problem here. Tried both V16 and V18.For me, it's multiple metal shield fences (with removable lids). The fences are 'open' on top and should reveal the components inside, but nope - total eclipse!It's one of many reasons I can't use Draftsman for serious work.
How to change designators? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: photoflect
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 08, 2018, 03:32:30 am
content: I somehow did something so that I can't change the designator name in the properties panel. I don't even see this option anymore. I attached a picture of what I see in the properties panel. How do I change the designator names?

author: photoflect
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 08, 2018, 04:12:29 am
content: I just need to rename what the pins are called to match the schematic. I did this on another set of vias already.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2018, 12:55:51 pm
content: This sounds like the wrong way to do this.Help me understand the situation. Am I correct:You have made a schematic change, which resulted in a given component having a new pinout.You updated the PCB, but cannot change the part because the pin names are wrong.You wish to change the pin names, so the update goes through correctly?This is wrong, because you are creating an inconsistent footprint. The schematic symbol might be inconsistent too, I have no idea. These kinds of updates are allowed, and useful from time to time, but must be done extremely carefully, to be absolutely certain that the change is correct, and will not strike someone later on (including your later self!) with a hidden surprise.Preferably, the correct symbols are created in the libraries, placed on the schematic, updated to PCB, and there are no problems.Sometimes you need to change a component to a different type entirely, and the pins are inconsistent and cannot be updated this way. In that case, simply delete the old PCB component, and update the PCB. The new footprint will show up.BTW, the pictured dialog is a Pad object, not a Via.Tim
Alitum in Solid Works - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ahbushnell
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2018, 02:50:33 pm
content: http://smart.solidworks.com/video-maximize-design-efficiency.html?SkipReg=1&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=LinkedIn&utm_campaign=1711_GLO_PCB_SW_GLO_DIGIT&utm_content=lg_vidC&utm_term=5

author: ANTALIFE
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 08, 2018, 02:05:14 am
content: Yea I recall hearing Altium made a deal with SW where they gave them a cut down version of Altium but not sure what they got in return, a better 3D viewer/editor plus ability to import SW files into Altium?
Altium 16, wierd problem clicking on traces when interactive routing - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: supdude
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 07, 2018, 07:28:34 pm
content: I've been using Altium for years and this just started happening recently. The scenario:1. have a partially routed trace2. click the interactive routing button3. click on the partially routed traceSometimes it works fine, sometimes altium assigns the new routing to "No Net" and it doesn't connect to the trace I'm trying to route (video demonstrating the problem:https://ibb.co/ktdJ6H). Anyone seen this before? It seems to be completely random as far as I can tell.Deleting and re-routing the trace from a pad fixes it, but it's pretty annoying!
Altium Designer component mess when importing to PCB - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: trio36
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 31, 2018, 05:47:00 pm
content: Hello.I am having this issue when "importing changes" into my PCB.Components from one specific sheet will create a huge room with very high separation between the components.Identical components are used in the other sheets and they do not seem to have this issue. Also I tried to copy the contents of the problematic sheet into another schematic document. That did not help.Thank you.

author: D3f1ant
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 31, 2018, 07:23:37 pm
content: I've had this too at times, I think it's somewhat random and been a problem through many versions of AD. What version of AD? I don't recall seeing it for a while.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 31, 2018, 08:30:24 pm
content: Hm, usually it goes the other direction (imports in a single row, not a column).Easily enough fixed: select all in room, T, O, L, select two corners of a rectangle, done.Tim
How do I split a harness to multiple harness connector? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Plecto
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2018, 11:29:26 am
content: Is it possible to have several signals going into one harness in one sheet and then 'split' them out over several other sheets? Among other signals, I have six USBs going from one hub to six different sheets, I would like to avoid having six harnesses if possible

author: Ysjoelfir
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2018, 02:41:27 pm
content: If i understand you correctly you mean something like this (see attachment 1, 2)?If so - yes, you can. as long as the sheets are in the same project they share one harness definition.You can just reuse the harness connector on every sheet you need it.Don't forget to use non DRC markers on the unused harness entrys and if you (as I understand it) use only one harness connector per sheetyou need a port at the harness input and potentially a sheet where you just connect sheet symbols with the corresponding ports and a harness in between. (attachments 3, 4)Make sure that the harness definitions and names for both sheet entrys and connectors are identical (accidentally I named it in attachment 3 Test_Offsheet and in attachment 4 Harness_Test - they should be identical.).Edit: some typos... new keyboard

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2018, 10:09:05 pm
content: Harnesses can contain other harnesses, so you could define a USB harness, and then define a multi-USB harness where each harness entry is itself a USB harness. You would set the "Harness Type" for the Harness Entries in the higher level harness to match the lower level harnesses. However, you can't, as far as I know, fan those subharnesses out directly from the main harness like you would with bus entries. At each fan-out point you'd have to have the multi harness connector and then connect out the individual harnesses you want from there. You also can't have a bus of harnesses.From what you've described, though, six separate USB harnesses is probably the easiest and graphically the clearest option.
Altium Collisions - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: photoflect
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 27, 2018, 06:45:46 pm
content: I am working on a PCB. There are 3 pads on the bottom layer for a photodiode and the rest of the components are on the top layer. However, there are always collision errors when the top components are near or on the photodiode pads even though they are on the bottom layer and technically do not interfere with each other. Attached are screenshots showing the errors for one component. Does anyone know what is going on and is there any way that I can fix this. This is my first time using Altium any help is appreciated!

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 28, 2018, 02:11:45 am
content: It says "between component on top layer and component on top layer".It appears that you didn't put a photodiode on the bottom, you put a photodiode on top with (for some reason) pads on the bottom.Altium isn't smart enough to automatically understand this bamboozle, so it's telling you it doesn't get it.On a related subject (and probably one that will solve your problem regardless of sidedness), there's an oft-missed quirk to when 3D data is absent, the whole outline of the footprint is assumed as its 3D bounding box!Plop in a 3D model of the photodiode, or make it a bottom side component (so the pads in the library will be on the top side), and I think you will be fine.Tim
harness error, need help - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: gogoman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 19, 2018, 01:21:56 pm
content: Hi guys, I created a harness with multiple entry points which span several pages. using the navigator they look to be connected.after compilation the reports shows "fatal error conflicting harness definition conn A".In laymen terms what do I need to check for?thanks

author: gogoman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 20, 2018, 04:09:42 pm
content: found it
Polygon Connect Style Rule - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: strawberry
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2018, 08:45:19 pm
content: How to make rule to make polygon 'Direct Connect' to exact pad ?

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 12, 2018, 09:54:37 pm
content: Apply a Pad Class to the pad, create a polygon connect rule that targets that pad class. Make sure that the priorities are set so that this rule overrides the default.Alternatively you might be able to us an InComponent AND InNet rule or something to get the pad you want. Really there are lots of ways to do it, just depends on if you actually need to do it once, or are doing it for the same pin on multiple parts but in the same net, or whatever.

author: strawberry
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2018, 10:05:39 pm
content: made new pad class named xx for pads I need and in polygon connect rule InPadClass ('xx')

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2018, 01:02:53 am
content: Example, pin 6 of U109 can be selected with:IsPad AND (Name = 'U109-6')This is less general than the Pad Class method ajb suggested. If U109 number ever gets changed by annotation, the above rule will break (or, worse yet, be applied erroneously to another component).I'm not sure offhand under what conditions a Pad Class will become forgotten (updating a component from library? changing footprint?), but it has limitations as well. Be vigilant.Tim
Altium 18 Supplier Search - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Aztlanpz
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2018, 01:12:44 am
content: what are the steeps in Altium 18 to do a supplier search for a component

author: Ysjoelfir
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2018, 02:22:41 pm
content: Click on the "Panels" Button in the down right bottom, select "Part Search" and... start searchingBefore you should set up the suppliers in the preferences - data management - parts providers.

author: Aztlanpz
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2018, 05:44:02 pm
content: THANKS

author: Ysjoelfir
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2018, 05:59:19 pm
content: you're welcome
Project files gets constantly automatically deleted or write protected - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Plecto
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2018, 04:59:13 am
content: I've been having this issue for a while. While I'm working I quite often get an error when trying to save, telling me that I cannot save. When trying to save again it suggest saving it as "copy of...", which I do. The result is that my projects are filled with files called "copy of copy of copy of...." and such. I have my projects in a folder synced to Google Drive and I'm using Altium on two different computers. I though the problem had to do with me sometimes forgetting to close Altium on one of the computers while trying to save on the other, but it happens regardless of whether altium is up and running on the other computer. It can also happen many times while I'm working, I can save the file 4-5 times then suddenly the file is no longer there and I'm asked to save a "copy of..." instead. What's going on here?

author: mars01
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2018, 09:40:07 am
content: More generally, most cloud storage services can do that because if you save often you may be trying to do it exactly when sync is happening. Dropbox is doing it, too. In the end it depends on how fast your cloud storage and your Internet connection is.

author: Plecto
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 13, 2018, 05:09:07 am
content: So if I save at the same time syncing is happening, it decides to first write protect the file and then delete it? How come google drive doesn't have a better way to handle crashes like that?I can try to disable syncing while I'm working and see how that works.
Multi-sheet Busses into Busses - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: zephyrus
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 10, 2018, 11:05:50 pm
content: Hi,So I've got a bunch of multicolour LEDs I want to wire up using repeated sheets.They're driven by a bank of LED drivers, but the problem is when I go to wire the sheets together, I have an 80 width bus going into a 4 width bus repeated 20 times. I can logically match them but I'm having trouble getting Altium to split a bus up into 20 smaller ones. What's the way to do this?

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 11, 2018, 02:45:35 am
content: You can't do hierarchical buses or buses of buses. Supposedly hierarchical harnesses are in development, but who knows when that feature will be available.One sort of workaround could be to create a marshalling sheet where a bunch of buses come in one side and get mixed into a single larger bus that goes out the other side. Might need to mess with the net name resolution settings to get that to work.
Can you sort the libraries on the drop-down menu on the Libraries Panel? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Pack34
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2018, 06:39:25 pm
content: I'm managing a large amount of libraries and I'm typically creating at least one a week. The drop-down menu on the Libraries panel seems to be listed in the order that they were added.Is it possible to sort this? This way all of my resistor libraries are adjacent, etc.

author: Pack34
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2018, 07:07:51 pm
content: Hitting the [Libraries...] button on the panel I can move everything up and down manually.It would be nice to auto-sort alphabetically but at least I can do this to make everything more orderly.
sheet properties, where the fhell is it? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: CopperCone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2017, 11:57:30 pm
content: I want to change my sheet size from an A. I can't find the sheet properties they speak of. It's extremely frustrating.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2017, 01:44:22 am
content: Design/Options (D, O). You can set the sheet size manually, but you'll probably want to create your own templates including title block and default parameters.Select a different template using Design / General Templates / . You need to specify the path to your templates, and then they will show up in this menu.Incidentally, the "standard" sheet sizes are nonsense. 'Letter' is not 8.5 x 11". Better to set it custom.Tim

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2018, 08:48:29 pm
content: You can also just double click outside of the page area, this will bring up sheet properties in both AD18 and previous versions.Quote from: T3sl4co1l on December 29, 2017, 01:44:22 amHuh? In AD17 and earlier sheet size is specified in schematic grid units (0.01in)*, but they appear to be right to me. In AD18, sheet size is specified in mils, which is still a little silly, but somewhat less arbitrary.* This also holds for importing DWG/DXF into the schematic, FYI, which isn't documented anywhere I've seen. Not sure if that part's changed in AD18.
find logical designator - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: asadi.siyavash
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2018, 01:51:54 pm
content: Hi I have many similar component so instead of using long designator e.g. U_A_C27 I used logical designator C27 but problem is for assembly service they can't find C27 because for jumping to component we need physical designator. is there any way to find logical designator?
Clear filter selection - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: blueskull
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 30, 2017, 11:04:41 am
content: As we know shift+f is very useful in many cases, but today I ran into a bummer of AD18 -- ctrl+click no longer clears selection, and it took me a while to find how to clear filtered selection. I'm posting it here in case anyone ran into the same trouble in the future.The new shortcut is shift+c. Also, clear button has been replaced with a "red cross on top of sort funnel" icon.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 30, 2017, 01:59:24 pm
content: I've always used SHIFT+CTim
disable green X's on parts? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: CopperCone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2017, 12:49:57 am
content: My screen is basically crowded by little circles with green X's in them. On the parts.How do I stop this?Whats the violation with these partsThe dimensions are per the datasheet

author: mairo
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 27, 2017, 01:06:46 am
content: this shows violations - one I can see strait away I think is the overlapping of the silkscreen and the copper pads. To see what are your violations (most probably spacing clearance) right click on the object that has the 'green crosses' and navigate to "violations" and this will show you what you are violating from your current PCB settings

author: Pack34
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2017, 04:41:23 pm
content: Also your Room settings.

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2017, 11:57:15 pm
content: Turn on the HUD (Shift+H) and hover the cursor over the component. The HUD should give you some text describing the error. Or run design rule check and look at the report. If you change your design rules such that whatever violation is shown isn't a problem any more, you may need to do Tools > Reset Error Markers to clear the existing green Xs.I usually just turn off room generation (Project > Project Options > Class Generation tab) unless it's a multi-channel design, otherwise I find rooms are generally more annoying than helpful.
AD18 popup window - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: blueskull
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 16, 2017, 09:36:06 am
content: Since AD18, double clicking a part brings focus to property panel instead of opening a popup window for editing properties. Is there a way to restore this behavior? I feel it's hard to move mouse to the edge of screen every time to edit something. Also, default text box focus is different, so I can't just navigate and modify values as easy as before.

author: Pitrsek
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 17, 2017, 02:55:49 pm
content: Not to my knowledge. Move to side panels instead of pop up windows was one of the highlight in the presentation of what's new.The note about ease of navigation might be worth mentioning in the beta support forum.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2017, 04:08:27 am
content: Try undocking the Properties panel (right click on the Properties panel title bar), then move it to a convenient location. It should work as a popup window now, if I understood your question right.
Need help finding a keyboard shortcut that I forgot... - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: crispytato
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2017, 09:05:20 am
content: So, I've been away from Altium for a good while, and in the process, I forgot an essential keyboard shortcut, one which I've had zero luck finding online or in the menus... I'm probably just using the wrong keywords, but I've got no idea what they call the feature so I've had zero luck finding this super simple thing. so annoying!Basically, it just dims all the other layers but the one you're currently working on. It's a toggle, and I'm pretty sure it's ctrl-(something) or shift-(something) but the exact combo is evading me, and I don't want to mess everything up spamming various ctrl/shift key combos till I find it!Thanks very much!

author: DerekG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2017, 12:30:15 pm
content: Quote from: crispytato on December 23, 2017, 09:05:20 amI believe you are looking for SHIFT + S which stands for "single layer" mode. Indeed it is a toggle on & off.

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 24, 2017, 12:21:40 pm
content: Hit ` to see a list of commands and their shortcuts.Tim

author: jmarkwolf
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2017, 07:11:58 pm
content: Yes, shift 'S' as indicated above. But there are options associated with it.You can dim, gray out, or black out the other layers with this command, depending on your selected options (in display preferences if I recall correctly).
length tuning - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: xzswq21
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2017, 01:28:22 pm
content: HelloI could tune the lengths in Altium successfully.but I have a problem!actually I have a SOM (a small FPGA board) and it has 200 pins totally.I want to connect my board to the SOM. all the pairs are LVDS.the problem is:the tracks on the SOM are not tuned within 10mils, there is 1cm of mismatch between the pairs!now I have a length document (text file), how should I load the file into Altium and tune the tracks on my board to have equal lengths?Best Regards

author: nns
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 24, 2017, 09:24:06 pm
content: I assume you found the answer by now, but if not, you can use the "package length" option. This allows you to add arbitrary lengths to the signals to account for delays internal to an IC package (or SOM in your case). The lengths will be incorporated into the length tuning in the PCB layout.

author: AlfBaz
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2017, 12:52:40 am
content: Quote from: nns on December 24, 2017, 09:24:06 pmThanks for that. I wasn't aware they had introduces that feature. Last time I used Altium for a high speed design, I had to do it manuallyLooking now to see what, if any, other goodies they've added
Fedevel's 15 hour course is on special on Udemy for £15 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: kaz911
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2017, 10:29:23 am
content: Someone might like thatRoberts 15 hours getting started course is discounted to £15 on Udemy for a few days. Don't know how much they normally charge for it.https://www.udemy.com/learn-to-design-your-own-boards//k

author: mars01
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2017, 12:11:48 pm
content: Quote from: kaz911 on December 19, 2017, 10:29:23 amLooks like the normal price on Udemy is 145 euro.

author: kaz911
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2017, 03:17:03 pm
content: Quote from: mars01 on December 19, 2017, 12:11:48 pmYes there is the "retail" price - but often there are a lot of discounts & coupons. So I do not know their "average" advertised price ..

author: Fire Doger
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 21, 2017, 12:22:54 pm
content: Discounts are very often, and Robert in a vid he said that everyone is buying them at discounts.I have seen it, very nice for a newbie in Altium.
Variants previews for PDF or printing are not good - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: jwalkerbg
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: December 21, 2017, 11:18:31 am
content: Hi,There is an annoying problem in Altium Designer 18 that arises when generating PDFs of projects with variants. When displaying variant which have several not fitted parts, the red crossing lines are partly or at all hidden by the other elements - parts, polygons or wires. This is not the case in Altium Designer 15.The problem exist in projects created in Altium Designer 15 that are opened in Altium Designer 18 and in projects created in Altium Designer 18.The attached picture represents the problem - the red crossing lines are partly hidden.Why this happen? May be there is some option that has been introduced after Altium Designer 15? May be these lines have its own layer?Regards.
AD18 Pad properties "Pin package length" - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Fire Doger
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2018, 05:19:22 pm
content: Hello,What this value means? It doesn't mention it hereAD18 PadThank you,Stefanos

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2018, 06:09:41 pm
content: It's used to compute total signal length, eg with xSignals. Essentially it accounts for the length of the lead and bond wire inside the package.https://www.altium.com/documentation/16.0/display/ADES/NFS_16_0((Pin-Package+Delay+Support))_AD
AD 18 Board option - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: grimmjaw
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2017, 08:12:44 am
content: Hi,Is there any way to access Board Options in AD18.Im trying to change the dimension to mm but the default set to inches.in older version I can set all dimension to mm not sure how to do this in AD18Thanky

author: DerekG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2017, 11:04:06 am
content: Quote from: grimmjaw on December 18, 2017, 08:12:44 amDoes the keyboard shortcut "q" still work?

author: grimmjaw
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2017, 12:42:45 pm
content: Got it.Thanks blueskull

author: firstcolle
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2017, 01:49:58 pm
content: Quote from: DerekG on December 18, 2017, 11:04:06 amyes is still working
ghost track in altium 17 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: dkwaterboy
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 15, 2017, 07:36:12 am
content: HeyI have a problem with ghost track on the bottom layer on my design?? It is the blue square I can't mark it or remove it\Anders

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2017, 08:45:42 am
content: Try double clicking it (is it locked?).Tim

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 15, 2017, 08:46:34 am
content: Probably it is locked, makes it harder to select. Press S+L, select it, V+W+P+L to bring up PCB list, set it to "selected objects" and un-lock it, or delete it.

author: dkwaterboy
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 15, 2017, 09:28:52 am
content: Hey thanks for the helpI couldn't do any of those things! but I could right click on another track and do a find similar objects to tracks with no net and select it that way. I can't delete it but i could make it a small mechanical line instead

author: Pseudobyte
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 06, 2017, 01:07:19 pm
content: I imagine it was the filter.I have noticed on occasion that you can get the filter into really strange states where the object is not in the purview of the filter but is shown in full color. This can be solved simply by clearing the filter using the button on your toolbar or pressing shift+c. Not sure how it happens but I know that this was your problem because it has happened to me and a few coworkers before.

author: Kentxu
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 02, 2018, 03:37:00 am
content: Thank you!! Just made my dayI've been having the same problem in AD15.0. Couldn't select a track on bottom layer. It was something to do with the board outline, similar to your one with that slot. But mine were 0.00254mm (0.1mil) wide.So I had to use PCB List with filter set to Bottom tracks, same width, and there they were. Then i could change them to unused mech layer. Still can't select them, but now not bothering me. Yay!!!

author: maxpayne
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2018, 09:22:34 am
content: It happened to me couple of times. I went to single layer mode and just drag mouse pointer with guessed area where those line might be. selected it and deleted.
footprint update in layout - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: gogoman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2017, 05:24:03 am
content: Hi newb questionin the schematic I changed the footprint of symbol. recompile the schematic then updated the layout.The foot print did not change. Why is this the case?thanks

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 26, 2017, 06:45:32 am
content: What reason did it give?Tim

author: gogoman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2017, 04:56:04 am
content: in the schematic properties the footprint is shown, compiling (sch to layout) it's states not found.not sure why this was the casethanks

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2017, 06:23:15 am
content: Try (PCB view) Project/Component Links. Match up SCH and PCB objects, hit OK.Tim

author: gogoman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2017, 02:01:02 pm
content: Quote from: T3sl4co1l on November 29, 2017, 06:23:15 amI'll it a try.when a footprint is changed for a part does this appear automatically in the footprint manager?thanks

author: xzswq21
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 09, 2017, 01:37:55 pm
content: Hiyou could solve this problem like below:I have attached a picopen the PCB file:Tools--> Update from PCB libraries---> press (update all footprints (ECO))then validate and execute....

author: Icchan
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2017, 01:27:57 am
content: Basically all design changes go through "Engineering Change Order" in Altium. That ensures that in multi-user environment all changes that can obviously in any way alter the functionality or manufacturability of the product are accounted for and reported and accepted properly and not without a proper review.Yeah, it feels clunky as hell if there's only single user, but it's there for a good reason and honestly has saved me personally from myself a few times.
Method to Produce A Fast Crash - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2017, 01:10:27 am
content: Having a bad day, just want to end it? Give this a try!File / New / PCBPlace a few tracks. Select some and set Solder Mask Expansion Mode: From Rule.Go to Design Rules, add new Solder Mask Expansion rule. Custom query: "IsTrack AND SolderMaskExpansion". Set expansion to a negative value.Hit OK.You have now set the bomb. To detonate it, select an affected trace. It will attempt to refresh the trace's properties, and fail for some reason. Enjoy your hard crash.(Seems to work in AD16.0, anyway.)Workaround: use query "IsTrack AND (SolderMaskExpansionMode = 'From Rule')" instead.Tim

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 01, 2017, 10:42:33 am
content: Whoaa there - if your not careful you'll start a competition to find the fastest way of crashing AD after a fresh startup

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2017, 12:10:21 pm
content: Hmm, what's that do? Just select a whole bunch of shit?I'd also discovered a bug that didn't cause a crash, but did lock up the router for arbitrary periods of time. Something about routing close to a curved board outline. In a trivial design it might hang for a minute (at 100% (single core) CPU usage), in a medium design I'd left it for 10 minutes before giving up.Tim

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2017, 02:16:40 pm
content: You can always replace the 0603 resistor with a TQFP144, press "Update PCB with current footprint" and receive this:

author: T3sl4co1l
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2017, 03:32:27 pm
content: It's sad that few kids these days will get to experience the joy that is Internet Explorer crash screens.Tim

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2017, 03:39:50 pm
content: Quote from: T3sl4co1l on December 01, 2017, 03:32:27 pmThe real thing is when you could draw on the screen with he error message, like in W 95. Sure, it crashed, and you lost that one page you had open, but the endless joy it gave...

author: Fgrir
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2017, 07:11:19 pm
content: Quote from: T3sl4co1l on December 01, 2017, 01:10:27 amI get no crash on 17.1.9, just an error message. This is so disappointing as I have read that Altium never fixes anything in their bug-ridden softwareIt does seem strange that there was an error message and yet it appears to have taken the rule and applied it to the traces

author: aandrew
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2017, 08:59:33 pm
content: Quote from: NANDBlog on December 01, 2017, 02:16:40 pmI can't quite put my finger on it, but that image immediately conjured up that scene from I, Robot where you had hundreds of those androids surrounding Will Smith and apologizing.
part placement  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: gogoman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 29, 2017, 02:05:18 pm
content: Hi in layout when components overlap violations don't appear.where is this featured enabledthanks

author: gogoman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2017, 02:15:06 pm
content: Quote from: blueskull on November 29, 2017, 04:08:28 pmstill not enabled. the component clearance is enabled, constraints set to specifics, object matches set to all.suggestions?thanks

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 30, 2017, 02:40:19 pm
content: Maybe enable:DXP > Preferences > PCB editor > General > Online DRC

author: Mikekoz13
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 30, 2017, 05:18:14 pm
content: Take a look at this:

author: gogoman
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2017, 02:51:44 am
content: Working online DRC was not enablethanks
BOM Generation Error "File in use" - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: willysjeeps
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 10, 2017, 10:08:43 pm
content: Hi all -I'm working on a project and getting ready to order boards and parts. I've created an Output job where I've defined my BOMs and gerbers. When I go to generate BOMs, after a while, I'll get a popup box that says "Error Failed to export file C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Temp\Pro7C3C.tmp (file may be in use)". The 'Proxxxx.tmp' file changes every time I run the job. I go to the directory and can't find the file it references. My excel spreadsheet never gets generated.What did I do?I'm using Altium 17.1.9.Any thoughts?

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 11, 2017, 06:52:03 am
content: Altium + Excel. Maybe the Windows 10 update bug which is well documented in another thread.

author: willysjeeps
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 13, 2017, 07:30:01 pm
content: Towger -I found a thread about DBLibs and KB4041676 - but I'm not using a DBLib. I uninstalled KB4041676 for good measure. I can open libraries. I also see something about KB4041681, but I don't have that installed either (https://www.eevblog.com/forum/altium/psa-do-not-install-microsoft-creators-fall-update-if-you-use-altium/msg1332499/#msg1332499andhttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/chat/windows-10-creators-update-1703/).I have found that if I do a single sheet BOM, it works no problem. But if I do a multi-sheet BOM, no worky. I can see the system is generating a bunch of intermediate files during a multi-page generation. It just can't make it to the finish line.Could you point to the the 'well documented' thread on this?

author: willysjeeps
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 29, 2017, 06:00:04 pm
content: I figured it out. Long story made short, I overloaded some cells in MS Excel. The maximum number of characters in a cell is ~32k and I was trying to stuff a few more than that into a single cell.Background:The issue stemmed from my college and I using two different libraries for resistors. I was using a Panasonic lib and he was using a Rohm. When we combined the design and ran the BOM generation tools, the system would die (see above). Well, it turns out that Altium combined the like 0603 resistors into single rows (which is what we wanted) (also note this is a really large board with a lot of analog comparators, opamps, NPNs). However, Altium then comma listed a separate part number for each, for example 10k used like this: P10.0KHCT-ND, RHM10.0KHCT-ND, RHM10.0KHCT-ND, RHM10.0KHCT-ND, etc. The cell overflowed, Excel choked, and some error is not well handled.K.
How do I show holes with their respective size in an assembly output job? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Plecto
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 16, 2017, 01:38:20 pm
content: When making an assembly output, choosing the 'drill drawing' layer will show symbols representing hole type and size (which is fine and dandy). Selecting Multi-layer will show nothing at all for some reason. Selecting top-layer and unchecking everything but pads will show the pads around all holes, but how do I make an assembly output that will show the hole as black circles, without the pads?

author: hamdi.tn
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 28, 2017, 10:40:43 pm
content: Check Holes checkbox