Altium is integrated schematic capture, PCB design and FPGA software.
-2
votes
1answer
51 views
Altium help with Routing
I am working with a new computer at my company learning Altium. I have created the schematic and the PCB files inside my project and successfully imported everything from the schematic to the PCB. My ...
1
vote
3answers
122 views
Cannot find SMD resistors in Altium
I just moved from Eagle to Altium. I cannot find SMD resistors in Altium libraries. In Eagle, there are almost all general components. In Altium there are only few resistors. Where can I download the ...
2
votes
0answers
39 views
Altium: Query to target Vias in Pads
Does anyone have a Altium query/selector that targets vias in SMT pads? I'm routing a very dense HDI board, and would like to make rules that exclusively target vias that are inside a component pad ...
0
votes
1answer
93 views
Altium Thermal Pad shortcircuit
All my QFN footprints are made with the Altium internal "Tools -> IPC Compliant Footprint Wizard". I get nice footprints with vias in the thermal pad.
When I try to place one of those footprints to ...
1
vote
0answers
99 views
Where is Altium Designer 13 Supplier Unit Price in BOM? [closed]
I got a month trial from Altium sometime in January, I believe that was Altium 12. While playing around with it, one thing we liked was that that for our BOM we can retrieve live supplier information ...
3
votes
1answer
98 views
Altium: Harness as output of MultiChannel block
I'm designing a schematic containing a MultiChannel block. I would like to use a Harness with outgoing signals as port.
If I use a single wire, I get a bus at the output. This is clear. But how can I ...
1
vote
2answers
113 views
Multichannel design in a Multisheet hierarchy project (Altium)
I'm working on another design that has multiple channels for a few circuits with in a multisheet design in Altium Designer.
I have a top sheet that contains all my sub systems as sheet symbols. One ...
3
votes
1answer
118 views
USB 2.0 PCB trace design restrictions
Thanks to the help from this community I am much closer to finishing my new design. Right now I am most worried about my USB 2.0 traces, and I want to make sure that I am doing everything right with ...
3
votes
1answer
69 views
Is it possible to add automatically not installed libraries in Altium?
As the title says: Is it possible to add automatically not installed libraries in Altium ?
After I reinstall Altium all the libraries I have added are not there I have to add them one by one again ...
0
votes
0answers
33 views
Replacement for ISP1760
We have been using ISP1760 in our designs with Altium Nanoboard. The design uses a shared menory between the SRAM, USB interface, Flash component. Now, the USB controller for the Nanoboard ISP1760 is ...
4
votes
1answer
94 views
PackageReference in Altium Designer
In Altium Designer standard libraries, parameters PackageReference and PackageDescription are same as ...
2
votes
1answer
131 views
In Altium how do you increase the trace width from a Pour to GND Vias and Pads?
In my PCB layout I have a ground power connector and several pads where I would like thick traces to connect to the ground plane.
When I use the polygon pour feature, it will connect these with 4 ...
2
votes
2answers
1k views
Altium: How do I flip/mirror components? X and Y don't work
So this seem like a simple question, but I'm trying to flip components in the schematic editor. If I select a component then use the keyboard shortcut X or Y, it brings up a menu and does not slip the ...
4
votes
1answer
386 views
Altium error: Nets containing multiple input ports. What does this error mean?
I am relatively new to Altium, and I am running into the following errors when compiling my schematic:
Net SDI contains multiple Input Ports (Port SDI,Port SDI)
Net CLK contains multiple Input ...
1
vote
1answer
380 views
How to locate Altium libraries
I want to use an ECS Crystal in my schematic and PCB layout in Altium, but I cannot find any downloadable libraries for ECS crystals despite ECS Crystal Oscillator. IntLib clearly being listed as an ...
1
vote
2answers
176 views
What is the green/red drag line in Altium?
When I drag a component in Altium there is always a line (sometimes it's red, sometimes it's green) connected in the center of the part and pointing to some place in the PCB. I always wonder what is ...
1
vote
1answer
203 views
How to export Slots in Altium?
I made my first PCB with slots, and Altium is generation two .txt files...one for the drills, and one for the slots...how do I combine them to send it to the manufacture?
2
votes
2answers
318 views
How to complete 3D Export PCB in Altium
I know how to export a STEP file in Altium, but is there a way to export the whole PCB, just as it is displayed in Altium's screen? I mean with the traces, vias, components, etc.
6
votes
1answer
419 views
Techniques to make art with PCB Silkscreen in Altium
I am finishing a PCB and I wanted to add some kind of artwork in my PCB, but not just import an image, I was thinking about placing some lines in the silkscreen, but I didnt wanted it to cover the ...
3
votes
2answers
253 views
Why Altium routes trace to the side of the pad?
I am curious, are there any reasons why Altium tends to route a trace to the side of a pad, instead of the top? The top looks more logical, since it will not disturb other traces in a SOIC for ...
2
votes
2answers
399 views
Altium Error? What is this reddish box?
I've been to a couple introductory Altium trainings and everything goes fine and dandy. This is the actual first board I am working on by myself. I've been learning so much just by doing stuff myself ...
2
votes
1answer
429 views
Altium: Position components following Step/DXF File
I'm new to PCB design and new to Altium. I manage to figure out the following:
Create my own footprints for odd parts and using the wizards.
Import the board shape from a DXF file.
Import the ...
4
votes
2answers
158 views
Satisfactory Margin for Traces from PCB Edge
I've had problems routing too close to the edge of a PCB before and was wondering if there's a suitable rule-of-thumb that I should use (maybe to put in a design rule in Altium somehow with my ...
3
votes
1answer
268 views
How do I disable clearance check for a layer or for only some certain elements?
I'm designing a PCB in Altium Designer. There is a very large heat sink in my project. When I put it on the PCB, there will be plenty of empty space under it where I can put other small components. ...
4
votes
2answers
475 views
Creating a component library which includes distinct elements
I'm learning custom library design in Altium Designer. I designed several libraries so far (BJTs, resistors, capacitors, etc), all worked without any problem. This time I tried to design an IC package ...
2
votes
1answer
216 views
How do I edit part SchLib file from SchDoc file in Altium?
Right now my only method to edit library files invovles searching in the Windows file explorer. There has to be a better way to edit the part directly through Altium.
1
vote
2answers
1k views
Create Altium footprint from scratch for Molex connector?
I'm trying to create a footprint for a Molex connector but I don't think it is possible to do with the wizards inside Altium, so I guess I have to do it by hand, but I am completely lost. Any help, ...
3
votes
1answer
1k views
Use sheet entries on Altium
I am trying to make a sheet entry to use ports to connect devices in different sheets as explained in this image:
But I am getting an error from Altium saying:
...
3
votes
1answer
1k views
How to use Altium Buses?
I am new at Altium, I am trying to connect 8 wires but using a bus. I have read about this in Altium's web page but I doesn't explain too much about how to connect buses on the way I need. I want to ...
0
votes
1answer
367 views
Altium Camtastic Auto-Rout PCB Border is routing over edge of board
I typically draw rout tool paths by hand, but I though I would give Altium's built-in router a try. The command I am talking about is Rout->Auto-Rout PCB Border within the CAM document mode.
The ...
1
vote
2answers
421 views
How do I use VHDL generic parameters when I place a sheet symbol in Altium?
I'm using Altium Designer Winter 09 to synthesise a design for an FPGA. This includes a VHDL-defined entity MyShifter that includes ...
1
vote
1answer
168 views
Strange Gerber Statement
I have this line at the beginning of a Gerber file generated by Altium.
%FSDAX23Y23*%
According the the Gerber Spec, the FS parameter should be followed by . Nowhere does it mention the meaning of ...
1
vote
2answers
668 views
Generating a cutting line from a Gerber outline
Our PCB fab has decided to charge us extra for our PCBs unless we provide them with a cutter tool path on a Gerber layer. Amazingly, Altium doesn't seem to have a tool to automatically generate this ...
3
votes
4answers
4k views
Footprints for SMD electrolytic capacitors
Does Altium Designer Summer 09 has footprints for SMD electrolytic capacitors? If so, where can I find them?
I've noticed the dimensions of these type of capacitors are given in diameter x height. ...
3
votes
1answer
518 views
Altium: Create library part from a schematic symbol
I have a schematic but not its associated library. All symbols in the schematic have proper details such as description, manufacturer, part #, etc... Is there a way to extract all this information and ...
2
votes
3answers
2k views
How to change polygon clearance in Altium
In Altium, when I draw a polygon, it automatically leaves a gap around copper of a different net. However, my Vin net is high voltage, and needs to have a 1mm clearance. Therefore, If I draw a Vin ...
11
votes
9answers
5k views
Looking for a good freeware/open source PCB design software equivalent to Altium
I am familiar with Altium PCB design software in my workplace.
But thats an expensive suite to maintain. Is there any decent enough free software which I can use at home for my pet projects? I have ...
7
votes
1answer
636 views
How Signal Integrity check in Altium Designer compares to HyperLynx?
I've finally discovered how to simulate high-speed signals propagation on PCB using Altium Designer, and it looks easy to use & convinient.
I wonder,
how close to reality results from Altium ...
6
votes
4answers
2k views
Changing all via and routing sizes at once (Altium Designer, PCB Design)
I have a completed PCB design drawn by Altium Designer. I want to increase via sizes. But there are too much of them, and changing all of them one by one will be a very long and bothersome work. Is ...
1
vote
3answers
764 views
CPU considerations for PCB software (routing) when purchasing a new computer
My company uses Altium Designer for PCB design and the most CPU intensive operation seems to be the autorouting.
My question is, when considering a new computer, would it benefit autorouting ...
