Compare commits
2
Commits
| Author | SHA1 | Date | |
|---|---|---|---|
 foley
|
b25ba8b558 | ||
|
foley
|
fb0f667d55 |
@@ -1,231 +1,235 @@
|
|||||||
# Altium
|
# Altium
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
Documentation and support files for Altium at Reykjavik University
|
Documentation and support files for Altium at Reykjavik University
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
* Maintainer: Joseph T. Foley
|
* Maintainer: Joseph T. Foley
|
||||||
* Main Contact: `cad-admin` at RU.IS
|
* Main Contact: `cad-admin` at RU.IS
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
## Students:
|
## Students:
|
||||||
* Get your license at [Altium Education](altium-education.md)
|
* Get your license at [Altium Education](altium-education.md)
|
||||||
* Getting help, particularly regarding licenses: `studentsupport@altium.com`
|
* Getting help, particularly regarding licenses: `studentsupport@altium.com`
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
## Staff:
|
## Staff:
|
||||||
* Contact `cad-admin` requesting access. We have a very limited number of staff licenses.
|
* Contact `cad-admin` requesting access. We have a very limited number of staff licenses.
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
# Overview
|
# Overview
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
Altium Designer is an expensive professional-grade ECAD software for schematic capture, PCB layout, and simulation. They also sell free PCB layout tools for hobbyists under the name [CircuitMaker](https://www.altium.com/circuitmaker).
|
Altium Designer is an expensive professional-grade ECAD software for schematic capture, PCB layout, and simulation. They also sell free PCB layout tools for hobbyists under the name [CircuitMaker](https://www.altium.com/circuitmaker).
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
* Altium requires the Windows operating system. If you are on linux or OSX, you will need to run it in a 64-bit virtual machine. We recommend using VirtualBox with Windows 11 Education at the [Microsoft Azure Dev Tools for Teaching](https://aka.ms/devtoolsforteaching)
|
* Altium requires the Windows operating system. If you are on linux or OSX, you will need to run it in a 64-bit virtual machine. We recommend using VirtualBox with Windows 11 Education at the [Microsoft Azure Dev Tools for Teaching](https://aka.ms/devtoolsforteaching)
|
||||||
* All Altium licenses and content has been moved into the official Altium Cloud called Altium 365. You will be using Altium 365 Workspaces detailed at https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-365/workspace One large benefit is that you will be able to access Altium off campus without needing to use the VPN.
|
* All Altium licenses and content has been moved into the official Altium Cloud called Altium 365. You will be using Altium 365 Workspaces detailed at https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-365/workspace One large benefit is that you will be able to access Altium off campus without needing to use the VPN.
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
## Documentation: https://www.altium.com/documentation/
|
## Documentation: https://www.altium.com/documentation/
|
||||||
* Altium itself has a Help menu!
|
* Altium itself has a Help menu!
|
||||||
* Altium Education
|
* Altium Education
|
||||||
** Introduction to Altium 365: https://education.altium.com/p/altium-365-for-students
|
** Introduction to Altium 365: https://education.altium.com/p/altium-365-for-students
|
||||||
** Tutorial (after registration): https://education.altium.com/courses/unit-1-introduction-to-pcb-design
|
** Tutorial (after registration): https://education.altium.com/courses/unit-1-introduction-to-pcb-design
|
||||||
* Altium365: https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-365
|
* Altium365: https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-365
|
||||||
* Classic Tutorial: https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-designer/tutorial-complete-design-walkthrough
|
* Classic Tutorial: https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-designer/tutorial-complete-design-walkthrough
|
||||||
* Tutorial and Hint Videos http://altiumvideos.live.altium.com
|
* Tutorial and Hint Videos http://altiumvideos.live.altium.com
|
||||||
* More videos: https://my.altium.com/discover
|
* More videos: https://my.altium.com/discover
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
# Reykjavik University Workspace
|
# Reykjavik University Workspace
|
||||||
1. After getting a license, you will need to contact `cad-admin AT ru.is`: explain what class/project you are working on and that you need access to the Altium "Reykjavik University Workspace"
|
1. After getting a license, you will need to contact `cad-admin AT ru.is`: explain what class/project you are working on and that you need access to the Altium "Reykjavik University Workspace"
|
||||||
1. The first window is "License Management". You need to pick a license and click on "Use" before you can get started.
|
1. The first window is "License Management". You need to pick a license and click on "Use" before you can get started.
|
||||||
2. To access our Workspace, click on the "Not Connected" on the top right corner and pick "Reykjavik University". **Of note, anyone in the Workspace can see the work and parts that you have in this Workspace.** For more private work, create a new Workspace.
|
2. To access our Workspace, click on the "Not Connected" on the top right corner and pick "Reykjavik University". **Of note, anyone in the Workspace can see the work and parts that you have in this Workspace.** For more private work, create a new Workspace.
|
||||||
1. Click on the same spot again and it will open the "Explorer" so you can see what parts are already in our library.
|
1. Click on the same spot again and it will open the "Explorer" so you can see what parts are already in our library.
|
||||||
1. If you make a particularly useful component, please share it in the Workspace so others can use it as well.
|
1. If you make a particularly useful component, please share it in the Workspace so others can use it as well.
|
||||||
1. By default, things are public so if you need to change permissions on a project related to an assignment, please contact your instructor to change the "Share" setting on a file or directory.
|
1. By default, things are public so if you need to change permissions on a project related to an assignment, please contact your instructor to change the "Share" setting on a file or directory.
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
# Starting a PCB
|
# Making a PCB
|
||||||
1. Setup what pins are allowed to connect in the Project > Options > Connection Matrix
|
The process of making a PCB starts with a tested schematic.
|
||||||
* The most common change is to change IO to Output to be "No Report" otherwise connecting a Pi GPIO to an output will create a warning.
|
## Setup the schematic and blank board
|
||||||
1. Find the Schematic Symbols and PCB layout in the Reykjavik University Workspace library
|
1. Setup what pins are allowed to connect in the Project > Options > Connection Matrix
|
||||||
* If they are missing, you will need to import them from the Manufacturer and/or create schematic symbols and footprints
|
* The most common change is to change IO to Output to be "No Report" otherwise connecting a Pi GPIO to an output will create a warning.
|
||||||
1. Drag them onto your Schematic
|
1. Find the Schematic Symbols and PCB layout in the Reykjavik University Workspace library
|
||||||
1. Connect them together with appropriate wires and busses
|
* If they are missing, you will need to import them from the Manufacturer and/or create schematic symbols and footprints
|
||||||
* Unattached inputs (for components with internal pullup/pulldown) can be left floating with a "NO ERC" marker
|
1. Drag them onto your Schematic
|
||||||
1. Project > Validate and look at the output in Messages
|
1. Connect them together with appropriate wires and busses
|
||||||
1. Test your circuit using a breadboard. **THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT to avoid wasting time later!**
|
* Unattached inputs (for components with internal pullup/pulldown) can be left floating with a "NO ERC" marker
|
||||||
1. Create a new PCB document in your project (Of note, the 2026 rover's plate has a size of 100x135mm (4x5.3 inches)
|
1. Project > Validate and look at the output in Messages
|
||||||
1. View > Board Planning Mode
|
1. Test your circuit using a breadboard. **THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT to avoid wasting time later!**
|
||||||
2. Design > Edit Board shape
|
1. Create a new PCB document in your project (Of note, the 2026 rover's plate has a size of 100x135mm (4x5.3 inches)
|
||||||
2. Drag handles until the size is what you want
|
1. View > Board Planning Mode
|
||||||
2. View > 2D Layer Mode
|
2. Design > Edit Board shape
|
||||||
2. Add a "keepout" line around the board if you want to use the Autorouter to avoid it routing off the board
|
2. Drag handles until the size is what you want
|
||||||
1. Import the components from the Schematic by: Design > Import Changes from ...
|
2. View > 2D Layer Mode
|
||||||
1. It will create an Engineering Change popup showing the operations it will do
|
2. Add a "keepout" line around the board if you want to use the Autorouter to avoid it routing off the board
|
||||||
2. Click Validate (look for red X's for possible issues)
|
1. Import the components from the Schematic by: Design > Import Changes from ...
|
||||||
2. Click Execute
|
1. It will create an Engineering Change popup showing the operations it will do
|
||||||
|
2. Click Validate (look for red X's for possible issues)
|
||||||
# Pick a PCB manufacturer.
|
2. Click Execute
|
||||||
This will determine the options for traces and vias. Some options in no particular order:
|
|
||||||
## [JLCPCB](https://jlcpcb.com/)
|
## Pick a PCB manufacturer.
|
||||||
This company is located in [Hong Kong (China)](https://jlcpcb.com/help/article/terms-%26-conditions)
|
This will determine the options for traces and vias. Some options in no particular order:
|
||||||
This The boards in the 2026 rover kits were made here. Website: https://jlcpcb.com/
|
### [JLCPCB](https://jlcpcb.com/)
|
||||||
## [AllPCB](https://www.allpcb.com/)
|
This company is located in [Hong Kong (China)](https://jlcpcb.com/help/article/terms-%26-conditions)
|
||||||
This company is somewhere in China. As of 2026-07-29 they were not accepting orders:
|
This The boards in the 2026 rover kits were made here. Website: https://jlcpcb.com/
|
||||||
"Due to adjustments to the Company's corporate governance structure, our website will temporarily suspend operations effective immediately. Outstanding orders and services will still be fulfilled as agreed. For more information, please contact your dedicated customer service representative. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding."
|
### [AllPCB](https://www.allpcb.com/)
|
||||||
The first iteration of the 2026 PowerMotor board was made here.
|
This company is somewhere in China. As of 2026-07-29 they were not accepting orders:
|
||||||
Manufacturing capabilities at https://www.allpcb.com/advanced_pcb_manufacturing_capability.html
|
"Due to adjustments to the Company's corporate governance structure, our website will temporarily suspend operations effective immediately. Outstanding orders and services will still be fulfilled as agreed. For more information, please contact your dedicated customer service representative. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding."
|
||||||
* Drill hole size: 0.15-6.5mm
|
The first iteration of the 2026 PowerMotor board was made here.
|
||||||
* Minimum via/pad:
|
Manufacturing capabilities at https://www.allpcb.com/advanced_pcb_manufacturing_capability.html
|
||||||
* Double-side board: 0.2mm (inner diameter)/0.5mm (outer diameter)
|
* Drill hole size: 0.15-6.5mm
|
||||||
* Multi-layer board: 0.15mm (inner diameter)/0.25mm (outer diameter)
|
* Minimum via/pad:
|
||||||
* The outer diameter must be 0.1mm larger than the inner diameter, 0.15mm preferred
|
* Double-side board: 0.2mm (inner diameter)/0.5mm (outer diameter)
|
||||||
* Preferred Min. Via hole size: 0.2mm
|
* Multi-layer board: 0.15mm (inner diameter)/0.25mm (outer diameter)
|
||||||
* Minimum trace: This depends up on the copper thickness! (1OZ copper) 0.076/0.076mm(3mil/3mil). Tolerance is 20% so you probably want to set the width to 1mm
|
* The outer diameter must be 0.1mm larger than the inner diameter, 0.15mm preferred
|
||||||
* Silkscreen text minimum height 0.75mm, width 0.1mm
|
* Preferred Min. Via hole size: 0.2mm
|
||||||
* Silkscreen spacing from character to copper: 0.15mm
|
* Minimum trace: This depends up on the copper thickness! (1OZ copper) 0.076/0.076mm(3mil/3mil). Tolerance is 20% so you probably want to set the width to 1mm
|
||||||
|
* Silkscreen text minimum height 0.75mm, width 0.1mm
|
||||||
## [PCB4Less](https://pcb4less.com)
|
* Silkscreen spacing from character to copper: 0.15mm
|
||||||
This is a US PCB vendor, which may be helpful when collaborating with US partners.
|
|
||||||
## [EuroCircuits](https://www.eurocircuits.com/)
|
### [PCB4Less](https://pcb4less.com)
|
||||||
Their headquarters is in Belgium.
|
This is a US PCB vendor, which may be helpful when collaborating with US partners.
|
||||||
|
## [EuroCircuits](https://www.eurocircuits.com/)
|
||||||
|
Their headquarters is in Belgium.
|
||||||
# Setup the Constraints
|
|
||||||
These ensure that the vendor can make the board and the Design Rule Checker will catch the mistakes. Your chances of having a working board are very low if you skip this step! Open Design > Constraint Manager
|
## Setup the Constraints
|
||||||
1. Clearances > All Nets
|
These ensure that the vendor can make the board and the Design Rule Checker will catch the mistakes. Your chances of having a working board are very low if you skip this step! Open Design > Constraint Manager
|
||||||
2. Click on the dimension and set it to "0.2mm". You can go as small as 0.1mm if you are using the 1Oz AllPCB copper.
|
1. Clearances > All Nets
|
||||||
2. Physical > All Nets
|
2. Click on the dimension and set it to "0.2mm". You can go as small as 0.1mm if you are using the 1Oz AllPCB copper.
|
||||||
1. Click on "Min Width" and look at the bottom of the screen
|
2. Physical > All Nets
|
||||||
3. Most manufacturers can handle Min: 0.2mm, Prefer: 2.5mm Max 2.5 as a default
|
1. Click on "Min Width" and look at the bottom of the screen
|
||||||
3. Power nets might want to have larger traces:
|
3. Most manufacturers can handle Min: 0.2mm, Prefer: 2.5mm Max 2.5 as a default
|
||||||
1. Right click on "All Nets" > Classes > Add Class > Net Class
|
3. Power nets might want to have larger traces:
|
||||||
4. Set the class as "Power"
|
1. Right click on "All Nets" > Classes > Add Class > Net Class
|
||||||
4. Select all the nets such as "GND" and "3V3" in Non-members and click ">" to make them members
|
4. Set the class as "Power"
|
||||||
4. Click OK
|
4. Select all the nets such as "GND" and "3V3" in Non-members and click ">" to make them members
|
||||||
4. Click on the new "Power" class of nets
|
4. Click OK
|
||||||
4. Look at the bottom and set the Min: 0.5mm, Prefer 5.0mm, Max 0.9mm for some big traces
|
4. Click on the new "Power" class of nets
|
||||||
## Layout the board
|
4. Look at the bottom and set the Min: 0.5mm, Prefer 5.0mm, Max 0.9mm for some big traces
|
||||||
1. Setup the layers of the board.
|
|
||||||
1. RU CNC: Suggest doing it in one layer with jumper wires. Autoroute has an option for this.
|
## Layout the board
|
||||||
2. Most projects: 2 layer is cheapest and enough for most projects
|
1. Setup the layers of the board.
|
||||||
2. Fit in small space or lots of connections: 4 layers is commonly used on most modern devices
|
1. RU CNC: Suggest doing it in one layer with jumper wires. Autoroute has an option for this.
|
||||||
1. Manually route wires (or use Autorouting, my favorite) to place all the wires.
|
2. Most projects: 2 layer is cheapest and enough for most projects
|
||||||
1. If you need mounting holes, create Pads with a hole of the size you want
|
2. Fit in small space or lots of connections: 4 layers is commonly used on most modern devices
|
||||||
1. You'll have to assign it an identifier (such as S1, S2, S3,..) and match it to a pin in the "Pins" list
|
1. Manually route wires (or use Autorouting, my favorite) to place all the wires.
|
||||||
2. Edit the schematic symbol and put the new pins slightly off the symbol
|
1. If you need mounting holes, create Pads with a hole of the size you want
|
||||||
2. Click on a blank spot
|
1. You'll have to assign it an identifier (such as S1, S2, S3,..) and match it to a pin in the "Pins" list
|
||||||
2. Properties: Pins tab > click on the pencil to edit
|
2. Edit the schematic symbol and put the new pins slightly off the symbol
|
||||||
2. Uncheck the boxes for Show, Number, and Name on the mounting hole pads to hide them
|
2. Click on a blank spot
|
||||||
2. If the hole is bigger than 2.5mm, you'll have to increase the max hole constraint
|
2. Properties: Pins tab > click on the pencil to edit
|
||||||
1. Constraint Manager > All Rules
|
2. Uncheck the boxes for Show, Number, and Name on the mounting hole pads to hide them
|
||||||
3. Scroll to Manufacturing > Hole size
|
2. If the hole is bigger than 2.5mm, you'll have to increase the max hole constraint
|
||||||
3. Expand "Advanced Rules"
|
1. Constraint Manager > All Rules
|
||||||
3. Increase the maximum to your mounting hole size
|
3. Scroll to Manufacturing > Hole size
|
||||||
1. Check for Design Rule violations and fix them
|
3. Expand "Advanced Rules"
|
||||||
1. Tools > Design Rule Check
|
3. Increase the maximum to your mounting hole size
|
||||||
2. Click "Run Design Rule Check" which is on the bottom left! OK will just close the dialog.
|
1. Check for Design Rule violations and fix them
|
||||||
|
1. Tools > Design Rule Check
|
||||||
## Output the job to send to the PCB manufacturer
|
2. Click "Run Design Rule Check" which is on the bottom left! OK will just close the dialog.
|
||||||
Create an Outjob to produce the files the PCB manufacturer wants (Gerber and NC drill usually)
|
|
||||||
1. Right click on the project > Add New to Project > Output Job File
|
## Output the job to send to the PCB manufacturer
|
||||||
1. Click on [Add New Fabrication Output] > Gerber Files > pick the PCB file
|
Create an Outjob to produce the files the PCB manufacturer wants (Gerber and NC drill usually)
|
||||||
1. Right click on Gerber Files and choose "Configure"
|
1. Right click on the project > Add New to Project > Output Job File
|
||||||
1. Change the Units to Inches
|
1. Click on [Add New Fabrication Output] > Gerber Files > pick the PCB file
|
||||||
2. Click on "Plot Layers" and choose "Select Used"
|
1. Right click on Gerber Files and choose "Configure"
|
||||||
2. Click on [Add New Fabrication Output] > NC Drill Files > pick the PCB file
|
1. Change the Units to Inches
|
||||||
2. Click on "Folder Structure" in the output containers on the right size
|
2. Click on "Plot Layers" and choose "Select Used"
|
||||||
2. Click on both of these Fabrication outputs on the right where there is a circle
|
2. Click on [Add New Fabrication Output] > NC Drill Files > pick the PCB file
|
||||||
2. Click on the "Generate Content"
|
2. Click on "Folder Structure" in the output containers on the right size
|
||||||
1. This will put files into the folder on that container. This is usually something like "Documents\Altium\<projectname>\|Project Outputs for <projectname>\<type>"
|
2. Click on both of these Fabrication outputs on the right where there is a circle
|
||||||
1. Take all the files in the Gerber and "NC Drill" folder and put them in a zip file
|
2. Click on the "Generate Content"
|
||||||
1. Submit the Gerber file and the NC Drill files to the PCB manufacturer and pay them the money. Some vendors have the option to have them send you the files to review before production: I choose that even if it costs more to avoid having an issue such as no holes getting drilled. Usually it takes 1 week to get your board back due to Icelandic shipping and customs.
|
1. This will put files into the folder on that container. This is usually something like "Documents\Altium\<projectname>\|Project Outputs for <projectname>\<type>"
|
||||||
## Check the board before it goes to production
|
1. Take all the files in the Gerber and "NC Drill" folder and put them in a zip file
|
||||||
If you asked for a check before production, they will often send you a zip file with their CAM output. To check it (AllPCB example):
|
1. Submit the Gerber file and the NC Drill files to the PCB manufacturer and pay them the money. Some vendors have the option to have them send you the files to review before production: I choose that even if it costs more to avoid having an issue such as no holes getting drilled. Usually it takes 1 week to get your board back due to Icelandic shipping and customs.
|
||||||
1. Decompress the file somewhere easily accessible such as "AllPCB-cam". It will have two subdirectories:
|
|
||||||
* yg: the original Gerber files you sent in
|
## Check the board before it goes to production
|
||||||
* ok: the company's CAM output for you to look at
|
If you asked for a check before production, they will often send you a zip file with their CAM output. To check it (AllPCB example):
|
||||||
1. Create a CAM document in your project such as `<projectname>-AllPCB.cam`
|
1. Decompress the file somewhere easily accessible such as "AllPCB-cam". It will have two subdirectories:
|
||||||
1. File > Import > Quick Load
|
* yg: the original Gerber files you sent in
|
||||||
1. Change the filter to "all files" because the files do not have extensions (.gbl) instead the filename is just gbl
|
* ok: the company's CAM output for you to look at
|
||||||
1. Navigate to the AllPCB-cam/ok and click OK
|
1. Create a CAM document in your project such as `<projectname>-AllPCB.cam`
|
||||||
1. Examine the file to make sure that it looks like what you expect: no missing traces or holes
|
1. File > Import > Quick Load
|
||||||
# Check the board once it arrives
|
1. Change the filter to "all files" because the files do not have extensions (.gbl) instead the filename is just gbl
|
||||||
1. Inspect it for missing traces, shorts, etc. (In one case, the board was missing an entire layer!)
|
1. Navigate to the AllPCB-cam/ok and click OK
|
||||||
1. Solder one the components to the board (or send it to a fabricator for larger orders with a pick and place)
|
1. Examine the file to make sure that it looks like what you expect: no missing traces or holes
|
||||||
1. Test, Share, and Enjoy!
|
|
||||||
|
## Check the board once it arrives
|
||||||
# FAQ
|
1. Inspect it for missing traces, shorts, etc. (In one case, the board was missing an entire layer!)
|
||||||
## How do I keep the part Comment from getting changed when the part in the library is updated?
|
1. Solder one the components to the board (or send it to a fabricator for larger orders with a pick and place)
|
||||||
1. In the SCH, click on the part and look at the Properties window
|
1. Test, Share, and Enjoy!
|
||||||
1. Click the lock symbol next to the Comment field
|
|
||||||
1. Click on the Comment text itself on the page
|
# FAQ
|
||||||
1. In the Properties window: make sure "Allow Sychronization with Database" is not checked
|
## How do I keep the part Comment from getting changed when the part in the library is updated?
|
||||||
|
1. In the SCH, click on the part and look at the Properties window
|
||||||
## How do I put the Value of resistors and other passive parts on the PCB
|
1. Click the lock symbol next to the Comment field
|
||||||
You'll have to give up using the Comment field for this
|
1. Click on the Comment text itself on the page
|
||||||
1. Click on the part and open the Properties window
|
1. In the Properties window: make sure "Allow Sychronization with Database" is not checked
|
||||||
1. Under Comment, replace the text with `=Value`
|
|
||||||
1. Click on the Comment text itself on the page
|
## How do I put the Value of resistors and other passive parts on the PCB
|
||||||
1. In the Properties window: make sure "Allow Sychronization with Database" is not checked
|
You'll have to give up using the Comment field for this
|
||||||
1. Menu: Design > Update PCB Document
|
1. Click on the part and open the Properties window
|
||||||
|
1. Under Comment, replace the text with `=Value`
|
||||||
## How do I reuse footprints and symbols when creating a new part?
|
1. Click on the Comment text itself on the page
|
||||||
|
1. In the Properties window: make sure "Allow Sychronization with Database" is not checked
|
||||||
Click on Existing in the dropdown
|
1. Menu: Design > Update PCB Document
|
||||||
Navigate to the "Models" folder
|
|
||||||
Pick footprint or symbol
|
## How do I reuse footprints and symbols when creating a new part?
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
## My mounting holes are causing the footprint to get errors on Validation
|
Click on Existing in the dropdown
|
||||||
|
Navigate to the "Models" folder
|
||||||
Edit the schematic symbol
|
Pick footprint or symbol
|
||||||
Click on an empty spot on the sheet
|
|
||||||
Go to the Properties panel and select the Pins tab
|
## My mounting holes are causing the footprint to get errors on Validation
|
||||||
Click on the edit "pencil"
|
|
||||||
Add the designators associated with the mounting hole pads
|
Edit the schematic symbol
|
||||||
Uncheck all the boxes regarding what is visible
|
Click on an empty spot on the sheet
|
||||||
Click OK
|
Go to the Properties panel and select the Pins tab
|
||||||
|
Click on the edit "pencil"
|
||||||
|
Add the designators associated with the mounting hole pads
|
||||||
## My mounting holes are causing the footprint to get errors on the Design Rule check "Hole Size Constraint"
|
Uncheck all the boxes regarding what is visible
|
||||||
|
Click OK
|
||||||
Open Constraint MNAGER
|
|
||||||
Tab "All Rules"
|
|
||||||
Scroll to Manufacturing > Hole Size
|
## My mounting holes are causing the footprint to get errors on the Design Rule check "Hole Size Constraint"
|
||||||
Increase the Maximum to your hole size or create a new rule for your mounting holes specifically
|
|
||||||
This page has a suggestion I'm still testing: https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/682935/how-can-i-select-mounting-holes-pads-for-design-rule-checks-or-queries-in-alti
|
Open Constraint MNAGER
|
||||||
|
Tab "All Rules"
|
||||||
## What if my component's pins have a missing number in the sequence? Validation fails!
|
Scroll to Manufacturing > Hole Size
|
||||||
|
Increase the Maximum to your hole size or create a new rule for your mounting holes specifically
|
||||||
Oh boy. This took a while to figure out. The trick is to make a hidden pin just as you would for a mounting hole. See the suggestion above.
|
This page has a suggestion I'm still testing: https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/682935/how-can-i-select-mounting-holes-pads-for-design-rule-checks-or-queries-in-alti
|
||||||
I have a suspicion that if you make a hole with no copper, then maybe it isn't a pad.
|
|
||||||
|
## What if my component's pins have a missing number in the sequence? Validation fails!
|
||||||
## Surface mount components aren't working with the autorouter!
|
|
||||||
|
Oh boy. This took a while to figure out. The trick is to make a hidden pin just as you would for a mounting hole. See the suggestion above.
|
||||||
Tight surfacemount components need a fanout before routing.
|
I have a suspicion that if you make a hole with no copper, then maybe it isn't a pad.
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
Route > Autoroute > Setup
|
## Surface mount components aren't working with the autorouter!
|
||||||
Duplicate an existing one such as "Default 2 Layer Board"
|
|
||||||
Rename your new route with "Default 2 Layer Board (SMD)"
|
Tight surfacemount components need a fanout before routing.
|
||||||
Make sure the first 3 steps (in the right panel are)
|
|
||||||
Fan out signal
|
Route > Autoroute > Setup
|
||||||
Fan out plane
|
Duplicate an existing one such as "Default 2 Layer Board"
|
||||||
Spread
|
Rename your new route with "Default 2 Layer Board (SMD)"
|
||||||
Click OK and OK
|
Make sure the first 3 steps (in the right panel are)
|
||||||
Design > Contstraint Manager
|
Fan out signal
|
||||||
Clearances for All Nets: 0.076/3mil (if AllPCB)
|
Fan out plane
|
||||||
Physical All net: Min: 0.076mm, Prefer: 0.2mm, Max: 0.25
|
Spread
|
||||||
Make sure that if you have a Power net, it also has the same sizes
|
Click OK and OK
|
||||||
|
Design > Contstraint Manager
|
||||||
In addition, the Constraints Manager is missing some of the SMT rules so the Autorouter makes some assumptions. Read the [Altium article "SMT Rule Types"](https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-designer/pcb/design-rule-types/smt#smd-to-plane)for more information on these.
|
Clearances for All Nets: 0.076/3mil (if AllPCB)
|
||||||
|
Physical All net: Min: 0.076mm, Prefer: 0.2mm, Max: 0.25
|
||||||
Design > Constraint Manager
|
Make sure that if you have a Power net, it also has the same sizes
|
||||||
All Rules
|
|
||||||
SMT > SMD Neck-Down
|
In addition, the Constraints Manager is missing some of the SMT rules so the Autorouter makes some assumptions. Read the [Altium article "SMT Rule Types"](https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-designer/pcb/design-rule-types/smt#smd-to-plane)for more information on these.
|
||||||
Create Advanced rule and keep the default neckdown of 50%
|
|
||||||
|
Design > Constraint Manager
|
||||||
|
All Rules
|
||||||
## I want to reuse my constraints to make another board without having to put all the numbers in again. How do I do this?
|
SMT > SMD Neck-Down
|
||||||
Reference: https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-designer/pcb/constraints-editor#new-custom-constraint-rule
|
Create Advanced rule and keep the default neckdown of 50%
|
||||||
1. Open the constraint manager (either on the Schematic or PCB depending upon where you set it up)
|
|
||||||
1. Open "All Rules" ab
|
|
||||||
1. Right click on "Rule Class"
|
## I want to reuse my constraints to make another board without having to put all the numbers in again. How do I do this?
|
||||||
1. Choose "Export all rules"
|
Reference: https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-designer/pcb/constraints-editor#new-custom-constraint-rule
|
||||||
1. Pick which things to export if you don't want to include everything
|
1. Open the constraint manager (either on the Schematic or PCB depending upon where you set it up)
|
||||||
1. Click on the "Export X Items" and choose which filename to put it in
|
1. Open "All Rules" ab
|
||||||
|
1. Right click on "Rule Class"
|
||||||
## How do I move where various text shows up on the schematic symbol?
|
1. Choose "Export all rules"
|
||||||
https://www.altium.com/documentation/knowledge-base/altium-designer/control-component-parameter-appearance-in-schematic
|
1. Pick which things to export if you don't want to include everything
|
||||||
|
1. Click on the "Export X Items" and choose which filename to put it in
|
||||||
|
|
||||||
|
## How do I move where various text shows up on the schematic symbol?
|
||||||
|
https://www.altium.com/documentation/knowledge-base/altium-designer/control-component-parameter-appearance-in-schematic
|
||||||
|
|||||||
+5
-5
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
|
|||||||
# Bookmarks for later use
|
# Bookmarks for later use
|
||||||
* [Defining, Scoping & Managing PCB Design Rules: creating a new rule](https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-designer/pcb/defining-scoping-managing-design-rules#creating-a-new-rule)
|
* [Defining, Scoping & Managing PCB Design Rules: creating a new rule](https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-designer/pcb/defining-scoping-managing-design-rules#creating-a-new-rule)
|
||||||
* [Defining Design Requirements Using the Constraint Manager](https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-designer/sch-pcb/constraint-manager)
|
* [Defining Design Requirements Using the Constraint Manager](https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-designer/sch-pcb/constraint-manager)
|
||||||
* [Processes and Workflows](https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-365/processes-workflows)
|
* [Processes and Workflows](https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-365/processes-workflows)
|
||||||
* [Altium 365 Workspace Quickstart(https://my.altium.com/altium-365/getting-started/what-is-a365-workspace)
|
* [Altium 365 Workspace Quickstart(https://my.altium.com/altium-365/getting-started/what-is-a365-workspace)
|
||||||
|
|||||||
Reference in New Issue
Block a user