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Author SHA1 Message Date
foley 0362d37ab3 avoid comment changes 2026-07-21 22:30:24 +00:00
foley e233699347 show value 2026-07-21 21:41:31 +00:00
foley 1cee51f794 how to get the values to showup 2026-07-21 21:40:49 +00:00
foley 3aec1d4f94 stop updating comments for some components 2026-07-21 21:39:02 +00:00
foley ff43c5ece6 format for SMT question 2026-07-21 21:37:09 +00:00
foley 62b89c9009 neckdown warning dealth with 2026-07-12 22:59:45 +00:00
foley 227021d7bc fixed spelling 2026-07-12 22:56:49 +00:00
+33 -7
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@@ -112,14 +112,28 @@ Altium Designer is an expensive professional-grade ECAD software for schematic c
Solder one the components to the board (or send it to a fabricator for larger orders with a pick and place)
Test, Share, and Enjoy!
FAQ
How do I reuse footprints and symbols when creating a new part?
# FAQ
## 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
1. Click the lock symbol next to the Comment field
1. Click on the Comment text itself on the page
1. In the Properties window: make sure "Allow Sychronization with Database" is not checked
## How do I put the Value of resistors and other passive parts on the PCB
You'll have to give up using the Comment field for this
1. Click on the part and open the Properties window
1. Under Comment, replace the text with `=Value`
1. Click on the Comment text itself on the page
1. In the Properties window: make sure "Allow Sychronization with Database" is not checked
1. Menu: Design > Update PCB Document
## How do I reuse footprints and symbols when creating a new part?
Click on Existing in the dropdown
Navigate to the "Models" folder
Pick footprint or symbol
My mounting holes are causing the footprint to get errors on Validation
## My mounting holes are causing the footprint to get errors on Validation
Edit the schematic symbol
Click on an empty spot on the sheet
@@ -130,7 +144,7 @@ My mounting holes are causing the footprint to get errors on Validation
Click OK
My mounting holes are causing the footprint to get errors on the Design Rule check "Hole Size Constraint"
## My mounting holes are causing the footprint to get errors on the Design Rule check "Hole Size Constraint"
Open Constraint MNAGER
Tab "All Rules"
@@ -138,10 +152,12 @@ My mounting holes are causing the footprint to get errors on the Design Rule che
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
What if my component's pins have a missing number in the sequence? Validation fails!
## What if my component's pins have a missing number in the sequence? Validation fails!
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.
Surface mount components aren't working with the autorouter!
I have a suspicion that if you make a hole with no copper, then maybe it isn't a pad.
## Surface mount components aren't working with the autorouter!
Tight surfacemount components need a fanout before routing.
@@ -158,8 +174,15 @@ Tight surfacemount components need a fanout before routing.
Physical All net: Min: 0.076mm, Prefer: 0.2mm, Max: 0.25
Make sure that if you have a Power net, it also has the same sizes
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.
Design > Constraint Manager
All Rules
SMT > SMD Neck-Down
Create Advanced rule and keep the default neckdown of 50%
## I want to reuse my constraints to make anoter board without having to put all the numbers in again. How do I do this?
## I want to reuse my constraints to make another board without having to put all the numbers in again. How do I do this?
Reference: https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-designer/pcb/constraints-editor#new-custom-constraint-rule
1. Open the constraint manager (either on the Schematic or PCB depending upon where you set it up)
1. Open "All Rules" ab
@@ -167,3 +190,6 @@ Reference: https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-designer/pcb/constraints-
1. Choose "Export all rules"
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