SDK Source Units
This is a reference for the SDK Source Units that covers the Altium Designer core SDK and its object interface types.
The SDK consists of various APIs and specialized routines used by the Altium Designer application, the editors (such as the PCB and Schematic) and the plug-ins or add-on extensions. The APIs rely heavily on the Object Interfaces technology.
The source units from the Altium Designer SDK are split into three areas, the Electronic Data Platform API, the PCB Editor API and the Schematic Editor API. They can be found in the installation's \SDK\Delphi\Source Code folder.
Electronic Data Platform API
The Electronic Data Platform (EDP) API deals with the DXP platform, projects and their documents, output jobs and common functionality.
| Unit Name | Description |
| EDPInterfaces.pas | Contains DXP platform, modules' interfaces. |
| EDPDispInterfaces.pas | Many interfaces used in the Altium Designer system have DispInterfaces instead of Interfaces. They are similar to Interfaces and are based on Win32's COM technology / IDispatch interfaces. |
| EDPRecordInterfaces.pas | |
| EDPTypes.pas | This unit contains types used for the Client, Server (plugins) and Workspace modules. |
| EDPClasses.pas | This unit contains base classes for Client, Server and Workspace Modules' interfaces. |
| EDPUtil.pas | This unit contains utility functions such as string processing utilities, measurement unit conversions (imperial and metric) and time/date conversions, customized dialogs, file ownership functions and special folders. |
| EDPDispWrappers.pas | |
| EDPDispConsts.pas | |
| EDPAbstractClasses.pas | This unit contains blue print classes to create plugin objects in Altium Designer. |
| EDPParam.pas | This unit contains all the functions for module's parametric command processing. |
| EDPOutput.pas | |
| EDPOutput_Netlist.pas | |
| EDPVFS.pas | |
| Direct.pas | This unit contains compiler directives which are needed for a Delphi based project. |
PCB Editor API
The PCB Editor API covers interfaces that deal with PCB documents and their associated PCB design objects.
| Unit Name | Description |
| EDPClasses_PCB.pas | This unit contains base classes for PCB objects interfaces. |
| EDPDispInterfaces_PCB.pas | This unit contains PCB interfaces as IDispatch interface types (based on Com / Win32 platform) |
| EDPInterfaces_PCB.pas | This unit contains PCB interfaces of PCB documents and design objects. |
| EDPRecordInterfaces_PCB.pas | |
| EDPTypes_PCB.pas | This unit contains data types used for PCB documents and design objects. |
\Legacy\PCBClass.pas | This unit contains legacy PCB design classes. |
\Legacy\PCBProcs.pas | This unit contains legacy routines used for various PCB objects |
\Legacy\PCBTypes.pas | This unit contains legacy PCB data types. |
Schematic API
The Schematic Editor API covers interfaces that deals with Schematic documents and their associated Schematic design objects.
| Unit Name | Description |
| EDPClasses_SCH.pas | This unit contains Schematic interfaces of Schematic documents and design objects. |
| EDPDispInterfaces_SCH.pas | This unit contains Schematic interfaces as IDispatch interface types (based on Com / Win32 platform) |
| EDPInterfaces_SCH.pas | This unit contains Schematic interfaces of Schematic documents and design objects. |
| EDPRecordInterfaces_SCH.pas | |
| EDPTypes_SCH.pas | This unit contains data types used for Schematic documents and design objects. |
| EDPUtil_SCH.pas | This unit contains various Schematic utility operations |
\Legacy\SCHClass.pas | This unit contains legacy Schematic design classes. |
\Legacy\SCHProcs.pas | This unit contains legacy routines used for various Schematic objects. |
\Legacy\SCHTypes.pas | This unit contains legacy Schematic data types. |
Other information
Refer to the Getting started: Building a Delphi extension document for more information and examples on how to use the Altium Designer Delphi SDK.