Altium Designer
Our Knowledge Base is developed from our users questions. Find answers and step-by-step instructions. Chances are we’ve seen your question before.
Altium Designer
KB: (Re-)Install or repair Microsoft Office dependency to resolve unexpected error or hang
Altium has dependency on Microsoft Excel and Access such that if they are not installed/setup correctly, it may throw an error such as "You must have Microsoft® Excel installed on your machine..." and "Microsoft Excel is not found on your computer...", or at the very worst hang silently.
Altium Designer
1
KB: A warning message "Could not start Vault Explorer ....." upon starting Altium Designer
A warning message ”Could not start Vault Explorer. Please make sure that Vault Explorer extension is installed properly” appears upon starting Altium designer.
Altium Designer
KB: Access addon features/panels such as MCAD CoDesigner
[Why] Access addon features/panels such as MCAD CoDesigner [What] Cannot locate some workspace panels in the installed instance of Altium such as MCAD CoDesigner panel [How] Check under Extensions and Updates to make sure corresponding extensions are installed. Features/panels may be missing due to not having a corresponding context active in the main editor pane, A365 workspace not connected, and/or appropriate license or its subscription level not used.
Altium Designer
KB: Access training resources to jumpstart on Altium for the first time or after a long break
Access training materials available to get started with Altium for the first time or after a long break, such as hands-on tutorials, reference designs, sample data, video guide, webinar, and paid training
Altium Designer
KB: Activate Power Analyzer licensing
To access Power Analyzer by Keysight feature, another license is required, in addition to Altium Designer's. A separate extension needs to be installed also.
Altium Designer
KB: Add a substitute component in ActiveBOM
[Why] Add a substitute component in ActiveBOM [What] A substitute component can be specified as Part Choice solution if it is identical in technical specs but procured differently (supplier, packaging, etc.) Or it can be specified as Alternate Part, if it varies in specs (voltage rating, tolerance, etc.) but equivalent functionally. Alternative Part option is available only for components managed in a workspace. [How] Right-click on the component to be substituted, and select 'Add Solution' to specify Part Choice solution, or 'Operation » Add Alternative Item' to specify Alternative Part.
Altium Designer
KB: Add Component to managed content server with batch file
We are tying to add components in Altium Vault/Concord Pro through .csv files. This method is working for some categories, but not for all.
Altium Designer
2
20
KB: Add line number to a BOM template
How to format BOM template column to include line # (line number). Unable to add Line # using the Column=Line Number Format in a BOM Template
Altium Designer
1
KB: Add/delete and manage users for licensing
Users can be added, deleted, and managed to have a pool of license seats allocated by an administrator through the dashboard of the organization.
Altium Designer
1
KB: Add/delete/move a layer in a stackup
[Why] Cannot add/delete/move a layer from a stackup in Layer Stack Manager [What] There are several scenarios in a Pcb document that can prevent adding/deleting/moving a layer arbitrarily in Layer Stack Manager, such as Stack Symmetry lock preventing non-symmetrical construction, limitation enforced on some unconventional layer order, minimum of 2-signal layers constraint, and other unexpected scenarios. [How] Design » Layer Stack Manager..., in Properties panel, untick 'Stack Symmetry'. Make sure there is at least two signal layers Top and Bottom. Try File » Save As.. and File » Load Stackup from File... to see if reloading of stackup allows the deletion of a layer.
Altium Designer
KB: Advanced Routing Techniques for Circular PCBs Using Altium Designer
This article introduces valuable steps/features during PCB layout on a circular board for radial component placement and routing.
Altium Designer
KB: Allocate/assign license seats to users
Licenses are allocated/assigned by your group adminstrator in a organization from a pool of seats available in Dashboard, if on-demand/standalone type, or in your private server, either Altium Infrastructure Server (AIS) or Altium Enterprise Server (AES).
Altium Designer
KB: Altium.PCB.DataModel.dll Crash on PCBDoc
Altium crashes with a Altium.PCB.DataModel.dll error message when I try to route or when repouring polygons on the PCBDoc.
Altium Designer
KB: Analyze Altium crashing
If the crash is not unique to a particular file/project, that it can be replicated with one of pre-installed project examples as well, there are several troubleshooting to collect data and analyze to narrow down on the source of Altium crashing.
Altium Designer
KB: Annotate components during placement
How to annotate the schematic symbols during the placement? The only way I found is by placing several components of the same type, one after the other and by configuring a number behind the ref designator in the properties. When I insert a new component the annotation is always a question mark.
Altium Designer
KB: Apply/renew student license
A student affiliated with an educational institution can apply for a free academic license with an email associated with the institution and renew every year.
Altium Designer
KB: Assign footprint information to mechanical layer in a PCB library
While there is no standardized or recommeded practice on what footprint information to include in which mechanical layer index, the best bet is to follow that of IPC Footprint Wizard (Tools » IPC Compliant Footprint Wizard) as your starting base. Subsequently, the difference in mechanical layer index assignment between two footprint libraries are consolidated through Layer Type mapping.
Altium Designer
66
20
KB: Board Cutout not in Gerber output
Board cutouts are not exported in Gerber file export. This article shows how to generate outlines for the cutouts onto a mechanical layer for documentation and inclusion in the fabrication output files.
Altium Designer
KB: Board outline on Embedded Board Array Print
To turn off the Board Outline of a printed Embedded Board Array, turn off the Multi-layer visibility in the output settings.
Altium Designer
KB: Bring back scroll bars to PCB and Schematic editor windows
I thought there were scroll bars when zoomed in sufficiently in the PCB and Schematic editors. I don't have them anymore. How do I get them back?
Altium Designer
KB: Calculate component Pick and Place Center of a footprint
How is the Centroid data determined for a footprint? How does it determine center if the footprint has no Pad primitives?
Altium Designer
1
KB: Can't export DXF or DWG files - Class not registered error
When I try to export a PCB as a DXF or DWG, I get an error with the following details: Class not registered at ###... SaveDxf.dll, Base Address: ###...
Altium Designer
4
29
KB: Cannot add user in Dashboard due to "user with this email is already registered in other organization"
I cannot add an AltiumLive user through the company dashboard. Getting "Cannot add user: user with this email is already registered in other organization" or "Failed to create user account: Username: xxxx@yyyy.com already in use". AltiumLive account usernames (email addresses) must be unique in the Altium database. The AltiumLive account must be re-associated (moved) to the new organization or deactivated/deleted from the current organization so the e-mail address will then be available to use in the new organization.
Altium Designer
KB: Cannot connect to Altium Infrastructure Server (AIS) to use private license
[Why] Cannot connect to Altium Infrastructure Server (AIS) to use private license [What] Altium Infrastructure Server (AIS) software need licenses of its own which need to be setup [How] *.alf license files (Server and Client Access License) are bundled in the installation package, which need to be added along with the rest of Altium Designer licenses.
Altium Designer
KB: Cannot export DXF due to eDuplicateRecordName crash
A crash with a popup error dialog of "eDuplicateRecordName" can occur when generating DXF output with more than one layer with the same name.
Altium Designer
2
KB: Cannot find option to import KiCAD files
[Why] Cannot find option to import KiCAD files [What] A KiCAD importer was added to Altium Designer with the release of AD20.1 as an extension module [How] Locate and add the extension from the Purchased tab of the Extensions & Updates page. Once added, invoke File » Import Wizard, and KiCad Design Files should appear as one of options.
Altium Designer
KB: Cannot find/place ready-made components/contents
[Why] Cannot find/place ready-made components from Manufacture Part Search panel or locate legacy Altium Content Vault and Miscellaneous libraries previously pre-installed [What] While Altium Content Vault has be succeeded by Manufacturer Part Search panel with more live data. Likewise, Miscellaneous libraries are retired since AD23.3. You must be signed in with your AltiumLive credentials to access MPS panel and proper network access [How] The legacy Altium Content Vault can be exposed in Explorer panel in advanced preference setting. Miscellaneous libraries need to be picked up from older AD versions, possibly installed concurrently. If problem with MPS panel, try sign out and sign back in. Check Preferences, Data Management » Servers, under Known Servers, to make sure Altium Content Vault is connected. Try Clear Cache as needed.
Altium Designer
KB: Cannot install or use Altium possibly due to url and ports being blocked
Error messages like "Ciiva - The underlying connection was closed...", "Ciiva - An exception occurred during a WebClient request.", and "Push notifications service was not properly initialized" infers that your organization has strict firewall rules and/or antivirus running, that some URLs and ports need to be opened or whitelisted. If there is difficulty with installing or running Altium while connected to a VPN, but disconnecting from the VPN resolves the issues, then most likely it is due to the blockage of such network traffic.
Altium Designer
KB: Cannot make project available online due to Unknown Server
When it is opened, the project is shown in the projects panel under 'Unknown Server'. Even though I am logged into a workspace, I am not presented with the option to 'make project available online' when I right click on the project name in the projects panel. If I try to share the project, I am presented with a 'please switch to workspace to share this project' message. Or I am getting "target server specified in current project is not connected"
Altium Designer
4
KB: Cannot select a specific object in PCB to copy, delete, or modify
If there is a specific object in PCB that cannot be copied, deleted, or modified, it may be due to several filtering/locks that prevent a object from being selected and modified inadvertently
Altium Designer
KB: Cannot use an on-demand license as the seat is occupied
[Why] Cannot use an on-demand license as the seat is occupied, possibly due to a software crash previously or some change in network environment [What] Force-release a seat of on-demand license occupied illegitimately [How] If the user occupying the seat is yourself, you can attempt to release in Licnese Management page within Altium Designer. A group adminstrator can also force-release any seat in the organization's Dashboard.
Altium Designer
KB: Cannot use an on-demand license renewed but showing outdated subscription date
[Why] Cannot use an on-demand license renewed but showing outdated subscription date
[What] A renewed on-demand license shows the incorrect old subscription date
[How] Sign out and back in. If still failing, close Altium, clear the license file cached at C:\ProgramData\Altium\Altium Designer {
Altium Designer
KB: Cannot use cross select mode for the selection of pins or nets in the PCB document
When Cross Select Mode is enabled, selecting a schematic pin or net does not select the corresponding PCB document pin or net.
Altium Designer
1
KB: Cannot use standalone or private server license due to "This installation of Altium Designer is not supported..."
Unable to use standalone or private server license due to "This installation of Altium Designer is not supported...", also possibly "Version Not Supported" and "Subscription Expired" message, despite the subscription renewed recently.
Altium Designer
1
KB: Cannot view objects in 3D mode of PCB editor
In general, the 3D view in PCB editor (View » 3D Layout Mode, or keyboard shortcut '3') is configured in View Configuration panel. Separately, opacity of 3D Body objects can be configured in PCB panel or, with the object selected, in Properties panel. If there are other objects such as solder mask not being rendered properly, it could be that Layer Stack assignment is broken somehow.
Altium Designer
KB: Change the board origin in MCAD
We can't rely on the relative ECAD origin because it can be easily changed in ECAD, and it's not realistic to synchronize the changes with MCAD in that case.
Altium Designer
11
18
KB: Change the Port Cross Reference display
I'd like to add port references to my schematic, but I don't want to include the zone or grid references in order to save space.
Altium Designer
KB: Change/reset AltiumLive username due to email address no longer valid
[Why] Change/reset AltiumLive username due to email address no longer valid [What] AltiumLive username needs to match with your email address exactly. If you still have an access to the email corresponding to the username, you will be able to change/reset on your own. Otherwise, your group admin can change/reset it for you. [How] Sign in to access https://profile.altium.com/, click 'Change Email' blue text button, and confirm from both old/new emails. If you have no access to one of these emails, your group admin can change/reset for you at https://dashboard.live.altium.com/, on Users tab, click on the user that needs change from "Edit Profile" button.
Altium Designer
0
7
KB: Clarify error "Solution is not recognized" in BOM
I have a violation called "Solution is not recognized" yet some of the components within that violation group actually have solutions. I have solutions in the parts so why am I still getting this error?
Altium Designer
29
122
KB: Clearance Constraint between polyregion on multilayer and pad
I have an error stating "Clearance Constraint between polyregion on multilayer and pad on top layer" on my PCB layout. Every pad is having this error, as well as a through hole component. When I click to "jump to" the violation... It goes to the corner of the board and just says there is a clearance violation.
Altium Designer
8
0
KB: Collect additional data with PerfView to analyze an application issue
This article details the steps and settings to collect additional data for your support issue using Microsoft's PerfView tool.
Altium Designer
KB: Combine OrCAD Schematic Import and PADS/Allegro PCB import into single Project
[Why] Create a single project linking imported OrCAD Schematic Project and imported PADS/Allegro PCB Project [What] Place all imported files in one project folder along with *.prjpcb and add them all within the project opened [How] Copy the pcbdoc imported from PADS/Allegro to the project folder imported from OrCAD. WIth the project opened, right click in Projects panel and invoke 'Add Existing to Project...' to specify the pcbdoc.
Altium Designer
KB: Compare netlist generated from schematic to that transferred to PCB layout
[Why] Compare netlist generated from schematics to that transferred to PCB layout to verify the design [What] As a unified environment, Altium synchronizes schematic data with PCB layout behind the scene such that there is no exchange of intermediate netlist of text file form. [How] To compare the data between the project (schematics) and pcbdoc, invoke Project » Show Differences..., select pcbdoc and click OK.
Altium Designer
0
0
KB: Components not shown in MCAD Fusion 360 Personal
This version of Fusion 360 is for non-commercial use.
Altium Designer
KB: Configure and animate the bending of PCB that is flexible entirely
How make a PCB that is entirely Flex How to add bending lines onto a Flex design How do you animate a fully flex design I want to make a Flex design How do I configure my design to be flex How do I add split and bending lines Is it possible to make a fully flex design Where can I go to configure my bending lines How do I animate my flex design
Altium Designer
KB: Confirm subscription level to clarify features available
Depending on your level of subscription, features available both in Altium Designer client and A365 workspace to which you are connected vary.
Altium Designer
1
KB: Control appearance of lines connecting same net objects
[Why] Control appearance (visibility, color, behavior) of lines connecting same net objects in PCB [What] Connection lines between same net objects can be shown/hidden and can be colored differently also. [How] The connection lines can be shown/hidden statically from menu View » Connections or dynamically during component move command with keyboard shortcut 'N'. Visibility/colors on connection lines can be configured in View Configuration panel and possibly also in PCB panel on an individual net basis in Nets mode as a part of Net Color feature.
Altium Designer
1
KB: Control component parameter appearance in schematic
Location/font/size/color/visibility of Comment, Designator, as well as other component parameters can be configured at the time of component creation in a library or A365 workspace.
Altium Designer
12
45
KB: Convert a Fill or Region into a Polygon
When I try to create a polygon from the outline of overlapping shapes using Fills and Regions it does not work. When I try to run the command it tells me it cannot find an enclosed shape (Tracks, Arcs, Full Circle) and when I click YES nothing happens. How can I get this to work?
Altium Designer
1
KB: Convert Gerber/ ODB++ fabrication data back to PCB
Converting Gerber/ODB++ fabrication data back to *.Pcbdoc (in other words, reverse engineering the board design data into Altium) involves reading corresponding fabrication data files into CAMtastic, configuring layer stack and drill pairs, extracting netlist, and finally exporting to PCB editor.
Altium Designer
1
8
KB: Convert P-CAD file to Altium
When trying to import a P-CAD PCB file using the Import Wizard, I get a "file not recognized" message.
Altium Designer
KB: Convert Plated via Backdrills to Non-Plated in ODB++ output
Exporting ODB++, as of AD20.1.7, the exported backdrills are incorrectly set as VIAs which are plated. This shows how to modify the output to set the vias as NON-PLATED
Altium Designer
KB: Copy and paste a component from/to a library
Symbols or footprints can be copied and pasted from one file-based schematic or footprint library to another library, including all properties. Components placed in the schematic or PCB editor or components found in the Manufacturer Part Search panel can also be copied to libraries.
Altium Designer
KB: Copy Circuit Selection From One Project to Another
What is the best method if I want to transfer a section of a schematic circuit and the associated layout from an existing project to another project?
Altium Designer
KB: Copy Multiline text to a string
When copying multiple lines of text from a PDF document to paste into a single string, only the first line will paste.
Altium Designer
2
KB: Custom pad shape
Custom Pad Creation instructions, as well as explanation of single schematic pin assigning net to multiple PCB Pads with same designator
Altium Designer
KB: Decipher beige color marker on PCB
The default beige color marker/icon/symbol on PCB are Design Rule Check marker indicating some violation on rules/constraints set forth on a given design file that need to be resolved one by one.
Altium Designer
17
128
KB: Default grid unit and Comment/Designator visibility in Schlib
How can I change the grid from mil to mm or set my designator to visible in a Schematic Library
Altium Designer
4
KB: Define single layer stackup
This article covers how to define a single layer board such as of a single-sided flex cable. You may notice that In the Layer Stack Manager, excessive copper layer cannot be deleted. It is possible to invoke Design » Layer Stack Manager and Tools » Features » Rigid/Flex (Advanced), shift-select layers from the top down to the core dielectric (not including bottom copper layer), drag them to right to introduce another substack, and back in the main pcb editor, assign this substack in Board Planning Mode (keyboard shortcut '1') to the board region.
Altium Designer
2
KB: Deploy Altium installation silently on multiple machines
[Why] Deploy Altium installation silently on multiple machines [What] The Altium Designer Installer accepts a limited number of command line parameters which (for example) could be used to allow the initiation of a silent install [How] AltiumDesignerXXSetup.exe -Programs:"C:\Program Files\Altium\ADXX" -Documents:"C:\Users\Public\Documents\Altium\ADXX" -UI:None -AutoInstall -InstallAll -User:"firstname.surname@domain.part.region" -Password:"password"
Altium Designer
KB: Deposit copper thieving pattern to achieve uniform plating distribution
Copper thieving may be requrired or desired on the outermost layers to achieve uniform plating distribution by a fabricator. Unfortunately, there is no straightforward command/feature in one go to achieve copper theving currently, but there is a workaround identified to leverage Via Stitching feature to realize a thieving pattern.
Altium Designer
KB: Design Item IDs are reset and lost on update or placement from Schematic Library
Every time I update the schematic symbols, the Design Item IDs of some schematic symbols are reset. The same happens when I place these components from the components panel for components of Schematic (*.SchLib) and Integrated Libraries (*.IntLib).
Altium Designer
12
14
KB: Disable or customize Active Bar
The Active Bar can be disabled or customized.
Altium Designer
KB: Display 3D view of a Cavity in PCB
I would like to display my component in 3D while it is placed within a cavity, is this possible?
Altium Designer
2
KB: Display silkscreen in SOLIDWORKS
ECAD / MCAD CoDesigner transfer is not showing silkscreen in SOLIDWORKS. Sometimes the decals that represent copper and silkscreen and solder mask are not shown in SW 2019+ because of problems with the rendering on some video cards. The solution can be to change this flag in SOLIDWORKS preferences.
Altium Designer
1
0
KB: Display version or revision on SCH, PCB, Draftsman documents
There are multiple ways for slightly varying objectives to display the version or revision on a document, prescribed as a parameter so it can be identified and traced back upon opening or printed out
Altium Designer
KB: Draftsman Drill Table Plated Column is in Russian
It appears that the Plating column data in Draftsman Drill Table objects only displays in Russian - I cannot find a language setting somewhere to modify the language of the information in this column.
Altium Designer
KB: Draw dashed or dotted line as silkscreen
As there is no line style attribute or line/arc primitives to draw dashed line as silkscreen for reference such as of component outline on the other side of board. Paste Special command can be used to paste the array of same primitives or alternatively represent with a text string of a series of punctuation characters such as hyphen '-', underscore '_', period '.', and bullet '·'.
Altium Designer
KB: DRC not catching unconnected nets
I have a PCB design in which the DRC doesn't catch unconnected nets, although the check is enabled in the design rules.
Altium Designer
KB: DRC violation for the Footprint via and copper objects in the PCB
We have added a Thermal via and Custom copper shape for the pads to the footprint. But once we place those footprints in the PCB, we get a DRC violation for those objects. How can we resolve the violations?
Altium Designer
5
182
KB: Duplicate Net Names error on Multi-Channel buses
[Error] TopSheet.SchDoc Compiler Duplicate Net Names Bus Slice - I am receiving this error on the buses from my multi-channel sheet, and my buses do not look like they are properly connecting in the netlist. The buses look to be properly formed. How do I fix this Duplicate Net Name on Multichannel design error?
Altium Designer
0
3
KB: ECAD-MCAD model not properly imported warning
Transfering to MCAD domain, a message indicating there is a problem with 3D model and it will be substitute with simple geometry.
Altium Designer
KB: Edit a script to accommodate the latest changes in Altium API
Due to progressive updates to the Altium Designer API, and therefore the scripting system Interfaces and their methods and properties, some legacy script examples may not work as originally intended, such that some edit on those need to be made to have them work in the latest Altium Designer.
Altium Designer
8
25
KB: Edit Bending or Split lines or select board region
How do I add and modify a bending line to my Rigid Flex design?
Altium Designer
17
35
KB: Edit board shape
How to edit the board shape.
Altium Designer
1
30
KB: Edit Net Name on wire
This article describes how to assign a net to a wire
Altium Designer
1
KB: Edit primitives locked in schematic template such as of title block
[Why] Edit primitives locked in schematic template such as in title block [What] If you have some primitives in a sheet that you cannot edit, it is most likely because it belongs to another sheet template, where you would need to edit them. [How] You can locate the template used for the current sheet in Properties panel, on General tab, under Page Options section. What is the trick to enable complete editing of a schematic template document? Whether I load a .SchDot document or rename it to .SchDoc, the title block and parameters remain completely unselectable and uneditable.
Altium Designer
KB: Enable a license to be used after software installation
[Why] Enable a license, so the software can be put to use [What] Grab a seat from a pool of license allocated by your group administrator [How] Open the License Management page in Altium Designer (Current User Control button > Licenses) where you will log in with your AltiumLive credentials, or connect to your private license server, select a license with available seats and click the "Use", "Activate", or "Roam" buttons.
Altium Designer
1
KB: Enable mirroring Gerber layers
In the previous versions, there was an option to mirror Gerber outputs which I cannot find with the latest versions.
Altium Designer
1
2
KB: Error - Microsoft Visual C++ runtime library
I'm getting the error: Microsoft Visual C++ runtime library.
Altium Designer
1
KB: Export copper in MCAD
I can only see the bare board and components. How can I see the copper traces in SOLIDWORKS MCAD?
Altium Designer
0
0
KB: Extract impedance of routed copper traces
Piecewise ohmic DC resistance of each copper track/arc/via primitive is calculated using IPC2221 formula starting in AD22.8, while capacitance/inductance can be computed by setting up impedance profile(s) in Layer Stack Manager.
Altium Designer
1
KB: Fail to commit to SVN repo possibly due to file locking
[Why] Fail to commit to SVN repo possibly due to file locking [What] Commit fails with an error - Commit failed - Previous operation has not finished; run 'cleanup' if it was interrupted. [How] Run "C:\Program Files\Altium\[version]\Subversion Client\SVN cleanup"
Altium Designer
KB: Fail to install possibly due to lack of admin privilege or virus protection software
Installer may fail to access particular folder path and registry and throwing error such as 'Failed to Create Key' or 'System Error' due to lack of admin privilege or virus protection software.
Altium Designer
12
35
KB: Fail to launch Altium with no error message
There are multiple circumstances where Altium can fail to launch possibly even with no error message.
Altium Designer
KB: Fail to use evaluation license with a dialog "You can use this license only on a single PC"
[Why] In an attempt to use a trial version of Altium (Evaluation License), a dialog pops up with the title bar of "Warning License Renewal Failed", and the message, "You can use this license only on a single PC". [What] The evaluation licenses that are provided by automation are "node locked" and can only be used on one machine, tied to the MAC address of its network adapter. [How] Contact account manager to have an evaluation license manually placed into your organization (after explaining the situation). Alternatively, the account manager can ask Operations to change the license type from "On-Demand Evaluation" to "On-Demand".
Altium Designer
KB: Filter Database 'value' Parameter in Components Panel
Using a Database Library with Microsoft Excel, formatting in the Excel file can cause the filter to not work correctly when read by Altium Designer. For example, setting the filter to "greater than or equal to #" does not filter correctly. We will look at how to format the column in the Excel database so it can be processed correctly.
Altium Designer
3
KB: Freezing or long delays
This article covers troubleshooting for the cause, when you experience freezing or long delays and Altium Designer hangs. This is usually the result of a communications issue with network traffic. Altium may be making a network request for which it never gets an answer or something is causing a delay.
Altium Designer
6
51
KB: General Slowness
Here is a long list of things that may help you track down an underlying cause.
Altium Designer
4
20
KB: Generate IPC-D-356A document and compare to extracted netlist
I am trying to export an IPC-356 file from the Altium CAM editor. I am receiving the following error Cannot Open File for Netlist Output!
Altium Designer
KB: Get Viewer license
Obtaining and using Viewer license is convenient for the purpose of read-only tasks strictly so as not to take up a full license seat from the organization's pool.
Altium Designer
KB: Getting a Validation Error on Project Schematics
When validating schematics in a Project, various messages can be generated by the compiler. Please review the list of messages provided here for more information
Altium Designer
KB: Have min/max/close window buttons on the title bar at the top-right shown as icon rather than text characters
Minimize, maximize, and close window buttons can be displayed as characters '0', '2', and 'r' respectively, and this behavior of title bar buttons shown as text characters is attributed to the Windows environmental option "Beta: Use Unicode UTF-8 for worldwide language support".
Altium Designer
KB: Hide Draftsman designators
Quickly disable / enable display of component designators in Assembly view.
Altium Designer
KB: Hide old expired licenses
To hide old expired licenses to unclutter and avoid confusion in License Management page of Altium Designer client, Group Administrator can remove the allocation of expired licenses in Dashboard of the organization.
Altium Designer
KB: Hide/unhide supplementary text information of component in pcb
[Why] Hide/unhide supplementary text information of component in pcb such as extra designator [What] Text attribute of a component can be instantiated in a form of Special String within the corresponding footprint, typically in one of mechanical layers, which then can be set to be shown/hidden in View Configuration panel when the footprint is placed in PCB [How] Text attribute can be defined on component/footprint-level when editing the footprint in Properties panel, on Footprint tab, Parameters section. Once defined, its Special string can be placed by Place » Text on any layer, typically one of mechanical layers. When the created footprint is placed on PCB, the Special Strings overlay can be shown/hidden within the View Configuration panel: switch to View Options Tab and, under Additional Options, toggle the visibility of Special Strings.
Altium Designer
KB: How can I copy everything to a new PCB
I suspect some sort of corruption with my PCB. I want to try copying as much as I can from my current PCB to a new "clean" one. I read that this might resolve my issue with "undo not working" in one particular PCB.
Altium Designer
1
1
KB: How do I enable pin mapping
To enable pin mapping for components, a workspace administrator needs to enable the setting from the workspace via a web browser.
Altium Designer
KB: How to Create a polygon from DXF outline
How to create polygon from the DXF outline
Altium Designer
KB: How to create an area on the PCB where component footprint placement is restricted based upon footprint height
When there is a requirement to define an area on the PCB where component footprint placement is restricted based upon the footprint's height. This can be achieved by defining the height properties for a PCB component footprint, and then defining a target area in the PCB document using a room definition (design rule), and then using a height design rule scoped for within room (room definition). The design rule check system will then report violations when a component footprint's height exceeds rule limits when within that defined area on the PCB.
Altium Designer
KB: How to update the page properties of all the draftsman sheets at the same time
In Schematic we can update the Sheet template for all the schematic sheets in single shot, is there a similar option for updating all the draftsman sheet templates in single shot?
Altium Designer
KB: How-To Determine the entitled version of Altium Designer for a license
If an Altium Designer license is no longer under subscription, then the entitled version needs to be determined in order to ascertain which version can be installed and licensed for use.
Altium Designer
KB: How-To determine the scale units of a DXF-DWG file
The PCB import of a provided DXF/DWG file resulted in the wrong PCB document primitive dimensions (due to the scaling settings used). How can the provided DXF/DWG file scale units be determined in order to set the proper Import from AutoCAD scale value?
Altium Designer
1
KB: Import a mechanical outline to PCB
Our mechanical engineer has created a PCB board outline complete with hole sizes & dimensions, and has sent it in 3D step file format. How to create a board shape from this file and other mechanical file types.
Altium Designer
2
KB: Import Allegro files to Altium
[Why] Import Allegro files to Altium [What] To import the files, Altium Designer ultimately needs the ASCII versions. Binary versions need to go through a conversion process that requires a local installation of extracta.exe that is installed as part of Allegro to convert the *.brd file to the Allegro ASCII *.alg file that Altium needs for the import. [How] use extracta.exe to convert binary *.brd to ASCII *.alg. File » Import Wizard and select 'Allegro Design Files' to convert to Altium *.pcbdoc
Altium Designer
74
42
KB: Import or export Design Rules
How to import and/or export design rules?
Altium Designer
KB: Improve precision of polygon clearance to more decimal places
Polygon clearance to object is destined to contain a slight deviation from the value specified in a clearance rule, and this deviation depends on Arc Approximation attribute of the polygon.
Altium Designer
KB: Increase the quality of the decals in SOLIDWORKS MCAD
This article has some options that can affect the quality of decals.
Altium Designer
23
36
KB: Indicate visual cues at the coordinate limit of PCB design space beyond which objects should not be placed
[Why] Objects cannot be moved (or selected by mouse if already placed, say, from mechanical dxf import) at some extreme coordinates beyond PCB design space limit [What] The PCB design space is bounded to the coordinates between (0,0) and (100000mil,100000mil) or 100x100 inches or 2540x2540 mm. No objects are allowed beyond this bounding box. [How] Placing a horizontal/vertical guides (yellow line) through the absolute origin would serve as visual cues thereafter indicating anything to the bottom/left of these guide lines need to be moved upward or to the right. Since you will not be able to select these objects already outside the limit merely by a mouse click, you will have to use PCB List panel to locate them and type valid positive coordinates.
Altium Designer
1
5
KB: Install Altium on machines without internet or behind firewall and update notification turned off
Altium can be Installed/updated on machines without internet, behind firewall, or some inadvertent network blockage, by requesting and downloading an independent offline installer elsewhere and copying, unzipping and executing it locally.
Altium Designer
1
4
KB: Layer Stack Table missing some layers or column
You may come across some issue when placing, say, Layer Stack Table, in your *.PcbDoc for your documentation purpose, as it may not support all newly added elements, such as Surface Finish layer. Altium considers the legacy method to be somewhat obsolete and instead would like to direct you to Draftsman for this purpose.
Altium Designer
0
0
KB: Legacy Private License Server using up the system resources
This article discusses high resource usage by the legacy Private License Server (PLS.)
Altium Designer
1
KB: Map Spice model pins to schematic symbol to avoid unexpected simulation result
While it is vital that all components in the design to have Spice models linked, it is even more critical that those linked models have pins mapped correctly with the corresponding schematic symbols, as there is no automated means for compiler to identify such pin mapping mismatch and can outputs result that is unexpected with no explict error.
Altium Designer
1
7
KB: MCAD CoDesigner panel is not visible in Creo
There are different resolutions based on whether the add-in is loaded, failed to initialize, or is hidden in the User Interface.
Altium Designer
0
2
KB: MCAD CoDesigner used with Solidworks Product Data Management
This article has some guidance for when SOLIDWORKS is used with SOLIDWORKS Product Data Management
Altium Designer
KB: Monitor license seat usage
An administrator can access the organization's Dashboard to check both real-time and historical license usage of on-demand license (or access AIS/AES in case of private server license type) to monitor appropriate usage frequency and duration.
Altium Designer
4
24
KB: Multiple/different designators in schematic
This article summarizes how to remove board annotation if it was accidentally added to your project, or if it is no longer wanted.
Altium Designer
2
1
KB: Nothing happens when trying to use a license
I can't use a license. I click on a license, then click the use control below, or right-click on the license and choose "use" but nothing happens.
Altium Designer
KB: Number Sheets in Multi-channel
What are the steps and requirements to number my sheets in a multi-channel design?
Altium Designer
KB: Open *.DRL file in Altium
*.DRL generated by the CAM Editor is in ASCII Format and readable. The best practice is to always provide your Fabricator with the .TXT generated from the PCB Editor, and ignore the *.DRL generated by the PCB Editor.
Altium Designer
KB: Organize components in folders by type in Explorer panel to maintain a coherent view
[Why] Organize components in folders by type in Explorer panel to maintain a coherent view as Components panel and A365 web interface [What] The Components panel as well as web view of A365 workspace shows component grouping derived from the Component Types, not the folder structure of the connected server, which you may have setup in Explorer panel. [How] The mapping between "type" and "folder" can be done in Explorer panel, right-click on the corresponding folder, 'Propoerties', and in the Edit Folder dialog, there is a pulldown selector on Component Type (for Standard) and on Component Template of the Type (for Pro/Enterprise).
Altium Designer
KB: Parameterize values of circuit elements with formula in mixed-signal simulation
Values of circuit elements such as resistance can be expressed as a formula referencing other parameters in Text Frame object in mixed-signal simulation schematic.
Altium Designer
KB: PCB Panel Selection and Highlight Controls
When objects are selected in the Primitives list in the PCB panel, the behavior in the editor may not be as expected. This article reviews settings that can change behavior such as Dim / Normal / Mask, Clear Existing, and Zoom etc. and whether objects get selected in the document design editor workspace window when they are selected in the PCB panel lists.
Altium Designer
KB: Perform a thorough uninstall manually in the event of uninstaller failing
[Why] Sometimes the operating system doesn't fully uninstall a software program, possibly due to lack of administrator privilege [What] If the uninstaller through Windows 'Add or remove programs' does not execute, manual removal of folders and registries may be needed as a last resort. [How] Try a clean boot of the PC before attempting uninstallation, use a Windows user account that has (full) administrator privileges, go to Windows Control Panel ► Administrative Tools ► Event Viewer - check the Summary of Administrative Events section for items in the last hour, try Troubleshooter from Microsoft at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17588/windows-fix-problems-that-block-programs-being-installed-or-removed , or try a manual removal by deleting folders and registry entries.
Altium Designer
3
KB: Place a logo/graphic into a PCB
How to place your company logo or any Graphic object ( a non-electrical primitive that can be placed on a PCB and PCB Library document and populated with a standard image file (*.png, *.jpg, *.bmp, *.svg.).) into your PCB document.
Altium Designer
KB: Position 3D Body model precisely in PCB footprint library
Positioning a 3D model precisely with respect to the rest of a footprint in a PCB library requires several steps of: specifying Step model to place 3D Body, orienting 3D Model in 3D view for alignment, aligning the bottom surface of Step model with the top surface of the PCB, creating a snap point in the center of pin for precise pin to hole alignment, and aligning Pin to Hole using Snap Point in 2D
Altium Designer
2
KB: Pour polygon to connect the same net copper objects inside the outline
Polygon won't pour to connect the same net copper objects inside the outline There can be several factors that can prevent polygon pour from establishing connection with the same net copper objects, such as: incorrect Net Options and Polygon Fill Mode attributes, Polygon Rebuild option in Preferences, incorrect or incomplete Layer stack definition/assignment, incorrect Pour Order among multiple overlapping polygons, Electrical Clearance rule set with excessive value, Polygon Connect Style set to 'No Connect', and/or hidden Text object on the same signal layer Review each of the above, and if all else fails, start stripping the design to a simpler form (after you make a copy) to narrow down on the culprit.
Altium Designer
6
71
KB: Power Port reduced to local level warning
I get a warning when I compile my project schematics: "Global Power-Object ... has been reduced to local level by presence of port at ..." It is a Warning in the Message panel after validating the project.
Altium Designer
1
KB: Prevent Background Turning Dark when Placing Track
Pressing P, T to place track. Once a net is clicked on to route, the background turns dark. This is a problem because I am now routing my board blind. Can't find the setting to fix this
Altium Designer
KB: Prevent board redraw when ECAD to MCAD transfer
This article describes why a transfer from ECAD to MCAD redraws board shape and loses board constraints.
Altium Designer
KB: Prevent multiple license seats being used on one installation instance
[Why] Prevent multiple license seats being used on one installation instance [What] The License Management tab may show more than one license seat being used. If not explicitly by inadvertent user operation, it may be due to Automatic Leasing setup of License Allocation in Dashboard. [How] First, make sure you have no other Altium Designer instance opened either in a different machine or in the same machine. Also, the problem may be attributed to having multiple network adapters active which should be disabled if unused. Try releasing all license seats used, close Altium and then re-open to see if that resolve the issue. Have your group admin revisit Licese Allocation as a preventive measure.
Altium Designer
KB: Prevent pop-up dialog of Sign in to server on startup
The Sign in popup of custom connection is presented if you are explicitly trying to connect to the on-prem local server workspace or opening a project associated to such workspace once before.
Altium Designer
KB: Prevent the 1 in front of my schematic sheet name
There is a [1] in front of my schematic sheet name in the Projects panel. How do I get the normal filename back?
Altium Designer
KB: Prevent unexpected layout, routing, or patterning by configuring design rules with priority
PCB layout/routing/pattern/pour/connection can be unexpected or unintended with no DRC violation flagged, if design rules are not enabled and setup properly with priority.
Altium Designer
KB: Print Variant in Schematic from Output Job
Variants Not showing on the schematic prints when generated through output job.
Altium Designer
KB: Q shortcut is not working in schematic
How to use the Q shortcut for the Schematic editor like how it works for the PCB document.
Altium Designer
2
KB: Re-acquire a license seat revoked due to no activity with unsaved work
User can lose the connection to Altium license server or on-prem private server (Altium Enterprise Server/Altium Concord Pro Server/Altium Infrastructurer Server) due to no activity or sleep/hibernated system for a long duration. Upon waking up, a popup message “License Issue” (Your editing and saving capabilities are unavailable due to an insufficient license) implies that the previously acquired license seat is lost preventing to perform a save action on prior work. In case of on-prem server, the license management window will show the Server connection but Licenses are unavailable
Altium Designer
KB: Receiving Error code 68
I'm getting one of these errors when starting Altium Designer: Exception loading Wpf UI Error initializing licensing service Error code 68
Altium Designer
1
1
KB: Recess copper away on power plane layer
[Why] Recess copper away on power plane layer from board edge/cutout and via/pad [What] The pullback from the board edge/cutout is setup in Layer Stack Manager. Clearance with respect to vias and throughhole pads are governed by a rule Plane » Power Plane Clearance [How] Invoke Design » Layer Stack Manager, select the plane layer, and edit its Pullback distance in Properties panel. Invoke Design » Rules..., expand Design Rules » Plane » Power Plane Clearance, select the catch-all default 'PlaneClearance' to modify or right-click 'New Rule...' to add an additional overriding rule
Altium Designer
KB: Reduce repetitive documentation tasks with parameterized project template
[Why] Reduce repetitive documentation tasks with parameterized project template [What] Parameters can be defined and instantiated as text string objects within various document types of a project. This parameter indirection goes by the name of Special String. Each of these documents, templates on its own, can be managed as one project template in its entirety to be re-used across all projects down the road. [How] User-defined parameters can be specified at multi-level with priority to resolve any contention. Once parameters defined, the corresponding Special Strings can be placed as text objects (Place » Text String) with prefix prescribed in each domain (e.g. '=' in schematics and '.' in pcb). Pre-defined Special Strings also vary across different domains. How some parameters are resolved depends on or limited by external factors and the state of project.
Altium Designer
4
5
KB: Release not available
"Release not available: Project is not registerd [sic] in PLM" may show up when using Project Releaser, if you have a PLM extension installed.
Altium Designer
KB: Remove a line item from BOM for a component not subject to procurement
Those components not subject to procurement such as testpoints can be made to not show up as a line item in BOM, ActiveBOM or Draftsman, in the first place.
Altium Designer
2
2
KB: Remove Managed Servers from Environment
How to remove previously connected managed servers from Altium? Even when signed out, the managed servers that were previously connected to would appear in the account drop down menu.
Altium Designer
KB: Remove Off Sheet Schematic Component
There's a component outside of my sheet area and I cannot select or delete it. How to remove the component or get it back onto the sheet?
Altium Designer
11
20
KB: Remove Solder Mask and Paste Mask from PCB Pads
How to remove the Solder Mask / Paste Mask from a Pad
Altium Designer
1
KB: Rename Output Items for a Renamed Managed Project
We would like to rename an existing project. We manage to do this by right-click on project name, rename. Trying to release it would generate output files using the old project name. How to change that?
Altium Designer
KB: Request to become an admin
The current administrators in your organization can add a user to Group Administrators to manage users and licenses.
Altium Designer
17
52
KB: Reset the Altium Designer configuration to the installation defaults
Reset the configuration of Altium Designer.
Altium Designer
1
KB: Reset/Change Password
[Why] reset the forgotten password or change it for security reason [What] Request to have the password reset upon which confirmation mail is sent to the user with a link to setup with a new password, or if the current password is known, change password after sign-in. [How] Go to https://live.altium.com/signin, enter the registered email ID and select 'Forgot Password?' option to receive a confirmation mail with a link. If the current password is known, sign-in at https://accounts.live.altium.com/, and then select the Change Password option in the top right.
Altium Designer
8
19
KB: Resolve "An error exists on this page" on PDF output
After creating a PDF via Output Job or Smart PDF creation, the Adobe Acrobat Reader throws the following error while opening the file: "An error exists on this page. Acrobat may not display the page correctly. Please contact the person who created the pdf to correct the problem" German version: Fehler auf dieser Seite. Die Seite wird unter Umständen nicht richtig in Acrobat angezeigt. Wenden Sie sich and den Ersteller des PDF-Dokuments, um das Problem zu beheben.
Altium Designer
KB: Resolve component position offset in ODB++ files
I am importing ODB++ files into a fabrication house software MacroFab. Every time the component placement file comes in, it's position is offset from the actual board origin in the Gerber files. How do I make the component placement files match the PCB 0,0 origin when importing into MacroFab software.
Altium Designer
KB: Resolve Duplicate Nets error in hierarchical design
In a hierarchical design with the Net Identifier scope set to 'Hierarchical'. Two sub sheets have duplicate net names. These are local to each sheet. I am getting a Duplicate Net Names error.
Altium Designer
1
KB: Resolve issues attributed by Unions
When I move or drag a component other components move with it. Also covers an error about a name already exists, and "This object is part of a locked union. Continue?"
Altium Designer
KB: Resolve popup error dialog of "Could not decompress the image..." and "Runtime error 216"
Popup error dialog of "Could not decompress the image..." and "Runtime error 216" has been traced to be caused by a couple of different and indefinite sources.
Altium Designer
KB: Resolving 'Invalid Character Found in Text Content' Error During Project Release in Altium Designer
There is an error "An Invalid character was found in text content at 000...." While generating the Different Report through Project releaser or Output job,
Altium Designer
KB: Resolving SVN Repository Creation Error in Altium Designer
Creating an SVN repository in Altium Designer may occasionally result in an error indicating "Value cannot be null." The parameter name is "repositoryPath". This article seeks to clarify the root cause of this error and provide a clear solution to users who are experiencing this issue, ensuring a smooth setup for version control within Altium Designer.
Altium Designer
KB: Restore heads up display
Sometimes, the heads up display in Pcb View is not shown. Why? How can I bring it back?
Altium Designer
KB: Restore Status Bar at bottom edge
I regularly rely on the XY location shown in the bottom left corner of the window frame as well as the hints and other messages that appear along the bottom of the window frame. For some reason, these are missing now. How do I get them back?
Altium Designer
KB: Roam (check out) a license for offline use
When roaming, a seat of a license is acquired for a specified time. You do not need to remain signed-in to your account to use the license in this mode. You can sign out and work offline, in essence roaming freely with your license seat. This can be done with an On-Demand or Private Server licenses (not available if you are using the legacy Private License Server (PLS)
Altium Designer
KB: Rollback entire SVN Repository
When there is an issue with the current revision of the repository, there is a method on how to rollback to a previous revision.
Altium Designer
1
KB: Route traces between flex and rigid regions
[Why] Cannot route traces between flex and rigid regions as something is blocking at the boundary [What] The most probable cause is Board Outline Clearance rule with a Split Continuation value set to non-zero value, which is causing the split line to be treated as an obstacle. [How] Design ► Rules, then, in the left pane, expand Design Rules ► Manufacturing ► Board Outline Clearance ► BoardOutlineClearance, and set "0" along the (bottom) row Split Continuation for the Track column
Altium Designer
1
1
KB: Run Altium on non-Windows platform
Our system requirement is caputured in our manual https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-designer/system-requirements. While Altium Designer is validated to be run on Windows system strictly and formally, the best chance you have on Mac may be to run Windows by dual booting (Intel-based) or on top of some virtualization such as Parallels. Please consult other users running Mac/Linux in Forum at https://forum.live.altium.com/#/
Altium Designer
KB: Run mixed-signal simulation off of netlist generated externally to compare the results from other engines directly
Mixed-signal simulation netlist generated externally (save as a text file with *.nsx file extension) can be opened in Altium as a standalone document to run simulation off of it directly to compare/verify the output of Altium simulation engine and to rule out possible issues with schematic capture and model linking in Altium.
Altium Designer
KB: Save project back to server after external changes
I have a project that is stored on our server. I packaged it into a .zip file, and sent it out for edits. How do I replace the files in the managed content server (Workspace, Concord Pro, NEXUS, Vault)?
Altium Designer
KB: Scale schematic symbols to align on the preferred grid size in one go
While the de facto standard of grid size of a schematic symbol in Altium is 100mil, such as those available from Manufacturer Part Search, there may be a library out there in which other grid size, say, in metric, is applied. It is highly desirable to scale those component symbols upfront within the library prior to placing them in 100 mil grid schematic sheet, so as to avoid off-grid errors inducing incomplete pin-to-wire connection.
Altium Designer
3
2
KB: Search Paths tab missing in Project Options
If you are used to using the Search Paths tab from previous versions, this article explains how you can bring it back.
Altium Designer
KB: Search text in PDF from PCB not found
This article covers when no results are found when searching on strings in the PDF created from a PCB.
Altium Designer
KB: Select multiple Designators
This article describes different methods to select multiple Designators in a PCB.
Altium Designer
KB: Set clearance on copper primitives against board edges
[Why] Set clearance on copper primitives against board edges [What] Either enable a Board Outline Clearance rule on Outline Edges or apply a Electrical Clearance rule on Holes around the board edges [How] Invoke the menu item Design » Rules..., expand Manufacturing » Board Outline Clearance, right-click and select New Rule... Alternatively, to apply a Electrical Clearance rule (under Electrical » Clearance) instead, select the arc/line primitive representing Route Tool Path on mechanical layer and convert it first as a board cutout from the menu Tools » Convert » Create Board Cutout from Selected Primitives. The Electrical Clearance rule now can be specified on Hole representing the cutout.
Altium Designer
7
2
KB: Setup mixed sim in Altium Designer
How to activate the Mixed Simulation tool in Altium Designer? Where can I find more information about simulation?
Altium Designer
KB: Share my MCAD CoDesigner changes with other Mechanical Engineers
CoDesigner is not a storage system for synchronizing changes among Mechanical Engineers (MEs)
Altium Designer
1
KB: Short Circuit errors between polygons and holes in old project
Starting with Altium Designer 24 some of the PCBs threw short circuit errors during the DRC. In the previous version there is no short circuit violation. This will usually happen between a pad with no copper (hole) and a polygon around it.
Altium Designer
KB: Short two different nets intentionally
To create a footprint where two pads are ohmically shorted together for such components as planer inductor and other printed RF filters and antennas, Altium introduces a notion called a 'Net Tie' component
Altium Designer
KB: Show copper and soldermask in Fusion 360 MCAD
Copper and soldermask are hidden by default.
Altium Designer
KB: Sign In button is not active and Error From
When I start Altium, I first get an error "Error from :" which I can get past by clicking OK, but then the Sign in dialog box which follows, will not let me click the Sign in button after I enter my Username (Email) and Password. The Sign in button stays grayed out.
Altium Designer
KB: Sign into a managed content server from within Altium Designer
Messages such as "You don't have any workspaces available" and "Failed to get available workspaces. NetworkActivity: Access Denied." is soliciting you to sign into a managed content server (such as Altium 365 workspace, Enterprise, Concord Pro, NEXUS, or Vault server) where project/design contents you are attempting to access is located.
Altium Designer
2
4
KB: Slowness at startup
Here are some things that can cause a slow startup.
Altium Designer
KB: Slowness in specific areas
Sometimes there are settings or things about your documents that can cause unusual slowness. Here are some things to look for.
Altium Designer
KB: Speak with agent as these articles are not relevant
This article explains a general support workflow as well as our positioning of various techinical support resource available.
Altium Designer
KB: Specify via style during interactive routing
[Why] Specify via style (size, type, with or without solder mask tenting, etc.) during interactive routing [What] It is governed by Routing Via Style rule specified on a given *.pcbdoc by default. As one-off, it can be overridden by User Choice mode during interactive routing. [How] Design ► Rules ► Design Rules ► Interactive Routing ► Routing Via Style to define the rule. To overide, User Choice in Preferences, PCB Editor - Interactive Routing, under Interactive Routing Width Sources, on Via Size Mode pulldown. There is also a keyboard shortcut '4' to cycle through the modes on the fly. The User Choice can be changed further by Shift+V keyboard shortcut.
Altium Designer
1
5
KB: Switch from Constraint Manager to Design Rules
How can I switch back to using Design Rules from using the Constraint Manager.
Altium Designer
1
KB: Troubleshoot "Error from portal365.altium.com"
Troubleshoot popup dialog error "Error from portal365.altium.com" upon launching Altium and attempting to sign-in such as: "Error from portal365.altium.com: The server name could not be resolved" or "Error from portal365.altium.com: The attempt to connect to the server failed" or "Error from portal365.altium.com: A secure channel could not be established" or "Error from portal365.altium.com : Server SSL certificate is invalid Access to Port/URL of Altium license server may be blocked by a particular ISP, proxy server, and/or antivirus/firewall applications. It could also be due to invalid certificate due to proxy server intercepting and replacing it. Check to make sure https://portal365.altium.com can be access with a response 'OK' on your web browser. If not, consult your IT department. Next, click on lock icon next to URL, select 'Connection is secure' to confirm it is issued by Amazon
Altium Designer
KB: Troubleshoot "The Internal ID Does Not Match" issue with SOLIDWORKS MCAD
This happens when several boards with the same set of components are used in a device assembly AND IF there is no common component folder set up in CoDesigner’s settings.
Altium Designer
KB: Troubleshoot CoDesigner Push Error "Cannot add new revision for deleted item"
Addressing the CoDesigner push error "Cannot add new revision for deleted item" and "Unable to find a model...". Providing solutions to resolve these issues by managing items in the trash.
Altium Designer
KB: Troubleshoot Electrical Clearance rule incorrect definitions error when using IsPolygon or IsPoly
When using an Electrical Clearance design rule to define the clearance between a Polygon Pour and other signal layer copper objects, a Custom Query can be used. If the Custom Query used includes the object type check IsPolygon, then an error message indicating Some Rules Have Incorrect Definitions will be given. The proper Custom Query should use the attribute check InPolygon, or the membership check InNamedPolygon.
Altium Designer
KB: Troubleshoot Error Provider Cannot Be Found when Translating .IntLib to .DBLib
Trying to convert an .IntLib into a .DBLib using the menu option Tools ► Import from Integrated Libraries when the .DBLib is active in the workspace brings up this Error: "An error was encountered exporting. Provider cannot be found. It may not be properly installed. The export has been aborted."
Altium Designer
KB: Troubleshoot freeze at the status "Starting Folder Releaser ..." when releasing a component
There is a known issue when using Windows Tablet Mode that causes Altium Designer to freeze at the status "Starting Folder Releaser ..." while releasing a component to the Altium 365 workspace.
Altium Designer
KB: Troubleshoot poor performance of Fusion 360 MCAD with boards having 500+ components
This is a known issue with Fusion (reported for all big assemblies, not only with the ones built by CoDesigner.)
Altium Designer
KB: Troubleshoot SOLIDWORKS CoDesigner panel error - There is no document opened
I get this message in the SOLIDWORKS CoDesigner panel, "There is no document opened or the active document is not linked with PCB design." (for PCBs pushed from Altium using MCAD CoDesigner to SOLIDWORKS) after creating a "SpeedPak" configuration in SOLIDWORKS, which prevents most parts from loading to improve performance.
Altium Designer
1
KB: Troubleshoot validation errors found in component display mode
Troubleshoot validation errors during Electrical Rule Check of schematic, such as "Missing pin found in component display mode" or "Extra pin found in component display mode"
Altium Designer
KB: Troubleshooting Missing Components and Nets in Altium Designer's "Navigator" panel
Nothing is displayed in "Navigator" panel.
Altium Designer
KB: Troubleshooting Netlist Import Issues in Altium Designer
Importing a netlist into a PCB file in Altium Designer can often be problematic, particularly when using "Project>>Show Differences." This is typically due to format compatibility issues. A netlist is crucial in PCB design as it links schematic capture and PCB layout by specifying component connections. Netlist Compatibility: Supported Formats - Altium Designer supports Protel and EDIF formats for netlists. Ensuring the netlist is in one of these formats is essential for proper loading into the PCB file. Format Importance - The structure and delivery of information in the netlist must be compatible with Altium Designer. Unsupported formats prevent the software from loading necessary connection information. Solution Steps - 1.Verify Netlist Format: Ensure the netlist is in Protel or EDIF format. Convert if necessary. 2.Reload the Netlist: Load the correctly formatted netlist into the PCB file via "Project>>Show Differences."
Altium Designer
16
36
KB: Unable to move components close to each other
This article goes over a typical scenario where It is not possible to place a component on the PCB close to another component.
Altium Designer
0
24
KB: Unable to sign into AltiumLive with endless loop of page redirect
The endless loop of page redirect, switching between alternate pages in forum, workspace, or live.altium.com indefinitely, so as to prevent signing into AltiumLive is caused generally by an issue with caches and cookies.
Altium Designer
0
4
KB: Unable to specify local Excel BOM templates
When signed into a managed server, why am I unable to use local file based Excel BOM templates.
Altium Designer
1
KB: Unclutter workspace panels and bring dialog window in view
[Why] Want to position cluttered floating panels in a predictable way, say, when connecting/disconnecting an external monitor or even just switching context from schematic editor to pcb editor; Also bring dialog window somewhere offscreen in view [What] Panels can be grouped by tabs and the group of tabbed panels can be docked to any four edges of application window. Offscreen dialog window can be brought in view with a standard Windows keyboard shortcut technique. [How] A panel can be moved by clicking and holding on its title bar at the top and dragging on top of another panel to be grouped by tab. Likewise, the group of tabbed panels can be dragged toward any four edges of application window to be docked. Floating panels and dialog windows can be sticked to the mouse cursour with Windows shortcut keys.
Altium Designer
KB: Understand Spice models supported in Altium
Altium Designer's Mixed Simulation (MixedSim) engine is fully SPICE3f5 compatible, as well as providing support for a range of PSpice® and LTSpice® device models.
Altium Designer
KB: Uninstall Windows Updates
I suspect a recent Windows update is responsible for a new issue I am experiencing with Altium. How do I uninstall specific Windows Updates
Altium Designer
KB: Unlink a managed component to copy to local library
[Why] Unlink a managed component to copy to local library so that it is portable [What] Components placed on a schematic or copied to a local schematic library from the Manufacturer Part Search (MPS) panel, Concord Pro, or NEXUS server (AD19 and newer) / Altium Content Vault (AD17 & 18) / A365 are still linked to the server and therefore are considered as Managed and can't be modified. You would not be able to remove/edit the existing footprint for example. [How] Design Make Schematic/PCB Library to create a library copy, and within the library Tools » Clear Server Links to break the link
Altium Designer
2
54
KB: Update gives error: This application requires Windows hotfix KB3140245
I can load up to 20.1.12, anything newer than that gives me the error. I ran the hotfix but I still get the error message. The error message opens up a Microsoft window that runs through the fix but after doing that it still doesn't work. When I try to install it manually, I'm getting: The update is not applicable to your computer" I am running Widows 7 professional 64bit
Altium Designer
1
KB: Update schematic component with a new footprint
[Why] Update schematic component with a new footprint either at design-level ad hoc or in libraries/workspace at component-level. [What] There are a few ways to update unmananged file-based schematic components with a new footprint at design-level ad hoc, but it is always a best practice to make changes at component-level in your schematic libraries first and then update your schematics from those libraries. For managed components such as in A365 workspace, they are locked and the footprints cannot be changed ad hoc at design-level. [How] For managed components Tools » Item Manager. For unmanaged component Tools » Update from Libraries, Properties panel, Tools » Footprint Manager, or Project » Component Links from pcbdoc
Altium Designer
1
27
KB: Update Variant Parts from library
After updating my schematic library the part does not get updated in the project when I run the BOM tool. On close inspection I can go into the Variants and the part to be varied is not showing the correct Part Number or Manufacturer fields. Going into the select alternative part I can confirm that the part in the Library is correct but there is no way to update the Variant listing. If I deselect it as fitted and then re-choose as a variant the data is corrected.
Altium Designer
1
KB: Upgrade/downgrade Altium version to compare features and behaviors across
[Why] Upgrade/downgrade one Altium version after another to compare features and behaviors across [What] Multiple instances of Altium (same or different versions) can be installed concurrently on the same machine as independent applications, uniquely identified by hexadecimal GUID. As such, install/uninstall of each version can be done independently so long as you specify a distinct folder path at the time of installation. It is possible to update existing version to a newer minor version (x.y.z to x.y+1.z+1), but to upgrade to a newer major version (x.y.z to x+1.y.z) or downgrade to any older major or minor version, a fresh new instance of that version has to be installed separately. [How] get installer for each version at https://www.altium.com/products/downloads, and follow instruction at https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-designer/system-installation-licensing-management-overview#!installing-multiple-instances-of-the-software
Altium Designer
KB: Use MCAD Autodesk Vault with Autodesk Inventor
This article describes a short procedure to better enable this functionality
Altium Designer
KB: Validate transmission impedance computed in layer stack
[Why] Validate transmission impedance computated in layer stack, as the result is inconsistent with other third-party calculators/tools. [What] Under the hood, there is a fundamental difference between a web calculator based on formula of closed-form expression and the numerical computation done within Altium's Layer Stack Manager powered by Simbeor's 2D quasi-static field solver based on Method of Moment and validated by convergence, comparisons, and measurements. [How] Check for detail options such as 'Use Surface Finish' and 'Use Solder Mask' in Layer Stack Manager which could attribute to the difference from a web calculator result. Reference plane is also another parameter frequently overlooked. The bottom line, consult your board fabricator and stay with an oversized estimation for trace width/gap so you have a room to modify them later.
Altium Designer
28
114
KB: Warning: License Renewal Failed
This article has steps that should stop the pop-up message: Warning: License Renewal Failed The License Manager was not able to renew your license. Altium Designer will retry periodically.
Altium Designer
KB: What Does the White Arrow on Some Documents Mean?
In the Project Panel, why do some document icons have a small arrow in a white box on them?
Altium Designer
KB: When things don't display or print properly
Here are some things to try when things don't display or print properly in general
Altium Designer
KB: Why is my text upside down?
Text on my schematic is displaying upside-down