Moving to Altium MCAD CoDesigner from SOLIDWORKS PCB Connector - FAQs

What do SOLIDWORKS PCB and SOLIDWORKS PCB Connector end-of-life mean?

Starting August 15, 2023, SOLIDWORKS PCB and SOLIDWORKS PCB Connector will no longer receive updates or support.

Will SOLIDWORKS PCB or SOLIDWORKS PCB Connector still be supported?

SOLIDWORKS PCB and SOLIDWORKS PCB Connector will be supported through August 14, 2023.

Will I need to export all the files from the solutions before end-of-life?

No, because the files you have now can be opened with other similar solutions, i.e. Altium Designer.

How do I migrate my existing SOLIDWORKS PCB design data into Altium Designer?

The migration process is almost non-existent because your existing SOLIDWORKS schematics and library files are 100% compatible with Altium Designer. Furthermore, you can choose to store your designs on the Altium 365 Workspace with version-controlled resilience and extended collaboration capability. View the process here.

Does it impact the files I have?

The files you created and modified with SOLIDWORKS PCB and SOLIDWORKS PCB Connector will not be affected. You will only need to find another solution to work with them.

I currently use SOLIDWORKS PCB. What options do I have now that the product will be discontinued?

SOLIDWORKS PCB is developed by Altium. The look and feel are very similar to Altium Designer. For the quickest learning curve and with even more powerful features and functions, we recommend Altium Designer.

How difficult will it be to ramp up on Altium Designer from SOLIDWORKS PCB?

SOLIDWORKS PCB and Altium Designer are based on the same PCB design foundation. All of your SOLIDWORKS PCB design knowledge can be carried forward to Altium Designer. The user interface is slightly different between the two tools, but the concepts, panels and data structure are identical. Also, because of the ubiquitous nature of Altium Designer, a variety of blogs and videos are available to enable you to quickly fill in any gaps.

Does Altium Designer support SOLIDWORKS PCB files?

Yes. Here is a demonstration of how easy it is.

As a SOLIDWORKS PCB Connector user, what options do I have?

Altium MCAD CoDesigner would be the best option. SOLIDWORKS PCB Connector was developed by Altium for mechanical and electrical teams to collaborate and share CAD data, specifically for SOLIDWORKS (MCAD) and SOLIDWORKS PCB (ECAD). Altium MCAD CoDesigner is the most comparable solution. It is also designed for the same purpose, allowing MCAD users to work with ECAD data in SOLIDWORKS with more advanced features and functions.

Are there any benefits to moving now instead of later?

To facilitate the move, Altium is offering an early transition promotion for those who would like to migrate to Altium Designer and Altium MCAD CoDesigner from SOLIDWORKS PCB and SOLIDWORKS PCB Connector. These promotions won’t last for a long time. 

I am interested in transitioning to Altium Designer. What is the process?

Visit our website or contact us.

I am interested in transitioning to Altium MCAD CoDesigner. What is the process?

Visit our website or contact us.

Where can I find support?

Altium Designer includes easy access to real-time support, user communities, comprehensive product documentation, training videos, and a knowledge base of targeted solutions for everyday user experiences.

Who can I contact if I have questions?

If you have other questions or would like to learn more material we didn’t cover in this FAQs, please feel free to reach out to us at contact@altium.com

For enterprise customers, please contact us at enterprise@altium.com.