System Preferences

The System - General page of the System Preferences provides controls relating to the general settings of the design space.

The page is accessed by clicking General under the System drop-down in the System Preferences (accessed by selecting File » System Preferences from the main menu).

Desktop Layouts

• Apply the default layout - click to change the desktop layout to the default as defined in the software.
• Apply the startup layout - click to change the desktop layout to the state when the software starts up.
• Save current layout to file - click to save the current layout file as a (*.tlt) document.
• Load layout from file - use to load the desired (*.tlt) document.

UI Theme

• Current - use the drop-down to select the desired user interface theme.

  When you change the UI theme, you will need to restart CircuitMaker for the change to take effect.

Automatic Checking

• Check frequency - use the drop-down to select how often you want the system to automatically check for updates.

Mouse Wheel Configuration

• Action - a list of actions for which the mouse wheel can be configured. These configurations are for a mouse that has a wheel between two mouse buttons.
• Button Configuration - use these options to configure any keyboard button combination (Ctrl and/or Shift and/or Alt) that is required to be used along with the mouse wheel function (as listed in the grid) to perform that action.

Zoom Precision

• Zooming - enable this option to zoom in to display your item of interest.
  • Far/Close - use this slider to control how closely the system will zoom into highlighted objects. The farther to the right (Close) you move the slider, the larger the magnification and vice versa.

Cross Select Mode

Use the following options to cross select objects between the schematic and PCB.     

• Cross Selection - use to toggle cross selection on and off. When this is checked, each selected object in one editor will be selected in the open documents of the other editor.
• Dimming - enable this option to dim the display of all other objects except the selected item(s).
• Zooming - enable this option to zoom in to display your selected item(s).

The System – Account Management page of the System Preferences provides controls to configure your Altium account. CircuitMaker includes various on-demand features made available to you upon signing in to your Altium account through the secure Altium portal. Such features include automatic software updates, retrieval of updated exchange rates for use with live links to suppliers, and streamlined activation of Standalone licensing. These features are all offered in accordance with a singular underlying vision to enhance your productivity by delivering the information you need, when and where you need it.

This page is accessed by clicking Account Management under the System drop-down in the main System Preferences (accessed by selecting File » System Preferences from the main menu).

Altium Connection

CircuitMaker includes features to enhance your productivity by bringing information to you on-demand. Whenever a connection to any of these services is made, information about you and your PC may be gathered to identify you and deliver the right services. Information collected by Altium will not be shared with any third parties.

When you use a feature that connects CircuitMaker to the on-demand services, Altium may collect the following information:

• MAC Addresses: Altium uses a computer's MAC address to identify a PC. If you sign in on multiple computers, each sign in request will be recorded uniquely.
• HDD serial numbers: Along with the MAC addresses, this information provides a robust way to identify a PC for licensing purposes.
• CircuitMaker version: Altium uses the software version to differentiate between products so that the correct services can be delivered for each product.

Altium does not, and shall not, read or gather any information about the designs or files you use within CircuitMaker.

All connections to the Altium portal through CircuitMaker are secure. Along with the information that is gathered, information that you enter will also be communicated in requests to Altium's portal. When data is recorded with Altium's portal, the data will include a time stamp showing when the data was recorded.

Altium is committed to ensuring that all the details you provide to us remain secure. The following privacy policy discloses the information practices for Altium services.

How we use the information

The information gathered by Altium is used to provide you with the correct services that can be delivered for your product. Altium may also use the information for internal reviews and analysis in order to improve our products and services.

We will not disclose your individual information to any third party and will not sell, trade or rent that information for marketing purposes. If we need to disclose any information to conform to any laws or legal process we will do so in a manner so as to provide the maximum amount of protection legally possible for such information.

Consent

By connecting with Altium's services through CircuitMaker, you are consenting to the gathering of this information and our use of this information in accordance with the principles outlined in this Privacy Policy.

Should you not wish to receive the benefits that these services bring, Altium makes it readily possible to disconnect from its on-demand services.

If at any time we change the Privacy Policy we will post those changes on the website so that you are kept fully informed.

Would you like to connect with Altium?

• Yes, I would like to allow connections to Altium's on-demand services - by enabling this option you are allowing CircuitMaker to connect with Altium over its secure portal whenever you want to access one of Altium's on-demand services. Enabling this option does not mean you are instantly and constantly connected to Altium, nor does it mean we are constantly gathering your information. Connection is only made at the time you actually use one of the on-demand-style features that require connection to Altium (through the portal). For example, to sign in to your account from within CircuitMaker and manage extensions and updates, you use a feature that requires connection with Altium – which is only possible if you have enabled this option to allow such a connection. Data may be gathered at the time of using an on-demand service to ensure that you are provided with the right service for you.
• No, I wish to remain disconnected from Altium - by enabling this option, your installation of CircuitMaker will stay completely disconnected from Altium. While disconnected, you will not be able to access or use any of the on-demand services that require a connection with Altium. In essence, this option is a 'full off' switch, with the trade off of not being able to use any of Altium's on-demand services.

When the option to remain disconnected is enabled,  will be displayed and all other options on the page will be disabled.

Account Sign in

• User Name - enter your user name in this field. This is the user name created when your Altium account credentials were created.
• Password - enter your CircuitMaker Account password in this field.
  • Sign me in when I start CircuitMaker - enable this option to automatically be signed in to your account when you start the software.

Altium Account Management Servers

When you sign in to your account, you do so through an Altium portal. On the Altium side, a portal is simply a secure connection to a specific Altium Account Management Server.

• Location - enter the required portal. The default portal is portal365.altium.com.

The System - Product Improvement page of the System Preferences allows you to opt in or out of the Altium Product Improvement Program. The program helps Altium to improve CircuitMaker by understanding our customer's behavior and environments. The information that is collected is anonymous and will not affect your designs in any way.

The page is accessed by clicking Product Improvement under the System drop-down in the System Preferences (accessed by selecting File » System Preferences from the main menu).  

• Participate (trace log only) - enable this option to participate in the Altium Product Improvement Program.

  The data collection process will not affect your computer or designs in any way.  We use a highly optimized approach to the data collection and therefore, your computer performance will not be affected in any way.
  No personal data or design information will be collected and you can stop participation in the program at any time. Participation in this program is strictly voluntary and anonymous. 
• Read Altium's Privacy Policy - click to read specifics about the type of data that is collected and how that data is used.

The Data Management – Templates page of the System Preferences lists the available schematic templates.

The page is accessed by clicking Templates under the Data Management drop-down in the main System Preferences (accessed by selecting File » System Preferences from the main menu).

Right-click a listed template or hover the cursor over a template's cell in the Default column and select the Set as Default command to set this template as default. This template will be used for newly created schematic documents. Once set, the chosen template will reflect My Default in the Default column.

Right-click the default template or hover the cursor over a template's cell in the Default column and select the Unset as Default command to unset this template as default.

The Schematic – General page of the System Preferences provides numerous general controls related to the editing of schematic-based documents directly in the design space. 

The page is accessed by clicking General under the Schematic drop-down in the System Preferences (accessed by selecting File » System Preferences from the main menu).  

Units

• Select Mils or Millimeters, whichever is desired.

Alpha Numeric Suffix

Each part in a multi-part schematic component is uniquely identified by an alphabetic or numeric suffix. Use this drop-down to choose how the suffix is presented.

Options

• Break Wires At Autojunctions - enable this option to break wires at autojunctions (autojunctions are automatically inserted when two wires/buses/signal harnesses are connected in a T-type fashion or when a wire/bus/signal harness connects orthogonically to a pin or power port/bus power port).

• Optimize Wires & Buses - enable this option to prevent extra wires, poly-lines, and buses from overlapping on top of each other. Overlapping wires, poly-lines or buses are removed automatically.

  You need to enable this option to have the ability to automatically cut a wire and terminate onto any two pins of this component when this component is dropped onto this wire.

• Convert Cross-Junctions - enabling this option denotes that when the addition of a wire would create a four-way junction, it is instead converted into two adjacent three-way junctions. Disabling this option denotes that when a four-way junction is created, the two wires crossing at the intersection are not joined electrically and if the Display Cross Overs option is enabled, a cross-over is shown on this intersection.
• Display Cross-Overs - when this option is enabled, the wiring cross-overs will be displayed with small bridges on the currently focused schematic sheet.

• Drag Orthogonal - if this option is enabled, when you drag components, any wiring that is dragged with the component is kept orthogonal (i.e., corners at 90 degrees). If this option is disabled, wiring dragged with a component will be repositioned obliquely. Click the checkbox to toggle its status.
  • Drag Step - select the desired size from the drop-down. Options include: Smallest, Small, Medium, and Large.

Pin Margin

• Name - normally, component pin names are displayed inside the body of the component adjacent to the corresponding pin. This option controls the placement of component pin names. It specifies the distance (in hundredths of an inch) from the component outline to the start of the pin name text. 
• Number - normally, component pin numbers are displayed outside the body of the component directly above the corresponding pin line. This option controls the placement of the pin numbers. It specifies the distance (in hundredths of an inch) from the component outline to the start of the pin number text. 

Default Font for Primitives 

Use the controls to set the font default for primitives.

Auto-Increment During Placement

• Primary - enter a value to auto-increment on pin designators of a component when you are placing pins for a component.
• Secondary - enter a value to auto-increment on pin names of a component when you are placing pins for a component.
• Remove Leading Zeroes - enable this option to remove leading zeroes from the string of numbers. For example, if the string is 000467 and the option is enabled, the string will become 467 with the leading zeroes removed.

Default Blank Sheet Template or Size

• Sheet Size - use the drop-down to select the default blank sheet size that will be created every time you need to create a new schematic document. Sheet size can also be specified at the local document level using the Standard Page Options settings of the Inspector panel in Document Options mode.
• Drawing Area - reflects the dimensions of the sheet size chosen in the Sheet Size field. This field is uneditable.

The Schematic – Graphical Editing page of the System Preferences provides numerous controls related to the editing of schematic-based documents directly in the design space.

The page is accessed by clicking Graphical Editing under the Schematic drop-down in the System Preferences (accessed by selecting File » System Preferences from the main menu).  

Options

• Mark Manual Parameters – parameters displayed with a dot denotes that auto-positioning has been turned off and that parameters are moved or rotated with its parent object (component, for example). To hide the dots, disable this option.
• Always Drag – if this option is enabled, every time you drag a component (or selection of components) on a schematic document, the electrical wiring stays connected. Press the Spacebar to rotate the component(s). Use Ctrl+Spacebar to toggle the wire start/end mode (corner modes).
• Auto Annotate Placed Parts - enable this option to ensure placed parts are annotated automatically.

Auto Pan Options

• Enable Auto Pan - check to enable auto-panning so that when you are performing any editing action and the cross-hair cursor is active, moving the cursor past any edge of the document view window will cause the document to pan in the relevant direction.
• Style – auto-panning comes into effect when the cross-hair action cursor is active and you move the cursor to the edge of the view area. If auto-panning is on, the sheet will automatically pan in that direction. Set this field to control cursor movement during auto-panning. The options are Auto Pan Fixed Jump (pans the sheet by a fixed step, which is set in the Step Size field - the cursor remains at the edge of the view area), and Auto Pan ReCenter (pans the sheet by a fixed step, which is set in the Step Size field - the cursor is re-centered in the view area after the pan).
• Speed – drag this bar to set the auto-panning speed. The further to the left the bar is, the slower or finer the auto-panning movement.
• Step Size – enter a value to set the size of each auto-panning step. The step size determines how fast the document pans when auto-panning is enabled. The smaller the value, the slower or finer the auto-panning movement.
• Shift Step Size – enter a value to set the size of each step when the Shift key is held during auto-panning. This determines how fast the document pans when auto-panning is enabled and the Shift key is pressed. The smaller the value, the slower or finer the auto-panning movement.

Cutting Length

Select one of the following options to control the length of wire that gets cut:

• Snap to Segment - choose this option to have the cutter snap to an entire wire segment.
• Snap Grid Size Multiple - choose this option to have the cutter sized to a defined multiple of the current snap grid. Enter a value for the multiplier in the field to the right from 2 and 10 (inclusive).
• Fixed Length - choose this option to create a fixed-length cutter, the length of which is specified by entering a value in the field to the right.

Color Options

• Selections – this field shows the current color used as the highlight color for selected items. When an object on a schematic sheet is selected, it will be highlighted using this color. Click the field to access the Choose Color dialog in which you can change the color as required.
• Special Strings with No Value – this field shows the current color used as the highlight color for special strings that have no assigned value. A special string that has no assigned value on a schematic sheet will be highlighted using this color. Click the field to access the Choose Color dialog, from where you can change the color as required.

Cursor

• Cursor Type – select an option from the dropdown list to set the style of the "crosshair" editing cursor. This cursor is displayed when you are performing any editing action in a schematic document. The following options are available: Large Cursor 90 (cursor takes the form of a horizontal and vertical line extending from the edge of the document area); Small Cursor 90 (cursor takes the form of a small cross made with a horizontal and vertical line); Small Cursor 45 (cursor takes the form of a small cross made with 45 degree lines); Tiny Cursor 45 (cursor takes the form of a tiny cross made with 45-degree lines). 

The Schematic – Compiler page of the System Preferences provides numerous controls related to schematic compilation.

The page is accessed by clicking Compiler under the Schematic drop-down in the System Preferences (accessed by selecting File » System Preferences from the main menu).  

Errors & Warnings

Errors & Warnings – the schematic objects that have an error or warning can have a wriggle underlined with specified color on the schematic sheet. You can toggle the display and the color of the wriggle for an object depending on the Level of violation by clicking on one of the fields in the Display column and one of the fields in the Color column.

Auto-Junctions

• Display On Wires – enable to display the system-generated junctions for wire objects.
  • Size – choose the size of system-generated junctions for wire objects.
  • Color – click to change the visibility or color of system-generated junctions.
  • Drag Color – click to change the color of the hotspots used to provide visual feedback on where new auto-junctions to join intersecting wires will be created while performing a drag operation.
• Display On Buses – enable to display the system-generated junctions for bus objects.
  • Size – choose the size of system-generated junctions for bus objects.
  • Color – click to change the visibility or color of system-generated junctions.
  • Drag Color – click to change the color of the hotspots used to provide visual feedback on where new auto-junctions to join intersecting buses will be created while performing a drag operation.
• Display When Dragging – enable to display the hotspots used to provide visual feedback on where new auto-junctions will be created while performing a drag operation.

Compiled Names Expansion

Display the expanded compiled names of the following objects – enable the below listed desired objects:

• Designators – when a design project is compiled, all the logical sheets are expanded into physical sheets and as a consequence, some nets are also expanded to reflect on the expanded physical sheets. Enable this option to allow component designators on physical sheets to acquire expanded net information when logical sheets are expanded into physical sheets. The drop-down menu controls how the expanded compiled names of designators are displayed after the project is compiled.
  • Display superscript if necessary – when the logical designator name and the compiled designator name differ, then the superscript is displayed.
  • Always display superscript – display superscript text for designators.
  • Never display superscript – never display superscript text for the designators.
• Net Labels – when a design project is compiled, all the logical sheets are expanded into physical sheets and as a consequence, some nets are also expanded to reflect on the expanded physical sheets. Enable this option to allow net labels on physical sheets to acquire expanded net information when logical sheets are expanded into physical sheets. The drop-down menu controls how the expanded compiled names of net labels are displayed after the project is compiled.
  • Never display superscript – never display superscript text for the net labels.
  • Always display superscript – display superscript text for net labels.
  • Display superscript if necessary – when the logical net label name and the compiled net label name differ, then the superscript is displayed.
• Ports – when a design project is compiled, all the logical sheets are expanded into physical sheets and as a consequence, some nets are also expanded to reflect on the expanded physical sheets. Enable this option to allow ports on physical sheets to acquire expanded net information when logical sheets are expanded into physical sheets.
• Sheet Number – when a design project is compiled, all the logical sheets are expanded into physical sheets and as a consequence, some nets are also expanded to reflect on the expanded physical sheets. Enable this option to allow sheet number parameters on physical sheets to acquire expanded net information when logical sheets are expanded into physical sheets. The drop-down menu controls how the expanded compiled names of sheet number parameters are displayed after the project is compiled.
  • Never display superscript – never display superscript text for the sheet numbers.
  • Always display superscript – display superscript text for sheet numbers.
  • Display superscript if necessary – when the logical sheet number and the compiled sheet number differ, then the superscript is displayed.
• Document Number – when a design project is compiled, all the logical sheets are expanded into physical sheets and as a consequence, some nets are also expanded to reflect on the expanded physical sheets. Enable this option to allow document number parameters on physical sheets to acquire expanded information when logical sheets are expanded into physical sheets. The drop-down menu controls how the expanded compiled names of document number parameters are displayed after the project is compiled.
  • Never display superscript – never display superscript text for the document numbers.
  • Always display superscript – display superscript text for document numbers.
  • Display superscript if necessary – when the logical document number and the compiled document number differ, then the superscript is displayed.

The Schematic – Grids page of the System Preferences provides the settings for the grid configuration in the schematic editor.

The page is accessed by clicking Grids under the Schematic drop-down in the System Preferences (accessed by selecting File » System Preferences from the main menu).

Grid Options

• Grid - select an option from the drop-down list to set the style of the visible grid for schematic documents.
• Grid Color - use to set the color.

Imperial Grid Presets

The table contains lists of imperial values (in mils) for the Snap Grid, Snap Distance, and Visible Grid for schematic projects. The values can be modified or the checkboxes can be enabled/disabled to toggle the visibility of each grid.

• Altium Presets - click this button to select from a sub-menu of grid presets to restore the presets for the Snap Grid, Snap Distance, and Visible Grid.

Metric Grid Presets

The table contains lists of metric values (in mm) for the Snap Grid, Snap Distance, and Visible Grid for schematic projects. The grid values can be modified or the checkboxes can be enabled/disabled to toggle the visibility of each grid.

• Altium Presets - click this button to select from a sub-menu of grid presets to restore the presets for the Snap Grid, Snap Distance, and Visible Grid.

The PCB Editor – General page of the System Preferences provides numerous controls relating to the general settings of the PCB editor within the PCB design space.

The page is accessed by clicking General under the PCB Editor drop-down in the System Preferences (accessed by selecting File » System Preferences from the main menu).

Editing Options

• Online DRC - enable to have software monitor all PCB design rules interactively as you work and immediately highlight any rule violations. If this option is disabled, design rule violations will not be highlighted as you work. Violations will only be highlighted when you manually run a Design Rule Check.
• Object Snap Options

  • Snap To Center - enable to have the cursor jump automatically to a defined reference point on the object when you select it and be "held" by that point as you reposition it. When moving a free pad or via, the cursor will snap to the center of the object. When moving a component, the cursor snaps to the reference point of the component. When moving a track segment, the cursor snaps to the vertex point. If this option is disabled, objects will be "held" by the point at which you click on them.

    Because the snap grid acts on the cursor position, enabling this option will ensure that you can easily position objects so that critical points (such as the pads of a component) are aligned on the grid.

  • Smart Component Snap - enable so that when you click to select a component, the cross-hair cursor appears on the nearest pad of this associated component in respect to the cursor. Disable this option so that the cross-hair cursor always appears on the pad reference point of this component when it is clicked.

    A pad designated as the reference point usually is the first designator (1) of a component.
• Protect Locked Objects - enable to ignore any selected locked objects if they are part of a selection that is being moved.

Autopan Options

• Enable Auto Pan - check to enable auto-panning so that when you are performing any editing action and the cross-hair cursor is active, moving the cursor past any edge of the document view window will cause the document to pan in the relevant direction.
• Style - use the drop-down to select the style of document autopanning. The following options are available:
  • Re-Center - re-centers the display around the location where the cursor touched the edge of the main design window. It also holds the cursor position relative to its location on the board, bringing it back to the center of the display.
  • Fixed Size Jump - pans across in steps defined by the Step Size value. Hold the Shift key to pan in steps defined by the Shift Step value.
  • Shift Accelerate - pans across in steps defined by the Step Size value. Hold the Shift key to accelerate the panning up to the maximum step size, defined by the Shift Step value.
  • Shift Decelerate - pans across in steps defined by the Shift Step value. Hold the Shift key to decelerate the panning down to the minimum step size, defined by the Step Size value.
  • Ballistic - the panning will increase from the Step Size value to the Shift Step value dependent on how far past the edge of the viewing window you move the cursor. Hold the Shift key to pan in steps defined by the Shift Step value.
  • Adaptive - the panning will move at a constant speed when the cursor reaches the edge of the PCB window. When there are no design objects in the region where the panning is taking place, the cursor speed then slows down.
• Speed - shows the current autopanning speed. Edit this field to change the speed. The measurement is set according to the Pixels/Sec or Mils/Sec options.
• Pixels/Sec - select this option to set autopanning speed in pixels per second. The number of pixels per second is set in the Speed field.
• Mils/Sec - select this option to set autopanning in mils per second. The number of mils per second is set in the Speed field.

Other

• Rotation Step - shows the amount of rotation, in degrees, applied to objects floating on the cursor when the Spacebar is pressed. Edit this field to change the angle (default is 90°). Minimum angular resolution is 0.001°. Pressing the Spacebar when an object is floating on the cursor rotates the object by the set number of degrees in a counterclockwise direction. Hold the Shift key while pressing the Spacebar to rotate in a clockwise direction.
• Cursor Type -  define the shape of the "action" cursor here. This cursor is displayed whenever you perform any editing action (such as placing or moving and object). Click to view and select a cursor type from the list. Available cursors are:
  • Small 90 - small cross-hair cursor angled at 90° (e.g., "+"). This is the default.
  • Large 90 - cursor consists of intersecting horizontal and vertical lines spanning the width of the screen.
  • Small 45 - same as Small 90 except that the cross-hair lines are at a 45° (e.g., "X").
• Comp Drag - shows how connected tracks are handled when you drag a component. Available options are:
  • none - when you drag a component, only the component moves. Any attached tracks will be disconnected and left in place.
  • Connected Tracks - when you drag a component, any connected tracks will remain attached to the component.

Space Navigator Options

• Disable Roll - check this option to disable the Space Navigator function.

Metric Display Precision

• Digits - shows the number of significant digits to the right of the decimal point to display when showing metric values. The last digit will be rounded as required, however, calculations within the system are always performed at the base system resolution. For example, if the initial value was calculated as "5.254667", the display would show:
  • "5.255" @ 3 digit precision
  • "5.2547" @ 4 digit precision
  • "5.25467" @ 5 digit precision

Models

• Model Options - click to open the Model Options dialog, which provides controls relating to models.

  

  Model Search Path

  • Models region - lists all folders that will be defaulted to when linking 3D STEP model files via the Inspector panel in 3D Body mode. You might consider these folders "watched" since the software monitors changes to STEP files (*.stp, *.step) in them.
  • Models path - click the browse icon on the right to open a dialog in which you can browse for a folder in which to search for 3D STEP model files. Once the folder is found, add it to the Models region using the Add button. Whenever you link or embed a STEP model to a component footprint or PCB document, the folders listed in the Models region list are defaulted to. The idea of using common or central depositories for STEP model files can be beneficial, particularly in multi-user environments.
  • Add - click to add the folder currently displayed in the browse bar to the Models region list.
  • Delete - click to remove the currently selected folder from the Models region list.

  Temporary Mesh Data

  • Directory - click the browse folder icon to open a dialog to browse for a folder in which the software will store 3D model mesh data. Mesh data is calculated for display purposes when a 3D model is first used or created. This data is saved, to be used whenever that model is required again. Storing mesh data in this way can improve system performance when working in the 3D design space.
  • Time To Keep Unused Mesh Data - click to view and select a maximum period of time (in days) for the system to store 3D model mesh data since its last use before deleting it. Mesh data is calculated for display purposes when a 3D model is first used or created. This data is saved, to be used whenever that model is required again. Storing mesh data in this way can improve system performance when working in the 3D design space.
  • Clean Directory - click to immediately empty the folder used to store temporary 3D model mesh data.

The PCB Editor – Display page of the System Preferences provides numerous controls relating to the functionality of the display feature within the PCB design space.

The page is accessed by clicking Display under the PCB Editor drop-down in the System Preferences (accessed by selecting File » System Preferences from the main menu).  

Display Options

Check Antialiasing to enable anti-aliasing in 3D; uncheck to disable. 

Available Single Layer Modes

• Hide Other Layers - in single layer modes, only the selected layers will be shown; other layers will be hidden.
• Gray Scale Other Layers - in single layer modes, the selected layers will be highlighted; all primitives on other layers are displayed in gray scale.
• Monochrome Other Layers - in single layer modes, the selected layers will be highlighted; all primitives on other layers are displayed in the same shade of gray.

Layer Drawing Order

This region allows you to set the order in which layers are redrawn on the screen. The order that the layers appear in the list is the order in which they will be redrawn. The layer at the top of the list is the layer which will appear on top of all other layers on the screen. Select a layer in the list to alter its position using the Promote and Demote buttons as follows: 

• Promote - click to move the selected layer up one position.
• Demote - click to move the selected layer down one position.
• Default - click to set the Layer Drawing Order to the system defaults.

The PCB Editor – DRC Violations Display page of the System Preferences provides a range of controls that determine the visual functionality of the DRC Violations Display feature within the PCB design space.

The page is accessed by clicking DRC Violations Display under the PCB Editor drop-down in the System Preferences (accessed by selecting File » System Preferences from the main menu).

Violation Overlay Style

Select the visual overlay style to specify how violations appear in the PCB design space. Choose from the following options:

• None (Layer Color) - the DRC override color is ignored, leaving the default layer color visible only.
• Solid (Override Color) - the DRC override color is used, totally overriding the default layer color.
• Style A - the DRC override color is used in the display of an exclamation-type pattern, leaving the default layer color also visible.
• Style B - the DRC override color is used in the display of a cross-type pattern, leaving the default layer color also visible.

Overlay Zoom Out Behavior 

Use these options to determine how the overlays are displayed when you zoom out:

• Base Pattern Scales - select to scale the base pattern as you zoom out.
• Layer Color Dominates - select to have the assigned layer color become more dominant the further you zoom out until the color is not noticeable.
• Override Color Dominates - select to have the assigned net override color become more dominant the further you zoom out until the color is not noticeable.

Choose DRC Violations Display Style

This region presents a grid allowing you to choose the display style used on a per-rule basis.

• Enabling the Violation Details field for a rule type will use the associated custom violation graphics to display the DRC violations of that rule.
• Enabling the Violation Overlay field will display the violations using the specified overlay style.

Right-click anywhere in the region to access a context menu, with commands to quickly enable or disable the use of a violation display type for all rule types. You can also quickly enable the display of violations – detailed graphics or overlay styles – for only those rules currently being used in the design.

The PCB Editor – Interactive Routing page of the System Preferences provides numerous controls relating to the functionality of the Interactive Routing feature within the PCB design space.

The page is accessed by clicking Interactive Routing under the PCB Editor drop-down in the System Preferences (accessed by selecting File » System Preferences from the main menu).  

Routing Conflict Resolution 

• Ignore Obstacles - select to have the interactive router to allow the track to pass through obstacles while routing. 
• Push Obstacles - select to have the Interactive Router move existing tracks out of the way while routing. This mode can also push vias to make way for the new routing. If the system cannot push an obstacle without causing a violation, an indicator appears to show the route is blocked.
• Stop At First Obstacle - select to have the Interactive Router stop routing when it encounters the first obstacle in its path.
• Current Mode - this field displays the current Routing Conflict Resolution mode chosen when using the Interactive Router. Use the associated drop-down to change the mode as required.

Dragging

• Unselected via/track - set the default behavior of dragging an unselected via or track to be either a Move or Drag action.
• Selected via/track - set the default behavior of dragging a selected via or track to be either a Move or Drag action.

Interactive Routing Width Sources

• Pickup Track Width From Existing Routes - enable to use the existing track width when routing from a placed track (i.e. even if the current routing width is different to the existing track, the existing track width will be adopted when you continue the route from it).
• Track Width Mode - choose a track width mode for interactive routing. The available modes are:
  • User Choice - with this mode enabled, the width is determined from the width selected in the Choose Width dialog, which is accessed by pressing Shift+W while routing.
  • Rule Minimum - with this mode enabled, the design rule minimum width defined for the current net will be used.
  • Rule Preferred- with this mode enabled, the design rule preferred width defined for the current net will be used.
  • Rule Maximum - with this mode enabled, the design rule maximum width defined for the current net will be used.
• Via Size Mode - choose one of the via size modes for interactive routing. The available modes are:
  • User Choice - with this mode enabled, the via size is determined from the size selected in the Choose Via Sizes dialog, which is accessed by pressing Shift+V while routing.
  • Rule Minimum - this mode uses the minimum via size rule.
  • Rule Preferred - this mode uses the preferred via size rule.
  • Rule Maximum - this mode uses the maximum via size rule.

Interactive Routing Options

Automatically Remove Loops - enable to automatically remove any redundant loops that are created during manual routing. This allows you to re-route a connection without having to manually remove redundant tracks.

Favorites

Favorite Interactive Routing Widths - click to open the Favorite Interactive Routing Widths dialog.

The PCB Editor – Layer Colors page of the System Preferences provides controls to change the colors used for all supported board layers and system objects associated with viewing a board in 2D. Quickly change the color of a chosen layer or all layers on-the-fly. Alternatively, define a color profile to determine the colors assigned to each and every layer. Color profiles can be saved and loaded to enable the quick application of favorite/desired color schemes.

The page is accessed by clicking Layer Colors under the PCB Editor drop-down in the System Preferences (accessed by selecting File » System Preferences from the main menu).  

Saved Color Profiles - lists the names of the currently default saved color profiles. Click on an entry to 'activate' it. This allows you to view the colors configured for the layers in that profile in the Active color profile region of the dialog and make any changes as required.

• Actions – this region presents various commands for working with color profiles at the file level (*.PCBSysColors).
• Active color profile - this region provides controls to configure the layer colors for the active color profile, i.e., the profile currently selected in the Saved Color Profiles list.
• Layers - lists all supported board layers as well as system layers. For each layer in the list, its currently assigned color is displayed in the color swatch to the right. To change the color for a layer, simply select it in the list, then use the controls to the right to choose a new color.
• Color Selection region - the region to the right of the layers list offers the same controls as those found in the standard Choose Color dialog.

• Previous - shows the previous color used for the selected layer.

  The previous color will only remain displayed while the layer is still selected. If you click to another layer and back again, it will simply reflect the current layer color.
• Current - shows the new color chosen for the layer. This color will be applied during the current editing session with the software (if simply clicking OK), and/or will be committed to the color profile, if that profile is saved.

• Custom Colors - this area allows you to store up to 16 custom colors, which is useful if you have finally reached a required color through the color selecting controls and want to effectively 'save' that color for reuse. Clicking on any of the custom color swatches will quickly assign its color as the current layer color.

  Ensure the correct swatch to receive the color is selected on the custom color palette to prevent overwriting an existing custom color that you wish to keep.
• Use different profile colors for all opened PCB files - enable this option to display layer colors according to the assigned profile for all opened PCB documents. This option is disabled by default.

The Importers – EAGLE page of the System Preferences allows you to define global preferences to be applied when importing EAGLE designs into CircuitMaker.

The page is accessed by clicking EAGLE under the Importers drop-down in the System Preferences (accessed by selecting File » System Preferences from the main menu).

General

• Log All Errors - enable this option to ensure all errors are logged during the scanning of the files you are importing.
• Log All Warnings - enable this option to ensure all warnings are logged during the scanning of the files you are importing.
• Log All Events - enable this option to ensure all events are logged during the scanning of the files you are importing.

PCB

• Generate 3D body - enable to generate a 3D body.
• Layers of 3D body - use to denote the layer order, separated by a semi-colon (;).

Schematic

• Recognize powerports - enable to recognize schematic power ports. Ensure that the default values in the Power port designators textbox are correct. If not, enter correct designators directly in the textbox.
• Recognize ports - enable to recognize standard ports. Ensure that the default values in the Port designators textbox are correct. If not, enter correct designators directly in the textbox.

• Power Port designators - use to denote the power port designator names, separated by a semi-colon (;).
• Port designator - use to denote the port designator names, separated by a semi-colon (;).
• Ignore document templates - enable to ignore any document templates.
• Hide default sheet template - enable to hide the default.
• Do not translate hidden net name - enable to not translate hidden net name(s).
• Create bus entry - enable to create a bus entry.

Library

Add libraries to PCB project if one exists - enable to add libraries to the project.

The Importers – PADS page of the System Preferences allows you to define global preferences to be applied when importing PADS designs into CircuitMaker.

The page is accessed by clicking PADS under the Importers drop-down in the System Preferences (accessed by selecting File » System Preferences from the main menu).

General

• Log All Errors - enable this option to ensure all errors are logged during the scanning of the files you are importing.
• Log All Warnings - enable this option to ensure all warnings are logged during the scanning of the files you are importing.
• Log All Events - enable this option to ensure all events are logged during the scanning of the files you are importing.

Schematic General

• Do not translate hidden net names - enable to not translate hidden net name(s).

PCB General

• Add Missing Via On Route Layer Changes - enable to add missing vias when the route layer is changed.
• Override Pad Inner Value With Largest Found - enable this to specify that imported pads will have their sizes on the mid-layers set to the largest size found.
• Generate Teardrops - enable to generate teardrops.
• Change Attributes For Used Layers - enable to change attributes for used layers.

PCB Design Rules

• Import Clearance Rules - enable to import all clearance design rules.
• Import Routing Rules - enable to import all routing rules.

PCB Internal Plane

Specify the desired Plane Pullback Distance in the textbox. Enable the checkbox to Rebuild All Internal Planes.

PCB Keep-Out

• Import Trace & Copper Keep-Outs As Cut-Out Regions - enable this option to import trace and copper keep-outs as cut-out regions.
• Import Copper Pour & Plane Keep-Outs As Cut-Out Regions - enable this option to import copper pour and plane keep-outs as cut-out regions.

The Importers – OrCAD page of the System Preferences allows you to define global preferences to be applied when importing OrCAD designs into CircuitMaker.

The page is accessed by clicking OrCAD under the Importers drop-down in the System Preferences (accessed by selecting File » System Preferences from the main menu).

General

• Log All Errors - enable this option to ensure all errors are logged during the scanning of the files you are importing.
• Log All Warnings - enable this option to ensure all warnings are logged during the scanning of the files you are importing.
• Log All Events - enable this option to ensure all events are logged during the scanning of the files you are importing.

Title Blocks

• Strip Orcad Title Blocks - enable to strip the OrCAD title blocks.
• Enable Schematic Title Blocks - check to enable AdvSCH title blocks. Use the drop-down to select Standard or ANSI.

Pin-to-Pin Spacing

• Pin-to-Pin Spacing - enter the desired spacing ratio.
• Resize Sheet - enable to resize the sheet based on the pin-to-pin spacing entered in the above textbox.

Parameters

• Auto-position Parameter - enable to automatically place schematic parameters out of the way after rotation or other movements.
• Disable "Mark Manual Parameters" - manually-positioned parameters will be marked with blue dots. Check this box to disable this feature.

Junctions

The two types of junctions in CircuitMaker are manual and auto-junctions. Auto-junctions are automatically calculated depending on the design and they cannot be manually placed or removed. However, users can place and remove manual junctions and the system will not try to remove them, even if the design has changed.

• Import Orcad Junctions - use the drop-down to select which junctions to import. Choices include: Only Cross Junctions and All.

Rectangles

Enable Convert Orcad Component Rectangles to CircuitMaker Rectangles if desired.

PCB

• Run Online DRC after importing files - use the drop-down to select between Suppress Online DRC and Use Preference Settings, depending on how you'd like the DRC run after importing files.
• Use Orcad Color Settings - enable to use imported Orcad Color settings.
• Import Solder Mask Rules - enable to import Orcad Solder Mask rules.
• Import Solder Paste Rules - enable to import Orcad Solder Paste rules.
• Allow Via Underneath Pad - enable to allow imported vias underneath pads.
• Import Free Vias As Vias - enable to allow imported free vias as vias.

PSpice Models

• Add - use this button to browse for a PSpice Library from within your saved files.
• Remove - use this button to remove the selected PSpice Library.

Library Import

• Output Libraries as PCB Project - select to minimize the integration between PCB and schematic libraries. The imported libraries will only be grouped as a PCB project. They can be added to the list of libraries in the library panel later. This setup is most advantageous for those who wish to operate in the same environment as they did in OrCAD.
• Output Libraries as Library Packages - select to group the libraries into library packages. You can then select to compile the library packages as integrated libraries by enabling Compile as Integrated Libraries. Integrated libraries combine both PCB, schematic and PSpice libraries, enabling better interactions. Errors in the compilation are shown in the Messages panel. 

Placement Outline

• Convert Orcad Placement Outline Obstacles - enable if you wish to convert Orcad placement outline obstacles.
• CircuitMaker Layer - use this field to determine which mechanical layer you'd like to override.
• Outline track width - use this field to enter the desired outline track width.

The Importers – Protel 99SE page of the System Preferences allows you to define global preferences to be applied when importing Protel 99SE designs into CircuitMaker.

The page is accessed by clicking Protel 99SE under the Importers folder in the System Preferences (accessed by selecting File » System Preferences from the main menu).

General

Enable Convert Schematic documents to current file format if you want the current format to be used. If this option is enabled, locked (manual) junctions will be imported as is. Use the following options to select how to import non-locked (auto) junctions:

• Lock All Auto-Junctions - select this option to lock all auto-junctions.
• Lock X-Cross Junctions Only - select this option to lock only X-Cross junctions.
• Convert X-Cross Junctions - select this option to convert X-Cross junctions. 
• Miter Size (in DXP units) - if Convert X-Cross Junctions is selected, enter the miter size in the text box.

The Importers – AutoCAD DXF page of the System Preferences allows you to define global preferences to be applied when importing AutoCAD DXF designs into CircuitMaker.

The page is accessed by clicking AutoCAD DXF under the Importers drop-down in the System Preferences (accessed by selecting File » System Preferences from the main menu).

Blocks

• Import as components - the Importer will attempt to parse AutoCAD Blocks (grouped collections of primitive objects) as compound objects and place them on the document as PCB components.
• Import as primitives - the Importer will parse all AutoCAD object data, including objects within Blocks, as primitive/base objects (lines/tracks, arcs, etc).

Drawing Space

• Model - select to set the drawing source graphic, and its dimensional information, to be extracted from the file's Model space data. The dimensional data is at true scaling (1:1). This is the recommended setting for a reliable import process.
• Paper - select to set the drawing source graphic, and its dimensional information, to be extracted from the file's Paper space data. In the source file, the Paper space dimensional information is scaled to suit a specified page size and layout. Note that Paper space data might not be included in the DXF/DWG file, resulting in no drawing data being imported when this option is selected.

Scale and Line Width

• Scale 1 AutoCAD unit to - the indicated scaling dimension will dynamically change according to the selected units option. You can also enter a custom scale setting – the units setting will change to other.
  The associated Size text shows the projected, scaled size of the imported graphics, in both Imperial and Metric units.
• Default Line Width - the default line width that will be applied when a line object in the source AutoCAD file does not include width data.

Locate AutoCAD (0.0) at

• X and Y – use these fields to map the zero point from the imported AutoCAD drawing to the specified X/Y point on the target PCB layout.

The Importers – KiCAD page of the System Preferences allows you to define global preferences to be applied when importing KiCAD designs into CircuitMaker.

The page is accessed by clicking KiCAD under the Importers drop-down in the System Preferences (accessed by selecting File » System Preferences from the main menu).

PCB Import Options

• Testpoint names (separated by semicolons) - use this field to enter the desired import testpoint names.
• Font - use the drop-down to select the font in which you would like testpoint names imported as.

PCB Import Options

• Force passive pin types - enable to force passive pin type.
• Recognize Power Ports - enable to recognize PCB power ports.
• Use KiCad colors - enable to use imported KiCad color settings.

The Importers – P-CAD page of the System Preferences allows you to define global preferences to be applied when importing P-CAD designs into CircuitMaker.

The page is accessed by clicking P-CAD under the Importers drop-down in the System Preferences (accessed by selecting File » System Preferences from the main menu).

General Settings

• Log All Errors - enable this option to ensure all errors are logged during the scanning of the files you are importing.
• Log All Warnings - enable this option to ensure all warnings are logged during the scanning of the files you are importing.
• Log All Events - enable this option to ensure all events are logged during the scanning of the files you are importing.

PCB Setting

• Log warnings for footprint name changes - P-CAD PCB component names will be transformed, which may result in some differences. Enable this option in order to see these differences.
• Log warnings for skipped tokens - enable to see warnings regarding P-CAD tokens that were ignored during the import process.

Schematic-Specific Settings

Do not translate hidden net names - enable to not translate hidden net name(s).