Available File-based Libraries

Summary

The Available File-based Libraries dialog provides controls to add or remove libraries to the project (Project tab), install libraries into this installation of Altium Designer (Installed tab), and specify library search paths (Search Path tab). The Available File-based Libraries dialog provides controls to define the list of currently available libraries for the active project. The Available File-based Libraries consist of Project Libraries, Installed Libraries, and libraries found along specified Search Paths, which are each defined on a separate tab of the dialog. When an action is performed that requires searching for a model, such as transferring the design from a Schematic to PCB layout, the libraries are searched for in the order of the tabs, then within each tab, in accordance to the order that the libraries/models are listed.

Access

The Available File-based Libraries dialog can be accessed from the Components panel by clicking the  button in the upper right corner of the panel, and choosing File-based Libraries Preferences from the associated menu.

Options/Controls

Project Tab

The Project tab lists all of the libraries that are part of the active project (the project currently selected in the Projects panel). You can also use this tab to add libraries to the project or change the order of the project libraries.

The Project tab

Grid

• Project Libraries - displays the file names of library documents used in the active project, including the file extension.
• Path - allows you to see where the library is saved by displaying the file path.
• Type - displays the type of library document listed, e.g., a PCB or schematic library.

Buttons

• Move Up - click to move the selected project library up in the list. The ordering of the list is important when the list is used for the model-link verification when, for example, compiling the project, synchronizing, or running a simulation. 
• Move Down - click to move the selected project library down in the list. The ordering of the list is important when the list is used for the model-link verification when, for example, compiling the project, synchronizing, or running a simulation.

• Add Library - click to open your file browser and select a library file from your local drive that you want to add to the list of project libraries.

  The following types of library files are supported as project libraries:

  • Integrated Libraries (*.IntLib)
  • Schematic Libraries (*.SchLib)
  • Database Libraries (*.DbLib)
  • Footprint Libraries (*.PcbLib) – only viewable if the Footprints option is enabled from within the Libraries menu.
  • PCB3D Model Libraries (*.PCB3DLib)
  • Sim Model Files (*.Mdl)
  • Sim Subcircuit Files (*.Ckt)
  • SIMetrix Model Libraries (*.LB)
  • Ibis Model File (*.IBS)
  As a new library is added to the list, its corresponding entry also appears under the associated sub-folder in the Projects panel as a document belonging to that project.
• Remove - click this button to remove the selected project library from this list.

Installed Tab

The Installed tab lists all of the installed libraries. This list is an environment setting. Any libraries added to the list will be available for all projects and the list is persistent across design sessions. Project libraries can be added to this list but are not initially part of it.

Grid

• Installed Libraries - displays the file names of installed libraries used in the active project, including the file extension.
• Activated - check or uncheck to designate whether a library is activated or not. Only activated libraries are accessible from the Components panel.
• Path - displays the path location of the library.
• Type - displays the type of library.

Lower Region

• Library Path Relative To: displays the relative path. Use the  to browse and search for the desired path.
• Move Up - click to move the selected installed library up in this list. The ordering of the list is important when the list is used for the model-link verification when, for example, compiling the project, synchronizing, or running a simulation.
• Move Down - click to move the selected installed library down in this list. The ordering of the list is important when the list is used for the model-link verification when, for example, compiling the project, synchronizing, or running a simulation.

• Install - click to open the dialog in which you can select a library file that you want to add to the list from your local drive.

  The following types of library files are supported as installed libraries:

  • Integrated Libraries (*.IntLib)
  • Schematic Libraries (*.SchLib)
  • Footprint Libraries (*.PcbLib)
• Edit - click to edit the selected installed library.
• Remove - click to remove the highlighted installed library from this list.

Search Path Tab

The Search Path tab lists all libraries that have been found along the Library Search Paths for the project. These paths are defined in the Search Paths tab of the Project Options dialog.

The Search Path tab

Grid Region

• Search Path Libraries - displays the file names of installed libraries used in the active project, including the file extension.
• Path - displays the path of the library.
• Type - displays to what type of library the search path leads.

Buttons

• Paths - click to open the Project Options - Search Paths dialog in which you can define and manage search paths. This allows you to make model libraries/files that are neither added to the project nor installed available to the current project. 
• Refresh - click to refresh or update the search paths and ensure that the search path library list is current.

Note

File-based libraries are searched in the order they appear in the Available File-based Libraries dialog – in the order of the tabs, then in the order of the libraries listed within each tab. Searching occurs when the list is interrogated as part of model-link verification, for example, when compiling the project, synchronizing, or running a simulation.