Browse Libraries

Now reading version 19. For the latest, read: Browse Libraries for version 21

The Browse Libraries dialog
The Browse Libraries dialog

Summary

The Browse Libraries dialog allows you to browse schematic symbols in selected libraries.

Access

The dialog is accessed from the Variant Management dialog (Project » Variants) by right-clicking in the Component Parameters region, then selecting Update Values From Library.

The Browse Libraries dialog only appears if the currently selected component in the Variant Management dialog is from a file-based library, or is a managed component and you are not currently signed in to the parent server from which it was placed. If the selected component is a managed component, and you are signed in to its parent server, then you will be presented with a dialog that is an incarnation of the Explorer panel - enabling you to browse the components within that server.

Options/Controls

  • Libraries - displays the current library. Use the drop-down arrow to access a list of available libraries then select the desired target library. Click the  button to open the Available File-based Libraries dialog in which you can add or remove libraries.
  • Find - click to open the File-based Libraries Search dialog to locate additional libraries.
  • Mask - enter the desired key words to mask results in the Component Name list. The drop-down lists previously used key words.

Upper Grid 

  • Component Name - displays the name of the component.
  • Library - displays in which library the component is located.  
  • Description - a brief description of the component.
  • Footprint - displays the associated footprint (if any).
  • <nn> components - displays the total number (nn) of components.

Lower Grid

  • Model Name - displays the model name of a component currently selected in the upper grid.
  • Type - displays the model type of a component currently selected in the upper grid.

Preview Windows

  • Upper Window - displays the schematic symbol of the component currently selected in the upper grid.
  • Lower Window - displays the footprint of the component currently selected in the upper grid.
    •  2D/3D - use to toggle between 2D and 3D preview images. 
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Note

The features available depend on your Altium product access level. Compare features included in the various levels of Altium Designer Software Subscription and functionality delivered through applications provided by the Altium 365 platform.

If you don’t see a discussed feature in your software, contact Altium Sales to find out more.