PCB Design Improvement
ODB++ Intentional Shorts (Open Beta)
This release adds support for generating a list of nets and copper primitives that are intentionally allowed to short ('Net-Ties') when generating ODB++ v8.1 output. No longer do you have to double up the documentation you send to your fabricator, with one ODB++ package listing merged net ties for manufacturing and another without merged net ties for In-Circuit Testing.
This ability uses ODB++ v8.1’s support for generating a ‘shortf’ file, which contains the list of intentional shorts. In terms of access and use within Altium Designer, a new option is provided in the ODB++ Setup dialog. This option, Generate shortf: List of Intentional Shorts (Net-Ties), is only available when generating output in v8.1 format. When enabled, the Merge Net-Tie Nets option is disabled and vice versa. The generated shortf file can be found under the ‘eda’ sub-folder of the step output.
This feature is in Open Beta and available when the ODB.IntentionalShorts
option is enabled in the Advanced Settings dialog.
For more information, refer to the Preparing Fabrication Data page.
PCB CoDesign Improvement
Improved Presentation of Copper Changes
For detected copper changes (arc, connection, pad, track, etc.), the associated net name is now presented in the PCB CoDesign panel. In addition and for a connection, all layers on which that connection is represented are also now displayed.
Constraint Manager Improvements
Enhanced xNet Generation
Generation of xNets now supports serial components with more than two pins. The following serial components are supported:
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Dual-inline component with an even number of pins – xNets are generated from nets connected to the first and the last pins of the component, then to the second and the second to last pins, etc.
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An example of a dual-inline component with an even number of pins with nets connected to them.
xNets are being created when these nets are selected in the Constraints Manager.
xNets were generated from corresponding pairs of nets as for a dual-inline component.
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Single-inline component with an even number of pins – xNets are generated from nets connected to the first and the second pins of the component, then to the third and the fourth pins, etc. Note that the component must include a parameter named PinPairsConfiguration
with value SIP
; otherwise, xNets will be generated as in the case of the dual-inline component.
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An example of a single-inline component with an even number of pins with nets connected to them. Note that the component includes a special parameter PinPairsConfiguration = SIP .
xNets are being created when these nets are selected in the Constraints Manager.
xNets were generated from corresponding pairs of nets as for a singlel-inline component.
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Component with an odd number of pins – an xNet is generated from nets connected to all pins of the component.
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An example of a component with an odd number of pins with nets connected to them.
An xNet is being created when one of these nets is selected in the Constraints Manager.
An xNets was generated from all these nets.
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For more information, refer to the Defining Design Requirements Using the Constraint Manager page.
Automatic Creation of xSignals for Simple Cases
For a simple xNet (that with one source, one destination, and one discrete component between each pair of nets), a custom topology and an xSignal are now automatically created after choosing the Custom routing topology type in the Constraint Manager.
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An xNet goes from a single source to a single destination through a single discrete component.
The Custom topology type is selected for this xNet in the Constraint Manager.
A custom topology (and an xSignal based on this topology) is automatically created from the xNet.
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For more information, refer to the Defining Design Requirements Using the Constraint Manager page.
Deletion of Advanced Rules
You can now delete multiple advanced rules at a time in the All Rules view of the Constraint Manager when it is accessed from the PCB. Select multiple advanced rules by using Ctrl+Click
, Shift+Click
, or Click, Hold&Drag
, then right-click and select Remove Advance Rules (x). 'x' represents the number of rules that will be removed. You can also remove all advanced rules of a particular type, category, or all advanced rules using commands available from the right-click context menu for the corresponding entry in the Rule Class tree. The rules will be deleted immediately with no confirmation.
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Right-click multiple selected rules to remove them.
Right-click a rule type entry in the Rule Class tree to remove advanced rules of this type.
Right-click a rule category entry in the Rule Class tree to remove advanced rules in this category.
Right-click the Rule Class heading to remove all advanced rules.
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For more information, refer to the Defining Design Requirements Using the Constraint Manager page.
Display Parameter Set Directive Data
For a parameter set directive attached to a single wire, added the ability to display associated data from the Constraint Manager (net/diff pair class name and rule settings) near to that directive on the schematic sheet. In addition, for a parameter set directive including defined net classes, that is attached to a blanket, after syncing/importing with/to the Constraint Manager, it is now possible to toggle the display of net class directive information in the design space. Use the visibility control (
) at the left of the corresponding data entry in the Properties panel when the directive is selected to do this.
For more information, refer to the Defining Design Requirements Using the Constraint Manager page.
You can now add a comment to a constraint/rule in any view in the Constraint Manager. Enter the desired comment in the Comment field at the bottom of the Constraint Manager in the Clearances, Physical, or Electrical view or in the Comment column in the All Rules view.
Wire Bonding Improvements
Extended Functionality of Wire Bonding Query Keywords
The two query language keywords – IsBondWireConnected and IsBondFinger – are now available when constructing query expressions to use in the filtering of objects in a PCB or PCB library.
For more information, refer to the Wire Bonding page.
Enhanced Binding of Die Pads to 3D Bodies
The binding of a die pad to an overlapping 3D body has been enhanced. Now, die pads are linked only to a 3D body placed on the Die layer (referred to as a Die Body). A die pad will now be linked to this overlapping die body, inheriting its height. Any geometric modifications to the die pad or die body (location, size, etc.) will update the link, keeping the height of the die pad in-sync with its linked die body.
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If there are multiple overlapping die bodies under the die pad, the die pad will be linked to the die body from the same component as the die pad. If there are multiple die bodies in the same component (or the die pad overlaps multiple free die bodies), the die pad will be linked to the die body of the maximum height.
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Note that if a die pad was linked to a 3D body on layers other than the Die layer in a previous version of Altium Designer, this binding will not be supported when the document is opened in the new version. The correct Die layer needs to be selected for the 3D body.
For more information, refer to the Wire Bonding page.
Data Management Improvement
Support for Qualified Models
This release introduces the concept of qualified models. Information about manufacturer parts available in the Manufacturer Part Search panel has been enhanced with details about a part's models (schematic symbol, PCB footprint, and/or simulation model), including whether they are considered 'Generic' (
) or 'ECAD Ready' (
). In the latter case, such models have been 'qualified' with respect to the datasheet, IPC standard, and associated Style Guide revision.
Use the Models filter in the Filters pane of the Manufacturer Part Search panel to restrict the listing to those parts that have models of corresponding level(s). Also, you can use the Model Type filter to restrict the listing to those parts that have models of the corresponding type(s).
When saving a component with ECAD Ready models to a connected Workspace, this same info is made available in the Use Component Data dialog.
For components with Generic models, you have the ability to vote to get qualified models made/added.
For more information, refer to the Searching for Manufacturer Parts page.
Import/Export Improvement
xDX Designer Custom Connector Support (Open Beta)
When an xDX Designer project is imported through the use of the Import Wizard, custom ports, custom power ports, and custom off-sheet connectors are now supported on the generated schematic document so they have the same graphics as in the original design.
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A custom power port imported from an xDX Designer project. Note that its Style property is set to the Custom value.
A custom port imported from an xDX Designer project.
A custom off-sheet connector imported from an xDX Designer project. Note that its Style property is set to the Custom value.
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This feature is in Open Beta and available when the Importer.UseCustomConnectors
option is enabled in the Advanced Settings dialog.
For more information, refer to the Importing a Design from xDX Designer or DxDesigner page.
Features Made Fully Public in Altium Designer 25.2
The following features are now officially Public with this release: