Update From PCB Libraries

Created: July 12, 2018 | Updated: July 13, 2018 | Applies to versions: 1.1, 2.0, 2.1, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 4 and 5

Now reading version 3.2. For the latest, read: Update From PCB Libraries for version 5

This documentation page references Altium NEXUS/NEXUS Client (part of the deployed NEXUS solution), which has been discontinued. All your PCB design, data management and collaboration needs can now be delivered by Altium Designer and a connected Altium 365 Workspace. Check out the FAQs page for more information.

The Update From PCB Libraries dialog

Summary

The Update From PCB Libraries dialog provides controls to to choose which component and library footprints to update from the PCB library.

For more information about creating a component Footprint, see the Creating the PCB Footprint page.

Access

The dialog is accessed by clicking OK in the Update From PCB Libraries - Options dialog (Tools » Update From PCB Libraries).

Options/Controls

This dialog is divided into two main regions:

Upper Grid Region - this region lists the component footprints that were compared with library footprints. The top header line is a summary of the matched items.
Difference Details - this region shows the differences for the layer according to the chosen layer tab.

Upper Grid Region

PCB Components - lists the PCB components within the PCB library.
- Designator - the designator of the PCB component.
- Footprint - the component footprint name.
Library Footprints To Compare Against
- Footprint - the library footprint name.
- Path - the path of the footprint.
- Match - denotes whether the component and library footprints match. A denotes a match; a denotes that they do not match.
- Update - enable the checkbox to select the item for update.
Update All - use the drop-down and select from the following:
- Update All - enable all Update boxes.
- Update None - do not enable any Update boxes.
- Update Selected - enable Update box for only those components that are selected.
- Don't Update Selected - do not update any selected components.

Difference Details

If there are no differences between the selected PCB component footprint and the library footprint, the region will be titled No Difference For [Designator name (Footprint Name)] and display the selected component relevant to the chosen layer tab.

If the Path column in the Upper Grid Region displays as <Footprint not found>, the header of the Difference Details region will state that the footprint was not found.

All Layers tab - displays component information for all layers.
- Component Primitives causing Differences for - this region lists the component primitive(s) that caused the difference(s) on the left and displays the listed data on the right. Information listed includes:
  - Object Type - the type of object.
  - Identifier - lists any special designator information.
  - Detail - displays details of the component primitive.
Specific layer tabs - displays component information for specific layers, for example, Mechanical 13, BodyBot, Top Solder, etc.
- Component Primitives causing Differences for - this region lists the component primitive(s) that caused the difference(s) on the left and displays the listed data on the right. Information includes:
  - Object Type - the type of object.
  - Identifier - lists any special designator information.
  - Detail - displays details of the component primitive.
Highlight Cell Density - use the slider bar to increase (to the right) or decrease (to the left) the size of the cells in the display area.
Display area - this region is a display of the component selected in the Component Primitives causing Differences for region.

Additional Controls

Create Report - click to compare and create a Footprint Comparison Report. The Footprint Comparison Report opens automatically.
Accept Changes (Create ECO) - click to accept the changes and create an Engineering Change Order dialog.

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