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Documentation Altium CircuitStudio ... PCB Commands

Re-Annotate

Created: December 16, 2024 | Updated: August 24, 2018

Summary 

CS_PCBRe-annotateButton.png

The Re-Annotate command within the PCB editor is used to reassign the designators of targeted components, or free pads, in the PCB design on a positional basis.

Access

This command is accessed from the PCB Editor by choosing the Tools | Re-Annotate command from the main menus.

Use

After launching the command, the Positional Re-Annotate dialog will open. Use this dialog to configure the scope of annotation (components (further targeted by side or selection) or free pads), the direction of annotation (based on object position), and additional options, such as a starting index, and whether locked designators should be protected. As you select a style of annotation, a graphical depiction is shown within the dialog as a visual indication of how annotation will occur.

After defining options in the dialog as required, click the OK button to have all designators of the targeted objects reassigned.

An ASCII text file is generated (DesignName<Date><Time>.WAS) in the same folder as the PCB design document. The file lists initial and reannotated designator values. This file is not required or used by CircuitStudio. The .WAS file generated here is only provided in the event the schematics were completed in another tool and a re-annotate needs to be handed off.

Updating Schematic Designators

Once the PCB has been re-annotated, you now need to re-synchronize with the schematic. From the PCB Editor, access the Home | Project >> Update Schematics command to launch the ECO dialog to execute the engineering change order and push the designator changes back to the schematic.

As a factor of habit, it is also recommended that you synchronize again to the PCB from the schematic when designators have changed since dynamic net names include the highest alphanumeric Designator and Pin combination found to name the net. Some dynamic net names may have changed and this will ensure the Schematic and PCB are fully synchronized. If you name all nets, this will not be necessary.

Tips

  1. The .WAS file will be added to the project in the Projects panel under the Generated\Text Documents sub-folder. As mentioned, this is NOT required in CircuitStudio, so unless you need to pass designator changes to a different schematic capture software, you will not need or use this file.

  2. CircuitStudio matches Schematic and PCB components at a lower level than the designator using a ComponentLink. These links allow you to synchronize designator changes between these two domains in either direction and removes the need for a .WAS file, and allows you to synchronize using an ECO.

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