KB: Configure and animate the bending of PCB that is flexible entirely

Solution Details

To animate the bending of a PCB that is entirely flexiible in 3D mode, at least one stationary Rigid board region is required to be used as a frame of reference.  Conveniently, in a typical design, there is a small portion at an end of the board which interfaces with another board that needs to be strengthened mechanically, say, by glueing a stiffener, that may be assigned to this Rigid board region.

1. In Layer Stack Manager or Design » Layer Stack Manager, create two identical sub-stacks, differing only by one with 'Is Flex' option enabled (Flex) and the other disabled (Rigid).

When making use of custom bikini coverlays your sub-stacks will not be identical though custom overlays in the Flex sub-stack will equal the standard solder mask layers in the Rigid sub-Ssack per the 3D output.

2. In Board Planning Mode or View » Board Planning Mode, define the small board region at an end to be used as a frame of reference.
3. Double-click on the board region in Step 2 and assign the Rigid sub-stack from Step 1 with '3D Locked' option ticked.

4. Double-click on the main Flex region and define and configure bending lines.

5. In 3D mode or View » 3D Layout Mode, hit '5' to verify the bending angle/orientation in 3D mode.

Please refer our online manual for further details:

https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-designer/defining-the-layer-stack-ad#!defining-and-configuring-the-rigid-flex-substacks

https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-designer/defining-board-regions-and-bending-lines-ad