Configuring Multi-board Schematic Module Object Properties in Altium Designer

Parent page: Module

Multi-board object properties are definable options that specify the visual style, content and behavior of the placed object. The property settings for each type of object are defined in two different ways:

• Pre-placement settings – most Module object properties, or those that can logically be pre-defined, are available as editable default settings on the Multi-board Schematic - Defaults page of the Preferences dialog (access from the  button at the top-right of the design space). Select the object in the Primitive List to reveal its options on the right.
• Post-placement settings – all Module object properties are available for editing in the Properties panel when a placed Module is selected in the design space. 

The Module object default settings in the Preferences dialog, and the Module mode of the Properties panel

Properties

• Designator – specifies the schematic identifier for this Module.
  • - use to toggle the designator visibility in the schematic and the button to toggle the value's ability to be edited.
  • Font link - select to open Font Settings to edit the Designator's font, size, color, and special attributes, such as bold. 
  • Other - click the link to set auto-positioning (Designator at the top-left of the Module rectangle).
• Title – specifies the Module's title string.
  • Use the button to toggle its visibility in the schematic and the button to toggle the value's ability to be edited.
  • Select the font link to access and edit the Title's font settings, attributes and color. Select the Other link to set auto-positioning (Title at the bottom-left), and the visibility of the parameter name ('Title').

Source (Properties panel only)

This section defines the source PCB design project to which the Module is linked. The options may be set to a Local project or server-based Managed project, and the desired board design within that project specified (Assembly/Board).

• Local
  • Source – use the button to browse to and select a PCB project on the local machine or network.
  • Assembly/Board – select the desired board design or assembly within the PCB project from the drop-down menu.
• Managed
  • Project – use the button to browse to and select a Managed project hosted on a server. If not already connected, the Sign in to Server dialog opens. Select the server and enter your credentials.
  • Revision – select a suitable Revision of the Managed project that will apply to the Multi-board Module.
  • Assembly/Board – select the desired board design or assembly in the Managed project from the drop-down menu.

Entries (Properties panel only)

The Entries section is a tabular list of the connectors registered with the selected Module and the connectors to which they are mated on other Modules. The list is populated when a connector Entry has been added to the Module – see Multi-board Schematic design for more information.

• Entry column – sets the visual attributes of the Entry on the schematic. Use the button to toggle its visibility and the button to toggle its connector type – male/female.
• Part column – the Designator and Name of the Entry connector in the source PCB design. This can be edited for convenience – the naming is local to the Multi-board system design and does not affect the source Child Projects.
• Mated part column – the name of the part, such as a header, on a Module to which the Entry is connected by a Wire or Direct Connection, etc.

Use the buttons in the the lower area of the region to manage and edit the Entries in the list.

• – unites previously split Entries back into their single Entry version – see below.
• – divides the selected connection in the list into two related Module Entries where the Pins/Nets to be separated off into the new Entry are nominated in the Split Entry dialog. See Split Connections for more information.
• – adds a new undefined Entry to the Module and list.
• – remove the selected Entry in the list from the Module.

Graphical

• Width (Properties panel only) – the horizontal dimension of the Module rectangle.
• Height (Properties panel only) – the vertical dimension of the Module rectangle.
• Line – displays and sets the Module graphic outline weight/style/color.
  • Line weight – the line thickness of the Module outline. Use the drop-down menu to choose from a range of line weight presets.
  • Line pattern – the pattern line style of the Module outline. Use the drop-down menu to choose from a range of line style presets.
  • Line color () – click to open the outline color selector drop-down, which includes options for preset colors, HEX/RGB color values and the graphic selection of color shades.
• Fill button () – click to open the fill color selector drop-down, which includes options for preset colors, HEX/RGB color values and the graphic selection of color shades.

Parameters tab (Properties panel only)

Parameters that are associated with a Module are accessed under the Parameters tab of the Properties panel. All other properties are accessed under the default General tab.

• Name – the Parameter Name of the listed parameter entry.
• Value – the Parameter Value associated with the listed parameter Name.
• Options
  • Use the button to toggle a Parameter's visibility in the schematic and the button to toggle its ability to be edited.
  • Select the font link (e.g.,Times New Roman...) to access and edit the Parameter's font settings, attributes and color. Select the Other option to set auto-positioning (Parameter at the bottom of the Module rectangle), and the visibility of the Parameter Name.
• Add/Delete – click to add a new default Parameter entry to the list. Click to remove the selected Parameter from the list.