Defining PCB Editor Model Preferences for Altium Designer

Summary

The PCB Editor – Models page of the Preferences dialog provides numerous controls relating to Models within the PCB workspace.

Access

The PCB Editor – Models page is accessed by clicking Models under the PCB Editor folder in the main Preferences dialog (accessed by clicking the  button in the top right corner of the workspace).

Options/Controls

Model Search Path 

• Models region - Lists all folders that will be defaulted to when linking 3D STEP model files via the Properties panel in 3D Body mode. You might consider these folders "watched" since the software monitors changes to STEP files (*.stp, *.step) in them.
• Models path - Click the browse icon on the right to open a dialog in which you can browse for a folder in which to search for 3D STEP model files. Once the folder is found, add it to the Models region using the Add button. Whenever you link or embed a STEP model to a component footprint or PCB document, the folders listed in the Models region list are defaulted to. The idea of using common or central depositories for STEP model files can be beneficial, particularly in multi-user environments.
• Add - Click to add the folder currently displayed in the browse bar to the Models region list.
• Delete - Click to remove the currently selected folder from the Models region list.

Temporary Mesh Data 

• Directory - Click the browse folder icon to open a dialog to browse for a folder in which the software will store 3D model mesh data. Mesh data is calculated for display purposes when a 3D model is first used or created. This data is saved, to be used whenever that model is required again. Storing mesh data in this way can improve system performance when working in the 3D workspace.

• Time To Keep Unused Mesh Data - Click to view and select a maximum period of time (in days) for the system to store 3D model mesh data since its last use before deleting it. Mesh data is calculated for display purposes when a 3D model is first used or created. This data is saved, to be used whenever that model is required again. Storing mesh data in this way can improve system performance when working in the 3D workspace. Available options are:
  • 1 day
  • 2 days
  • 7 days
  • 30 days

• Clean Directory - Click to immediately empty the folder used to store temporary 3D model mesh data.