PCB_Cmd-ComponentLinkComponentLink_AD

Applied Parameters:  Index=n (where n is in the range 0 to 20)

Summary

This command is used to open the indicated document/page URL – specified through a defined underlying URL link parameter – for the selected component, or the component under the cursor. This feature allows ComponentLink parameters that have been transferred from schematic components to be presented as named PCB component links to PDFs, text files, or HTML pages.

Access

With a Component Link parameter for the component already defined, the command can be accessed from the PCB Editor by right-clicking over the placed component in the workspace and choosing the applicable command (the link parameter name) from the References sub-menu.

Use

This feature is available when ComponentLink parameters have been added to the component, which occurs when the ComponentLink parameter pairs (ComponentLinknDescription/ComponentLinknURL)of the schematic component have been updated from the Schematic to the PCB (Design » Update PCB Document...).

During that update process (via an ECO), the schematic component Description/URL parameters pairs are converted to a single URL parameter for the matching PCB component. For example:

Schematic Component Parameters			PCB Component Parameter
Name	Value	⇒	Name	Value
ComponentLink3Description	STM32 Family Web Page		STM32 Family Web Page	http://www.st.com/stm32
ComponentLink3URL	http://www.st.com/stm32

The link index number (n) used in the source schematic component parameters will define the ordered position of the matching PCB Component Link in the References submenu – and in the list presented in the PCB component Parameters dialog.

After launching the command, the web-based URL target page or indicated document will open directly (if available).

Tips

1. A web-based URL will be open either in an external browser, or as a tabbed document within Altium Designer, as determined by the Open internet links in external Web browser option, on the System - View page of the Preferences dialog. Bear in mind that to open in an external browser, the value (URL) of the link parameter must include the http:// prefix.
2. For more information about establishing ComponentLink parameters in the Schematic space, see the Sch Parameter Object page.
3. Many components sourced from the Altium Vault will include Datasheet URL links, which are automatically expressed as ComponentLinknDescription/ComponentLinknURL parameter pairs in the Schematic domain, and subsequently made available to the matching PCB component as a single URL parameter.