Configuring PCB Leader Dimension Object Properties in Altium Designer

Parent page: Leader Dimension

PCB Editor 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 the different way:

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

The Leader Dimension mode of the Properties panel

• Dimension Line Width - the current line width.
• Extension Line Gap - the current gap value, which is is the distance between the leader dimension arrow/dot and the object/point with which the leader is associated.
• Text Gap - the current gap between the dimension text and the last 'leg' of the leader line.

• Leader Shape - use the drop-down to determine which shape is used to encapsulate the dimension text. Available options are Automatic, Round, and Square. If Round or Square are selected, enter the desired Size.
• Arrow Style - use the drop-down to select the desired leader style. Choices are Arrow or Dot. Enter the desired Size.

Properties

• Text - enter the desired text.
• Layer - the layer to which the dimension is currently assigned. Use the drop-down to select the desired layer. Dimensions can be assigned to any available layer.
• Text Position -  the current position of the dimension text. Use the drop-down list to choose one of the following options:
  • Aligned - Left - the dimension text will be aligned with the angle of the last 'leg' of the leader line.
  • Unidirectional - the dimension text will remain horizontal regardless of the dimension alignment angle.
  • Manual - the dimension text will be available for manual placement.
• Text Height - the current text height.

Font Type

• TrueType - use the drop-down to choose the required TrueType font. The drop-down list is populated with TrueType and OpenType (a superset of TrueType) fonts found in the \Windows\Fonts folder. Note that the list will only include entries for detected (and uniquely named) root fonts. Use the B (bold) and I (Italic) options to add emphasis to the text.

• Stroke - stroke-based fonts are built into the software and cannot be changed. All three fonts have the full IBM extended ASCII character set that supports English and other European languages.
  • Font - use the drop-down to choose the required Stroke font. Available options are Default, Serif, and Sans Serif. The Default style is a simple vector font that supports pen plotting and vector photo-plotting. The Sans Serif and Serif fonts are more complex and will slow down vector output generation, such as Gerber.
  • Stroke Width - enter the desired width.