NEW: I updated this tutorial and made a shorter version ( in case you need it ). Here it is: Altium Designer 22 Tutorial - Quick & Easy | Step by Step ua-cam.com/video/PqFtSpAXB9Q/v-deo.html
Thank you Robert for this tutorial. It's helped me lot for designing the PCB. For New Altium designer like me this tutorial is very useful. Your teaching is too good. Once again thank you for your great effort.
I still had a problem with highlight gone when component placement, but after I turned off one parameter at the preferences, now it works good (only one parameter should have ON state :Preferences -> PCB Editor -> Display -> Highlighting options -> Highlight in Full) - it solved my problem
As an Autodesk Eagle user I found these tutorials pretty helpful. I’d like to know what is the importance of creating a mechanical layer and adding the ‘.designator’ to the layer?
Hello dear Robert. Thanks for the good explanation and step by step. I am following your video with Altium 21, but the type of menu is different. Tell me which version of Altium you used in this video. So that I can use the same version. Thank you very much.
Excellent tutorial Robert, i'm wondering if you know a site or tutorial to learn about electronics such capacitors, mosfets, inductors, etc.? i would like to know their use and how to do calculations to choose the right value of each component. I really hope your answer.
24:28 Sir, in AD19, the "component layer pair" after clicking on "Update PCB with all" is not working. A new layer by a name "assembly notes" is created and the layer pair will not contain anything. This "assembly notes" layer has everything on one side. Is it a bug or is there any other solution ?
Hi. When I split the assembly layer as you do in 24 minutes of your video, it does not work though I did everything just like you! I was wondering if anyone could help me, I have no idea!! Thank you
In minute 30 of tutorial 4 you store a layerset without holes, make the holes visible and read back the layerset. The holes stay. I expected them to disappear when reading in the stored layer set. ????
thanks thanks thanks for your Great videos ... i have a problem using trick around 15:00 , i can not use that in AD19.0.12 ... as you told using this trick is different in various version of AD, Can you help me How to use that in this version? (even when i press shift button, the filter that shows vcc will disappears)
It is hard to say without seeing it what the problem could be. If the layer is not in layer pair already, it should be in the list .. unless there is some other thing set differently (?)
I have also the same problem with peropata. I do not know how you achieved in your video but in altium web site they support this issue with this sentence " Only unused mechanical layers can be paired". www.altium.com/documentation/18.0/display/ADES/PCB_Pnl-ViewConfiguration((View+Configuration))_AD
Dear @Robert Feranec thank you for your time and efforts, I am learning a lot from you. in this tutorial at 22:50, you mentioned about creating assembly drawing layers. But this process is not working for some version of Altium. I tried the same process even for latest version 21.7.1 and it couldn't help. I found an alternate solution to this problem. Process is same, not in PcbDoc file but in PcbLib. Creating same component layer pair in PcbLib file solve this problem for me.
This may help: designhelp.fedevel.com/forum/main-forum/altium/6736-how-to-cross-probe-net-then-reposition-selected-component-without-losing-highlighting?p=15970#post15970
Very good Robert, what video recording software do you use to produce these nice high quality videos. Plus we get to see you. Do you edit your own videos or send them out?
Is it possible to make a text in sch files that changes with varints,e.g. in varinatA,the text show NF,and in variantB,it shows 100Ω，and variantC,it show 20kΩ，sometimes a pcb has more than one variant,so is there a way to make a formula?
You may need to adjust some settings. This may help: designhelp.fedevel.com/forum/main-forum/altium/6736-how-to-cross-probe-net-then-reposition-selected-component-without-losing-highlighting?p=15970#post15970
I do not think there is something like that. But, you can place new Net label if that would be better. I copied it, because it was easier just to change the number.
Thank you. There are number of situations when you would like to have unfitted components. The main idea is to have one PCB which can be used to build similar boards with a little bit different parameters (e.g. one board can have 2 memory chips fitted, different board with same PCB can he 4 memory chips fitted). Also, I use unfitted components to test some feature (e.g. by default a new circuit or feature may be disconnected and once it has software support, the components are fitted and feature is tested) or you can fit/unfit components for different configurations (some chips have configuration pins where you can use pull up or pull down - so if you would like to test both features, you put there both resistors, but fit only one). I also use optional components to disconnect a circuit in case something is not working or for example re-routing some tracks - e.g. if I have only one USB and in one configuration I would like to connect it to USB connector and in other configuration I would like to connect it to different connector. Have a look here:ua-cam.com/video/Oy56xuBWNXM/v-deo.html or also here: ua-cam.com/video/2LWXKOEnIJE/v-deo.html
always the best your way your teach. If possible teach us how create small component in BGA packge and how apply your rules, but not those BGA with several pads, just normal BGA. Generaly have a rule to project but when create us BGA a component always happen error of clearance rules. Several manufactory have your rules for factory. How rule for clearance minimal. If manufactory have clearance minimal 0.1mm and we need create a BGA part with your pads with 0,05m between your pads, this is not happen problem to factory? Thanks you for your time
Yes i had seen this video 3 time. I just would like have sure about this. If some manufactory have minimal clearance 0.1mm in your factory, is correctly to do this component with 0.05mm? Thank you very much, this is better tutorial about altium.
Depends on what libraries you use - but if you are using integrated libraries or if you are using sch or pcb libraries (even using db libraries which have relative PATH to reference to your local sch and pcb libraries) you should be able to use these components on your local computer and use them without internet. Just be careful what is the PATH to your libraries - because all your symbols and footprints in your project will refer to that PATH as the source of library. PS: Even if your PATH is not correct, when you are finishing your schematic or project, you can always update the PATH in your symbols and footprints and point them to your Central library (in case you would need it).
hi, i need some help here, my stm32f4 component does not have vdd,vss....and some other pins, i need to unhide them, i have tried all the possibilities..
@@RobertFeranec hi Robert, thank you for the quick reply, yes i exhausted all the possibilities, the eyes are all on, what i have noticed is, the VSS,VDD.... are all in grey while the rest of the pins are ok but the eyes are all on
@@mhand8560 hmm, then I would maybe try to make a library from your project and then I would have a look if I could edit these pins directly in the symbol (in the library).
HI,good job but I have a question:how you will solderJ1 ?Point 1 is on TOP and point 2 is on BOTTOM and your pad for point 1 is not declared ,,vias'' 1.
At 15:22 you show to keep the filter in place as you select a part to place. However on my version of Altium (20.1.7) when I CTRL + CLICK to select the resistor in the schematic then select "Reposition Selected Components" the filter clears as soon as I select that. Is this a change in later versions of Altium or do I have a setting wrong? Thanks!
@@RobertFeranec Yes, I made a mistake in the original post. I am pressing SHIFT + Left Click to select R2 and when I select "Reposition Selected Components" the filter clears. I just tried again to verify it.
@@lemmy999 when you are going to PCB, be sure you do not left click there. It depends on system settings, but left click in PCB may unselect selected objects. I normally hold right button, move with PCB a little bit to activate the canvas and then start working with pcb.
Hi, do you know why when you add some new components and nets it causes errors when you update the PCB after click on validate?, the new component is accepted by altium with no errors but the new nets are shown as "unknow pins", thanks
Usually during import you should see what is wrong (e.g. if there are unrecognized ins or something like that). Try to delete the component from PCB and import it again.
@@JairoGustavo It depends ... for example validation may not add footprint into PCB, this means if you need to add footprint into PCB and you only run validation, then validation may fail, because when it will be validating connections of the new component (what was not added into your PCB yet) then it will be failing. However, if you run import, then import will add the new component into PCB and it can connect the pins - so it will run with no errors.
You may be able to add variant name to the document number e.g. combine two parameters together, but this may be possible only in PCB, I am not sure if this can be done in schematic ... or maybe something like this could be done in Draftsman? I am not sure, I have never done that.
Thanks a lot, Robert for this tutorial. This tutorial is very useful for beginners. Great effort to transfer knowledge. I am facing a problem at 16.00. When I select Reposition Selected Components, then it unmasks all the layers. (I select R2 by holding the shift button). Please look into the matter
Thank you. PS: Try this for reposition: designhelp.fedevel.com/forum/main-forum/altium/6736-how-to-cross-probe-net-then-reposition-selected-component-without-losing-highlighting?p=15970#post15970
@@RobertFeranec Thanks, I have got the same problem but it has been solved with unchecking from PCB Editor->Display - Apply Mask During Interactive Editing - Apply Highlight During Interactive Editing
I want to learn, how to create a file for automatic installation for the factory and manufacturing (automatic installation needed by the manufacturer to install electronic pieces on the board automatical
Thank you: I mean when you send an electronic circuit form to China for example and you want to make a lot of them, the factory will ask you for a file for the automatic placement of the items electronic location of each piece for example I thank you very much and I learned a lot from you in this area
NEW: I updated this tutorial and made a shorter version ( in case you need it ). Here it is: Altium Designer 22 Tutorial - Quick & Easy | Step by Step ua-cam.com/video/PqFtSpAXB9Q/v-deo.html
everything seems to be GUI driven so far, do people ever have to use some sort of scripting language with this program?
Thank you Robert for this tutorial. It's helped me lot for designing the PCB. For New Altium designer like me this tutorial is very useful. Your teaching is too good. Once again thank you for your great effort.
From where u got thz software...
he deserves the money
You are just a King, always I dreamed to add 3D Model to my PCB Project, without your tutorial I Couldn't do it.
Big thanks to you Sir
Tutorial 4 is very very practical, because we are always making changes to already-made PCB designs. Thanks!
much appreciated greetings from TURKEY
SO satisfying to see the 3D view.
I know exactly what you mean :)
I still had a problem with highlight gone when component placement, but after I turned off one parameter at the preferences, now it works good (only one parameter should have ON state :Preferences -> PCB Editor -> Display -> Highlighting options -> Highlight in Full) - it solved my problem
Thank you so much for this tutorial!!
This is very very useful, I don't need to create 3 projects for VER1.0.VER1.1,V1.2!!!
As an Autodesk Eagle user I found these tutorials pretty helpful. I’d like to know what is the importance of creating a mechanical layer and adding the ‘.designator’ to the layer?
helps in the creation of assembly drawings, not essential in the PCB creation per se but definitely in other things
Thank You for your very precious information you give us!
Thank you very much Naira
Can we add different wiring or extra components to variants? i have been trying to do that, but no luck
Hello dear Robert. Thanks for the good explanation and step by step. I am following your video with Altium 21, but the type of menu is different. Tell me which version of Altium you used in this video. So that I can use the same version. Thank you very much.
I really love this guy!
Coooooooooool explanation!!! Thanks a lot!!!
Excellent tutorial Robert, i'm wondering if you know a site or tutorial to learn about electronics such capacitors, mosfets, inductors, etc.? i would like to know their use and how to do calculations to choose the right value of each component. I really hope your answer.
Is somewhere any guide about using autoplacer in AD? It works very strange for me.
24:28 Sir, in AD19, the "component layer pair" after clicking on "Update PCB with all" is not working. A new layer by a name "assembly notes" is created and the layer pair will not contain anything. This "assembly notes" layer has everything on one side. Is it a bug or is there any other solution ?
This may help: ua-cam.com/video/ytF4-MIeWRc/v-deo.html
Thank you Robert for the videos!
Thank you very much Badreddine for watching and leaving your feedback.
It doesn’t work the split with assembly on AD19? What’s wrong?
Hi
Thanks for rhe videos but, how can I rename a sheet?
Thanks !
My problem, when I click "add component layer pair" and I'm select on top layer menu then I can't see mechanical layer number 29.
can you help me, sir
Do you have the latest Altium? There are some bugs in Layers settings.
@@RobertFeranec I have the same problem :(
Hi. When I split the assembly layer as you do in 24 minutes of your video, it does not work though I did everything just like you! I was wondering if anyone could help me, I have no idea!! Thank you
In minute 30 of tutorial 4 you store a layerset without holes, make the holes visible and read back the layerset.
The holes stay. I expected them to disappear when reading in the stored layer set. ????
Can we also model Bondwire in Altium designer?
Thanks robert !
How can i change from top to bottom assembly layer of a component?
thanks thanks thanks for your Great videos ...
i have a problem using trick around 15:00 , i can not use that in AD19.0.12 ...
as you told using this trick is different in various version of AD, Can you help me How to use that in this version?
(even when i press shift button, the filter that shows vcc will disappears)
Thanks this really helped with Variants
Joel, I am very happy, that you found it useful.
When I try to add "component layer pair" for mechanical layer 29, I can not set M29 as top layer (not on the list, as it is allready used).
It is hard to say without seeing it what the problem could be. If the layer is not in layer pair already, it should be in the list .. unless there is some other thing set differently (?)
I have also the same problem with peropata. I do not know how you achieved in your video but in altium web site they support this issue with this sentence " Only unused mechanical layers can be paired". www.altium.com/documentation/18.0/display/ADES/PCB_Pnl-ViewConfiguration((View+Configuration))_AD
@@RobertFeranec may be you are using different version !!
@@tarikgunlu9981 me too have the same problem with 18 version
i have updated to another version and it was solved
Thank you very much for the tutorial. :)
Dear @Robert Feranec thank you for your time and efforts, I am learning a lot from you. in this tutorial at 22:50, you mentioned about creating assembly drawing layers. But this process is not working for some version of Altium. I tried the same process even for latest version 21.7.1 and it couldn't help. I found an alternate solution to this problem. Process is same, not in PcbDoc file but in PcbLib. Creating same component layer pair in PcbLib file solve this problem for me.
Even when I use shift the multiselection for the cross probe is not working , is there another method ? Im using altium 20.2.6
This may help: designhelp.fedevel.com/forum/main-forum/altium/6736-how-to-cross-probe-net-then-reposition-selected-component-without-losing-highlighting?p=15970#post15970
Very good Robert, what video recording software do you use to produce these nice high quality videos. Plus we get to see you. Do you edit your own videos or send them out?
Thank you Phillip. I use Wirecast, but there may be also other software now (I bought Wirecast a long time ago)
Is it possible to make a text in sch files that changes with varints,e.g. in varinatA,the text show NF,and in variantB,it shows 100Ω，and variantC,it show 20kΩ，sometimes a pcb has more than one variant,so is there a way to make a formula?
Thank you Sir.
Arrrrrrrgh! 4 nets entering one 'blob' on the schematic! Do they cross or is it a printer smear where the nets cross??
Sir, at 16:04, after press the “reposition selected components” the PCB becomes masked again, I am using AD2021.
You may need to adjust some settings. This may help: designhelp.fedevel.com/forum/main-forum/altium/6736-how-to-cross-probe-net-then-reposition-selected-component-without-losing-highlighting?p=15970#post15970
Thanks Robert, Is there a "Rename Net on Copy/Paste" function? Manually renaming copied nets (e.g. "DIODE1") can be very error prone.
I do not think there is something like that. But, you can place new Net label if that would be better. I copied it, because it was easier just to change the number.
Can you tell me a practical example when you want to unfit a component in a variant? In Wich cases this is this used?
Your videos are gorgeous!
Thank you. There are number of situations when you would like to have unfitted components. The main idea is to have one PCB which can be used to build similar boards with a little bit different parameters (e.g. one board can have 2 memory chips fitted, different board with same PCB can he 4 memory chips fitted). Also, I use unfitted components to test some feature (e.g. by default a new circuit or feature may be disconnected and once it has software support, the components are fitted and feature is tested) or you can fit/unfit components for different configurations (some chips have configuration pins where you can use pull up or pull down - so if you would like to test both features, you put there both resistors, but fit only one). I also use optional components to disconnect a circuit in case something is not working or for example re-routing some tracks - e.g. if I have only one USB and in one configuration I would like to connect it to USB connector and in other configuration I would like to connect it to different connector. Have a look here:ua-cam.com/video/Oy56xuBWNXM/v-deo.html or also here: ua-cam.com/video/2LWXKOEnIJE/v-deo.html
Is it possible to make assembly drawings by running a script?The job is a repetitive,we don't need to do it every time.
I am not sure what you mean - assembly drawing is done almost automatically and once it is setup correctly, it will be remembered.
Great Video very helpful
I cannot see my newly added designator in my annotate window.
I am using Altium 21 and steps to create top and bottom layers for the assembly drawings do not seem to work well on my end
I updated the tutorial, this may help: ua-cam.com/video/PqFtSpAXB9Q/v-deo.html
@@RobertFeranec By the way, how about a tutorial on Xpedition and Zuken :) ?
Really nice tutorial, also I honestly laughed on R2D2 part :D (3:00).
I did not realized that, Artoo-Detoo :D
R2... D2... @ 3:00🤣 And I was listening to "The Jedi Steps and Finale" by John Williams at the time... I clearly have Star Wars on the mind😁
@@RobertFeranec thank you for these tutorials. They have been super helpful to get going from scratch!
Thank you Sir
Hey. Trying to create Variants on your video, but nothing happens. The directory "Variants" is not even created
Should work. Maybe something in settings or a bug in specific Altium version?
always the best your way your teach. If possible teach us how create small component in BGA packge and how apply your rules, but not those BGA with several pads, just normal BGA. Generaly have a rule to project but when create us BGA a component always happen error of clearance rules. Several manufactory have your rules for factory. How rule for clearance minimal. If manufactory have clearance minimal 0.1mm and we need create a BGA part with your pads with 0,05m between your pads, this is not happen problem to factory? Thanks you for your time
Do you mean like this? www.fedevel.com/welldoneblog/2015/02/altium-tutorial-smaller-clearance-under-bga-or-footprint/
Yes i had seen this video 3 time. I just would like have sure about this. If some manufactory have minimal clearance 0.1mm in your factory, is correctly to do this component with 0.05mm? Thank you very much, this is better tutorial about altium.
please how to download library and install to used it in design at any time without internet
Depends on what libraries you use - but if you are using integrated libraries or if you are using sch or pcb libraries (even using db libraries which have relative PATH to reference to your local sch and pcb libraries) you should be able to use these components on your local computer and use them without internet. Just be careful what is the PATH to your libraries - because all your symbols and footprints in your project will refer to that PATH as the source of library. PS: Even if your PATH is not correct, when you are finishing your schematic or project, you can always update the PATH in your symbols and footprints and point them to your Central library (in case you would need it).
Great Video!
Thank you Robert
In AD14,I did not find component layer pair,is it new in AD19？
in AD19, when in PCB, press "L" and right click in the Mechanical Layers. This may help ua-cam.com/video/ytF4-MIeWRc/v-deo.html
hi, i need some help here, my stm32f4 component does not have vdd,vss....and some other pins, i need to unhide them, i have tried all the possibilities..
Did you try to select the component -> Properties -> Pins TAB and check if all the pins have the eye icon ON?
@@RobertFeranec hi Robert, thank you for the quick reply, yes i exhausted all the possibilities, the eyes are all on, what i have noticed is, the VSS,VDD.... are all in grey while the rest of the pins are ok but the eyes are all on
@@mhand8560 hmm, then I would maybe try to make a library from your project and then I would have a look if I could edit these pins directly in the symbol (in the library).
AS you know, we first interest with top layer PCB , if we need to place a component to bottom layer .
How should we do that?
When moving component, press "L" - that will move the component on the bottom layer. Just keep watching, it is in the video.
HI,good job but I have a question:how you will solderJ1 ?Point 1 is on TOP and point 2 is on BOTTOM and your pad for point 1 is not declared ,,vias'' 1.
J1 pin 1 and J1 pin 2 are through hole pads with a hole in middle - means, you can plug in connector's pins inside the pads and solder it down.
@@RobertFeranec OK,J1 pin 2 is ok but J1 pin 1 need to be metalised hole..Thank you.
Great Video.
so funny when you say "perfect" :D nice tutorials though. thanks!
At 15:22 you show to keep the filter in place as you select a part to place. However on my version of Altium (20.1.7) when I CTRL + CLICK to select the resistor in the schematic then select "Reposition Selected Components" the filter clears as soon as I select that. Is this a change in later versions of Altium or do I have a setting wrong? Thanks!
lemmy999, did you try SHIFT instead of CTRL?
@@RobertFeranec Yes, I made a mistake in the original post. I am pressing SHIFT + Left Click to select R2 and when I select "Reposition Selected Components" the filter clears. I just tried again to verify it.
@@lemmy999 when you are going to PCB, be sure you do not left click there. It depends on system settings, but left click in PCB may unselect selected objects. I normally hold right button, move with PCB a little bit to activate the canvas and then start working with pcb.
Hi, do you know why when you add some new components and nets it causes errors when you update the PCB after click on validate?, the new component is accepted by altium with no errors but the new nets are shown as "unknow pins", thanks
Usually during import you should see what is wrong (e.g. if there are unrecognized ins or something like that). Try to delete the component from PCB and import it again.
@@RobertFeranec Is very strange, validate gives me errors but when I click on execute changes it shows everything is ok
@@JairoGustavo It depends ... for example validation may not add footprint into PCB, this means if you need to add footprint into PCB and you only run validation, then validation may fail, because when it will be validating connections of the new component (what was not added into your PCB yet) then it will be failing. However, if you run import, then import will add the new component into PCB and it can connect the pins - so it will run with no errors.
How do you change sheet parameters in variants? For instance I want to change the document number when I change variants.
You may be able to add variant name to the document number e.g. combine two parameters together, but this may be possible only in PCB, I am not sure if this can be done in schematic ... or maybe something like this could be done in Draftsman? I am not sure, I have never done that.
@@RobertFeranec I figured it out. When you add a variant, you can add parameters for that variant, which include sheet parameters.
@@xxvodanhxx wow, I didn't know you can do it, that is great! Thanks for sharing that.
Thanks a lot, Robert for this tutorial. This tutorial is very useful for beginners. Great effort to transfer knowledge. I am facing a problem at 16.00. When I select Reposition Selected Components, then it unmasks all the layers. (I select R2 by holding the shift button). Please look into the matter
Thank you. PS: Try this for reposition: designhelp.fedevel.com/forum/main-forum/altium/6736-how-to-cross-probe-net-then-reposition-selected-component-without-losing-highlighting?p=15970#post15970
@@RobertFeranec Thanks. I am using AD 19.0.10 . Still, my problem is not solved.
@@RobertFeranec Thanks, I have got the same problem but it has been solved with unchecking from PCB Editor->Display
- Apply Mask During Interactive Editing
- Apply Highlight During Interactive Editing
You are nice. Thank you very much
Thanks!
Any one upload single side pcb design in altium pls
I want to learn, how to create a file for automatic installation for the factory and manufacturing (automatic installation needed by the manufacturer to install electronic pieces on the board automatical
do you mean pick and place file? it will be in the next video
Thank you: I mean when you send an electronic circuit form to China for example and you want to make a lot of them, the factory will ask you for a file for the automatic placement of the items electronic location of each piece for example
I thank you very much and I learned a lot from you in this area
yes, manufacturing files will be generated next week
"R2D2"... sorry, Star Wars fan...
R2-D2......I'd say this is coincidence, or on purpose.hahahahaha
Press the like button, hooold it down... ;D