Ideas for Altium

DRC Checks for Footprint Libraries

I would like to check footprints for DRCs i.e. soldermask and silkscreen for clearances as I make footprints.

Currently you have to place a part in a design then run DRCs to determine if the footprint has DRCs violations.

We need DRC rules that are specific to library parts that can be run as we create footprints.

View idea: http://bugcrunch.live.altium.com/#Idea/4192

Convert planes to Polygons

Using planes is great until you need better control of the copper pours. 

It would be great if we could Select a Plane Layer and convert all of the split planes on the layer to Polygons.

We could start a design and enjoy the speed and simplicity of using planes, including controlled impedance. 

Then as the design nears completion convert the Planes to Polygons to get the benefit of the smart copper rules that can be applied to Polygons.

View Idea: http://bugcrunch.live.altium.com/#Idea/4202?msgID=10320554

Convert Stitching VIAs to Free VIAs

Using Stitching Vias has been a painful experience for me. 

This is primarily due to the union which is automatically created. When I move a stitching via several other associated vias are moving and creating DRCs and breaking previously good routes.

Please give us an option to convert the stitching vias to free vias and break the stitching via unions.

View Idea: http://bugcrunch.live.altium.com/#Idea/4211?msgID=10357065

Solder paste to solder paste clearance DRC

Shown below is the solder paste on two adjacent pins of a 16-TSSOP (0.173", 4.40mm Width) IC.

As shown below the solder paste is 1:1 with the pad and has a 0.05mm  (~3mil)  soldermask pullback.

Copper to copper feature and paste to paste is  0.2mm (~8mil).

The paste stencil would have a very long a skinny (0.2mm) web separating the solder paste blocks. The stencil could be damaged by the squeegee as the paste is applied.

It would be nice if the tool included a minimum the paste to paste clearance check.

Design Rules - Holesize

When specifying HoleSize or HoleDiameter rules note that the size will be mils for any holes less than 1mm in diameter .

Regardless of the units selected in your design (mm or mils) the Holesize or HoleDiameter rules are always in mils.




You can not set the units to mm for HoleSize or HoleDiameter in the rule.

As shown below if you enter a faction or mm units you will receive an incorrect definition message.

Solution :

Only specify HoleSize and HoleDiameter rules using whole numbers. 

Good Examples:
HoleSize > 15
AsMils(HoleDiameter) > 15  
AsMM(HoleDiameter) > 1.01   (Hole size = or > 1) 

Bad Examples:
HoleSize > .15
HoleSize > .15mm
AsMM(HoleDiameter) > 15   


Filters:
(ObjectKind = 'Via') And (AsMils(HoleDiameter) = 20)

Scalabe True Type Font Logo

Scalable True Type Fonts - Google Search

Adding a company logo to a PCB board can be greatly simplified using a scalable True Type Font Logo.

Services:
Elfring Fonts

Basic steps for creating TrueType Font:

Using Paint Crop and Resize as Needed













Save as BW monochrome for Black and White

Convert PNG to SVG
Create TT Font

Related YouTube Video

That's it !

Partnering With Altium! - Octopart

We're Partnering With Altium! - Octopart:

'via Blog this'

How to Route DDR3 Memory and CPU fan-out

How to Route DDR3 Memory and CPU fan-out: Robert Feranac

Robert is an expert mother board designer and has been sharing some very good tips.

'via Blog this'

Reuse Tracks and Vias

Bill Smock's PCB Filter Tip

Click on the link above to visit Bill's blog.

This one of my favorite PCB Filters. This filter simplifies reuse of existing tracks and vias.

Steps:

Select a group of components with the traces and vias.

Enter the next line in to the PCB Filter Panel:

Not( (ObjectKind = 'Component')) And IsSelected

In the Filter Options: 

Object passing the filter check the "Select" box. 

and

Objects not passing the filter check the "Deselect" and choose "Normal" in the drop down box.

This will deselect the components and leave all of the other primitives selected so they can be copied without copying the components to be used on another group of parts.

Bill, Thank you for sharing. 

When I have more time, I'll try to Script this Filter and then assign it to a Hot Key.


Related Links:

Best methods for layout design re-use - Altium Forum

Smart Length Matching - In Developement

In development and being fixed ? 

Better support for high speed designs such as DDRx.

Altium BugCrunch #960:

'via Blog this'

Building Script Projects - Altium Tutorial

Good starting point to learn Scripts

http://www.altium.com/files/learningguides/tu0125_buildingscriptprojects.pdf

'via Blog this'