Using Database Libraries with 32-bit and 64-bit Altium

Related Link:  Parts for Altium

Using Database Libraries with 32-bit and 64-bit Altium Design Software on the same Computer | Online Documentation for Altium Products: 

In the above link Altium offers 3 possible solutions to connect 32bit and 64bit versions of Altium to Microsoft Excel and Access.

Solutions:

click on image to view

Note:

Altium Solution 1 (Install 64bit Office) applies to only AD18. You can not ping-pong between AD17 and AD18 if you install a 64bit version of MS Office.

Solution 1 does not apply to AD17, because AD17 is a 32bit application.

To support both AD17 and AD18 you need to use a 32bit version of MS Office and a 64bit Access Database Engine.

Altium Solution #2 for 32-bit Office 2007,2010,2013 or 2016 

Install 64-bit Microsoft Access Database Engine (2010)

then, 

Open the Registry Editor (regedit.exe from a Windows search) and browse to the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\14.0\Common\FilesPaths. 

Delete or rename the mso.dll registry entry.

Source Altium: 

Procedure for Installing 64-bit MS Access Database Drivers alongside 32-bit MS Office


Altium Solution #3 for Office 2007

The procedure to install the 64-bit Microsoft Access Database Engine (2010) first, followed by the 32-bit version (2007) of Microsoft Office, is as follows:

1. Uninstall all 32-bit Office installations (including language packs and so on). If you have installed the 32-bit Microsoft Access Database Engine 2010, or 2016, you must uninstall this too.
2. Install the 64-bit Microsoft Access Database Engine 2010.
3. Reboot your computer.
4. Test if your 64-bit Altium Design Software works with Database Libraries.
5. Install the 32-bit version of Microsoft Office (2007).
6. Reboot your computer.
7. Test if your 32-bit Altium Design Software works with Database Libraries.

My Solution for Office 2007 and AD17 / AD18 DBLib Access databases.

I used a variation of the Altium Solution #3 for Office 2007.

I had trouble completing the uninstall for Office 2007.  I used a Microsoft easy fix tool to completely uninstall Office 2007 and clean up the machine's registry.

Look for the Option 2 Download at:  Uninstall Office from a PC 

I chose to: Download Microsoft Access Database Engine 2016 Redistributable ...

After installing the 2016 Access Database Engine 64bit, I installed Office 2007.

Office 2007 is available only as a 32bit application. 64bit versions of Office started in 2010.

Now both AD17 (32bit) and AD18 (64bit) are able to connect to the same Access database.

Click on image to view

Related Links: 

Receiving the error message "We can't install the 64-bit version of office because we found the following 32-bit programs on your PC:"

Parts DBLib Library - FREE

The FREE Parts DBLib contains everything you need to get an Altium DBLib library up and running in less than 5 minutes.

Did you know ?

You do NOT need to have Access installed to use a DBLIB library in Altium.

Using Altium's DBLib interface you can edit and add parts to an Access database.

Take the challenge and see for yourself that you really can have your own fully functional DBLib library in 5 minutes or less.

Here are the steps to quickly setup and use the Parts DBLib library:

Download Parts DBLib.

Install the Parts DBLib Library in Altium. See Getting Started.

Use Altium's DBlib to edit or add parts to the database.

You are done, you should have a fully functional Altium DBLib library.

If you are looking for a more efficient way to edit and add parts to the database give the Parts Frontend a test drive. 

The Parts DBlib download includes a demo version of the Parts Frontend.  A Frontend application is not required to use an Altium DBLib or SVNDBLIB library.

When using a well designed database Frontend you will spend significantly less time designing library parts, leaving you with more time to design boards.

What Makes Parts Different ?

That's It !

Nine Dot Connects - The quest for the optimal library

"There are fundamentally 2 library types out there – symbol centric and database library. Symbol centric libraries have been around since the beginning of EDA tools; however, the most efficient method is the database library. In addition to symbol and footprint reuse, it is far easier to create and duplicate formats in a database than it is to do so in a symbol centric library."

"Unless the customer or industry upon which the design is being created for requires version control of a library, there is no need for it. Components generally do not change over time."

Link the full article:  Nine Dot Connects » Library Services: 

'via Blog this'

Altium DBLib Library - ROI

Altium's DBLIB Library is one the best returns on investment (ROI) that is available to Altium users.

Reasons include: 

1. Easier to setup compared to SVNDBLIB, SQL Server or the Vault.
2. DBLiib libraries are scalable. (simply copy and rename the database).
3. The database can be a simple Excel spreadsheet or an Access database.
4. Reuse existing Symbols and Footprints for commons parts (i.e. caps, resistors).
5. Simplifies library maintenance tasks.
6. DBLIB data can migrate to a SQL Sever or the Vault.

You can download an example Altium DBLIB library at pcbparts.blogspot.com.

This free download contains everything you need to quickly get an Altium DBLIB library up and running. 

The Parts DBLIB installation is simple, within 5 minutes or less you can be placing parts from the Parts DBLib.

There is also an optional Parts Frontend application (not required for Altium DBLib) that can be evaluated and purchased. 

The free backend database has no limits or restrictions for usage. If you wish to use the optional Frontend application license keys can be purchased for very reasonable prices.

You can also keep the free Parts backend and create your own Frontend application using Access or use Altium's built-in DBLib editor.

Spending a few minutes to install and evaluate the Parts DBLIB may be one the best investments you can make.

That's It !

Using Components Directly from Your Company Database

Using Components Directly from Your Company Database | DOCUMENTATION: Altium

"This document provides detailed information on using components from a database using Altium Designer's Database Library feature."

'via Blog this'

PCBLib - Split Files Bloated

Embedded fonts create bloated files, single part PCBLib files that would typically only be ~65K will bloat to 488K in size. 

True Type fonts may be embedded into each PCBLib file created when you run the Library Splitter Wizard.

The Embed True Type Fonts Option can be toggled in your Preferences.

DXP > Preferences > PCB Editor > True Type Fonts

Click to view

 



(Shown above Embed True Type Fonts Option is Enabled)


Steps to investigate and reproduce bloated file behavior:

Uncheck Embed True Type Fonts Option in your preferences.

Open a PcbDoc and Make PCB Library. 

Design > Make PCB Library.

Note of the PcbLib File Size.

Check Embed True Type Fonts Option in your preferences.

Open a PcbDoc and Make PCB Library. 

Design > Make PCB Library.

Note the PcbLib File Size is ~ 423K larger, due to the single instance of the embedded True Type Arial Font. 

Split PCBLib

When a PCBLib is split with the Embed True Type Fonts Option Enabled, the True Type fonts are embedded into each of the split PCBLib files, creating bloated files.

To split a PCBLib:

Tools > Library Splitter Wizard.

Credits and References:

Ryan Rutledge uncovered this problem:
Reference Altium Live Bug 621: (Sign-In Required)

Altium DBLib - Example

The DBLib library is a popular choice for the Altium Library options available.

If you are already using an Altium DBLib Library to maintain your schematic symbols and PCB footprints, or you are just getting started, you can find some useful pointers at the Parts Blog.

A complete ready to run DBLib library is available at Parts Blog on the Download page.

The Parts_Demo.DBLib library includes a few commonly used parts to help you get started.