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 !

SnapEDA Plugins - Get Symbols, Footprints and 3D Models

SnapEDA Plugins - Get Symbols, Footprints and 3D Models directly in your tool. 

Available for Eagle and Altium Designer - SnapEDA:

'via Blog this'

PCB Libraries - Parts on Demand

PCB Parts on Demand - Part Data: 

I searched for ADA4940-2ACPZ-R7 at the Altium Content store and did not find the part.

I decided to try PCB Libraries - Parts on Demand and was pleasantly surprised to find the fpx file for this part was available.

I downloaded the ADA4940-2ACPZ-R7.fpx file and quickly created the footprint.

click on images to view

The tool has a user friendly graphical interface . 

PCB Libraries Home Page

Please mention my name when requesting your quote from PCB Libraries.

Thank you

Randy Clemmons CID+

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'

Database Library Migration Tools

Database Library Migration Tools - Altium  | DOCUMENTATION:

'via Blog this'

Altium Designer Summer 09 - Legacy Libraries

Altium Designer Summer 09 Libraries

  'via Blog this'

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.

Altium Library Not Found

Note a Library that is not found along the specified path cannot be activated.

Library Path Relative To: Z:

Type "Not Found" occurs when a library is not found on the path "Library Path Relative To"

More than likely the library has been moved, deleted or renamed.

Altium Designer » DbLib Limits - Best Practices Altium Forum

Altium Forum - Lounge: Altium Live Login in Required

DBLib - Limit Testing

As my DbLIB record count was approaching about 1000 records I began to wonder if Altium was going to take a big performance hit as my single table database library continued to grow.

I decided to do some limit testing.

I created an dummy Access database table library with > 10,000 parts.  I was pleased to see that the Library Panel (parts placement window) was fully populated in a few seconds and very responsive to part searches and part placement.



When designing your Altium DBLib database, you may be tempted to break the table up and spread it across several part type tables such as:

Capacitors 
Connectors
Inductors
ICs
Resistors
Other

I suggest you keep all of your parametric data in a single flat table and organize the Library Panel.

This method has a couple of noteworthy benefits. Most importantly by using a single table you can easily prevent users from entering duplicate part numbers into the database. 

Another benefit of the single flat table model is that is easier to copy and paste records to create new parts that are similar to existing parts in the table (make like).

When designing a database schema think about what is required in the Bill of Materials.

That's it !

CIS Database Example

Altium installs an Example CIS database in C:\ProgramData\Altium\...

Vault Server - Installation Tech Tips - English documentation - The Altium Wiki

Vault Server - Installation Tech Tips - English documentation - The Altium Wiki

My 2 cents:

You should not confuse Altium's Vault Services with Component Libraries.

The Vault is a design repository and a serves as a content delivery system. It is not efficient or practical to maintain component libraries comprised of symbols or footprints within a satellite vault.

I'll make an exception for big companies who have the resources and deep pockets to staff a CAD department with several component librarians, in that scenario the vault could be made to work.

Altium has powerful tools, but it's up to you to figure out how to use those tools.

After testing Integrated, DbLib, SVNDbLib and Vault hosted libraries I found the most efficient library choice was the *.DbLib. The DbLib is by far the easiest to maintain with minimal staffing requirements.

Microsoft Access can support several designers simultaneously when properly implemented as a back-end server on a company network. The key word being back-end, this means you should not have any user interface (GUI) or code in the back-end database.

Records can be edited or added in Altium by opening your *.DbLib file selecting to the Table Browser Tab and Right Click on a record. Or you can create your own custom front-end (GUI) to edit and add records to the database.