Monday, October 24, 2022

Electra Do File Tweaks

To clear existing routed tracks and vias, except GND and Diff Pairs.

Altium > PCB Fliter

(IsTrack or isVia) and OnSignal and not InNet('GND') and not InAnyDifferentialPair

Delete Filtered Selection

Altium > Script > Export Specctra DSN

# My Do

select all nets
unselect net GND
unprotect all wires
unprotect all vias

lock net GND
protect net GND
protect all dpairs

print {Tax via 5 (high)}
reset
tax via 5
bestsave on "tax_via_5"
autoroute
report summary "tax via 5"

# End My Do 


Electra > Altium  


Electra

Run My Do

File > Export Routes 


Tip:

Do Not Assume any Existing *.rte files are good, always Export > Routes


Altium
File > Import Specctra Route
Design Netlist > Clean All Nets
Run DRC > Review and Fix as Needed

Altium PB Filters
Istrack and OnSignal and not InAnyDifferentialPair

(Istrack or IsArc or isVia) and OnSignal and not InAnyDifferentialPair and (Keepout = 'False') and not InNetClass('PWR')

Altium
Route > Retrace Selected (Shortcut Keys UC)

Tips: 

Altium
Preferences > PCB Editor > Gloss And Retrace > Miter Ratio 3

That's it !

Thursday, October 13, 2022

Tools > Import / Export Mechanical Layers

Tools > Import / Export Mechanical Layers

Includes Layer Pairs

That's it !

Monday, September 12, 2022

Altium Export to Specctra and Electra

* Altium - Use Net Class Directives for Diff Pairs instead of Diff Pair Directives.

* Altium - Delete all Solid Polygons or use Hatched Polygons.

* Altium - Simplify the design rules, i.e. Clearance All 7mils and not InAnyDifferentialPair

* Altium - Simplify the design rules for trace width, i.e. 5mils

* Altium - Use only one drill size when exporting to Specctra

* Altium - Use only Thru-Hole and Blind Vias

* Altium - Copy the board outline to the Keepout layer to keep routes inside the borders.

* Altium - Export Specctra *.dsn file.

* Electra - Fanout GND Vias. Protect and then Unselect Net GND (Do Not Route GND)

* Electra - Run the Router and Export the the Routes.

* Altium - Import the Routes *.rte file.

* Altium - Run DRC Checks and Cleanup routes as needed.

* Altium - Clean up Diff Pairs using Find Similar and Retrace.

* Altium - Net Antennae Design Rule NOT ((ObjectKind = 'Via') And (Net = 'GND'))

Ensuring PCB Readiness for Specctra-compatible Routers in Altium Designer

Bugs and Tips:

https://forum.live.altium.com/#/posts/251575/797738

https://forum.live.altium.com/#/posts/254379/812665

That's it !


Sunday, July 31, 2022

Unique ID - Show Enabled

To Show the Unique ID

click on image to view


 














Preferences > General > Advanced > System.UI.IPP.ShowUniqueID









Related Link:  AD22.7.1 Variant Fitted / Not-Fitted Parts Bug 

Thank you Dennis !.