Component Links - Part 2

Exercise:  How to Create Duplicate Component Links

Related Link: Component Links - Part 1

Create a simple one sheet schematic and PCB. 

Add two components C1 and C2 and push the changes to the PCB.

As shown the schematic and PCB components are linked and in sync'ed.

Next reuse the same schematic sheet for another circuit.

Save the schematic sheet simple_1. 

Then select File > Save Copy As to create sheet simple_2.  

Select Project  > Add Existing to Project > and add sheet simple_2.

Look at C1 and C2 on both sheets and note we have duplicate designators and duplicate unique IDs.

Compile the project and note we have some issues to fix.

Right away we notice the duplicate Designators for C1 and C2.

Let's re-annotate the Designators

Now we have C1,C2,C3,C4

Run the Compiler, Select Project > Compile . . . 



The duplicate designators error are fixed, however we still have unique ID errors.

Let's Reset Unique IDs of the Designators for C3 and C4.

Select the symbol's properties and select Reset.



Compile the project and note the unique ID errors are fixed.

Push the changes to the PCB.

Related Links:

Reset Unique IDs
Component Links - Part 1

Upgraded Duplicate UID Correction | Altium Docs

Altium resets refdes on cut of part - Altium Discussion Forums

That's It !

Component Links - Part 1

Component Links in Altium are very handy when used properly. 

However there are ways to get in to trouble if you don't understand how Component Links work and how they become broken or even worst corrupted.

To stay out of trouble do NOT copy and rename a schematic sheet. Instead add a new sheet, copy and paste from an existing sheet to the new sheet then re-annotate the new sheet.  Cut and Paste can be used to reset the unique IDs,

First let's look at how the component links are created.

Suggested Reading:

Edit Component Links | Online Documentation for Altium Products

Suggested Exercise:

Place cap (C5) in a schematic, then look at the properties of C5.

Note the part (symbol) has a unique ID = FQMRRBKU and to the right is a Reset Button.

Obviously your C5's unique ID will be different.

click on image to view

Create a PcbDoc and push C5 to the PCB.

Next a look at the properties of C5 in the PCB

The part has a unique ID = \FQMRRBKU

FQMRRBKU = \FQMRRBKU is the component link for C5.

Again your ID will be something different, however they should be a matched set.

Now in the schematic let's change the Ref/Des from C5 to C6. 

Check the properties of C6 and note the unique ID = FQMRRBKU (same ID).

Now we can import the changes from the schematic to the PCB and using the unique ID Altium will automatically update (change) the Ref/Des from C5 to C6 where ID FQMRRBKU = /FQMRRBKU.

In a nutshell Component Links allow us to re-annotate (change) Reference Designators in the schematic, then push the changes to the originally placed parts the PCB.

Now let the fun begin:

Let's Copy and Paste C6 in the schematic





Let's keep the duplicate C6 and push the changes to the PCB.

Select the PCB > Design Import Changes . . .



Note that Altium is warning us that there are compiler errors.

Let's ignore the warning for now and execute the changes.

Now we have a duplicate a C6 in the PCB.



Let's delete the original (first) C6 which has ID = FQMRRBKU in the PCB.

Let's delete the duplicate (2nd instance) of C6 in the Schematic.

Now in the Schematic I have C6 with ID = FQMRRBKU 

Now in the PCB I have C6 with ID =  \TJABRXVV

So now we have C6 in both the schematic and PCB, however we destroyed the matching unique ID (Component Link).

Another way to break the matched unique IDs is to select Reset button in the symbol's properties.

Let's push the changes from the schematic to the PCB.

Right away Altium warns us that there was a failure to match 1 of 11 components.




We have three options

1 Automatic Matching
2 Manual Matching
3 Cancel

Let's work backwards starting with option 3.




If we select Cancel the Engineering Change Order dialog is displayed.

Note that we can select Validate Changes or Execute Changes.

To cancel without making changes select the Close button.

Next let's look at Option 2, Manual Component Links.

Now we are presented with dialog for Manual matching or un-matching any and all parts in the design.



It's up to you to correctly match the components (you are on your own).

At the bottom of the dialog there are options to Add Pairs Matched By >> 



The default option is by Designator, however there are options to include more constraints i.e. same Comment and Footprint.

If we select Add Pairs Matched By >> Designator, then select Perform Update the results will be the same as if we had selected Automatic Linking (Option 1).

Related Link:

Component Links - Part 2 

That's It !

SVNDBLIB Broken in AD17 - Bug #7364

If you are using SVNDBLIB you should be aware it is broken in AD17.0.9

Fixed in AD17.0.10

Please cast a vote to fix the bug.

See: https://bugcrunch.live.altium.com/#Bug/7364

Workaround:

Using File explorer open your working folder, Select the library, RgtClick and select Open

Parts Frontend Users:

No worries, just select edit.

That's it !

AD17.0.8 - Cross Select Mode

My current preferences for Cross Select Mode

click image to view

More new knobs to tweak in AD17.0.8

That's it !

Using SyncToy

I use SyncToy in combination with cloud drives like Dropbox and Google Drive. 

I prefer this to the live automatic (buggy and conflicted) saves to the cloud.
​
SyncToy can be used to synchronize folders. See Microsoft documentation for details.
Microsoft SyncToy is a Free Folder (files) Synchronizing Application.
Download SyncToy from Microsoft . . .

I use Preview in SyncToy before I commit to synchronizing files. Also SyncToy has error logging and error reports.

The SyncToy log is at: 

"C:\Users\userName\AppData\Local\Microsoft\SyncToy\2.0\SyncToyLog.log"

Command Line Syntax:

Run All Defined Folder Pairs: 

"C:\Program Files\SyncToy 2.1\SyncToyCmd.exe" "-R"

Run a Specific Folder Pair named 'Symbols X to X': 

"C:\Program Files\SyncToy 2.1\SyncToyCmd.exe" "-RSymbols X to X"

Windows Task Scheduler:

Windows task scheduler can be used to automate SyncToy.

click on image to view

File Locking:

Uncheck File Locking in DXP > Preferences to minimize 'Failed to Save' errors.

That's it !