Introduction to Altium Designer

Altium Designer is a powerful PCB design software used by engineers and designers worldwide. It provides a comprehensive set of tools for schematic capture, PCB layout, routing, and manufacturing outputs. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced designer, this quick start tutorial will guide you through the essential steps to get started with Altium Designer.

Key Features of Altium Designer

Altium Designer offers a wide range of features that streamline the PCB design process. Some of the key features include:

Feature	Description
Schematic Capture	Create and edit electronic schematics with a user-friendly interface
PCB Layout	Design PCBs with advanced placement, routing, and editing tools
3D Visualization	Visualize your PCB design in 3D for better design validation
Design Rule Checking (DRC)	Verify your design against predefined rules to ensure manufacturability
Manufacturing Outputs	Generate Gerber files, drill files, and documentation for manufacturing

Setting Up Altium Designer

System Requirements

Before installing Altium Designer, make sure your system meets the following minimum requirements:

• Operating System: Windows 10 (64-bit) or later
• Processor: Intel Core i5 or equivalent
• RAM: 16 GB or more
• Graphics Card: Dedicated GPU with 2 GB or more VRAM
• Storage: 10 GB of free disk space

Installation Process

To install Altium Designer, follow these steps:

1. Download the Altium Designer installer from the official Altium website.
2. Run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions.
3. Activate your license using the provided activation code.
4. Launch Altium Designer and configure your preferences.

Creating a New Project

Project Templates

Altium Designer provides various project templates to help you get started quickly. Some of the common project templates include:

• PCB Project: Create a new PCB design from scratch.
• Schematic Project: Create a new schematic project without a PCB.
• Integrated Library: Create a new integrated library for components and footprints.

To create a new project:

1. Go to “File” > “New” > “Project”.
2. Select the desired project template.
3. Specify the project name and location.
4. Click “OK” to create the project.

Project Structure

A typical Altium Designer project consists of the following files and folders:

• Project file (.PrjPCB): The main project file that contains project settings and references to other project files.
• Schematic files (.SchDoc): Schematic documents that represent the electrical connections of your design.
• PCB files (.PcbDoc): PCB layout documents that define the physical layout of your PCB.
• Library files (.SchLib, .PcbLib): Component libraries that contain schematic symbols and pcb footprints.
• Output files: Generated manufacturing files such as Gerber files, drill files, and BOM.

Schematic Capture

Creating a New Schematic

To create a new schematic in your project:

1. Right-click on the project in the “Projects” panel.
2. Select “Add New to Project” > “Schematic”.
3. Specify the schematic name and click “OK”.

Adding Components

To add components to your schematic:

1. Open the schematic document.
2. Go to “Place” > “Component”.
3. Search for the desired component in the libraries panel.
4. Place the component on the schematic sheet.
5. Repeat steps 3-4 for additional components.

Connecting Components

To connect components in your schematic:

1. Go to “Place” > “Wire”.
2. Click on the pin of the first component.
3. Click on the pin of the second component to create a connection.
4. Repeat steps 2-3 for additional connections.

Assigning Net Names

Assigning meaningful net names to your connections helps in organizing your design. To assign a net name:

1. Double-click on a wire or connection.
2. Enter the desired net name in the “Net Identifier” field.
3. Click “OK” to apply the changes.

PCB Layout

Creating a New PCB

To create a new PCB from your schematic:

1. Go to “Design” > “Update PCB Document” in the schematic editor.
2. Select “Create PCB from Schematic” and specify the PCB name.
3. Click “OK” to create the PCB document.

Placing Components

To place components on your PCB:

1. Open the PCB document.
2. Go to “Place” > “Component”.
3. Select the desired component from the list and place it on the PCB.
4. Repeat steps 2-3 for additional components.

Routing Traces

Routing traces connects the components on your PCB. To route traces:

1. Go to “Route” > “Interactive Routing”.
2. Click on the starting pad or via.
3. Move the cursor to the destination pad or via and click to complete the trace.
4. Repeat steps 2-3 for additional traces.

Applying Design Rules

Design rules ensure that your PCB meets the manufacturing requirements. To apply design rules:

1. Go to “Tools” > “Design Rule Check”.
2. Configure the design rules based on your PCB specifications.
3. Run the design rule check to verify your design.
4. Resolve any rule violations identified by the DRC.

Manufacturing Outputs

Generating Gerber Files

Gerber files are the industry standard for PCB manufacturing. To generate Gerber files:

1. Go to “File” > “Fabrication Outputs” > “Gerber Files”.
2. Configure the Gerber file settings based on your manufacturer’s requirements.
3. Click “OK” to generate the Gerber files.

Generating Drill Files

Drill files provide information about the hole sizes and locations on your PCB. To generate drill files:

1. Go to “File” > “Fabrication Outputs” > “NC Drill Files”.
2. Configure the drill file settings based on your manufacturer’s requirements.
3. Click “OK” to generate the drill files.

Generating Bill of Materials (BOM)

A bill of materials (BOM) lists all the components used in your PCB design. To generate a BOM:

1. Go to “Reports” > “Bill of Materials”.
2. Configure the BOM settings and specify the output format.
3. Click “OK” to generate the BOM.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. How do I update my schematic changes to the PCB?

To update your PCB with schematic changes:

1. Make the necessary changes in the schematic editor.
2. Go to “Design” > “Update PCB Document”.
3. Select “Execute Changes” and click “OK”.
4. The changes will be reflected in the PCB document.

2. How can I import a component library into Altium Designer?

To import a component library:

1. Go to “File” > “Open” > “Library”.
2. Select the library file (.SchLib or .PcbLib) you want to import.
3. Click “Open” to import the library into your project.

3. What is the difference between a schematic symbol and a PCB footprint?

A schematic symbol represents the electrical symbol of a component in the schematic editor, while a PCB footprint represents the physical dimensions and pad layout of a component on the PCB.

4. How do I create a custom footprint in Altium Designer?

To create a custom footprint:

1. Go to “File” > “New” > “PCB Library”.
2. Specify the library name and click “OK”.
3. In the PCB library editor, go to “Tools” > “Footprint Wizard”.
4. Follow the wizard to define the footprint dimensions, pads, and other properties.
5. Save the footprint in the library.

5. Can I collaborate with others on an Altium Designer project?

Yes, Altium Designer supports collaboration through its Altium 365 platform. It allows multiple designers to work on the same project simultaneously, with features like version control, design reviews, and task management.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have completed the Altium Designer quick start tutorial. By following this guide, you should now have a basic understanding of how to create a new project, capture schematics, design PCBs, and generate manufacturing outputs.

Remember, Altium Designer is a powerful tool with many advanced features and capabilities. As you gain more experience, you can explore additional functionalities like multi-board design, signal integrity analysis, and design reuse.

To further enhance your skills, consider referring to the official Altium Designer documentation, attending training courses, and participating in online forums and communities.

Happy designing with Altium Designer!