All contentions are resolved by a priority setting. It may arise that a design object is covered by more than one rule with the same scope. Multiple rules of the same type can be set up. They cover every aspect of the design - from routing widths, clearances, plane connection styles, routing via styles, and so on - and many of the rules can be monitored in real-time by the online Design Rule Checker (DRC).ĭesign rules target specific objects and are applied in a hierarchical fashion. These rules collectively form an 'instruction set' for the PCB Editor to follow. Once the preferences set has been released, and its lifecycle state set to a level that the organization views as ready for use at the design level, the preferences can be reused across installations of the software.Īltium Designer's PCB Editor uses the concept of Design Rules to define the requirements of a design. Ability to set the options and controls on the active child preferences page, or all pages, back to their defaults.Īnd if you have a managed content server, you can formally release your Altium Designer Preferences into a target Item (and revision thereof) in that server.Ability to save preferences to, and load preferences from, a Preferences file ( *.DXPPrf).Ability to import preferences defined in a previous instance, or version of the software.The Preferences dialog provides a number of useful tools to ensure your set of preferences is just as you require, including: This could be a mixture of satisfying company policy, and your preferred working environment. Use the controls and options available on the loaded page to configure your preferences for that area of the software as required. These are global system settings that apply across projects and relevant documents.Ĭonfiguration of preferences is performed from within the Preferences dialog (click on the control at the top-right of the workspace). In addition, and with the Altium Developer extension, you can extend the functionality of Altium Designer yourself through use of the Altium Designer SDK (Software Development Kit) - creating your own extensions for the software.Īltium Designer provides a central location from where you can set up various preferences across different functional areas of the software. In short, any targeted packages of functionality that extend and enhance the feature set of Altium Designer.Įxtensions are offered either free or paid (subscribed), and can be from Altium itself, or from a Third Party. This functionality could include a new importer or exporter, a tool for schematic symbol generation, or maybe support for mechanical CAD collaboration. It is the extension concept that enables the installation to be handcrafted in accordance with design needs. In addition, a range of Optional Extensions are available - packets of functionality that are optionally installed or removed by the user as required. A core set of features and functions are installed and handled transparently as part of the initial install, referred to as System Resources. The latter is made possible through the provision of optional Extensions.Īn extension is effectively an add-on to the software, providing extended features and functionality.

This covers not only updates to the core functionality (or system resources), but also the ability to install, update, or remove additional functionality. From high-level overviews and stepped walk-throughs, to full coverage of all the nuts-and-bolts resources delivered through the software's intuitive interface, the Altium Designer documentation literally provides a 'tree of knowledge' at your fingertips.Īltium Designer's Installation Management System allows you to handcraft your installation of the software at any time after initial install. This, the core space for documentation specific to Altium Designer, provides all the information needed to quickly get you up and running with the software. The unified nature of Altium Designer allows for seamless movement of design data from one design realm to the next, but to begin with, the perceived steep learning curve can appear a formidable blockade to this productivity-enhancing landscape, and the wealth of features it contains. Native 3D visualizations and clearance checkingĪll of this functionality is delivered through, and the entire design process performed within, a single Unified Design Environment - the only one of its kind, and engineered to deliver optimal productivity.ECAD Libraries containing over 300,000 ready-to-use components.Support for cutting-edge rigid-flex board design.

Altium Designer combines a myriad of features and functionality, including:

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