Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Contents
Tool-chains vs. Altiums
Platform Approach
File Export
Eagle Schematic
Export
10
10
Component Linking
through Unique IDs
18
See Also
19
Moving to Altium
Designer from Eagle
This document guides you through the process of moving from Eagle to Altium Designer.
File Export
Exporting Schematics and PCBs (*.Sch and *.Brd design data) from Eagle to the Protel/Altium Format is
quite easy. You simply have to start Eagle, open the desired Eagle project or the individual design file and
start the appropriate ULP file from either the menu or from the workspace icons as shown in Figure 1.
There are two different ULP files that you need to
download. The eagle2ad_sch.ulp is for converting
the schematic designs and the export-protelpcb.
ulp is for converting the PCB layouts. Both files
can be downloaded from the CadSoft website at
the following link:
http://www.cadsoftusa.com/downloads/user-language-programs/?language=en
These scripts can also be located on the AltiumLive
forums by searching on ULP.
Important Note: these export scripts were not developed by Altium and are not an Altium product. The scripts referred to
in this document have been proven to work but note there are other similar scripts in circulation.
// Layers Naming
B.layers (L) layer [L.number] = L.name;
layer [LAYER_TOP] = "TOP";
layer [LAYER_BOTTOM]
= "BOTTOM";
layer [LAYER_PADS] = "MULTILAYER";
The layer names listed below are the names to be used in Altium Designer when mapping the layers names
in the script:
SIGNAL INTERNAL MECHANICAL
LAYER PLANES
LAYERS
MASK
LAYERS
SILK SCREEN
OTHER
TOP
PLANE 1
MECHANICAL1
TOPPASTE
TOP OVERLAY
DRILLGUIDE
MID1
...
...
BOTTOMPASTE
BOTTOMOVERLAY
KEEPOUT
...
PLANE16
MECHANICAL32
TOPSOLDER
DRILLDRAWING
BOTTOMSOLDER
MULTILAYER
MID30
BOTTOM
Due to the differences in data structures, watch out for elements that make use of flat caption for
track or circle ends. Altium Designer does not support this and will automatically replace them with
round captions
The ULP will generate a Protel ASCII design file. Altium is capable of importing this directly, but it is
recommended to resave the design in the native Altium binary design format. Refer to the "Importing
Eagle Designs into Altium" section of this document for step by step instructions.
To date the following are known issues regarding the PCB export ULP:
1) There is no Board Header Record
2) The Layer designators in the inner layers are not correctly shown. It is possible to search for these
incorrectly shown Layer designators with a text editor (e.g., Notepad) and to replace/rename these
discrepancies in the exported ASCII file. (e.g. Route1 > Mid1) Mid1 is the designator recognized by
Altium Designer.
3) After the PCB Import, design rules must be made and checked since the rules are not exported as part
of the ASCII file
.
4) In some cases plane layers may be omitted. However, these are easy to create in Altium Designer as
long as no split planes were present.
5) There are cases where Overlay-Objects from components end up on the wrong layers. You can unlock
and select the component primitives, and then change layers for any discrepancies.
6) Some pads may come in as Pad Designator 1. This will have to be corrected if this is ever to map to
schematic symbols. However, all primitives for a component are at least grouped into a component.
7) Some tracks may come in without a signal name assignment. They can be identified as tracks as
signed to "No Net".
8) The script fails if a percent sign (%) is included in any text (such as a Comment with "1000uF
5%"). This is because the script sends this to Printf() as a format string, which interprets it as the start
of a new field for which there is no corresponding parameter passed.
Note: Some of these issues may have been addressed in a newer version of the ULP script files.
which is linked to the project via a relative reference for files on the same logical drive, or an absolute
reference for files on a different logical drive. Outputs generated from the project are also referenced in
the project file. The exact set of Project Options stored will depend on the project type.
Project settings are configured on the Options Tab of the Project Options dialog. You can configure these
settings to enable Altium Designer to work/behave in a similar fashion to Eagle.
You can access this from the Projects menu on the main menu bar (Project>>Project Options), or by rightclicking on the project name in the Projects panel. The options available to you include:
Compiler error check settings
Design synchronization settings
Design compiling settings
Location of output files
Multi-channel annotation settings
Other project settings stored in the project file include:
Schematic annotation settings
Output settings such as reports, print, Gerber, and so on
Note that these are the output settings accessed via the schematic or PCB editor menus, not the output settings defined in an
Output Job document
Maintaining Schematic
Due to some architectural differences between Altium Designer and Eagle some design corrections have
to be made manually:
Unique IDs
Unlike Eagle; Altium Designer links the logical and physical component representations through a Unique
ID and not Refdes. These IDs need to be reset in the schematic such that every translated symbol is
assigned its own unique instance identifier. To reset the IDs go to Tools>>Convert>>Reset Component
Unique IDs in the schematic editor. The synchronization process called Component Links, which
associates these IDs between schematic and layout, will be covered later in this document. For more
information regarding Component Links refer to Component Linking Through Unique IDs Section in this
document.
Unwanted T Junctions
Nets that are routed over another net in Eagle can be interpreted by the export script as T junctions in the
Protel ASCII design file. Altium Designer automatically adds junction points to T-junctions, which creates an
unwanted short in the schematic. You can either redraw the net connection or drag the net to remove or
correct the short.
Floating Net Labels
Before synchronizing the schematic and PCB, make sure there are no floating schematic errors. Compiling the project (right mouse-click on the project in the Projects Panel >> Compile) will run the ERC engine,
which will check for electrical rule violations and schematic syntax errors. The most common error in Eagle
schematics is float net labels. Net labels are treated as separate objects in Altium Designer. You must
ensure that the net label object is placed in such a way that it's connected to the net it's associated with.
If the net label is placed too far from the net, the net-naming association will not get created, which will
cause the floating net label error.
If the messages panel does not open automatically, it can be activated over the menu View>>Workspace
Panels>>System>> Messages.
http://wiki.altium.com/display/ADOH/Project+Compiler+Error+Reference
Power Ports
You can spend some additional but optional work replacing Power Ports and Schematic Templates (Eagle:
frames). In Eagle Power Ports and Frames are traditional library parts, where in Altium Designer these items
are treated as special parts. To get rid of additional warnings during the synchronization between schematic and PCB you can replace the Eagle power parts with Altium power ports (Place>>Power Ports) . Removing the Eagle Frame and replacing it with a native Altium schematic template is optional.
Maintaining PCB
When you open the PCB File the Protel Import Wizard will start automatically. This is because the PCB ULP
script exports the data in the Protel ASCII format. Simply follow the instructions; the correct board shape
can be adjusted after import as well. Polygons, Rules and component classes are not exported.
You will need to redefine these items.
Altium Designer assigns a unique ID to every
schematic symbol and PCB footprint instance in the
design file(s). As mentioned earlier, the link between the schematic and PCB components is accomplished through these identifiers. If design content originates outside of Altium Designer the links
between these IDs have never been created. Inside
of the PCB layout editor Altium Designer supplies a
utility called
Component Links to manually link the logical and
physical IDs.
Figure 8: Protel ASCII database import wizard.
To invoke Component links open the PCB design file and go to Project>>Component Links. As long as
the schematic and PCB Redfes values match you can use the Add Pairs Matched By >> button and check
Designator. Matched Components will appear on the right hand side of the GUI - click the Perform Update
Button to link the unique IDs between schematic and layout. Any components left in the Un-Matched
Components list on schematic side are usually power and/or ground symbols that were not replaced using
the power/gnd ports and/or schematic frames that were not replaced with Altium borders/templates.
It is not necessary to provide Unique IDs for these objects, so they may be left unmatched.
After reworking the PCB and making the necessary corrections it's best to save the Protel .pcb ASCII
design file in the native Altium binary format. To do this right click on the .pcb file in the Projects Panel
and choose Save As. The default file type specified in the Save As dialog should be .PcbDoc, which is the
Altium binary design format. Note: It may be necessary to remove the .pcb from the file name before
saving. Click OK and the .pcb will be replaced with the new .PcbDoc in the projects panel.
Getting Help
Main article: Documentation and Help
The best way to learn is through doing! Altium and Altium Designer provide a number of ways to help
you do that:
F1 over any object, editor, panel, menu entry or button to open a brief description in the Knowledge
Center panel.
Shift+F1 while running a command for a list of shortcuts you can use in that command.
Search the Altium Wiki, either in the Knowledge Center panel or on the Altium Wiki Website.
Visit the TRAININGcenter where you can watch over 100 short training videos, each detailing the exact
steps needed to complete a task.
10
AltiumLive
In AltiumLive you can share all your thoughts with your industry peers. It is the central place for users of
Altium. This includes a complete Ecosystem to deliver content, knowledge and experience of other users to you. Also, it is a place where you have a direct interface to Altium for any feedback like a feature
request. With that feedback, we are much better prepared to improve our software in a way the market
really requests.
Software: You can download Altium Designer together with a 1 month trial version
Content: You will find content like libraries, design secrets and reference designs
Forum: Discuss your topics with Altium staff and users.
Blogs: Whats new, technical and commercial topics around Altium.
BugCrunch: Report Bugs, request features and vote for implementation
Project-Based Design
Main article: Project Management
The starting point for every design created in Altium Designer is a project file. There are a number of
project types supported, each targeting a different final implementation, for example PCB project,
Library project, FPGA project, Embedded project, Core Project and Script project. The project file stores
links to the actual design documents that are part of the project, as well as project-specific settings.
Using this concept, you have additional possibilities like defining rules for PCB design already in
Schematic. Also, this is a central storage place for your complete design, e.g. for the design rules.
Preferences
Main article: Altium Designer Environment Preferences
Global Preferences are accessed by selecting DXPPreferences from the menus. The preferences configured here are stored as part of your installation, they do not travel with the design files. File-specific settings, such as schematic document options and printed circuit board options are accessed via the Design
menu in each editor.
Multi-Channel Design
Main articles: Multi-Channel Design Concepts, Creating a Multi-channel Design
There are several multi-channel reference designs available. These include the Multi-Channel Mixer, Peak
Detector and Port Switcher. All three designs can be found within AltiumLive Once you have opened one
of the examples you should compile it, and then look for the compiled document tabs at the bottom of
the schematic editor.
Complex hierarchy is the general term used throughout the industry to describe the process of using
multiple instances of the same sheet in a schematic hierarchy. Traditionally, a design that included complex hierarchy had to go through a process of 'flattening' or 'expanding' the hierarchy at some point, to
uniquely instantiate every component and net.
11
Altium Designer does not need to do this, so this multiple-instantiation capability is referred to as multichannel design instead of complex hierarchy. The ability to be able to make each channel different by
passing parameters to it from the parent sheet symbol is also supported, and is referred to as parametric
hierarchy.
Using parametric hierarchy you can parametrically define the component value, supporting the situation
where a component does not have the same value in each channel. Parametric components are defined by
declaring their value as a parameter of the sheet symbol above, and then referencing that parameter on
the target component.
12
Interactive Routing
Main article: PCB Routing
Altium Designer also has different interactive routing modes for interactive routing for single tracks, differential pairs and busses. Modes for interactive routing are not dependent on licensing options, and are
all available in the PCB Editor with different routing obstacle avoidance modes:
Ignore obstacles
Push obstacles
Walk around obstacles
Stop at first obstacle
Hug and push obstacles
Follow mouse trail
Design Rules
Main articles: Design Rules, Creating Design Rules, Design Rule Checking, Scoping Design Rules
Altium Designer's PCB Editor is a rules-driven design environment. You can also transfer your favorite
design rules from another board. Design rules can be exported from, and imported to, the PCB Rules
and Constraints Editor dialog.
Figure 7. The PCB Rules and Constraints editor in Altium Designer can be
opened in the PCB Editor with the Design > Rules command.
13
Signal Integrity
Main articles: Performing Signal Integrity Analyses, Signal Integrity Analysis, Signal Integrity Rules, Signal
Integrity Panel
In addition to the standard set of design rules for DRC, Altium Designer also supports Signal Integrity
analysis, which is integrated directly into the PCB Editor (ToolsSignal Integrity). This includes:
Pre-layout and post-layout Signal Integrity analysis capabilities that you can perform from either the
Schematic or the PCB Editors
Evaluate net screening results against predefined tests
Perform reflection and crosstalk analysis on selected nets, and display waveforms
Calculate suitable termination values using the termination advisor for different termination topologies
Impedance driven routing, as well as support for balanced differential pairs
Length tuning by adding accordions to your single ended and differential pairs
14
From here, it is available to any other domain available inside this powerful toolset. For the transfer of
data from one domain to the other Altium Designer will offer you an engineering change order process
(ECO). With that ECO, you have full control over what should be transferred.
When you select ProjectCompile Project the compilation process works out the structural relationships
between the source schematic (or HDL) documents in the project, then determines the net-level connectivity within each sheet, and finally the connectivity between the sheets. All this component and connective intelligence from your schematics design is written into Altium Designers unified internal data
structure that can then be used for many post-compilation activities, such as comparing and showing
differences between schematics, parameter managing, parametric navigation of your design, cross probing back and forth between the schematics and PCB, and much more.
15
Hierarchical blocks are mapped as sheet symbols, and they will translate to sheet symbols in Altium Designer. In Automatic mode, the design compiler then looks at the sheet symbols on the top sheet. If there
are sheet entries (hierarchical pins) in them, it will assume vertical connectivity, and internally use the Hierarchical option. If there are no sheet symbols on the top sheet, or if there are sheet symbols but they do not
include any sheet entries, it will assume horizontal connectivity for which there are two ways that Altium
Designer supports this: Flat and Global. In order to determine which of these two options to use, the design
compiler looks for ports or off-sheet connectors on the sub sheets. If there are any it uses the Flat option, if
there are no ports it uses the Global option.
You can easily go back and change the configuration after translation through the Project Options dialog
from the Projects menu.
Design Synchronization
Main article: Finding Differences and Synchronizing Designs
Design synchronization is fully integrated in Altium Designer without the need for passing a net list.
Synchronization in Altium Designer is also bidirectional, allowing you to make annotation changes and
component property updates in both directions between your schematic and PCB, in a single operation.
16
With part choices, you can leverage the existing know how from your design teams with the knowledge
of the purchase department. E.g. a part becomes obsolete, or your designer allows the purchaser to use a
1% resistor instead of a 5% if he buys this in higher quantities. With the relational database you will immediately see where and how often this part has been used in your company.
Project Outputs
Generating documentation has always been an essential part of your work. If you want to automate
your design outputs and therefore make it repeatable, you can leverage this by using the concept of
Output Jobs.
Output Jobs are a graphical way to batch all of the settings necessary to generate any output. If you
have defined them once, generating all of the necessary files with all of the necessary settings is just
one mouse-click away. If you implement them into your new document defaults, generating outputs for
your next projects will also be one button push away.
17
In Altium Designer 10 output jobs are the basis of our release data management. With that you can
standardize your complete release management and make it a push-button solution to make it right the
first time.
To learn about generating manufacturing output, either using the Output Job Editor or using the Reports
menu see Design to Manufacturing
To learn about the CAM Editor see Auto-Loading Fabrication Output into the CAM Editor
To learn about the built in PDF generation wizard, see Smart PDF available from the File menu and
Publish to PDF available in the Output Job Editor
This allows much greater flexibility in re annotating reference designators, as previous synchronization
of the designators is not a requirement; the synchronization is all done via the Unique ID. The ECO
process and other synchronization checks can be done much more quickly and easily when the Unique
IDs all match.
During a normal design process starting at the schematic then going to PCB, the Unique IDs are automatically passed so its a transparent process for the user. For translated files, however, the Unique IDs
do not automatically get synchronized. Not to worry Altium Designer has a tool to do this for you! In
the PCB editor, select ProjectComponent Links. Clicking the Add Pairs Matched By>> button will link
the Unique IDs using various methods the simplest and default being reference designator matching.
Components whose reference designators match will then be placed in the Matched Components column. Clicking Perform Update will change the Unique IDs in the PCB to match those found in the schematic. The dialog will show (on the right side) the components that currently have matching Unique
IDs. Those in the left and center columns are unmatched:
18
Clicking the Add Pairs Matched By>> button will link the Unique IDs using various methods
the simplest and default being reference designator matching. Components whose reference designators
match will then be placed in the Matched Components column.
Clicking Perform Update will change the Unique IDs in the PCB to match those found in the schematic.
See Also
Below are references to other articles and tutorials in the Altium Designer Documentation Library that talk
more about the conceptual information as well as walking you through specific tasks. Remember, you can
also browse through the Help contents, and use F1 and What's This at any time in a dialog for more details.
More PCB project options, refer to the tutorial, Getting Started with PCB Design.
More FPGA project options, refer to the tutorial, Tutorial - Getting Started with FPGA Design.
Tutorial that steps you through the basics of creating components, read Creating Library Components.
Tutorial that steps you through the basics of editing multiple objects, read Editing Multiple Objects.
For an overview of Altium Designer's FPGA design, development and debugging capabilities, please read
Soft Design.
19