Test Altium

Welcome to  wiki page at 

 

LAST CHANGES

"HOWTOs" updated

A How to Create a component footprint with an irregular pad shapes has been added and each HowTo has its specific page to be more readable.

Please have a look on them as well as on the video tips : that is always usefull information.

 

 

1. Introduction

Altium is not only an electronic CAD offering schematic and routing functionalities; it is integrating FPGA conception tools too. More informations on Altium Web site.

2. Versions

The last version of Altium Designer is Summer 09.

The actual servers support too

but thank you to migrate to the last one if you would like have a minimal support at EPFL.

3. Licenses

EPFL has negotiated with PROTEL(Suisse) company, Swiss distributor of Altium Designer, an agreement for 75 licenses.

 

These licenses are ACADEMIC !!!

 

That means usage for educational and research applications.

 

Commercial use is not at all allowed !!

 

Ask if you intend to use the software for commercial use or in projects with industrial partners or concerned in technology transferts.

4. Would you like use Altium ?

If these requests are meet then you must register (see below).

The main goals of this registration are to engage your responsibility of what your are doing with the software (have a look on Licenses), to know who are using Altium Designer and how many licenses are needed. 

 

Then please every INSTALLER must register.

 

When done, you will receive a registration confirmation by email and you will have access to the distribution folder in order to install the software.

The old license's servers (STIITPC14 and LEGSERV3) were in conflict with the new ones then they have been turned off. In order to continue to use your old Altium version, please, register (see above) then just replace the names of the old servers (STIITPC14 and LEGSERV3) by the new ones (see below).

5. Users of the old Altium versions

If you would like continue to use your old Altium version (all except Summer 09), you must register anyway (see above) !

Then as the old license's servers (STIITPC14 and LEGSERV3) were in conflict with the new ones then they have been turned off. In order to continue to use your old Altium version then just replace the names of the old servers (STIITPC14 and LEGSERV3) by the new ones (STILIC1.EPFL.CH and STILIC2.EPFL.CH, no change for the ports).

Sorry for these inconveniences but in this way you will be registered and in the emails list in order to be informed of the important Altium news.

6. Altium Designer installation

After registration confirmation you could install the software following these steps :

  1. Map a network drive on \\stisrv.epfl.ch\app\cad\altium\designer\summer09 with your Active Directory account and go in.
  2. Launch AutoRun.exe, then choice Install Altium Designer and answer to the questions (nothing special)
  3. Launch Altium Designer just installed and configure the server's parameters :
    1. if you have Firewall enabled, unblock the program (dxp.exe)
    2. at the first start, there are many undocked windows in front of My Account window; then re-arrange or close them.
    3. in the My Account window (you could always reach it from menu DXP - My Account) launch the command Setup private license server and configure the servers :
      1. Primary server name : stilic1.epfl.ch and port 21001
      2. Secondary server name : stilic2.epfl.ch and port 21001
    4. under "Private Server - Connected to stilic1.epfl.ch / Product Name" select "Altium Designer Custom Board Implementation, Summer 09" then click on command USE.

If the steps 3c and 3d are not clear, follow the graphical directives on How to use a private server license - Client Access.

7. How to be updated

That is only for registered users of the last Altium Designer version; if it not the case, please read everything from Versions section.

In order to be updated, you could configure Altium Designer (only effective from Summer09) by setting the source selection for updates with a network path on \\stisrv.epfl.ch\app\cad\altium\Designer\Summer09\Updates. Explanations at the end of instructions, on "Configuring Altium Designer Clients"

8. Support

You could find a lot of informations directly at Altium : learning-guides, videos or manuals. There is no official support at EPFL nevertheless you could sent your request here and depending of the recurrence it will be answered in the FAQ.

There exist a mailing list of all Altium users at EPFL but pass by the moderator to try to send your request.

If you have very good knowledge of Altium Designer and you are interested to participate in the support, contact us

 

10 last useful tips in short video

Videos of about 1 minute introducing useful tips to save your valuable time !!

Just for your information, this section will be continuously updated without notice then have a look one by week or 2 weeks to be informed. Even "expert"  could learn useful thing in only 1 minute !

  1. Add supplier search data to your component database
  2. Practical and easy design re-use with Device Sheets
  3. Refactoring new life into your designs
  4. The fast, easy way to create 3D component bodies
  5. Creating your own PCB panels for fabrication and assembly has a number of advantages
  6. Complex Custom Selection Tools made EASY
  7. Try sliding tracks, it’s easier than you might think
  8. Defining PCB rules on the schematic – is that breaking the rules?
  9. Navigating your way to design success
  10. Configure visual design objects just how you like them

Find all tips here.

 

FAQ

Based on the most reiterated questions and useful answers.

  

HOWTOs

This section explains how to do many specific interesting tasks with Altium Designer (warranted for the last version)

1. Easily order a pcb at ACI workshop

2. Create a component footprint with an irregular pad shapes

 

Some infos

Altium Designer supports both STEP AP203 and STEP AP214 formats. Note that color information is lost with STEP AP203 format.

STEP file linking is available only in the PCB Editor. Linking from PCB Library Editor documents is not supported.

Add the EPFL Logo to your PCB

Altium to Allegro using TELESIS

Search the altium Libraries

Search the Altium Footprints

To determine correctly your tracks (width and clearence) function of many parameters (voltage, current, temperature, Cu thickness ...) : ANSI PCB trace width calculator or PCB Trace Width Calculator