This page has a compilation of all posts about starting on Altium Designer. (I still working on most of them and if you have any suggestions, let me know!)
Is good to clarify that all this guide is based only in my own experience using Altium for about 8 years. I designed several single, double or multiple layers boards during this time. It doesn't means this is the best method and there are tons of different tools that I didn't talk about, because my target here is a fast consulting material for those beginners who wish to became a WorldSkills competitor.
In the first place is good to fit our target into single layer milled (or laser cut) boards, made by a machine as LPKF, Original Mind , Roland, etc. Based on it we'll have the Best practices and is always good to take a closer look at the test project to find our rules.
All right, Now let's follow the steps below:
1. Create your new Project;
2. Add your project libraries;
3. Populate your Schematics;
4. Connect components in the schematics;
5. Annotate your Schematics;
6. Check if its all right with your Schematics;
7. Create your board outline;
8. Importing components from Schematics to PCB;
9. Check if you have all correct footprints;
10. Create your design rules;
11. Parts Placement;
12. Tracing tracks (Finally routing!);
13. Placing ground plane;
14. Fixing your component's overlay;
15. Running the design rules check;
16. Create the Gerber files;
17. Create the PDF;
18. Create the BOM;
Great! Now is time to mill your board and solder it!
If you are totally aware of those steps, there are some auxiliary tools that I like to use and they are necessary specially to fix some problem.
1. How to change the footprint of several components at the same time;
2. How to check and change all hole sizes at the same time;
3. How to change all pad sizes at the same time;
4. I close some tool window, where is it now?
5. How can I create rules only to some specific net? Example: only power traces will be thicker.
6. Hide the ground Net and change the Power Net color to facilitate component placement;
7. Placing and checking traces of bypass capacitors;
8. Spreading your ground plane;
Since 2017 is also necessary to create components during the competition. And actually even before the existence of this rule, creating a new library is a must to have requirement for any electronics designer. To start doing your own components, follow the steps bellow:
1. Create a new Library project;
2. Add a new component and give some properties to it;
3. Draw your symbol;
4. Add a new footprint to the library;
5. Link your footprint to your new component;
6. Create your IntLib file.
Awesome! At this point, if you can do all this, probably you are able to create any board you want and are familiar enough to the software to find your own tools and methods. Now you just need to practice more. Remember to use a stopwatch to see your time.
I'll also post some exercises here, keep following the page to get up to new posts! I'm also up to receive suggestions for new posts!
I like the way you present the ideas
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