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Contents
Tool-chains vs. Altiums
Platform Approach

Transition from PADS

to Altium Designer

Supported versions and

file formats

Using the Import Wizard

for PADS files

Options for PCB Files

Layer Mapping for

PCB files

Working with schematic

documents 4
Workspace panels

The Altium Designer

Enviroment 6
Step by step instructions

14

See Also

22

Moving to Altium
Designer from PADS

Tool-chains vs. Altiums Platform Approach

Traditionally, board-level design, FPGA design, simulation (SPICE and Signal Integrity) and embedded
software development have been treated as independent processes or tool-chains. Moving into the future,
this point tool approach will increasingly present a barrier to efficient electronic product development.
An alternative approach is a unified design platform that allows you combine PCB, FPGA and embedded
software development into a single executable. This next generation solution to electronic design has
shown to significantly boost productivity when compared to the tool-chain approach.
This diagram illustrates the architecture of the software platform. The foundation is a unified data model
adjacent to a data management layer. This combination brings significant data management capabilities
to the design process. A hierarchical project combines PCB, FPGA and embedded software development
into a single view shared by the entire design team. Another advantage of the platform architecture is the
inclusion of IP which is fully integrated into the design process. The platform approach eliminates all the
tool integration and data management headaches creating more time for product innovation.

This document guides you through the process of moving from PADS to Altium Designer.

Transition from PADS to Altium Designer

Translating complete PADS designs, including PADSLogic schematics, PADSLayout PCB files, and
library files can all be handled by Altium Designers Import Wizard. Therefore, migration from PADS to
Altium technology is a straightforward process with Altium Designers unified data and file translation features. The Import Wizard removes much of the headache normally found with design translation by analyzing your files and offering many defaults and suggested settings for project structure, layer mapping, PCB
footprint naming, and more.
Altium has created extensive systems and features within Altium Designer to make the task of successfully
transitioning from other systems as easy as possible, with a minimum of disruption to productivity. As a
result our highly-developed Wizard-based design file translators guide you through the import process for
all design documents including libraries while managing the relationship between them. Complete flexibility is found in all pages of the Wizard, giving you as little or as much control as you would like over the
file translation settings, before committing to the actual translation process.
Altium Designers translators import all documents in one operation and include specific support for PADS
design and library files. With a series of simple, interactive steps the Import Wizard processes all file types
to automatically create ready-to-use Altium Designer projects and integrated library files, while accurately
processing essential design elements such as polygon pours, text positioning, design rules, and layer mapping.
The translation features include:
Import Wizard to smoothly guide you through the import process
Batch import of multiple projects for rapid migration of large sets of design data
Import engines intelligently handle translation and object mapping

Supported versions and file formats

Altiums Import Wizard can translate PADS schematic, layout and library data. However, all data must first
be exported from PADS as ASCII data. PADS Logic and PADS Layout both have FileExport menu selections
for this.
ASCII export of library data is done in the PADS Library Manager. First choose the desired library type (Decals, Parts, Logic), then select which items are to be exported, then click the Export button. Decal libraries
will export to a .D file, Parts will export to a .P file and Logic (CAE) will export to a .C file.
The following file formats are supported:
PADS Layout/PowerPCB ASCII (*.ASC) files up to and including V9.3
PADS PCB Decal Library ASCII(*.D) files
PADS Logic/PowerLogic ASCII (*.TXT)files up to and including V9.3
PADS Schematic Part and CAE Decal Library ASCII Parts (*.P + *.C)

Schematic and PCB files translate as follows:

PADS Layout/PowerPCB ASCII (*.ASC) files translate to Altium Designer PCB files (*.PcbDoc)
Schematic sheets within a PADS Logic/PowerLogic ASCII file(*.TXT) translate to Altium Designer Schematic
files with a *.SchDoc file extension. Each schematic sheet will create a separate .SchDoc file.
These files will be grouped into an Altium Designer PCB project (*.PrjPCB) that is automatically created
See the topic Component Linking through Unique IDs at the end of this document for details on linking
files together to allow for cross-navigation and ECO generation.
Library files translate as follows:
PADS Schematic Library ASCII (*.C+*.P) files will be combined into Altium Designer Schematic library files
(*.SchLib). The .C file contains the graphical portion of a schematic component, and the .P file contains
the specific part information (pin information, default reference designator, parameters/attributes, fo
print/decal pointers, etc.).
PADS PCB Library ASCII (*.D) files translate to Altium Designer PCB library files (*.PcbLib)
Translated PADS libraries are automatically grouped into one PCB project.

Using the Import Wizard for PADS Files

The Import Wizard can be launched
from the Altium Designer File menu.
Choose the PADS ASCII Design and Library Files option as shown in Figure 1.
On the Importing PADS Designs
screen, click the Add button to choose
Layout and/or Logic files.
Use the filter button at the bottom
right of the file browser to switch
between .ASC and .TXT files. Multiple
files can be translated at the same
time. Step-by-step instructions on using the Import Wizard follow at the
end of this document.
Figure 1. Starting the Import Wizard for PADS files

Options for PCB Files

The Import Wizard presents users
with several options to control the
translation from PADS to Altium Designer, including which sets of design
rules come across, and how keep-outs
are handled. Refer to Figure 2 below
for those options. Take special note
that the all options are enabled, including Generate Teardrops which
will add teardrops to pads and vias
upon design translation. Disable this
option if your design does not require
the use of teardrops.
Figure 2. Translation Options

Layer Mapping for PCB files

PADS PCB files will be analyzed before translation to best determine how layer definitions in PADS will be
mapped to Altium Designer layers. Efforts will be made to ensure, for instance, PADS silkscreen layers map
to Altium silkscreen layers. Layer mapping can be manually adjusted if desired. In addition, PADS layers can
be set to Not Imported if information from a particular layer can be discarded. Specific to internal layers,
PADS inner signal layers will be initialized as Altium signal layers (e.g., Mid Layer 1). PADS CAM Plane
layers will be initialized as Altium Plane Layers (e.g., Internal Plane 1), which are negative-image planes
similar to PADS CAM planes. PADS inner layers defined as Split/Mixed layers will be initialized as Altium
signal layers if any trace or other positive image electrical data is present. If the Split/Mixed layer only has
pour shapes it will be initialized as an Altium Plane layer, and imported with all split, embedded, and isolated plane areas intact. This setting, as mentioned, can be changed manually by the user.
PADS PCB files and PCB Decal library files in both the default 30 layer mode and the expanded 250 layer
mode are supported. If the default layer mappings are customized by the user, those setting can be saved
to a configuration file so that those mappings can be quickly reused for subsequent translations.

Working with schematic documents

In PADS Logic there can be multiple schematic sheets within a single schematic design file (*.SCH file). In
Altium Designer, each schematic sheet is a separate document. This means that for each Altium Designer schematic sheet there is a file (*.SchDoc), an important conceptual difference to remember. All
schematic documents are then grouped together in a Project file (*.PrjPCB) to establish sheet-to-sheet
connectivity.
There can also be multiple design documents of varying types, depending on the nature of the design
you are working on. Getting started, most PADS users will be interested in the schematic and PCB document types as these are the files that their designs will be translated to.
New schematic and PCB document types can easily be created via the FileNew menu, or by rightclicking on the project in the Projects panel and selecting Add New to Project from the floating menu.

Workspace Panels
Many elements of the environment will appear intuitive to PADS
users, helping as you to start exploring the system. For example,
the Projects panel will appear similar to the PADS Logic Project
Explorer view, except that it is not limited to schematic design
data and can include the PCB,
all libraries, output files, as
well as other project documents,
such as MS Word or Excel files.

Figure 3. Project Explorer view

in PADS Logic showing a 4 sheet
schematic.

Figure 4. Projects panel in Altium

Designer showing a 4 sheet design,
plus corresponding PCB design and
libraries.

Defining Net Connectivity

In PADS Logic, net connectivity is made using direct connections, net name labels, and power/ground/offpage symbols.
Altium Designer uses a similar set of net identifiers to create net connectivity. Within a schematic sheet
you can use Wires and Net Labels. Between schematic sheets, nets in a flat design are typically connected
using Ports, but Off-Sheet Connectors are also available in purely flat designs. Nets in a hierarchical design
are connected from a Port on the lower sheet to a Sheet Entry of the same name, in the sheet symbol that
represents the lower sheet. Power/ground nets are connected using Power Ports.

Working with PCB Files

Translated PADS Layout files will retain all of the electrical information from the original PCB file: decal (footprint) definitions, all
routes and vias, net names, etc. There may be areas, however, that
may warrant some inspection by the user. Polygon (copper) pours
are defined slightly differently than in PADS and have their connectivity and clearances driven by Design Rule settings rather than
by properties or preferences. Go to the DesignRules menu and
inspect the Polygon Connect Style rules found in the Plane
section to view and change polygon pour connectivity. Polygon
Pours may then need to be repoured to maintain design intent.
Keepout areas are also defined differently in Altium Designer and
Figure 5. Polygon Connect Style
should also be inspected.
rule category in Design Rules

The Altium Designer Environment

Main article: The Altium Designer Environment, Altium Designer Panels
The Altium Designer environment offers a complete electronic product development environment for all areas of design - from schematic capture to the generation of PCB output, as well as complete FPGA design,
development and on-chip debugging. The environment is fully customizable, allowing you to set up the
workspace to suit the way you work. Consistent selection and editing paradigms across the different editors allow you to easily switch between various designs tasks all within the Altium Designer environment.
Perhaps the single biggest difference that you will notice when you start working in Altium Designer is that
there is only one application used to create and edit all design files, regardless of the type of file - schematics, PCB, library, text, and so on. No longer will you have to switch between different applications when
you want to move from viewing the schematic to the PCB. All the files (also referred to as documents)
open in the same executable, each appearing on a separate Document Tab within Altium Designer. As you
move from one type of document to another the menus and toolbars automatically switch, giving you the
right editing environment for that document.

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.

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.

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. Altium Designer does not need to do this, so this multipleinstantiation capability is referred to as multi-channel 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.

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.

PCB Layout and Design

Successful board layouts rely on design systems that unify the design definition with the physical layout
and routing. Altium Designer offers such a PCB system which includes a number of familiar features to
help you place and route your board. When the PCB Editor is active (i.e,. a PCB document (*.PcbDoc) is
open and active) the main application window will contain:
A main design window in which you can start designing, capable of display in both 2D and 3D
(shortcut: 2, 3)
menus and toolbars that are specific to the PCB Editor
workspace panels that are both global and editor-specific

View Configuration and the Layer Stack Manager

View Configurations are settings
that control many PCB workspace
display options for both 2D and 3D
environments, and apply to the PCB
and PCB Library Editors. The view
configuration last used when saving any PCB document is also saved
with the file.
Select DesignBoard Layers & Colors
(shortcut: L) from the main menu to
open the View Configurations diaFigure 6. The Layer Stack can be easily managed and copied to the Cliplog, or switch configurations using
board for documentation purposes.
the drop down in the main toolbar,
as shown below.
To open the Layer Stack Manager select DesignLayer Stack Manager (shortcut D, K) from the menus. The
Layer Stack Manager dialog shows the current layer stack up of the board. Signal and plane layers can be
added, removed, or their order changed. Double-click on an electric or insulation layer to configure layer
properties, such as: thickness, net association (plane layers), or the dielectric constant.

PCB Board Options - Document Settings

All options for the placement grid, measurement units, sheet position, and designator display mode are set
in the Board Options dialog. With a PCB document active in the main design window (for this and all of the
following context-sensitive dialogs), select DesignBoard Options (shortcut D, O) from the menus to open
the Board Options dialog.
For multi-channel designs, you can select between logical and physical designator display on the PCB in the
Board Options dialog.

PCB Board Wizard

Before you can transfer your design from the Schematic Editor to the PCB Editor, you'll need to have at
the very least a blank PCB with at least a board outline. The PCB Board Wizard allows you to easily create
a basic PCB design using many industry-standard board outlines as well as create your own custom board
sizes. The PCB Board Wizard is launched from the Files panel in the New from template section. At any
stage you can use the Back button to check or modify previous pages in the wizard.

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.

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

Mixed-Signal Circuit Simulation

Main article: Circuit Simulation
Mixed-signal circuit simulation is a unified part of the capture process, and is fully integrated with
the schematic editing environment. Before you launch the Mixed-signal circuit simulation, make sure
that any schematic sheet within the project is open. Simulation models need to be associated with every component in the schematic document before simulation can be launched from the command
DesignSimulateMixedSim. Simulation is done for the entire project.
You can use the same Schematic for both: Simulation and PCB because of Altium Designers unified data
model. This integrated simulation environment is fully SPICE compatible and additionally supports PSPICE
models.

See Also for PCB Design

A great place to start learning about PCB Design is Tutorial - Getting Started with PCB Design
Editing Multiple Objects to learn about editing using the Find Similar Objects functionality
PCB Inspector Panel which displays the common properties of different objects and lets you filter and
edit them
Editors, Panels and Object Reference to learn more about the PCB Environment
Preparing the Board for Design Transfer
Situs Autorouting Essentials

Compilation - a Cornerstone of Altium Designer

Compilation is a cornerstone concept of the Altium Designer environment. Compilation is a process that
allows you to harness many powerful design features.
When you complete your PADS schematic design, you are used to generating a netlist and importing this
insufficient information into your PCB tool. With Altium Designer you do a compilation instead. With that
you transfer any available information into the unified database for your project. 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.

10

Where are my nets and components from my design?

Connectivity is not as explicit in your design as it was before, but rather has to be extracted from the design using the compilation process. This is available through the right-click menu in the Projects panel, or
using the ProjectCompile Project menu command.
Once the design is compiled the sheet-level hierarchy, as well as all the components, nets and buses are
displayed in the Navigator Panel. From here you can easily locate any component, bus, net or pin throughout the entire design. And if you hold the Alt key as you click on an object in the Navigator Panel it is highlighted on the PCB as well as the schematic no longer will you need to inspect net lists to review design
connectivity.

Configuring Design Connectivity

Main article: Connectivity and Multi-Sheet Design
Altium Designer supports different types of design connectivity, and this must be set to suit the structure of
the design. The type of sheet-to-sheet connectivity is called the Net Identifier Scope. This is defined in the
Options tab of the Options for Project dialog and saved with the project. From the Project menu select the
Project Options menu command, and go to the Options tab. In the Net Identifier Scope drop down you
can select from the following connectivity options:
Automatic (Based on project contents)
Flat (Only ports global)
Hierarchical (Sheet entry <-> port connections)
Global (Net labels and ports global)
The Import Wizard handles connectivity automatically
through the translation process and will give you the
Automatic (Based on project contents) configuration
by default. Hierarchical blocks are mapped as sheet
Figure 8.The Net Identifier scope is set in the Options
symbols, and they will translate to sheet symbols
tab of Project Options
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.

11

Verifying Your Design - Expanded Error Checking

Main articles: Project Compiler Error Reference, Compile Errors Panel
Another benefit that results from compiling a project in Altium Designer is built-in error reporting. This is
completely configurable for your needs and can be done before your project is compiled. Right-click either
on the project file and invoke the Project Options command, or also through the Project menu.
You may wish to get a better picture of the entire development cycle and how it unfolds from an engineer's perspective by reading An Overview of Electronic Product Development in Altium Designer.

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.

Components and Libraries

Main article: Component, Model and Library Concepts
Altium Designer supports working directly from the source symbol or model libraries, an ideal approach
when the schematic and PCB are designed by separate organizations.
The logical symbol is assumed to be the essential starting point of a component. It can be initially defined
at minimum as a name in a schematic library to which pins and any graphical symbols or alternative display
options needed for implementation may be added. This flexibility allows a component to be represented
in different ways during the design and capture process. This may not only be as a logical symbol on the
schematic, but also be a footprint on the PCB or even as a SPICE definition for simulation.
With Altium Designer 10 a new model is available: Component Libraries, where any component is unique,
life cycle managed and version controlled available from your company vault and linked to your company
database. 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.

Where are my libraries? Some Basics on Library Management

You'll be able to view your source schematic and PCB library files immediately after translation through
the Projects panel. Your translated libraries are automatically grouped into one PCB project.
Libraries are installed (added) to the Altium Designer environment, making their components available
in all open projects. Display the Libraries panel, from there you can install and remove libraries. Libraries
can also be linked to any project, and you can also define project search paths, useful for referencing
simulation models.
See Enhanced Library Management Using Integrated Libraries for a further discussion on using
Integrated Libraries.

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A Brief Note on Database Linking

Main articles: Linking Existing Components to Your Company Database, Using Components Directly from
Your Company Database
Appreciating the fact that many designers like to link from the components in their electronic design software to their company database, Altium Designer has strong support for linking and transferring database
data through the design process and into the Bill of Materials.
Two techniques are supported, one where the Altium Designer library symbol holds all model references
and also includes links into an external database, the second where the database holds all model references and other company information. While database connections in Altium Designer are set up for MS
Access databases (*.mdb files) by default, any ODBC-compliant database can be accessed.

Multiple Monitor Support

Altium Designer has full support for multiple monitors. If you have multiple monitors on your PC you can
easily drag a document or Workspace panel out of Altium Designer and drop it on the second monitor,
greatly enhancing your design productivity. Multi-monitor support is configured in Windows.

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. And if you implement them into your new document defaults, generating outputs for
your next projects will also be one button push away. 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 OutputJob 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

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Step-by-Step Import Instructions

In the following step-by-step instructions, the Preview schematic and PCB design files coming from the
PADS Samples directory will be used.
Start the Import Wizard with FileImport Wizard

Select Type of Files to Import PADS ASCII Design And Library Files

14

 Add the file(s) to be translated.

In this case, the preview.txt (Logic) and preview.asc (Layout) are used.
Note: You can add as many .txt and .asc at this point.
Note: In the file browser, change the file types pull-down to choose .asc or .txt files.

In the next step you can add your Schematic or PCB Libraries to import (if available)
Note: Because the library part and decal information is included in the source files, it is not necessary to
add libraries for schematic or PCB files to successfully translate. Only add libraries to this screen if you wish
to independently translate entire libraries for later use in Altium Designer.

15

 Set the options for what level of reporting is done after the translation has completed.

Set the option to simplify imported pad stacks by using the largest pad found for all layers.

Set PCB Options, for instance, which PADS design rules are to be translated, how PADS keep
outs are to be converted, etc. The Generate Teardrops option will add teardrops to the PCB design,
so do not enable this if teardrops are not needed in your design.

16

 Click the Edit Mapping button to configure which layers are converted and what layer types they are
converted to.

17

 The PCB file will be pre-analyzed to determine what the PADS layers are and initialize the layer mappings
so that, for instance, the PADS silk screen layers convert to Altium silk screen (overlay) layers.

Note: PADS Split/Mixed layers will be analyzed to determine if the layer is being used as mixed layer (i.e.,
has pour AND route data) or as a split plane layer (just pours). If the latter, the layer will be initialized as
an Altium Plane (which is a negative layer) to take advantage of Altiums split plane capabilities. If you wish
the S/M layer to remain a positive image pour layer, remap the layer to one of Altiums Mid Layers which
are positive. In the Preview.asc example, the Power Plane layer has only pours for the +5V and +12V
nets but no routes, so it is initialized as an Altium Plane. For this example, we will show it remapped to an
Altium Mid Layer.

18

 A preview of the files being translated and their output directories are shown. Change the main output
directory if desired.

Click the final Next button and the Import Wizard will take care of the rest.

19

 Open the translated Project files. After compilation of your design in Altium Designer with
ProjectCompile Project your design has been successfully brought into Altium Designer!
A matching schematic and PCB will allow the use of the Cross Select Mode by enabling ToolsCross Select
Mode in both the schematic and PCB editors. Component selection in either editor will select the matching
component in the other editor. For more robust Cross Navigation and ECO capabilities, it is recommended
that the Component Links be synchronized. The next section details that procedure.

Component Linking through Unique IDs

Altium Designer uses several methods to connect and synchronize data between the schematic and the
PCB. Component reference designators and net connectivity is one way, but a more robust method is
through the use of a Unique ID. This is essentially a serial number that is given to a component when it
is placed on the schematic, which is then transferred to its corresponding footprint when the schematic
data is brought over to the PCB.
Figure 9. Unique ID
field in schematic

Figure 10. Matching Unique ID field

in PCB.

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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. 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:

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.

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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.
For more PCB project options, refer to the tutorial, Getting Started with PCB Design.
For more FPGA project options, refer to the tutorial, Tutorial - Getting Started with FPGA Design.
For a tutorial that steps you through all the basics of creating components, read Creating Library
Components.
For a tutorial that steps you through all the basics of editing multiple objects, read Editing Multiple
Objects.
For an overview of Altium Designer's FPGA design, development and debugging capabilities, read
Soft Design.
A great place to start your journey through all of the new possibilities is coming with your Altium Designer
installation. On the top right of Altium Designer you can find the Home button.

From here, you can easily access the Documentation Library in the Tasks area where the Getting Started
with Altium Design Solutions category will ease your start into a unified future.

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