Draftsman 1.0.0.114 Update (23 May 2016)

We would like to announce the maintenance update of Draftsman. You can get  new version of Draftsman 1.0.0.114 via the Altium Designer update system (DXP > Extensions and Updates).​

Release Notes

#12120    Draftsman - Fixed issue where Altium Designer crashed if font missing from the computer (BC:6636).
#12053    Draftsman - Placing parameters into text boxes will apply after choice parameter from the list.
#12119    Draftsman - Fixed issue where typing caps insert the new line (BC:6634).
#12107    Draftsman - Was added an option for replacement header to Top/Bottom for BOM table.
#12143    Draftsman - Fixed bug with the wrong order of component display in Section View.
#12149    Draftsman - Fixed issue where dimension line overlapped dimension text.
#12186    Draftsman - Fixed issue where panning with RMB clear selection.
#12188    Draftsman - Added display of document statuses (like Unsaved) in document tabs and Project panel.

Version 16.1.8

Version 16.1.8

Build: 203 Date: 16 May 2016 

11935	Fixed a bug in which polygon pours with the same-net clearances had violations with the via.
12049	Draftsman - Added support letter for Drill Symbols representation was added.
11938	Draftsman - Added support Mechanical Layers as geometry source in Assembly Drawings.
11945	Fixed crash while generation IDF output via PCB Release (caused by the new file added to the project).
11968	Fixed error while loading pcb files, that contain more than 64kb per section (in rare cases caused by big number of xSignals).
11918	Fixed issue when both alternative parts was presented in Assembly Drawing. Now Assembly Drawing contains only one part from current variant if component has alternatives for different variants.
11980	Fixed issue when was not possible to drag track ends on Mechanical layers (BC:6531).
12048	Fixed issue when was not possible to place Assembly view if PCB has components with empty Designator (Draftsman).
11981	Fixed issue with random crashes of Altium Designer during updating (Extension Manager crash).
11942	Fixed regression​ issue with parameter list performance, when defining "Visibility on Add" property for the Vault folder.
11951	Restored the order of print for layers and not-fitted graphics as in Altium Designer 16.0.6.

 

PDN Analyzer powered by CST® version 1.0.0.43 now available

PDN Analyzer powered by CST® version 1.0.0.43 Release Notes

 

(Previously released version 1.0.0.42)
Jeff Loyer
5/13/16
 
Altium has updated the PDN Analyzer extension to resolve an existing issue with designs which have spaces in their component names.  In previous versions of PDN Analyzer, component names with spaces would cause the simulation to fail with the following (or similar) error messages:
[Error]    Flex_6946.PcbDoc    PDN Analyzer    solver stopped due to exception:
[Error]    Flex_6946.PcbDoc    PDN Analyzer    Traceback (most recent call last):
[Error]    Flex_6946.PcbDoc    PDN Analyzer      File "<string>", line 1, in <module>
[Error]    Flex_6946.PcbDoc    PDN Analyzer      File "altium_plugin\pidc.py", line 507, in create_plb_file
[Error]    Flex_6946.PcbDoc    PDN Analyzer      File "altium_plugin\pidc.py", line 494, in create_ICs
[Error]    Flex_6946.PcbDoc    PDN Analyzer      File "altium_plugin\pidc.py", line 360, in __init__
[Error]    Flex_6946.PcbDoc    PDN Analyzer    AttributeError: 'NoneType' object has no attribute 'n_pins'

The current version (1.0.0.43) resolves the problem, simulations will complete successfully if net names have spaces in them.

PDN Analyzer powered by CST® version 1.0.0.42 available

PDN Analyzer powered by CST® version 1.0.0.42 Release Notes
(Previously released version 1.0.0.37)
Jeff Loyer
5/11/16
 
Altium has updated the PDN Analyzer extension to resolve existing issues and preclude analysis with invalid setup parameters.   Altium's PDN Analyzer is working to eliminate the possibility of initiating a simulation only to find it was invalid due to an erroneous setup parameter. Below is a list of the issues addressed and changes made to the current release of the extension.
 

1. Check that load has non-zero amperage: entering 0A as a current sink isn't allowed.
2. Ensure valid stackup before enabling simulation: checks stackup parameters and disables simulation if any are not valid:

• Invalid dielectric constant (<1)
• 0 thickness for dielectric or conductor

1. Ensure a maximum of 2 nets in the path between the source and load power nets.  If there are more than 2 nets between the source and load power nets, the user will be asked "Many nets between source and loads, proceed with simulation?" (Yes, No).  This warns the user that they may have built an erroneous path (see Source to Load path section in the PDN Analyzer Guide).
2. Collect data on errors: if the user has agreed to participate in the Altium Product Improvement Program, collect the following data:

• If simulation run was successful or not
• Error codes and messages
• Net count in the path, load count, source count, ODB file size, ODB++ generation time, and simulation run server time.

1. Need to print cause of any red !'s, tell user what failed. If a red exclamation mark is shown, we will print the failure in the messages dialogue:

• "Error: Source <U#> exceeded max allowed PWR supply DC current magnitude. Allowed: x.xxxA, Actual: x.xxxA"
• "Error: Source <U#> exceeded max allowed PWR pin current magnitude. Allowed: x.xxxA, Actual: x.xxxA"
• "Error: Source <U#> exceeded max allowed GND pin current magnitude. Allowed: x.xxxA, Actual: x.xxxA"
• "Error: Load <U#> did not meet minimum required DC Voltage magnitude. Minimum: x.xxxV, Actual: x.xxxV"

1. Difference in current densities reported as maximum (from auto-scale) and when probed.  Auto-scaling showed maximum current density as 1.2GA/m^2, but when probing the largest current density observed was 0.2GA/m^2.  Reading the .json file verified that there were current 1.2GA/m^2 densities.  Software has been fixed – now probing agrees w/ that reported by auto-scaling.
2. PDN Analyzer was not interpreting strings correctly: converting the string "0Rab", if a is zero, the zero is discarded.  This was fixed.

Older pcbdoc's don't have SimulationDummy.PcbDoc.htm file, so simulation fails. This was fixed.

Altium Designer 16.1 version 16.1.7 (build 188)

Altium Designer 16.1 version 16.1.7 (build 188). This release is all about putting the power of productivity back into your design workflow. Here’s what’s inside:

Draftsman™

Your complete documentation workflow is now available exclusively in Altium Designer. Easily communicate design intent right the first time without ever leaving your design workspace. View more details about Draftsman™ here.

Precise 3D Measurements

Precisely measure your board layout in Native 3D and clearly communicate design intent to manufacturing right the first time. View more details about 3D measurement here.

Design Environment Enhancements

Stay at your most efficient in your design process with a variety of UI optimizations and stability enhancements including over 70 bug fixes.

You can read about all of the new features and enhancements for this release in the Altium Designer 16.1 Release Notes.

Altium Designer 16.0. Version 16.0.9 (build 368) is now available

Altium Designer 16.0. Version 16.0.9 (build 368) is now available on Download section of the site and update system in Altium Designer (DXP>>Extensions and Updates).
 

Release Notes

#8665    Fixed bug with incorrect displaying non-fitted components in Assembly Drawing (BC:6424)
#9604    Fixed issue when incorrect Designators used in BOM for replaced components in multichannel project in Variants
#10237    Restored previous (15.1) behavior of same net clearance check validation for Via-Pad and Via-Via combinations (BC:6321)
#10602    Fixed an issue when size of the multi-line text string was changed during footprint release to Vault
#10680    Fixed an issue when STEP model changes to the extruded 3D Body after model file replacement (BC:6310)
#10974    Fixed bug with Part Request list display in Vault Explorer, after request creation via web UI
#11118    Fixed bug when Altium Designer freezes after creating or adding a BomDoc to the project that contains component with modified grouping parameters
#11385    Vault component template in folder properties is no longer erased after new revision of the template is created
#11557    Fixed critical issue with missing polygons during Gerber generation of the board with embedded arrays

Altium Designer 16.1, a major update scheduled to be released on May 2

Altium is scheduled to release a new documentation workflow available exclusively in their flagship PCB design platform, Altium Designer 16.1. Draftsman™ provides PCB designers with a unified documentation solution with customizable drawing views, documentation templates, and a fully complete design to documentation workflow in Altium Designer 16.1. 

“Engineers have long relied on tools for documentation that are cumbersome and limited in functionality,” said Alexey Sabunin, Altium Designer Product Manager. “Draftsman™ eliminates the tedium of having to import and export design files to 3rd party tools and integrates the PCB design and documentation workflows in the Altium Designer interface. That’s one less interface for engineers to have to navigate and one centralized location for all PCB design and documentation data.”

Streamlining Documentation Workflows

Documentation is a critical element of every post-design process, and designers frequently struggle with limited, 3rd-party documentation tools that lack a connection to their original design. Draftsman™ links directly to a designer’s PCB data, making it easy to create and update assembly documentation directly within a design workspace without ever having to import or export files between third party solutions. With Draftsman™, PCB designers can: 

• Avoid third-party tools - Create and update assembly documentation without having to waste time importing and exporting design files among multiple tools.
• Communicate better - Quickly communicate design intent to manufacturing with easy-to-use design markup and drawing object tools.
• Define their details - Provide detailed perspectives on design intent with flexible board views with expressive call-outs.

All of these features and more are available directly within a PCB designer’s workspace in the unified environment of Altium Designer 16.1. With a fully unified solution for both design and documentation, engineers can stay efficient without having to add another software package and interface to their existing electronics design workflow.

Availability Details

Draftsman is one of the several new features in Altium Designer 16.1, a major update to the company’s flagship PCB design tool. Altium Designer 16.1 is scheduled to be released on May 2, and designers can register now for a free webinar and learn more about Draftsman by clicking here. Altium will also be in attendance at the annual Embedded Systems Conference in Boston at booth 865 to show off all the new improvements being added to Altium Designer 16.1.