KB: Customer Guide to Setup Up a Centralized Library in Altium 365 Workspace
Solution Details
Who Is This Guide For?
This guide is recommended for:
- New Altium 365 Workspace users
- Teams moving from local libraries to managed components
- Workspace Administrators
- Librarians and Component Managers
- PCB Designers using managed components
- Organizations implementing lifecycle and access control processes
Why Use a Centralized Library?
A centralized library helps ensure that everyone on your team is working from the same approved component data.
With Altium 365 Workspace, you can:
- Maintain a single source of truth for component data
- Reduce duplicate or inconsistent components
- Control who can create and release components
- Manage component revisions and lifecycle states
- Track component usage across projects
- Make approved components available to all designers automatically
Recommended Learning Path
If you're new to Altium 365, we recommend reviewing the resources below in order.
1. Learn the Basics of Altium 365 Workspace
Start here to understand how Workspace data is organized and how users interact with managed content.
Resources
2. Connect Altium Designer to Your Workspace
Learn how Altium Designer integrates with Altium 365 and how users access Workspace-managed content.
Resources
- Getting Started in Altium Designer and Altium 365 Video - Part 1 - Installing and Licensing
- Getting Started in Altium Designer and Altium 365 Video - Part 2 - Altium Designer Overview
3. Configure Your Workspace
Before creating libraries or components, review the recommended Workspace requirements and settings.
Resources
Recommended Planning Areas
Consider defining the following before importing existing libraries:
- Folder structure
- Component categories
- Naming conventions
- User roles and permissions
- Lifecycle definitions
- Release workflows
4. Build and Manage Your Centralized Component Library
These resources cover the fundamentals of creating, releasing, managing, and maintaining components within a Workspace.
Resources
Typical Workflow
- Create your Workspace structure.
- Configure permissions and roles.
- Create or migrate component data.
- Review and validate components.
- Release approved components.
- Track usage and revisions.
- Manage lifecycle changes over time.
5. Configure Roles and Permissions
Altium 365 enables you to control who can create, edit, release, or consume component data
Resources
Example Access Model
| User Type | Typical Access |
| Librarian | Create, edit, review, and release components |
| Designer | Search for and place approved components |
| Administrator | Manage Workspace settings and permissions |
Note: Permissions can be configured at the folder level, allowing organizations to implement workflows that match their internal processes.
6. Manage Design Data Across Projects
Learn how managed components are used throughout the design process and how Workspace data supports collaboration.
Resource
7. Additional Training and Onboarding Resources
Customers planning a larger rollout or looking for guidance on best practices may find the following resources helpful.
Resources
Note: For larger teams, enterprise environments, or customers looking for structured implementation guidance, contact your Altium Account Manager to discuss available onboarding, training, and Customer Success services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a single user manage and release all components?
Yes. Roles and folder permissions can be configured so that designated librarians are responsible for creating and releasing components, while designers have read-only access to approved content.
Does Altium 365 support lifecycle management?
Yes. Lifecycle states such as Draft, Released, Deprecated, and Obsolete can be defined and incorporated into your release process.
How are component updates shared with the team?
Once a component revision is released to the Workspace, approved updates are automatically available to Workspace users.
Can we migrate our existing libraries?
Yes. Existing .SchLib, .PcbLib, and .IntLib libraries can be migrated into Altium 365 using Altium Designer tools. The resources above provide guidance and best practices for planning a migration.
Where can I find answers to general Altium 365 questions?
Visit the official FAQs:
Who should we contact for onboarding or training?
Your Altium Account Manager can discuss available onboarding programs, training options, and Customer Success engagement opportunities for eligible subscriptions.
Additional Recommendations
To ensure a successful implementation:
- Plan your Workspace structure before migrating large libraries.
- Define roles and responsibilities early.
- Establish lifecycle and release processes before creating managed content.
- Standardize naming conventions and component categories.
- Use managed components and revisions to maintain a single source of truth
For larger deployments, investing time in planning and onboarding can help create a scalable library management process that supports your organization as it grows.