Generate Component Libraries

This document is no longer available beyond version 17.1. Information can now be found here: Creating a New Component for version 22

Applies to Altium Designer version: 17.1

Two variations of the Generate Component Libraries dialog   

Two variations of the Generate Component Libraries dialog

Summary

The Generate Component Libraries dialog allows the user to link schematic symbols and PCB footprints to form unified components. The generation of unified components will be driven by the schematic components within the source schematic library documents.

Access

The dialog is accessed in the following ways:

  • In the Release Manager dialog, click Migration Tools then select Generate Component Libraries from the drop-down menu.
  • Click Tools » Generate Component Library on the main menus from a schematic library document (*.SchLib) or a database library document (*.DbLib).

Options/Controls

Note that some of the options will read "schematic" if the dialog was accessed from a schematic library document or "database" if accessed from a database library document. Differences are noted in the following sections. 

Generate Component Libraries

The top region shows the number of component library documents that will be generated for the number of source schematic/database library documents based on the current settings.

Library Options

  • Specify the granularity of the generated component library documents
    • One component library per schematic/database component - select this option to generate a separate component library for each component in the schematic library.
    • One component library per schematic/database library - select this option to generate only one component library that contains all components.
    • One component library per library table (only for database library) - select this option to generate one component library per library table. This option is available only for database libraries.
It is recommended to generate a single component library (containing a single component definition) for each schematic component in a source schematic library. When storing source libraries under version control, management is far easier with one symbol per SCHLIB, one model per PCBLIB, and one component definition per CMPLIB.
  • Specify the search path for symbols and models - use the folder icon to open the Browse for Folder dialog to search for and select the folder where the models to be referenced by component definitions within the generated component libraries can be found. This is simply the source folder where the source schematic and PCB libraries can be found.
    • Include sub-folders - check this option to include the sub-folders.
  • Specify where the new component library documents should be saved - use the following options to specify where and how the generated component library files are to be saved.
    • In the same directory as the schematic/database libraries - save the component libraries in the same directory as the schematic libraries.
    • In the specified directory - select this option then use the folder icon to define a customized folder where the component libraries should be placed.
    • Overwrite existing files - overwrite existing files if the file names are the same.
    • Open generated component library - open component libraries after they are generated.

Vault Options

  • Specify the settings for new items - specify the target Vault and related properties.
    • Vault - select the target vault from drop-down list. Click  to open the Data Management - Vaults page of the Preferences dialog to create a new vault if necessary.
    • Lifecycle Definition - select the lifecycle definition from the drop-down menu. The lifecycle is defined in Vault properties.
    • Revision Scheme - select the revision scheme from the drop-down menu. The revision scheme is defined in Vault properties.
    • Item Naming - select the item naming scheme from the drop-down menu.
  • Specify the initial folders for the new component items
    • Use the target folders in the schematic libraries - use the target folders in the schematic libraries. This option is not available for database libraries.
    • Use the specified folder - select this option then use  to select the folder.
Note

The features available depend on your level of Altium Designer Software Subscription.