Board Level Annotation Options

Now reading version 17.0. For the latest, read: Board Level Annotation Options for version 21
Applies to Altium Designer versions: 15.1, 16.0, 16.1, 17.0 and 17.1

Two variations of the Board Level Annotation Options dialog    

Two variations of the Board Level Annotation Options dialog

Summary

The Board Level Annotation Options dialog allows the user to further customize annotation using either predefined or custom naming schemes.

For more information about annotation, see the Annotating the Components page.

Access

This dialog is accessed in the following ways:

Options/Controls

Naming Scheme

  • Naming Scheme - use the drop down to select a predefined naming scheme or define your own naming scheme using valid keywords. You can select any combination of valid keywords in any order and any non-alphanumeric characters to separate keywords. Choose from the keywords tabulated below:

Keyword

Definition

$RoomName

Name of the associated Room as determined by the style chosen in the Room Name Options.

$ComponentPrefix

Component Logical Designator prefix (e.g., U for U1).

$ComponentIndex

Component Logical Designator index (e.g., 1 for U1).

$ChannelPrefix

Logical Sheet Symbol Designator.

$ChannelIndex

Index you have specified to distinguish between different channels.

$ChannelAlpha

Channel Index expressed as an alpha character. This format is only useful if your design contains less than 26 channels in total, or if you are using a hierarchical designator format.

$SheetDesignator

Designator assigned to the Sheet Symbol.

$SheetNumber

The Sheet Number assigned to the Sheet. If Compiled Sheets have been annotated, this information will be used.

$DocumentNumber

The Document Number specified in Document Options.

$GlobalIndex

User defined index. You can specify the order, Start Index and/or a suffix in the Global Index Options for each schematic document. Global Index is calculated for all non-designated components. If you add new components after you have performed a board level annotation, these components will be annotated with a new Global Index and the existing components will retain their Global Index. 

Global Index Options

  • Order of Processing - use the drop-down to define the processing order desired. The graphical representation will dynamically change according to your selection:
    • Up Then Across
    • Down Then Across
    • Across Then Up
    • Across Then Down 
  • Process Location of - use the drop-down to select the type of information to process, e.g., Designator.
  • Schematic Sheets To Annotate - a list of the schematic sheets. Click on a column heading to sort the list by that subject. Listed information includes: 
    • Schematic Sheet - the name of the schematic sheet.
    • Channel Name - the name of the channel.
    • Order - the order in which the listed item will be annotated.
  • Designator Index Control - enable the checkbox to enable designator index control of the listed schematic sheet.
    • Start Index - click in this column and use the up/down arrow keys to select the start index. You can also enter the desired index number.
  • Add Suffix - enter the desired suffix.

Right-click Menu

The right-click menu in the bottom grid area includes the following commands:

  • Enable Designator Index Control - select to check all Designator Index Control checkboxes.
  • Disable Designator Index Control - select to uncheck all Designator Index Control checkboxes.
  • Order Alphabetically - select to sort the listed schematic sheets alphabetically.
  • Order by Project Order - select to sort the listed schematic sheets by project order.
Note

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