Contact Us
Contact our corporate or local offices directly.
The component footprint defines the component mounting and connections on the PCB and can also include 3D
body objects to define the actual component.
The component footprint defines the space and connection points needed to mount the physical component on the printed circuit board. It is a group object made up of a collection of simple primitive objects, which could include pads, lines and arcs, as well as other design objects. The pads provide the mounting and connection points for the component pins. Additional design primitives, such as lines and arcs, are often included to define the outline of the component shape on the component overlay (silkscreen) layer.
The component footprint can also include optional 3D body objects, which define the physical space or envelope of the actual component that is mounted on the board. If the physical component has been defined using 3D body objects or imported STEP models, three-dimensional component clearance checking can be performed.
Component footprints are created in the PCB Library Editor by placing suitable design objects to create the shape required to mount and connect the component. The component reference point is the origin of the Library Editor workspace, which can be set in the Library editor to: pin 1, the geometric center, or a user-defined location on the component.
To learn more about footprint creation, refer to Creating the PCB Footprint.
Component footprints are created in the PCB Library editor and placed in the PCB editor. To place a component in the PCB editor:
The process used to locate the required component footprint will depend on the method chosen to perform placement. Once the required footprint has been chosen for placement and is floating on the cursor:
To place from the Components panel:
With the part selected in the panel, placement of the component can be made in the following ways:
Graphical component editing is limited to moving, rotating, and flipping. When a component is selected in the workspace it is highlighted in the current selection color as shown in the image below. To graphically manipulate a selected component:
Click once to select a component or click, hold and drag to move it.
When you click and select a component, the selection bounding box appears. Traditionally, the default bounding box behavior has been to use the smallest rectangle that encloses all of the primitives in that component, excluding the designator and comment strings.
To provide better support for more complex component shapes, the PCB.ComponentSelection Advanced Setting was added (click Advanced Settings on the System – General page of the Preferences dialog). This option gives the designer control over which layers are used to define the bounding box. After changing the PCB.ComponentSelection value in the Advanced Settings dialog, you will need to restart Altium NEXUS in order for the change to take effect.
The advanced option supports three modes (enter the value 0, 1 or 2, the default mode is 2):
0 - legacy 1- by layer 2 - by graphic
The following methods of non-graphical editing are available:
Properties page: Component Properties Panel
This method of editing uses the associated Component dialog and Properties panel to modify the properties of a Component object.
The Component dialog on the left and the Component mode of the Properties panel on the right.
During placement, the Component mode of the Properties panel can be accessed by pressing the Tab key. Once the Component is placed, all options appear.
After placement, the Component dialog can be accessed by:
After placement, the Component mode of the Properties panel can be accessed in one of the following ways:
Panel page: PCB List, PCB Filter
The PCB List panel allows you to display design objects from one or more documents in tabular format, enabling quick inspection and modification of object attributes. Used in conjunction with appropriate filtering - by using the PCB Filter panel, or the Find Similar Objects dialog - it enables the display of just those objects falling under the scope of the active filter – allowing you to target and edit multiple design objects with greater accuracy and efficiency.
Contact our corporate or local offices directly.
If would like to speak with a representative, please contact your local Altium office.
Copyright © 2019 Altium Limited
If would like to speak with a representative, please contact your local Altium office.
Copyright © 2019 Altium Limited
Got it. You actually don’t need an evaluation license for that.
Click the button below to download the latest Altium Designer installer.
If would like to speak with a representative, please contact your local Altium office.
Copyright © 2019 Altium Limited
Please fill out the form below to get a quote for a new seat of Altium Designer.
By clicking “Get Your Free Trial”, you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy.
You may receive communications from Altium and can change your notification preferences at any time.
If you are on Altium Subscription, you don’t need an evaluation license.
If you are not an active Altium Subscription member, please fill out the form below to get your free trial.
By clicking “Get Your Free Trial”, you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy.
You may receive communications from Altium and can change your notification preferences at any time.
If would like to speak with a representative, please contact your local Altium office.
Copyright © 2019 Altium Limited
You came to the right place! Please fill out the form below to get your free trial started.
By clicking “Get Your Free Trial”, you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy.
You may receive communications from Altium and can change your notification preferences at any time.
Great News!
Valid students can get their very own 6-month Altium Designer Student License for FREE! Just fill out the form below to request your Student License today.
By clicking “Get Your Free Trial”, you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy.
You may receive communications from Altium and can change your notification preferences at any time.
Got it. You can download a free Altium Designer Viewer license which is valid for a 6 months.
Please fill out the form below to request one.
By clicking “Get Your Free Trial”, you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy.
You may receive communications from Altium and can change your notification preferences at any time.
That’s great! Making things is awesome. We have the perfect program for you.
Upverter is a free community-driven platform designed specifically to meet the needs of makers like you.
Click here to give it a try!
If would like to speak with a representative, please contact your local Altium office.
Copyright © 2019 Altium Limited
Got it. You can download a free Altium Designer Viewer license which is valid for a 6 months.
Please fill out the form below to request one.
By clicking “Get Your Free Trial”, you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy.
You may receive communications from Altium and can change your notification preferences at any time.