KB: MCAD CoDesigner Troubleshooting Guide

Solution Details

Installation and Configuration

Verify Installation and Compatibility

Confirm that your Altium Designer, MCAD software, and MCAD CoDesigner versions are compatible. 

Reference: ECAD-MCAD VERSION COMPATIBILITY MATRIX

Verify Available Subscription Features

Available MCAD CoDesigner functionality depends on the Altium solution being used, such as Altium Develop, an edition of Altium Agile (Agile Teams or Agile Enterprise), or Altium Designer (on active term).

Feature Limitations

Advanced features not included with Altium Standard subscriptions:

• Synchronizing Keepouts and Rooms
• Advanced Copper Geometry
• Rigid-Flex Synchronization
• MCAD-Driven Component Placement
• Enclosure Exchange
• Advanced History
• Pull a Previous Revision
• Multiboard Assembly Synchronization
• Harness Design Synchronization
• Siemens NX Integration (Enterprise only)

For additional information, refer to: Altium Designer Software Subscription Levels

Advanced features not included with Altium Develop:

• Rigid-Flex Synchronization
• MCAD-Driven Component Placement
• Enclosure Exchange
• Advanced History
• Pull a Previous Revision
• Multiboard Assembly Synchronization
• Harness Design Synchronization

MCAD CoDesigner Plugin

Verify that the correct MCAD CoDesigner plugin version is installed according to the compatibility matrix. If a different version is required, download the appropriate installer from the Altium Downloads page: ALTIUM DOWNLOADS

MCAD CoDesigner Settings

Verify the the MCAD CoDesigner plugin settings are configured correctly.

Reference: CoDesigner MCAD Settings Menu

MCAD CoDesigner User Permissions

The Workspace Administrator must invite the MCAD user to the workspace and grant the appropriate permissions.

Verify the project sharing settings, ensuring the MCAD user has at least Can Edit permissions.

Additionally:

• Open the Explorer Panel
• Navigate to the Mechatronics 3D Models folder
• Select Properties » Share
• Verify permissions for both the 3D models and the associated projects

Refer to the documentation for sharing projects, inviting MCAD users, and transferring mechatronic 3D models:

• Sharing Overview
• Specifically Inviting an MCAD User
• Transferring Mechatronic 3D Models

MCAD Templates

Using the default MCAD templates is recommended.

If a new version of your MCAD software has recently been installed, verify that the template paths reference the correct installation directory.

When using custom templates:

• Ensure all required planes are correctly defined.
• Older templates may generate assemblies incorrectly.
• Avoid placing geometry at negative coordinates.
• Match ECAD and MCAD precision settings whenever possible.

For additional guidance see: PCB Origins During the ECAD-MCAD Exchange

Disable Conflicting Third-Party MCAD Plugins

If the MCAD CoDesigner plugin is not functioning correctly after completing the previous checks, another third-party plugin may be interfering with operation. Temporarily disable other add-ins installed in the MCAD application to identify potential conflicts.

Fusion 360

To disable a Fusion 360 add-in, open Tools » Scripts and Add-Ins, select the add-in, click Stop to unload it, and uncheck Run on Startup to prevent it from loading in future sessions. To permanently remove an add-in, you will need to manually delete the add-in's folder from your computer's file system.

For additional information, refer to the Autodesk documentation: How to disable the automatic launch of a Fusion App/Add-ins

Inventor

To disable Inventor add-ins, open the Add-ins dialog box by going to the Tools » Options panel » Add-ins in the ribbon. In the dialog box, double-click the name of the add-in to switch its status between Loaded and Unloaded, or Startup/Loaded and Startup/Unloaded. You can also uncheck Load Automatically to stop it from starting with Inventor.

For additional information, refer to the Autodesk Inventor documentation: To Load and Unload Add-ins

SOLIDWORKS

To disable SOLIDWORKS add-ins, open Tools » Add-Ins or click the arrow next to the gear icon in the Options flyout, and then clear the checkboxes under either the Active Add-ins or Start Up columns. You can also right-click on the Command Manager tabs and select the SOLIDWORKS Add-Ins tab, which allows you to manage them directly from there.

For additional information, refer to the SOLIDWORKS documentation: Add-Ins

PTC Creo

To disable PTC Creo add-ins, from the Creo+ toolbar, select Utilities » Auxiliary Applications. Choose the name of the application. Click Start.
Start—activates start method
Stop— activates stop method

For additional information, refer to the PTC Creo documentation: To Work with Auxiliary Applications

Siemens NX

Managing plugins in Siemens NX primarily involves installation/uninstallation via standard software procedures (Control Panel or dedicated installers) and configuration through the NX interface or configuration files usually located here: C:\Program Files\Siemens\NX<BuildNumber>\UGII.

For additional information, refer to the Siemens NX documentation available through the Siemens Support Center: Siemens Digital Industries Support Center

Linking Models

Refer to the Altium MCAD CoDesigner documentation for information on linking components between ECAD and MCAD environments: Linking ECAD and MCAD Design Components

Linking Models with SOLIDWORKS PDM, Siemens Teamcenter PLM, or PTC Windchill®

For environments using data management systems, review:

• Working with an MCAD Data Management System
• Linking from the ECAD Components to the MCAD Components

Workflow Guides and Tutorials

Recommended Workflow

Verify that the recommended MCAD CoDesigner collaboration workflow is being followed.

Reference: Recommended Collaboration Workflow

Starting the Design in MCAD

Review the following resources:

• Starting the Design in your MCAD Software
• Changes that will not be Transferred from MCAD to ECAD

Video Tutorials

The following resources provide detailed demonstrations and best practices:

• ECAD-MCAD Video Tutorials
• MCAD CoDesigner Overview
• MCAD CoDesigner Workshop
• MCAD CoDesigner Onboarding Guide
• MCAD CoDesigner Harness and Multi-Board Sync Webinar
• MCAD CoDesigner Component Placement

Resolving Warnings and Error Messages

Broken Models

If the models appear broken, review the ECAD-MCAD Video Tutorial: Fixing Broken Component Models

AddALU_items Failed

This error commonly indicates that the user does not have the required workspace permissions. Verify permissions as described in the MCAD CoDesigner User Permissions section above.

For the error:

Cannot add new revision for deleted item

refer to the corresponding Knowledge Base article: KB: Troubleshoot CoDesigner Push Error "Cannot add new revision for deleted item"

Micro-Segments

Check the PCB Health Check Monitor for micro-segment issues.

Review:

• PCB Health Check Monitor
• Resolving Issues with the Board Contour in ECAD

If automatic correction does not resolve the issue, manually remove the micro-segments as described in: Manual Micro-Segment and Self-Intersection Removal

Board Part is missing, local design is invalid

This error usually indicates an issue with the existing mechanical assembly.

To resolve:

1. Push the design again from ECAD.
2. Pull the design into a new MCAD working folder.
3. Verify whether the assembly loads correctly.

Unable to import model of component XXX. The model is replaced with a bounding box.

Verify that the MCAD template paths are configured correctly and pull the design into a new folder. If successful, replace the previous assembly generated with incorrect templates.

If the issue persists, the component model may be broken.

Refer to the YouTube video: How to Fix Broken Component Models in Altium Designer | ECAD and MCAD

Components Shifted or Positioned Incorrectly

It is important to work in positive co-ordinates in MCAD because Altium Designer cannot place in negative co-ordinates, this can cause issues and the assembly will need to be generated again. MCAD CoDesigner uses the absolute Origin to place components, if a region is shifted to negative coordinates in MCAD then this can cause issues. This can also be caused by incompatible templates in MCAD ( Please see MCAD Templates section above).

The ECAD-MCAD Video Tutorial describes this scenario: PCB Origins During the ECAD-MCAD Exchange 

SOLIDWORKS Decal Issues

For decal-related issues, review the Altium MCAD CoDesigner documentation: Decal Storage in SOLIDWORKS

If decals do not display correctly, it may be a rendering issue in SOLIDWORKS. 

1. Verify Graphics Card and Driver Compatibility

Verify that your graphics card and driver are supported by SOLIDWORKS.

For more information on certified video cards and the latest video driver software updates, refer to SOLIDWORKS documentation: SOLIDWORKS and SW Data Management System Requirements.

Note that the page includes a link to Certified Cards and Drivers, where you may be able to download an update patch for your video card.

2. Adjust Enhanced Graphics Performance

If the previous step does not resolve the issue enable or disable the Enhanced Graphics Performance under System » Performance, then restart SOLIDWORKS. 

Depending on the graphics card and driver in use, either enabling or disabling this option may solve the issue.

3. Enable Use Software OpenGL

If the issue persists, enable Use Software OpenGL.

• In SOLIDWORKS, navigate to Settings » Document Properties » Model Display.
• enable Store appearance, decal and scene data in the model file.
• Close SOLIDWORKS and perform a fresh Pull of the assembly.

4. Test with and Example Project

If possible, test with one of the example projects, such as:

• Kame_FMU project in the workspace
• SpiritLevel-SL1 example project C:\Users\Public\Documents\Altium\AD24\Examples\SpiritLevel-SL1

Creating a Support Case

If the issue persists after completing the above troubleshooting steps, include the following with your support case:

1. MCAD CoDesigner Logs

Location: %localappdata%\Altium\Altium CoDesigner\

• ECAD log: AltiumDesignerExtension.log
• MCAD log: <MCAD>Addin.log

2. Version Information

Provide the versions of:

• Altium Designer
• Altium Designer MCAD CoDesigner Extension
• Installed MCAD Software
• Installed MCAD CoDesigner Plugin

3. Additional Applications

List any other applications involved in the workflow, including:

• PLM systems
• Thrird-party add-ins
• Cloud storage integrations
• Other external workflow tools

4. MCAD CoDesigner Setting

Attach a screenshot of the MCAD CoDesigner settings configured in the Workspace.

Reference: Controlling the Naming of Component Models

5. PCB Document

If the PCB cannot be pushed from ECAD, attach the affected .PCBDoc file with the support case.