New Document

The New Document dialog

Summary

The New Document dialog provides controls to create a new Draftsman document (*.PCBDwf) for a chosen project and source PCB document. You have the option to create the new document based on a defined Draftsman Document Template (*.DwfDot) or create a blank, A4-sized document.

For a high-level look at how the Altium Draftsman Drawing System provides an interactive approach to the creation of production documentation for your PCBs, see Draftsman. 

Access

The dialog can be accessed in the following ways:

• From any editor, click File » New » Draftsman Document from the main menus.
• Right-click on the entry for the required project in the Projects panel then choose the Add New to Project » Draftsman Document command from the context menu.

Options/Controls

• Templates list - this list includes any defined Draftsman Document Templates (*.DwfDot). Select one of these templates to use in creating the new Draftsman document. Alternatively, to create a new blank, A4-sized Draftsman document (*.PCBDwf), select the [Default] entry.

• Layers - these options determine which board layers (Signal/Plane, Mask, Paste, or Silk), as defined by the Layer Stack, are used to generate Fabrication drawings in the document (at one per sheet) when a Fabrication document template is used. Drawing layers are always included.
• Templates - click to access the Draftsman - Templates page of the Preferences dialog where the location of the templates directory is defined. 
• Project - use this field to select the specific PCB project for which you want to create the new Draftsman document. The drop-down will present a list of all possible projects that are currently open. The newly-created Draftsman document will be added to the nominated project.
• Document - with the project selected in the field above, this field will typically auto-populate with the PCB design document found within that project. Use the drop-down to select the correct board if more than one are defined within the project. The new Draftsman document will use the specified source board document as its context for drawing data from.

Tips

• A Draftsman Sheet Template (*.DwsDot) can be applied once the new document has been created.