Design View Properties

This document is no longer available beyond version 21. Information can now be found here: Design View Properties for version 24

 

Parent page: Design View

PCB Editor object properties are definable options that specify the visual style, content and behavior of the placed object. The property settings for each type of object are defined in two different ways:

  • Pre-placement settings – most Design View object properties, or those that can logically be pre-defined, are available as editable default settings on the PCB Editor - Defaults page of the Preferences dialog (accessed by using the  button at the top-right of the design space). Select the object in the Primitive List to reveal its options on the right.

  • Post-placement settings – all Design View object properties are available for editing in the Design View dialog and the Properties panel when a placed Design View is selected in the design space.

   

If the Double Click Runs Interactive Properties option is disabled (default) on the PCB Editor - Defaults page of the Preferences dialog, when the primitive is double-clicked or you right-click on a selected primitive then choose Properties, the dialog will open. When the Double Click Runs Interactive Properties option is enabled, the Properties panel will open. 
While the options are the same in the dialog and the panel, the order and placement of the options may differ slightly. 

In the below properties listing, options that are not available as default settings in the Preferences dialog are noted as "Properties panel only".

Location (Properties panel only)

The  icon to the right of this region must be displayed as   (unlocked) in order to access the below fields. Toggle the lock/unlock icon to change its lock status. 
  • (X/Y) - the current X and Y locations of the Design View reference point. 

Properties

  • This document - select to specify the properties for the currently active document. 
  • Specify document - select to specify the properties for a different document. When selected, click  in the Document field then browse for the desired document.
  • Document - click  to search for and select the desired document when Specify document is selected.
  • Mirrored - click to enable a flipped (mirrored) image of the board area in the Design View.
  • Scale - click to define the object size as a multiplying factor.
  • Title - enter the title of the Design View.
  • Text Height - enter the Design View's title text height.
  • Font - use the drop-down to select the desired font for the title.  Use the color box to open a color chooser for the title text. Note that the color must contrast the design space background color for visibility.
  • Define - click to return to the design space with a cross-hair cursor then use click-drag to define the rectangular region of the view.

Layers (Properties panel only)

This region provides a list of all board layers that can be configured to show specific layers in the Design View.

  • Name - the name of the layer. Use the  or  icon to show or hide (respectively) the listed layer in the Design View.
  • Type - the layer type.
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Note

The features available depend on your Altium product access level. Compare features included in the various levels of Altium Designer Software Subscription and functionality delivered through applications provided by the Altium 365 platform.

If you don’t see a discussed feature in your software, contact Altium Sales to find out more.

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