For a thru-hole pad, set the Layer to Multi-layer. For a surface mount pad, set the Layer to Top Layer. The designator automatically increments for subsequent pad placements. After running the place Pad command but prior to placing the first pad, press the Tab key to open the Paddialog and define all the pad properties, including the pad Designator, Size and Shape, Layer, and Hole Size (for a thru-hole pad).

Place the pads ( Place » Pad) according to the component requirements.

If you've forgotten to move to the reference point before beginning to build your footprint, you can bring the reference pad to your footprint using the Edit » Set Reference sub-menu commands. Use the J, R shortcut keys to jump directly to the reference point.

Footprints should be built around the workspace reference point at the center of the PCBLIB editor.

The typical sequence for manually creating a component footprint is: The pads and component overlay can be seen below the STEP model. The 3D image shows the imported STEP model for the component, note

placed directly from the Altium Content Vault, a globally accessible component storage system that contains thousands of components, each with a symbol, footprint, component parameters and links to suppliers.ĢD and 3D views of a footprint for a joystick component.

created in and placed from local libraries, or.

The real-world component that gets mounted on the board is represented as a schematic symbol during design capture, and as a PCB footprint for board design. In addition to footprints, company logos, fabrication definitions and other objects required during board design can also be saved as PCB Components. PCB Component Footprints are created in the PCB Library editor using the same set of primitive objects available in the PCB editor. However, even with this rich set of resources, it is likely that at some point in the designer's career they will need to create a custom PCB Component. Understanding Models, Components and LibrariesĪltium hosts a huge array of ready-made PCB Components both in the Vault as well as in several integrated and discrete libraries available through AltiumLive.

Releasing Completed PCB Footprints to a Vault.

Pulling Footprint Updates from the PCB Editor.

Pushing Footprint Updates from the PCB Library.

Validating PCB Libraries within an Integrated Library.

Handling Special Layer-specific Requirements.

Additional Designator and Comment Strings.

Handling Special Solder Mask Requirements.Footprints with Multiple Pads Connected to the Same Pin.Managing Components with Routing Primitives.Creating Footprints with Irregular Shapes.Creating a Component using the Component Wizard.

Creating a Component Using the IPC Footprint Batch Generator.Creating a Component using the IPC Compliant Footprint Wizard.

Altium create footprint library