FEDEVEL
Platform forum

, 11-09-2024, 05:44 PM

Hello,
I want to ask how to work with mechanical layer pairs?
To this day I don't use it and I use standard layers - for example M15 for top & bottom component outline.
Now, I had and idea to use it because want to separate the top and bottom layers.

So, I tried it with CAP0402 footprint. I edited mechanical layers numbers and also assigned to lines correct Mxx layer. (picture attached)
Than I tried to upload it on new PCB. Why the numbering of mechanical layer changed on the PCB vs numbering in library? (picture attached)

One more question is... How can I update actual footprints on some PCB with edited library footprint? When I tried "update PCB with 0402CAP", the designator numbering was not added to mechanical layer. When I delete some placed part and than import it to pcb again, the designator will be added to mechanical layer.

Thank you
Martin

QDrives , 11-09-2024, 10:33 PM

With the newer Altium versions, Altium added the layer pair types too.
The big advantage of this is that when you use footprints from different libraries that have different layers assigned to functions (courtyard, center, etc.) they are automatically correctly placed on the board.
That could mean that the layer numbers you had in the library do not match what you have on the board, but the functional element should be correct (i.e. courtyard remains courtyard).
So before placing part on the board, make sure that the layers are to your liking.

As for the update question:
- Did you update all layers?
- Is the component designator parameter hidden? This is not in the footprint, but a 'setting' of the component/footprint.

, 11-10-2024, 10:55 AM

Hi QDrives,
Yes, I updated it on all layers (picture attached)
Also, this is my definition of .Designator in mechanical layer

, 11-10-2024, 10:57 AM

, 11-10-2024, 11:00 AM

I noticed one important thing.
When I import parts to PCB and the real part designator (Cxx) is mentioned and visible on mechanical layer in PCB editor and than I go to library and "update PCB with 0402CAP" than the footprints are reupdated with layer colors from library and also the designator from mechanical layer disappears

, 11-10-2024, 12:04 PM

I think that I found solution. It is hard explain it how to do it 😄

, 11-10-2024, 02:57 PM

I did it. But updating placed parts on PCB I did with reupload to PCB editor. So I manually change footprint for example from 0402 to 0603 and than use "import to PCB" and only the footprints was updated and part still be on the same position.

QDrives , 11-10-2024, 10:00 PM

The .designator is the not **THE** designator. It is an additional one.
However, when you update, it should be as done in the library.
Do note, I, as well as others, have noticed that Altium does not always update footprints correctly. Reasons have not (always) been found, neither solutions. The one you did - changing the footprint reference (0402 -> 0603) is one that works, but is difficult / impossible to do on a large scale.

, 11-11-2024, 02:11 PM

I have also solution for large scale pcb. In my case too. Through tie filter function I select all the same 0402 package and than change all selected to 0603 and than import changed to pcb again.

QDrives , 11-11-2024, 09:55 PM

Could it be that you expect the colors to be the same between PCB and library? Because they are not the same, nor should (must?) they be.
I see you PCB should 2x C6, both in yellow. The PCB library has .designator in green. However, in both cases that is the color for the top designator layer.