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Hiding RoomsCheck out Quick Reference & Tips for how to hide rooms when you’re in layout. {need to add to page and link to section} Room CreationBy default, hierarchical sheets will each create a “component room” when pulled into PCB layout. These rooms can be moved, copied, and manipulated with all the components and copper put within them. Additionally, rules (and any other queries) can be applied on the room level. These are generated any time changes from schematics are pushed from schematics to layout. This behavior can be turned off or modified as needed. Easy CopyingAs shown in the Shepherd screenshot at the start of this section, hierarchy can be used for repetitive circuits. This saves time not only in schematic, but also in layout thanks to rooms.
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Classes and Other
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Parameters
Beyond the basics of wires and components, there are many labels parameters that can be added to indicate special properties of nets and components. All of these labels parameters come with extra Altium features to ultimately assist in implementation of the feature in layout.
Some of the most common uses are differential pairs, high voltage isolation, routing restrictions, and impedance matching.
Placing Labels and Blankets
The {label}
Official documentation: https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-designer/specifying-design-requirements-during-design-capture
Placing Parameter Sets and Blankets
A parameter set in Altium can be placed from a few different menus, including the schematic toolbar, right clicking in schematic, or the window toolbar
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Once selected, the {} parameter set can be placed on any wire, pin, or net label. It can then be assigned properties to actually apply to the net that it is touching (double clicking will open properties).
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The following section explains a few of the options. Additionally, you can enter a display name for the {} parameter set and choose what properties to show on schematic.
Pairing with {} parameter sets are also {} blankets. These allow for coverage of multiple nets at once with only one {}parameter directive. The tool is located next to the {} parameter set tool.
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Any net or component touching the blanket will have the attributes applied to it.
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Types of
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Parameters
The following are the different {bullet point all the types and benefits. If I realize this needs to be built out more I’ll do so}parameters that can be applied within a parameter set:
Net Class - Used to group nets of similar type. We often use this for HV/LV distinction.
Component Class - Used to group components of a similar type.
Rules - Used to directly apply a layout rule to the net. Any normal rule can be applied. Most often used for length or width restrictions imposed by component datasheets.
Parameters - Used to assign any arbitrary parameter.
Net Classes
Creating a net class is very similar to net labels. Simply enter a name and use the same name on other objects to add them to the group.
As mentioned above, net classes are typically utilized to group nets of similar type together. Historically at NER we have used this for indicating similar potentials of nets to enable easier clearance and creepage rule development for mixed TS/GLV boards.
Another purpose is to designate nets as signal versus power, to enable stricter isolation of analog measurements or critical communications from noisy power or switching nodes.
More information about using net classes for rules is covered in https://nerdocs.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/NER/pages/156205064/PCB+Layout+Matt+Edition#Design-Rules
Differential Pairs
Differential pairs are a feature in Altium that allows the user to tell Altium if a pair of signals should be routed differentially. If this is the case, it will apply restrictions to keep the traces impedance matched to a value of the designers choice.
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