Schematics define all electrical connections (and some special properties) within a PCB project. Components are placed and then wires are drawn to define connections. Further detail can then be added using classes, notes, and other tags.

CONTENTS

RETURN TO HOME PAGE: Altium Designer

Project Creation

At NER we have created a standard project template to set up new project with everything they need to get started. This means creating a new project is as simple as selecting the template:

1. X

2. X

3. X

4. X

5. X

{add images}

Basic Components and Wires

Fundamentally, all schematics consist of component symbols and wires connecting them. The following is an intro to working with these.

Placing Components

{}

Placing Wires

{}

{quick reminder on how to drag in components and how to connect them. Should primarily just link to the other page about component panel }

Designators (Annotation)

To manage the link between schematics, layout, and BOMs all components require unique designators. These are letter-number pairs that indicate the type of part and which instance it is within a project. Fortunately, Altium can take care of designators automatically.

Updating Designators

{directions for using the designator tool}

Designating Hierarchical Documents

{further directions for using the tools needed in hierarchy}

Improving Readability

{Intro to why it’s important to improve readability (we’re many engineers who all have different paths of thought. Also projects may be finished and then revised 1-2 years later)}

{link to Altium standards and mention why it’s good}

Net Labels

{explain netlabels and how to add. Maybe direct to the Altium Standards and add something there?}

Notes

{explain notes and how to add. Do we want to add a color scheme? Tesla does a color for layout, color for purchasing/BOM, color for schematic, color for firmware, etc (if so we’d also add to Altium standards)}

Hierarchical Pages

{intro about how it works}

Setting up for Hierarchy

{show where to set strict hierarchy}

{show how to add sheet symbols and ports}

Tips on Hierarchy

{talk about how pages create component rooms automatically}

{talk about simple copiability (two instances of the same sheet}

{talk about stacked pages (as done in shepherd segment)}

Classes and Other Labels

{intro to more advanced annotations in Altium. Highlight how it enables automatic feature in Altium like differential pair routing, complex clearances and creepages and more}

Differential Pairs

{as title implies}

Placing Labels and Blankets

{as name implies}

Types of Labels

{bullet point all the types and benefits. If I realize this needs to be built out more I’ll do so}

Advanced Schematic Features

This section will encompass any features that we use frequently, but are beyond the scope of a basic introductory tutorial.

Busses

{talk about busses}

{More?}