Can anyone explain the break in the white line? Despite deleting and redrawing the outcome is always the same              

my alarm has a simple circuit that sirens.  it has 12v applied when on and a volume pot.

I need a circuit that start quit and gets launder to wake me in the morning with out scaring me to the floor.

Criei um pequeno projeto no CIRCUITSTUDIO (comprei há pouco tempo aqui mesmo NEWARK ) para testa a ferramenta PolyGon Pour consigo redimensionar até ai tudo bem, mas quando tento mudar o espaço entre PADS e NETS ( Clearance )

o comando não funciona digitei vários valores nesta área ( ARC APPROXIMATION - MAXIMUM DEVIATION FROM PERFECT ) EX: 0.2mm, 0.4 ou 0.6 clik em ok e não muda nada

criei uma regra conforme a imagem abaixo também não muda nada. alguém pode me informar o que está acontecendo.

I created a small project in CIRCUITSTUDIO (recently bought here NEWARK) to test the PolyGon Pour tool

I can resize it so far so good, but when I try to change the space between PADS and NETS (Clearance) the command

does not work I entered several values in this area

(ARC APPROXIMATION - MAXIMUM DEVIATION FROM PERFECT) EX: 0.2mm, 0.4 or 0.6 click ok and nothing changes

I created a rule as the image below also does not change anything. can someone tell me what's going on.

We are pleased to announce that a new version of CircuitStudio is now available. This hotfix addresses the withdrawal by Digi-Key of their supplier API that was used as a data feed for Digi-Key supplier links within CircuitStudio. As a bonus CircuitStudio users also gain access to a much wider range of supplier data than before.

V1.5.2 is available to everyone with an active maintenance subscription. You can install version 1.5.2 (build 30) via the Update System in CircuitStudio or perform a new install. It is possible to install this version in parallel with your existing installation by running a new install and selecting a different folder location.

To install the update from within CircuitStudio:

1. Select View | Start to open the Home page
2. When signed in select My Account >> Extensions and Updates.
3. Click the CircuitStudio 1.5.2.30 update link to start the process
4. Restart CircuitStudio when prompted to allow the installer to run

To perform a fresh install:

1. Visit https://www.altium.com/circuitstudio/download-guide to obtain the latest installer.
2. Once downloaded run the installer
3. Optionally change the installation folder if you want to keep your existing copy of CircuitStudio

Altium Parts Provider

CircuitStudio 1.5.2 (build 30) hotfix addresses one item: to replace the Suppliers in the Supplier Links feature with a provider that is controlled by Altium. This Altium Parts Provider extension is new to CircuitStudio and can be used to provide the supplier information from a greater number of suppliers. To enable Digi-Key you will need USA selected. If the Digi-Key option does not appear you will need to disable the legacy supplier link as explained below (File > System Preferences dialog).

The System Preferences > Data Management > Suppliers dialog includes the Altium Parts Options section at the top, which is used for suppliers that aren't enabled in the legacy system. Legacy suppliers have a higher priority, if they are enabled the corresponding supplier from Altium Parts Options won't be used. In particular it will be necessary to disable the legacy Digi-Key data feed as shown below.

Alternatively you can remove the legacy supplier by disabling the platform extension (this will remove it from the legacy Available Suppliers list).

Any problems getting up and running please post on the forums or contact software@element14.com for assistance.

Release Notes

#739 Added the Altium Parts Provider supplier to CircuitStudio. Direct suppliers (in "Available Suppliers" section of System Preferences > Data Management > Suppliers) have a higher priority, so since Digi-Key direct supplier is no longer supported, please un-tick it.

Hi

I'm new user of CS (version 1.5.1) and have the following problems:

1. On PCB layout, when I draw a track, i want a hot key to change layer and to put automatically a VIA. I couldn't locate a such key (shortcut) within my CS installation.

2. If i press accidentally the "Windows Start" key  while i draw a track (it lies exactly next to the CTRL key on the keyboard and the CTRL is used very often), then CS gets stuck. The only way to escape is a forced termination of CS from Windows and lost of everything was designed so far.

3. I try to apply copper pour areas to create a GND plane on bottom layer, but except the GND net are also merged all other tracks on that layer.

Thanks for any help  

I thought this post might be of interest showing how one company has successfully used CircuitStudio to create a hardware security module. After reading the article (written by Phil Strong of Zymbit) and watching the video I hope you are inspired to go and create your own product or even just hobby project. You can download your trial of CircuitStudio or purchase direct from our website CircuitStudioCircuitStudio. We also stock the Zymkey 4i Zymkey 4iZymkey 4i for anyone who's interested.

IoT Security Modules: Modular Hardware for Software Engineers

From PCB designed in Altium CircuitStudio to Zymbit finished product

The Internet of Things - Big Promise or Big Problem ?

By 2023 the Internet of Things promises to be 50 billion devices strong, transacting $8 Trillion of economic value!

That’s orders of magnitude bigger and much more complex than anything we have seen before, and current models of development, deployment, device management and security don’t easily translate to this new world disorder. New products, new tools and new ways of developing are required.

This challenge is particularly true in the area of IoT device security which, if not executed correctly, can have significant negative impact on economies, lives, national security, political outcomes and more.

Zymbit security modules designed in Altium CircuitStudio

Designing 50 billion Devices

Unlike mobile phones or personal computers which are designed for high volume production in the billions of units, the IoT is built from a constantly evolving universe of devices with each addressing a unique application or need, with specific combinations of CPU, I/O, communications, power, enclosure and more.

Designing, developing, compliance testing and manufacturing all these different devices is an enormous task that is likely to extend over the next decade, perpetuated by ever-evolving business models, technologies and supply chains. What’s needed is a more agile and efficient development process, particularly for hardware, which as we all know is hard.

More Modular Designs Ahead

The logical way to deal with this high mix of requirements is to use modular designs that can be efficiently mass-customized by system engineers and integrators without the need for specialized knowledge of the underlying modules.  

The first wave of IoT projects have been fueled by modular hardware and software ecosystems centered around low-cost single-board computers. As projects transition from proof of concepts to pilot trials, and then to mass deployments, many solutions will remain loose integrations of standard modules, while some will transition to more tightly integrated custom boards and system on modules (SOMs). Having design tools that can support these transitions is key to participating in the fast paced development of IoT devices. And more importantly such tools must be easy to use by non-power users; integrators, system engineers,  and very importantly, software engineers.

Modular Hardware for Software Engineers

Modular Single Board Computers

On February 29, 2012 the Raspberry Pi single board computer, based upon a Broadcom CPU, was launched as an educational computer, with an initial sales volume target of 10,000 pieces.  Six years later, over 15 Million have been sold into all sorts of professional applications ranging from industrial controls, digital signage, security forensic tools and much more. The strong Pi ecosystem of modular software and hardware accessories has grown to serve  developers on a global scale; this includes single board computers sporting alternate CPUs from vendors like Rockchip, Intel and Samsung, and with high degrees of electrical and mechanical compatibility to the Pi family.

Alternative ecosystems from Beaglebone, Qualcomm, Odroid, Asus and Arduino ensure a vibrant marketplace in which IoT developers have a wide choice a  of modular components.

Modular Security for IoT Devices

Security is often the last thing software developers attend to before deploying a pilot system in the field. This makes the task of integrating chip-level crypto authentication solutions painful at best, and often impossible without a redesign of hardware and software.

Zymbit saw the need for a security module that both software and hardware developers could integrate late in the design cycle, that would work with leading single board computers and software services, and would deliver complete cyber and physical security of intellectual property, data and credentials. 

Zymbit Security Modules

Zymbit’s new security modules deliver both cyber (digital) and physical security to IoT devices, making them hard to penetrate in the real world beyond the security of a firewall. They work with a range of single board computers and are supported by developer kits (also designed in Altium CircuitStudio) and secure enclosures (designed in SolidWorks).

Zymbit security modules are easy to integrate - hard to penetrate

A Streamlined Workflow - from PCB design to first product in less than 6 weeks.

Zymbit engineers used the DRC and 3D modelling capabilities of Altium CircuitStudio to get first pass prototypes that were functional and close to production ready.  

Zymbit used Altium CircuitStudio to design a new class of IoT security modules that are easy to integrate and hard to penetrate.

Easy Mechanical Integration - exporting STEP files from CircuitStudio to SolidWorks

A key feature of Zymbit security modules is their resistance to physical tampering. Achieving this required custom packaging with detailed features and tight tolerances. Being able to export Zymbit components from CircuitStudio as .STEP files made it simple to exchange information with our mechanical designers who used SolidWorks to design custom mechanical components, model and visualize their overall assembly in 3D.

Zymbit components created in Altium, exported at .STEP files

Creating Custom Library Components – an easy way to share modules between design teams and customers 

Zymbit security modules are integrated with other third party modules to form complete IoT devices. Being able to handle security modules as a library component makes the integration process much more efficient and consistent and easily scalable across design teams in different locations. CircuitStudio allows components to include the footprint, electrical and 3D mechanical attributes that can be shared without exposing any of the underlying design details.

Complete System Integration – System on Modules !

Bringing together Zymbit components with third party electrical and mechanical components is the final step in creating secure and functional products. After all, it’s not much of a system without everything getting to be placed together.

Zymbit-created Altium components, integrated with custom mechanical and third party system components.

Multiple modules integrated into one coherent and secure system

Making Things Secure – made easy with Zymbit security Modules and Altium design tools

New technology and processes always feel large and daunting at first. Fortunately, as tools and ecosystems evolve the task of product design and integration becomes easier and faster; with Zymbit’s security modules and Altium’s design tools, you can now reliably make things secure and ready for action in the real world.

With intuitive, easy-to-use tools for modular designs you’ll be able to work through any custom component and module creation with confidence. Zymbit and Altium will make it easy for mechanical and systems designers to collaborate through SolidWorks and to seamlessly transition projects to professional Altium Designer teams around the globe.  

If you’re interested in trying out Zymbit’s modular security designs today, then check out https://www.zymbit.com/altium.

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If interested in Raspberry Pi as mentioned in the article check it out here.

I thought this would be an interesting topic for CircuitStudio users and a great resource for those new to PCB design.

Gerber files are an industry standard, and have been for decades, for transferring design data from CAD system to PCB manufacturer. It is always good to view your Gerber files prior to manufacture - one way to spot those silly mistakes that can be hidden behind all the clutter that comes with the PCB editor of your CAD system. Contribute to this post by letting us know your favourite viewer (no paid products please - we can't advertise here!). I'll kick off with a couple, just examples of what is out there and not intended as product endorsements in any way.

Gerbv

An open source GPLv2 licensed project https://sourceforge.net/projects/gerbv/. A desktop application that I would classify as a traditional style viewer. Multiple layers can be loaded along with Excellon drill files and layer colours and ordering easily modified.

ZofzPCB

A very interesting program that takes viewing into the 3D realm. It's quite impressive to see your board with the layers expended out and at any angle. How useful is this? - let us know in the comment section. In addition to spreading out the layers you can select to peel back layers to reveal what's below.

The video demonstration well worth watching: https://zofzpcb.r.worldssl.net/video/Demo3a.mp4

Let's help all CircuitStudio users - enter your recommendations below. It will be interesting to see if there is a consensus or is Gerber viewing out of fashion.

Try CircuitStudio for Free

When I first learned how to play “Hearts,” I was always worried about how to pass those three cards right off the bat. What if I helped who I was playing against? I got the hang of it eventually and with enough games under my belt. I could recognize card patterns to make the best choices, but until I got to that point it felt like I was throwing random cards across the tables.

My first circuit board designs weren’t too far off from my card strategy there, in particular with component placement. I hadn’t learned yet why certain parts had to go next to other parts, nor did I understand that I needed to use the schematic to help me make the best placement decisions. I would base my placement on where the guides were stretching to even if that wasn’t where the part really should go.

Over time though as my PCB design experiences increased my skills, I developed a good workflow for doing my parts placement. There are some important steps during placement such as floor planning and the order that you place the parts that can be a big help to you if you do them correctly.

Arrange Your Components and Floorplan Your Placement

In the same way that I organize my cards by suits in my hand, I have found that it really helps to arrange all of my parts according to where they need to be placed. I will do this in two steps with the first being floorplanning my placement. A floorplan is a sketched out plan of your parts placement before you start the actual task of putting components on the board.

Whether I create this floorplan myself or it comes from someone else, I have found that it’s a good idea to know where all the parts need to go before I start shotgunning components on the screen. This helps me to create a placement that allows for trace routing and an even power distribution.

After, I will bring my components onto the screen in logical groups from the schematic. Selecting the components by cross-probing from the schematic is especially helpful for this. I can select a group of components that are all tied together in a circuit, and place that group outside the board edge near the location where I know that they will eventually end up based on my floor plan.

PCB Layout Component Placement Guidelines

When you are playing hearts you will play certain anchor cards first to strategically accomplish tasks like drawing out the queen of spades. You’ll want to consider your strategy before moving into component placement, too, with some of these guidelines:

• Place your fixed anchor parts first: These parts will include anything that has to interface with the rest of the system that your board is going to be used in. Connectors, switches, speakers, lights, etc., are all examples of parts that must be placed in fixed locations in order to work with the rest of the system. Mechanical parts such as braces, nuts and bolts, and ejectors will also need to be placed in fixed locations.
• Segregation: Be mindful of the segregation that may be required when mixing analog and digital circuitry. Typically the analog section will need to be isolated from the digital by physical placement and routing that avoids introducing digital noise into the analog region. Other forms of segregation may be electrically isolated areas or high voltage sections that need to be carefully laid out to avoid unwanted interactions with other areas of the design.
• Place the main component circuitry: Once you’ve got the fixed components in place, you can begin with the main circuitry. Here is where that floorplan will really come in handy to give you a road map of all of your main circuitry.
• Place bypass caps and other related circuitry: These parts have to be placed in line and next to the components that they are connected to. For instance, resistors that are part of a transmission line can’t be placed clear over on the other side of the board. That would completely ruin the routing topology of the transmission line. Parts like these resistors need to be placed in the same way that the circuit is laid out in the schematic.
• Be mindful of signal and power routing needs: While it can be easy to get into component placement and forget about the routing needs that separate components require, it is important to keep these in mind to optimize the efficiency of your design.
• Check for potential EMI or thermal concerns: Heat, crosstalk, and interference can severely hamper your design’s capabilities.
• Optimise for manufacturing: Knowing the soldering and assembly process can provide advantages to give your design the best possible manufacturing yields. For example

A completely placed circuit board

Finalizing the Placement and Some Tricks that can Help You

Once your fixed components and the main circuitry is placed, you can finish up the placement with the rest of the peripheral components. Although these components are just as important, their placement won’t impact the critical routing topologies and you have more flexibility with their locations. This allows you to spread out their placement and give your design a little breathing room.

When you place your components, keep in mind that your PCB design tools have a lot of functionality built in to help you. There will be different placement utilities to use, as well as the ability to change the display in order to help you organize and place your board. Cross-probing between the schematic and the layout as I mentioned earlier is a very helpful resource to have at your disposal.

Consider using a grid. This helps both with the neatness of the board and helping to leave routing channels between components. Remember that for high density designs there will not always be room for all reference designators to fit on the silk screen. It is normally considered acceptable to skip designators where necessary and create an assembly drawing that fills in the missing information to help with manufacturer and fault finding.

Some useful tools in CircuitStudio are the move and align commands. These are a little bit hidden away on the Tools tab so you may not yet have noticed them.

Good luck with your designs and don't forget you can ask questions in our forums.

[Thanks to Altium for permission to reproduce this post]

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Hello, could you please advise on the following topic:

First time I make a ground plane in circuit studio. I really follow the tutorial.

I select the pour polygon as you see. Ok here I named the plane GND, even with a different name fails

So I select the 4 corners, right click and voila :

The pcb is full of errors and I don't see why it also ties to other nodes as well, it should be tied only to GND. Could it be that I need to change some DRC rules? But honestly I don't think so.

Yes, all my ground nodes are named as GND, no need to share the schematics.
I have a 2 layer pcb. Yes, I tried to play a bit with the settings , remove dead copper etc. Same problem. No need to say that a DRC check with this is a disaster.

Please, any substantial recommendations are welcome !

For the remainder of 2018 we are running regular live webinars in conjunction with Altium. Join us and learn more about CircuitStudio - a great value low cost PCB design solution for both individuals, small business and even enterprises looking to kit out multiple engineers. If you haven't yet evaluated CircuitStudio then please download the trial and give it a go. Alternatively there's never been a better time to buy your own copybuy your own copy.

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