How to massively change a footprint?

Question

Let's say I imported a project from an external format, in this case a OrCAD schematic, and I have a ton of missing footprints... Now, if I'm lucky (and I am) they can be batch renamed, so I know that every "SMD 0603" got to be changed in "J1-0603".

How can I do that?

I've even read in another article that a table edit of component parameters isn't available, so I can't even think to copy the value and paste it manually...

I'm quite surprised that an high-level tool is so awkward with this process, that I think to be so often required, when importing/changing parts!

harvie256 · Answer

I don't think I can help you with this specific question.

I've got around this type of limitation before by selecting everything, then under SCH Inspector check the "Include only -> Parts", then with things like Name when you click in the box a "..." button shows up which allows you to do formula's for batch renaming etc.

Unfortunately when I try this for the Current Footprint the "..." button doesn't show up.

To be fair, this isn't a high end tool at all, this is a low end tool. Altium Designer is probably medium end on the cost scale of PCB design tools, and it has a number of ways to solve this sort of problem. Why CS feels so awkward is they've taken Altium Designer and pulled out all these extra tools, which in some cases like this has left a real hole.