Generate outputs won't configure properly

Question

Hi,

I'm using the trial 1.5.2 version on Win7 at the moment.

I have uses Altium over the last 13 years up to version 14.2 until my company stopped updates and I was made redundant last year.

I've created a new project and imported and existing Altium design files but not the project file.

I'm trying to use the Generate Outputs function with little success.

When I open the generate outputs dialogue box and click on the configure PCB prints I'm presented with a list of layers but some of the layer names do not exist on my design eg "Assembly Text Bottom" and" Assembly Bottom".

Also when I attempt to insert a new layer which exist in the PCB it adds it but when I close the configure dialogue and re-open it has been renamed to the last one on the list ie Assembly Bottom.

If I create a new new print out and add the layer as above, OK the dialogue box and re-open configure the layer name has changed.

This was never a problem in Altium up to and including Version 14.2.

In general, having had years of experience of Altium I would say this is a bug in CircuitStudio and at this moment a show stopper.

So in general am I doing something wrong?

Has anyone found this issue?

Andy

e14softwareuk · Answer

Hi Andy. Each layer has several names (at least short and long) and this can cause issues because it is not always handled well within CS. Sometimes when a layer has been renamed it doesn't appear in dialogs correctly or does not generate output as expected. Also are you trying to use an existing Altium OutJob file, if so then I would suggest try with a new one that has been generated by CS (simply remove the existing one from the folder). If you start a new blank PCB this should give you a good idea of the default layer names and if necessary you might be able to rename the layers back to standard on your imported design.

andync · Answer

Hi Peter,

I started with a new project but then added the designs so there was no old OutJob.

Done some more experimenting.

I remove the existing PCB from the project and add and new PCB.

What I find is that the first 20 (-6) or so layers are pre-named and these are what are being displayed and so it's taking the layer index and naming it with that and possibly "not always handled well within CS"

So I renamed my layer Assembly Bottom which has the same index and after some fiddling like closing and opening CS I can now get a print as required. (May have been a quicker way)

So for comparison to Altium I have selected (all on layer) and enabled all layers and using the object inspector move the layer to mechanical 32 for now, inserted the layer into the print-out and now it prints out OK.

It's a shame that they have removed so many of the short cut key combinations. After 13 years it taking some time to learn all the (excessive) mouse moments to do what your left hand would do without having to move the mouse.

Many thanks

Andy