wasted ability to choose different footprints?

I agree.  This is a slight inconvenience.  The part data is entirely associated with the schematic symbol.  It's as if there needs to be a third drop-down option which will allow you to select part data based on the schematic symbol first and the footprint second.  I would enjoy that feature more than my current method of keeping my own database that I have to transfer in from an alternate program like Excel.

Well if that is the case the only way to keep them separate is to have separate symbols which is a little silly as now the the schematic symbol library is no longer driven by part functionality but by both part functionality and footprint. I rather liked the idea of being able to place a part and then alter the footprint if required, but it makes no sense.

On the other hand, this is useful if I want to use multiple footprints for the same package.  For example, if I use an EIA0603 resistor and I want to choose from the least, most or nominal solder options then I can just have the various footprints available. Then I can choose the proper footprint depending on whether the board is reflow or wave or hand soldered. I would argue that the SOIC, MSOP, TSSOP and CSP versions of a chip are different and warrant a different schematic library symbol.  Sometimes there are even different numbers of pins.

A difficult subject but given that footprints can be shared amongst many different symbols it would not make sense to be attaching parameters to the footprint as you wouldn't know the symbol. It's not a big job to have unique symbols for each footprint style if that's how you want to work, you can copy and paste the symbol and tweak the parameters to suit the footprint you assign.

No I'm not suggesting attaching parameters to footprints but that groups of parameters can be chosen based on the footprint choice. Yes multiple symbols is also a viable option, so I suppose my library descriptions are going to have to be made longer, and I'll need x2 or x3 of every part or a duplicate of each library. Unfortunately it is IMPOSSIBLE to copy and paste between different libraries so it will mean cluttering up a library with seldom used parts or indeed the drawing from scratch, why it is impossible to copy parts between libraries has always been a mystery to me (other than the obvious explanation).

Simon, it is quite easy to copy and paste between libraries and within a library (to duplicate symbols). Open up two schematic libraries and in the window containing the symbol list (View | Library) try right click > Copy. Switch to the other library (just select the document window for that library) and then try right click > Paste within the component window.

OK I'll give that a go, but trying to copy elements between symbols/libraries does not work.

Yes, I'm quite sure that in CS (and also in Altium AD) you cannot copy the individual parameters in bulk between the schematic symbols.  You can only copy individual text strings in the usual Windows manner.  You can certainly copy entire SCH and PCB library parts between libraries by the right-click-COPY-PASTE method.

In AD you can use the Parameter Manager tool to do quick parameter manipulation and editing on a library or an individual design though.  CS lacks this and my guess it is intentional to differentiate a higher end AD from the low-end CS products. At some point, you have to decide if the extra productivity enhancements justify the upgrade from CS to AD.

I think it is possible for smaller companies to have one seat of AD and another couple of CS seats for schematic entry only and maybe for simple PCBs.  Library management can then be done in AD since libraries are compatible.  If you are an individual or a very small company and cannot afford AD at all then it is a productivity issue.

For that reason, I have previously suggested that Altium allow a few possibilities of separate add-on purchases such as:

- Find similar searching (and global edit/replacement)

- Parameter Manager in both schematic library and in schematics

- IPC footprint generator

- Cam viewer

- Footprint manager in both pcb library and in PCB designs

I would consider paying an extra fee for some or all of these features.  If you could add them all to CS you would almost have AD but not quite.  They could still choose to not offer the flex circuit designs or the logic-based searching or some of the 3D mode manipulation in PCB (e.g. moving silk legend in 3D) as the highest level of product differentiation.

I'm not trying to copy parameters across and you can edit them in the properties window without opening the actual property. I've never tried copying from the components list across to another library but copying and pasting sections of symbol from a workspace in one library to another or component of the same library does not work.

I don't know if I'd want AD, CS is not exactly a good advertisement for software that costs £5000. The £800 is steep enough as it is. It is 25-30% more expensive than Proteus which although very convoluted to use (which is why I switched) is rock solid and I could ring up and get support over the phone. They also didn't seem to have problems with different resolution screens like CS does.