Altium Multisheet PCB

[HWguru]

Hi ,

I have a Altium project with a Top level sheet . this sheet includes interconnected two sub-modules generated from separate schematic sheets e.g Sheet A and Sheet B .

But when i try to update my PCB file i.e import changes from Top sheet , i see two separate PCB rooms for sheet A and B , how can i generate one big pcb room for the Top sheet only ???

see the screen shots attached

Regards ,

 

[ArticCynda]

Having rooms is only useful when you're working with multi channel designs, i.e. multiple identical instances which you wish want to route once and then copy placement and routing from one channel to the others.

However, since your design is really simple (only 10 components) and you won't benefit from multi channel design features, there is no point in keeping the rooms. Simply disable rooms for these sheets.

 

[HWguru]

actually i am quite new to PCB design using altium , so please ignore my lack of knowledge . I did tried it , going into project options and disabling check boxes for "Generate room" and leaving one box checked in front of the TOP sheet, but then i see all the components are seen on top of a grid , how do i know if i start routing which layer i am working on ???

 

[Kick]

In the layout page there is a bottom tab,that tab contains all the layers whatever you are enabled and each layer have different color.

 

[HWguru]

In the layout page there is a bottom tab,that tab contains all the layers whatever you are enabled and each layer have different color.

OK , i see them , so how do i define a square or rectangular area of my PCB ? with all the layers confined in that area .

 

[HWguru]

here is what i see , without rooms enabled

 

[Kick]

U mean board shape????

then,go to this link **broken link removed** and follow the steps under this title Defining the Board Shape From Selected Objects

 

[sdecorme]

You need to define your board size with the KeepOutLayer.
After select all the net from this layer and make Design-> Board Shape -> Define from selected object
and you will have something like this

Good luck

 

[Kick]

yes..exactly...I think HWguru is new in Altium designer. So better try with square and rectangle. :thumbsup:

 

[sdecorme]

The form of the board doesn't matter you just have to draw it and select all the limits : SHIFT + left clic.
I've one question ;-) Is it possible to remove the room because each time I make a PCB update I've to remove them , it is boring.

 

[Kick]

yes...there is an option. Go to project>>project options>>class generation and uncheck generate room option. :thumbsup:

 

[HWguru]

Thanks for the guidance , really appreciate it

I have run into more errors , the errors come up when i compile my design . its says :
[Error] TOP.SchDoc Compiler Duplicate Net Names Element[-1]: BI (Inferred)

Although after reading multiple posts and answers on it i have changed the name of the BUS input port but i still get these errors . See screen shot attached .

 

[ArticCynda]

As far as I know, in Altium, you can't use a bus to carry signals from one sheet to another. The purpose of a bus is primarily to reduce the number of lines on a schematic to increase readability. In your application, it would be appropriate to use a signal harness to group the 3 lines together since I assume they're somehow related. A signal harness is a perfect choice to group logically related nets.

A port marker will snap to a harness (and automatically turn blue to indicate it's connected). You can then route the signal harness to other sheets, spit it etc.

Good luck!

 

[HWguru]

To make matters worse my Altium Designer 10 has stopped working at all , i was getting some error messages in the past like memory location violations , but i ignored them , and now it has stopped working at all . It loads up and shows my last project , but when i click on any of my files i get a message that DXP.exe has stopped working . :-(

Please any clues , as i dont want to uninstall it and go through installation procedure again .

- - - Updated - - -

Hi ArticCynda, i posted a thankyou note for you , but it was deleted by the moderator

 

[FvM]

Hi ArticCynda, i posted a thankyou note for you , but it was deleted by the moderator

Users who don't bother reading forum rules know why.

 

[HWguru]

[Moved]DXP.exe of Altium stopped working

Hi ,

I was working on my PCB design project using Altium and To make matters worse my Altium Designer 10 has stopped working at all , i was getting some error messages in the past like memory location violations , but i ignored them , and now it has stopped working at all . It loads up and shows my last project , but when i click on any of my files i get a message that DXP.exe has stopped working .

My OS is windows 7 .

Please any clues , as i dont want to uninstall it and go through installation procedure again .