Altium Designer

Created: March 25, 2021 | Updated: April 11, 2022

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Our Knowledge Base is developed from our users questions. Find answers and step-by-step instructions. Chances are we’ve seen your question before.

 

Title Views Votes

Remove Solder Mask and Paste Mask from PCB Pads

How to remove the Solder Mask / Paste Mask from a Pad

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83 views
83-6

Viewer

If you have engineers that sometimes need only to view a project and therefore don't need a full license, they can leave the full licenses available in your organization's pool by using a viewer license. This article reviews some options based on your circumstance.

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26 views
26-6

New to Altium Designer or resume work with AD after break or major update

For all those who are new to Altium, starting to use it now more frequently or have updated from a really old version. This article covers how to contact Support, finding Learning Materials, Tutorials, and other useful information for getting (re) started.

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0
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108 views
1080

How to add line number to a BOM template

How to format BOM template column to include line # (line number). Unable to add Line # using the Column=Line Number Format in a BOM Template

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83 views
83-14

Version not supported with private license server - Refresh PLS & AIS

This article covers what to do when you get "Version Not Supported" error when using a private license server. It also has a comparison of the legacy Private License Server (PLS) and our current license server, Altium Infrastructure Server (AIS.)

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0
1
275 views
2751

Version not supported despite valid subscription - Refresh PLS license

We updated Altium Designer to a newer version, but now the client says our licenses do not support it. Our subscription for our private server license is current and the future date is displayed on the license management page subscription status column.

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1
0
104 views
104-1

How to activate the Mixed Simulation tool in Altium Designer

How to activate the Mixed Simulation tool in Altium Designer with links to more information about simulation

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0
4
44 views
444

Port and URL information for when firewall or VPN is blocking access

I can't get the system running while connected to VPN. As soon as I disconnect form VPN, Altium starts running.

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0
2
195 views
1952

Ports and IP Addresses for Altium Designer

We have strict firewall rules, is there any documentation available which states what IP addresses, ports are required to use this feature?

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1
0
204 views
204-1

Importer for KiCAD

We see that Altium supports importing of files from Kicad to Altium but we do not see how to add that importer. Do we need a later version of Altium to see this?

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22
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38 views
38-18

Unions

When I move or drag a component other components move with it. Also covers an error about a name already exists, and "This object is part of a locked union. Continue?"

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3 views
30

Power Port reduced to Local level warning

I get a warning when I compile my project schematics: "Global Power-Object ... has been reduced to local level by presence of port at ..." It is a Warning in the Message panel after validating the project.

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27
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31 views
31-25

Signing into a managed content server from within Altium Designer

Signing into and Connecting to a managed content server (such as Altium 365 workspace) from within Altium Designer

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0
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159 views
1590

Updating schematic component footprints from the PCB Document.

For designs where the footprints in the PCB do not match the footprint configured in the schematic component, this will show you how to get them in sync.

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216-28

MCAD CoDesigner panel is not visible in Creo

There are different resolutions based on whether the add-in is loaded, failed to initialize, or is hidden in the User Interface.

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0
0
15 views
150

On-Demand License Showing Incorrect Subscription Date

A renewed license shows the incorrect old subscription date

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0
0
10 views
100

Error from Portal365.altium.com

I am receiving an error message when I try to log in to Altium designer. The error message is "Error from portal365.altium.com: The server name could not be resolved"

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0
3
48 views
483

Add and Managing Groups

How to add and manage Groups for your company account

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9 views
90

Add and Managing Users

As an administrator, how to add and manage the users in your company

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0
0
9 views
90

Activating Student On-Demand License

How to activate a recently acquired Student On-Demand License

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0
0
9 views
90

On-Demand License Not Showing Up

Unable to see the newly activated license associated with the account.

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0
0
7 views
70

Requesting to be made an Administrator

I want to be added to the Administrator Group

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0
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13 views
130

Release an On-Demand License

How to forcefully release a user from a license

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0
0
15 views
150

Change Password

How to change the password for a user's account

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0
0
17 views
170

Sign In button is not active & Error From

When I start Altium, I first get an error "Error from :" which I can get past by clicking OK, but then the Sign in dialog box which follows, will not let me click the Sign in button after I enter my Username (Email) and Password. The Sign in button stays grayed out.

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0
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24 views
240

SOLIDWORKS CoDesigner panel error: There is no document opened…

I get this message in the SOLIDWORKS CoDesigner panel, "There is no document opened or the active document is not linked with PCB design." (for PCBs pushed from Altium using MCAD CoDesigner to SOLIDWORKS) after creating a "SpeedPak" configuration in SOLIDWORKS, which prevents most parts from loading to improve performance.

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0
0
10 views
100

"The Internal ID Does Not Match" issue with SOLIDWORKS MCAD

This happens when several boards with the same set of components are used in a device assembly AND IF there is no common component folder set up in CoDesigner’s settings.

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1
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25 views
25-1

How can other Mechanical Engineers see my MCAD CoDesigner changes?

CoDesigner is not a storage system for synchronizing changes among Mechanical Engineers (MEs)

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0
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9 views
90

Can I increase the quality of the decals in SOLIDWORKS MCAD?

This article has some options that can affect the quality of decals.

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0
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5 views
50

SOLIDWORKS MCAD is used with SW PDM (Product Data Management)

This article has some guidance for when SOLIDWORKS is used with SOLIDWORKS Product Data Management

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0
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50

MCAD Autodesk Vault is used with Autodesk Inventor

This article describes a short procedure to better enable this functionality

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0
0
7 views
70

MCAD SOLIDWORKS: Low performance with building a board

Move the toolbox to a local drive.

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0
0
7 views
70

MCAD Fusion 360 Personal: Components are not shown

This version of Fusion 360 is for non-commercial use.

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0
0
5 views
50

MCAD Fusion 360: Bad performance with the boards with 500+ components

This is a known issue with Fusion (reported for all big assemblies, not only with the ones built by CoDesigner.)

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80

MCAD Fusion 360: The visibility of Copper and Soldermask

They are hidden by default.

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3 views
30

Changing the board origin in MCAD

We can't rely on the relative ECAD origin because it can be easily changed in ECAD, and it's not realistic to synchronize the changes with MCAD in that case.

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0
1
4 views
41

How to change the Port Cross Reference Display?

I'd like to add port references to my schematic, but I don't want to include the zone or grid references in order to save space.

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2
2
35 views
350

Release not available

"Release not available: Project is not registerd [sic] in PLM" may show up when using Project Releaser, if you have a PLM extension installed.

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0
0
2 views
20

Can't export DXF or DWG files - Class not registered error

When I try to export a PCB as a DXF or DWG, I get an error with the following details: Class not registered at ###... SaveDxf.dll, Base Address: ###...

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2
7
30 views
305

Yellow line thru entire PCB window

If you have a yellow line through your PCB, it is probably a guide line (Snap Guide.) The color can be changed.

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1
2
10 views
101

How do I use PerfView to collect additional data?

This article details the steps and settings to collect additional data for your support issue using Microsoft's PerfView tool.

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0
4
32 views
324

Which subscription plan do I have currently?

This article describes how you can determine your current subscription plan level

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2
1
23 views
23-1

PCB Why do I see Designator overlaid on my extra designators?

Special Strings Display - You toggle the display of the Special Strings overlay within the View Configuration panel, go to the View Options Tab and toggle the visibility of Special Strings.

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0
1
94 views
941

3D Model Placement in Footprint Library

How to place a 3D Model precisely in your footprint in a PCB library

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0
7
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1337

Variant Printing in Schematic from Output Job

Variants Not showing on the schematic prints when generated through output job.

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49 views
49-11

Sending an enclosure from MCAD to ECAD

This article has links to learn how to send an enclosure from MCAD to ECAD

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120

Slowness at startup

Here are some things that can cause a slow startup.

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1
0
20 views
20-1

Map MCAD Models to ECAD Components

This article covers how to make models placed on the MCAD side be recognizable on the ECAD side when using a Pro subscription plan.

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0
0
28 views
280

MCAD CoDesigner Keepout transfer

Is it possible to transfer keepout areas using MCAD CoDesigner? CoDesigner 2.1.0 and newer has an updated MCAD CoDesigner panel that now has a PCB Definition tab which displays Board Area definitions that exist on the board.

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1
1
33 views
330

ECAD-MCAD model not properly imported warning

Transfering to MCAD domain, a message indicating there is a problem with 3D model and it will be substitute with simple geometry.

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0
0
38 views
380

Viewing Copper in SOLIDWORKS

I can only see the bare board and components. How can I see the copper traces in SOLIDWORKS MCAD?

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0
1
37 views
371

ECAD to MCAD transfer redraws board

This article describes why a transfer from ECAD to MCAD redraws board shape and loses board constraints.

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0
0
38 views
380

Silkscreen not displaying in SOLIDWORKS

ECAD / MCAD CoDesigner transfer is not showing silkscreen in SOLIDWORKS. Sometimes the decals that represent copper and silkscreen and solder mask are not shown in SW 2019+ because of problems with the rendering on some video cards. The solution can be to change this flag in SOLIDWORKS preferences.

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24 views
24-9

Altium Academy videos for ECAD-MCAD CoDesigner

Here is a link to a collection of videos from Altium Academy that may improve your experience with ECAD-MCAD CoDesigner

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0
0
35 views
350

Importing a logo into a PCB document

This article describes how to import your company logo or other bitmap file (*.bmp) into your PCB document.

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5
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25 views
25-5

Placing a logo into a PCB document

How to place your company logo or any Graphic object ( a non-electrical primitive that can be placed on a PCB and PCB Library document and populated with a standard image file (*.png, *.jpg, *.bmp, *.svg.).) into your PCB document.

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15
10
144 views
144-5

How to import Allegro files to Altium

This document describes different approaches for getting Allegro files into Altium Designer.

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3
14
250 views
25011

You must have Microsoft(R) Excel installed on your machine

I can no longer generate any outputs that require MS-Excel since there seems to be an issue with Altium's ability to open the program. MS-Excel is working just fine for me and no other applications I use have issue with it, but I get this error, "You must have Microsoft® Excel installed on your machine to be able to generate a Board Stack Report."

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22
1
94 views
94-21

Alternative Parts with Active BOM

I am trying to add an alternative part to an item on the active BoM for a non managed component, but when I right click on my item I do not get the option to add an alternative as expected according to documentation.

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13
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92 views
92-12

PCB Select and Dimming

This article discusses the ways you can affect Dimming, Masking, Zooming, and whether objects get selected in the document workspace when they are selected in the PCB panel lists.

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21 views
21-5

Startup issue - Failure to Launch (or install)

This article has a long list of things to try when Altium won't start. Some of these also apply if Altium won't install.

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6
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72-2

Student License

This article has information that will be helpful for students that want to start using Altium Designer.

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1
10
13 views
139

PCB Panel Selection and Highlight Controls

When objects are selected in the Primitives list in the PCB panel, the behavior in the editor may not be as expected. This article reviews settings that can change behavior such as Dim / Normal / Mask, Clear Existing, and Zoom etc. and whether objects get selected in the document design editor workspace window when they are selected in the PCB panel lists.

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2
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31 views
31-2

How to install Software Extensions in an offline environment

I run Altium on an offline computer. It is not possible to attach to the Internet or any other network. How do I install Software Extensions & modify the Core Feature Set in this environment.

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0
0
42 views
420

Connection lines & move component

Why do the connection lines not move the same when I use the Edit ► Move ► Component as they do if I would use dragging of the component in PCB Editor

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4
2
18 views
18-2

Connection lines disappear when moving component

On a component with n-number pads the connections disappear when moving the component

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11
4
176 views
176-7

Can Only Move Parts So Close To Each Other

How to change the mode of moving Components on a PCB

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2
4
20 views
202

Can you set Electrical Clearance in the Design Rules for the Route Tool Path

Route Tool Path is defined on Mechanical layer, how can I define clearance to this path?

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1
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128 views
128-1

Can't add bending line/Split line cannot be moved after placing/Board region cannot be selected

How do I add and modify a bending line to my Rigid Flex design?

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16
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36 views
36-14

Can't connect to Altium Infrastructure Server (AIS) after installation

If you just installed the Altium Infrastructure Server (AIS), the most common reason connection fails is because the licenses that came with the installation package were not installed.

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2
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98 views
98-2

Cannot delete Layer from Layerstack

This article describes a couple of scenarios in a Pcb document that can prevent layer deletion in the Layer Stack Manager.

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12
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152 views
152-11

Cannot select an Object that somehow is very far from PCB boundary

There appears to be objects outside of my workspace area, I am not able to find nor select them. How can I select them to delete. No matter what I do, it will not be selected.

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20
2
23 views
23-18

Clearance Constrain between polyregion on multilayer and pad on top layer

I have an error stating "Clearance Constrain between polyregion on multilayer and pad on top layer" on my PCB layout. Every pad is having this error, as well as a through hole component. When I click to "jump to" the violation... It goes to the corner of the board and just says there is a clearance violation.

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42
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39 views
39-30

Combine OrCAD Schematic Import and PADS Allegro PCB import into single Project

Create a single project linking imported OrCAD Schematic Project and imported PADS/Allegro PCB Project

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0
3
95 views
953

Command line installation parameters

This article covers the command line installation parameters that are available for Altium Designer.

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1
5
73 views
734

Compile Error: Duplicate Net Names(Multi-Channel, Bus)

[Error] TopSheet.SchDoc Compiler Duplicate Net Names Bus Slice - I am receiving this error on the buses from my multi-channel sheet, and my buses do not look like they are properly connecting in the netlist. The buses look to be properly formed. How do I fix this Duplicate Net Name on Multichannel design error?

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73
3
180 views
180-70

Component not created in Vault after running the batch file

We are tying to add components in Altium Vault/Concord Pro through .csv files. This method is working for some categories, but not for all.

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0
0
50 views
500

Component placement for ODB++ files

I am importing ODB++ files into a fabrication house software MacroFab. Every time the component placement file comes in, it's position is offset from the actual board origin in the Gerber files. How do I make the component placement files match the PCB 0,0 origin when importing into MacroFab software.

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0
0
12 views
120

Components Panel Filter not Correctly Filtering on Database 'value' Parameter

Using a Database Library with Microsoft Excel, formatting in the Excel file can cause the filter to not work correctly when read by Altium Designer. For example, setting the filter to "greater than or equal to #" does not filter correctly. We will look at how to format the column in the Excel database so it can be processed correctly.

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0
0
64 views
640

Configure and Animate the bending of a PCB that is entirely Flex

Configuring and Animating the bending of a PCB that is entirely Flex

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0
2
89 views
892

Convert a Fill or Region into a Polygon

When I try to create a polygon from the outline of overlapping shapes using Fills and Regions it does not work.  When I try to run the command it tells me it cannot find an enclosed shape (Tracks, Arcs, Full Circle) and when I click YES nothing happens.  How can I get this to work?

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17
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102 views
102-13

Convert Plated via Backdrills to Non_Plated in ODB++ output

Exporting ODB++, as of AD20.1.7, the exported backdrills are incorrectly set as VIAs which are plated. This shows how to modify the output to set the vias as NON_PLATED

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0
1
46 views
461

Copying Circuit Selection From One Project to Another

What is the best method if I want to transfer a section of a schematic circuit and the associated layout from an existing project to another project?

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2
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40 views
406

Copying from Footprint (unlocked primitive) to PCB does not work

I can't select primitives of mechanical layers on a footprint and copy them to a mechanical layer on the PCB. I can only bring over the primitives to the PCB by changing the layer assignment in the properties panel. However, the primitives are still tide to the component footprint. How do I copy primitives from the footprint to the PCB?

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1
2
17 views
171

Copying Multiline text to a string

When copying multiple lines of text from a PDF document to paste into a single string, only the first line will paste.

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1
0
17 views
17-1

Delete a line from BOM

Is there a way to delete a line in the draftsman Bill Of Materials table? I have a test point that showed up there, and I am looking for a way to remove it.

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1
2
10 views
101

Design Item IDs are reset and lost on update or placement from Schematic Library

Every time I update the schematic symbols, the Design Item IDs of some schematic symbols are reset. The same happens when I place these components from the components panel for components of Schematic (*.SchLib) and Integrated Libraries (*.IntLib).

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2
2
93 views
930

Draftsman Drill Table Plated Column is in Russian

It appears that the Plating column data in Draftsman Drill Table objects only displays in Russian - I cannot find a language setting somewhere to modify the language of the information in this column.

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0
1
38 views
381

DRC doesnt catch unconnected nets

I have a PCB design in which the DRC doesn't catch unconnected nets, although the check is enabled in the design rules.

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14
4
43 views
43-10

Error - Microsoft Visual C++ runtime library

Altium crashes with the error: Microsoft Visual C++ runtime library.

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9
0
31 views
31-9

Error code 68

I'm getting one of these errors when starting Altium Designer: Exception loading Wpf UI Error initializing licensing service Error code 68

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0
1
40 views
401

Failed to create Key

Reported Error message "Failed to create Key" while trying to install Altium Designer even as an offline installation.

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0
1
54 views
541

Feature request

Something is not working the way I expect or want it to work. I would like to see an enhancement.

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0
0
49 views
490

General Slowness

Here is a long list of things that may help you track down an underlying cause.

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19
0
104 views
104-19

Generating IPC-D-356A document and compare to extracted netlist

I am trying to export an IPC-356 file from the Altium CAM editor. I am receiving the following error Cannot Open File for Netlist Output!

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6
1
77 views
77-5

Hide old expired licenses

Our organization has a bunch of expired licenses. Is there some way to remove them from the list in the Altium Designer license management page so it will look less cluttered and be less confusing to our users trying to pick a valid license that is under subscription?

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1
1
23 views
230

How can I change the grid from mil to mm or set my designator to Visible in a Schematic Library

How can I change the grid from mil to mm or set my designator to visible in a Schematic Library

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55
10
30 views
30-45

How can I copy everything to a new PCB

I suspect some sort of corruption with my PCB. I want to try copying as much as I can from my current PCB to a new "clean" one. I read that this might resolve my issue with "undo not working" in one particular PCB.

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6
1
25 views
25-5

How do I reset the Altium Designer configuration to the installation defaults?

Reset the configuration of Altium Designer.

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10
8
683 views
683-2

How do I reset Unique IDs in version 21 and newer?

For AD20 and older, I used to follow this documentation: https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-designer/sch-dlg-resetpartsheetsymboluniqueidsreset-part-and-sheet-symbol-unique-ids-ad?version=20.2 Now the option is gone.

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1
4
45 views
453

How to access the Content Vault in the Explorer panel?

In Altium Designer 20 the Content Vault is not accessible via the Explorer panel per default. This article describes how you can make the Content Vault accessible via the Explorer panel again.

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6
6
55 views
550

How to control the Designator location in Schematic Library

Component designator and comment can be made visible in the documents options of a schematic library.

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15
37
57 views
5722

How to determine with which version a file was authored

Is there a way to determine which version of Altium Designer was used to create a project or design?

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4
3
25 views
25-1

How to edit board shape

How to edit the board shape.

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11
8
23 views
23-3

How to import CircuitMaker files into Altium

How to import CircuitMaker / CircuitStudio files into Altium

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9
2
67 views
67-7

How to perform a thorough uninstall

Sometimes the operating system doesn't fully uninstall a software program. This document explains what you can do.

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0
2
85 views
852

How to roam (Check Out) a license for offline use

When roaming, a seat of a license is acquired for a specified time. You do not need to remain signed-in to your account to use the license in this mode. You can sign out and work offline, in essence roaming freely with your license seat. This can be done with an On-Demand or Private Server licenses (not available if you are using the legacy Private License Server (PLS)

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2
0
18 views
18-2

How to select multiple Designators

This article describes different methods to select multiple Designators in a PCB.

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2
1
12 views
12-1

How to short two different Nets - create a Net Tie

This article covers the basics for the creation of a Net Tie

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2
14
78 views
7812

How to update Variant Parts with library?

After updating my schematic library the part does not get updated in the project when I run the BOM tool. On close inspection I can go into the Variants and the part to be varied is not showing the correct Part Number or Manufacturer fields. Going into the select alternative part I can confirm that the part in the Library is correct but there is no way to update the Variant listing. If I deselect it as fitted and then re-choose as a variant the data is corrected.

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6
1
36 views
36-5

How to use a license

I have purchased a license, and I've downloaded and installed the software for Altium Designer. What do I have to do to get the software licensed so I can use it?

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0
0
42 views
420

I am getting a Validation Error on my Project Schematics what does this mean

When validating schematics in a Project, various messages can be generated by the compiler. Please review the list of messages provided here for more information

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2
1
254 views
254-1

Import or Export Design Rules

How to import and/or export design rules?

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14
24
24 views
2410

Importing a Mechanical Outline to PCB

Our mechanical engineer has created a PCB board outline complete with hole sizes & dimensions, and has sent it in 3D step file format. How to create a board shape from this file and other mechanical file types.

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0
0
75 views
750

Board Cutout not in Gerber output

Board cutouts are not exported in Gerber file export. This article shows how to generate outlines for the cutouts onto a mechanical layer for documentation and inclusion in the fabrication output files.

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6
35
45 views
4529

Background Turns Dark when Placing Track

Pressing P, T to place track. Once a net is clicked on to route, the background turns dark. This is a problem because I am now routing my board blind. Can't find the setting to fix this

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0
1
25 views
251

Avoid adjacent layer parallel track routing

How to set a rule to avoid adjacent layer parallel track routing

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0
0
21 views
210

Altium.PCB.DataModel.dll Crash on PCBDoc

Altium crashes with a Altium.PCB.DataModel.dll error message when I try to route or when repouring polygons on the PCBDoc.

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5
2
38 views
38-3

Altium does not start per click (nview)

If I try to start Altium Designer by clicking from the start menu or from the task bar it usually takes a lot of tries to do this.

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5
2
20 views
20-3

Altium Designer is not informing me of updates or allowing me to install them

When installing with the Offline Installer, online activity is disabled and 'greyed out'. Including the ability to check for and install updates. This is how you turn it back on.

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1
0
159 views
159-1

Altium Designer is crashing when trying to Open any project

Getting this error: HRESULT: [0x88990012], Module: [SharpDX.Direct2D1], ApiCode: [D2DERR_WRONG_FACTORY / WrongFactory], Message: The objects used together must be created with the same factory instance at ###... AdvSch.dll, Base Address: ###... Error when starting AD and eventually when I click on SCH sheet or a BomDoc file. Sometimes these error messages continue to pop up over and over again until I close AD from Task Manager.

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64
4
137 views
137-60

Installing multiple instances of AD versions

Can I install more than one version at a time? Do I have to remove older versions first? Do I have to use the same version to edit as was used to create the project?

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1
3
23 views
232

Is 3D view of a Cavity in PCB possible?

I would like to display my component in 3D while it is placed within a cavity, is this possible?

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0
1
106 views
1061

Layer Stack PDF Export Missing Bottom Surface Finish

You may come across some issue when placing, say, Layer Stack Table, in your *.PcbDoc for your documentation purpose, as it may not support all newly added elements, such as Surface Finish layer. Altium considers the legacy method to be somewhat obsolete and instead would like to direct you to Draftsman for this purpose.

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0
0
33 views
330

Manufacturer Part Search (MPS) panel issues

How to resolve most Manufacturer Part Search (MPS) panel issues

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36
3
125 views
125-33

Method to remove Managed Servers from Altium

How to remove previously connected managed servers from Altium? Even when signed out, the managed servers that were previously connected to would appear in the account drop down menu.

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0
1
59 views
591

My Update button is greyed out - Trying to update Altium Designer

There is an update Available for Altium Designer, but my update button is greyed out. How can I update?

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0
2
105 views
1052

Nothing happens when trying to use a license

I can't use a license. I click on a license, then click the use control below, or right-click on the license and choose "use" but nothing happens.

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12
4
50 views
50-8

Numbering Sheets in Multi-channel

What are the steps and requirements to number my sheets in a multi-channel design?

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4
1
60 views
60-3

Off Sheet Schematic Component Removal

Somehow I got a component outside of my sheet area and I cannot select or delete it. How to remove the component or get it back onto the sheet?

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26
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56 views
56-15

Active Bar how to disable or customize

Active Bar can only be disabled, not customized

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3
8
40 views
405

Offline installer

This article explains how to get an offline installer package and related information.

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2
0
45 views
45-2

Options for getting an AltiumLive password reset

Here are some ways a password can be reset.

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1
0
30 views
30-1

PDF output - An error exists on this page

After creating a PDF via Output Job or Smart PDF creation, the Adobe Acrobat Reader throws the following error while opening the file: "An error exists on this page. Acrobat may not display the page correctly. Please contact the person who created the pdf to correct the problem" German version: Fehler auf dieser Seite. Die Seite wird unter Umständen nicht richtig in Acrobat angezeigt. Wenden Sie sich and den Ersteller des PDF-Dokuments, um das Problem zu beheben.

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7
4
77 views
77-3

Plane Clearance

Where can I find the plane to edge clearance?

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6
6
14 views
140

Provider Cannot Be Found Error when Translating .IntLib to .DBLib

Trying to convert an .IntLib into a .DBLib using the menu option Tools ► Import from Integrated Libraries when the .DBLib is active in the workspace brings up this Error: "An error was encountered exporting. Provider cannot be found. It may not be properly installed. The export has been aborted."

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0
0
41 views
410

Reverse Engineering from Gerber to PCB

I want to create a PCB from a Gerber file

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12
31
69 views
6919

Rollback entire SVN Repository

When there is an issue with the current revision of the repository, there is a method on how to rollback to a previous revision.

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2
0
85 views
85-2

Scroll bars are missing from PCB and Schematic editor windows

I thought there were scroll bars when zoomed in sufficiently in the PCB and Schematic editors. I don't have them anymore. How do I get them back?

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3
4
28 views
281

Search Paths tab missing in Project Options

If you are used to using the Search Paths tab from previous versions, this article explains how you can bring it back.

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1
1
29 views
290

Size Limits of PCB workspace

Move components left or down not working? Probably because you have reached the absolute zero coordinate. From there the workspace extends to the top and to the right, but you cannot reach any points below absolute zero. It would be best to move the whole board.

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10
5
49 views
49-5

Slowness in specific areas

Sometimes there are settings or things about your documents that can cause unusual slowness. Here are some things to look for.

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9
2
104 views
104-7

Status Bar is missing at bottom edge

I regularly rely on the XY location shown in the bottom left corner of the window frame as well as the hints and other messages that appear along the bottom of the window frame. For some reason, these are missing now. How do I get them back?

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4
3
14 views
14-1

Subscription Expired on License

Receiving a Subscription Expired message, but I am sure it was renewed. How do I check and fix this?

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9
2
101 views
101-7

SVN Error Commit failed, or Working Copy locked, or is already locked

I appear to have a lock on my SVN files. Or, when I try to commit that file I get an error - Commit failed - Previous operation has not finished; run 'cleanup' if it was interrupted.

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1
0
162 views
162-1

Thermal Relief Connections for Custom Pads

How to create Thermal Relief Connections between Polygons and Custom pads.

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6
3
87 views
87-3

Unable to move component even with Online clearance rule disabled

It is not possible to place a component on the PCB near to another components. Something seems to block the component from the placing. The reason is the different mode of moving objects.

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19
2
64 views
64-17

Unable to open *.DRL file in Altium

*.DRL generated by the CAM Editor is in ASCII Format and readable. The best practice is to always provide your Fabricator with the .TXT generated from the PCB Editor, and ignore the *.DRL generated by the PCB Editor.

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0
1
63 views
631

Unable to select and Delete Text

There are text on the PCB that the user is unable to select and due to this, they are unable to move / delete them.

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19
3
38 views
38-16

Unable to select objects

If you are unable to select objects, make sure to check your configuration in Selection Filter under Properties panel https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-designer/interactiveproperties-pnl-propertiesproperties-ad#!pcb-support

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114
15
71 views
71-99

Uninstall Windows Updates

I suspect a recent Windows update is responsible for a new issue I am experiencing with Altium. How do I uninstall specific Windows Updates

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0
0
16 views
160

Unknown Server - Can't make project available online

When it is opened, the project is shown in the projects panel under 'Unknown Server'. Even though I am logged into a workspace, I am not presented with the option to 'make project available online' when I right click on the project name in the projects panel. If I try to share the project, I am presented with a 'please switch to workspace to share this project' message.

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3
0
24 views
24-3

Update gives error: This application requires Windows hotfix KB3140245

I can load up to 20.1.12, anything newer than that gives me the error. I ran the hotfix but I still get the error message. The error message opens up a Microsoft window that runs through the fix but after doing that it still doesn't work. When I try to install it manually, I'm getting: The update is not applicable to your computer" I am running Widows 7 professional 64bit

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32
2
27 views
27-30

User's email address already exists in another organization

This article discusses the issue of getting a message that the "User's email address already exists in another organization" or "Failed to create user account: Username: xxxx@yyyy.com already in use", or "Cannot add user: user with this email is already registered in other organisation" when you try to add them from your dashboard.

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5
1
53 views
53-4

Using Local File Based Excel BOM templates

When signed into a managed server, why am I unable to use local file based Excel BOM templates.

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1
0
56 views
56-1

Variant - Schematic - Project level parameters

Note of project priority when used in conjunction with special strings at various levels of your project files. How are same named parameters resolved?

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4
1
74 views
74-3

Warning: License Renewal Failed

This article has steps that should stop the pop-up message: Warning: License Renewal Failed The License Manager was not able to renew your license. Altium Designer will retry periodically.

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33
9
81 views
81-24

What determines whether Altium will update to the next version rather than separate install?

Sometimes Altium Designer lets me update the software to the next version and sometime it has to be a new install into a new folder. What's that about?

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0
0
16 views
160

What Does the White Arrow on Some Documents Mean?

In the Project Panel, why do some document icons have a small arrow in a white box on them?

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2
0
19 views
19-2

When things don't display or print properly

Here are some things to try when a panel doesn't open after selection or doesn't display properly, or when things don't display or print properly in general

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14
1
46 views
46-13

Why am I seeing different designators in my schematic?

This article summarizes how to remove board annotation if it was accidentally added to your project, or if it is no longer wanted.

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8
2
240 views
240-6

Why are PCB 3D Models not Displaying in the 3D View?

The display of 3D body models in the PCB 3D view is controlled by a setting in the View Configuration Panel. We will take a look at how to ensure this option is enabled.

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39
6
106 views
106-33

Why is my text upside down?

Text on my schematic is displaying upside-down

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5
0
23 views
23-5

Why is there a [1] in front of my schematic sheet name?

There is a [1] in front of my schematic sheet name in the Projects panel. How do I get the normal filename back?

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0
18
28 views
2818

Working with 32-bit and 64-bit software compatibility

This article covers how to use Database Libraries with 32-bit and 64-bit Altium Designer Software on the same computer and how to use a 64-bit version of Altium Designer when you are using a 32-bit version of Office. This article should help you out if you get the message: "The operating system is not presently configured to run this application." as described in this forum post: https://forum.live.altium.com/#posts/238667/731116. Or if you get this message: "An error occurred while establishing a connection to the database. Altium Designer requires that the 64-bit Microsoft Access Database Engine be installed. For more information and application solutions, click here."

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2
0
96 views
96-2

Panels get rearranged i.e. stacked

Sometimes, the panels in Altium Designer get stacked on top of each other. This article describes the process on how to prevent them from showing in fractal mode in future.

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0
3
34 views
343

How to group panels in tabbed mode when they are in fractal mode?

I want a panel to be tabbed with other panels that appear just above it. No amount of dragging will group it in tabbed mode. Why doesn't it stay where I put it?

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1
4
52 views
523

Connection Lines on PCB - Rats nest display

How do I control the display of Rats nest on my PCB, I want to show or hide them

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16
13
181 views
181-3
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