Configuring PCB Embedded Board Array Object Properties in Altium Designer

Created: December 11, 2020 | Updated: August 23, 2021

PCB Editor object properties are definable options that specify the visual style, content, and behavior of the placed object. The property settings for each type of object are defined in two different ways:

Pre-placement settings – most Embedded Board Array object properties, or those that can logically be pre-defined, are available as editable default settings on the PCB Editor - Defaults page of the Preferences dialog (access from the button at the top-right of the design space). Select the object in the Primitive List to reveal its options on the right.

Post-placement settings – all Embedded Board Array object properties are available for editing in the Embedded Board Array dialog and the Properties panel when a placed Embedded Board Array is selected in the design space.

If the Double Click Runs Interactive Properties option is disabled (default) on the PCB Editor - Defaults page of the Preferences dialog, when the primitive is double-clicked or you right-click on a selected primitive then choose Properties, the dialog will open. When the Double Click Runs Interactive Properties option is enabled, the Properties panel will open.

While the options are the same in the dialog and the panel, the order and placement of the options may differ slightly.

In the below properties listing, options that are not available as default settings in the Preferences dialog are noted as "Properties panel only".

General Tab

Location (Properties panel only)

The

icon to the right of this region must be displayed as

(unlocked) in order to access the below fields. Toggle the lock/unlock icon to change its lock status.

(X/Y)
- X (first field) - the current X (horizontal) coordinate of the reference point of the embedded board array, relative to the current design space origin. Edit to change the X position of the embedded board array. The value can be entered in either metric or imperial, include the units when entering a value whose units are not the current default.
- Y (second field) - The current Y (vertical) coordinate of the reference point of the embedded board array, relative to the current origin. Edit to change the Y position of the embedded board array. The value can be entered in either metric or imperial, include the units when entering a value whose units are not the current default.
Rotation - the embedded array's angle of rotation (in degrees) measured counterclockwise from zero (the 3 o'clock horizontal).

Properties

PCB Document - displays the path to the current reference PCB document that will be used to populate the array. Click to browse for a different PCB document.
Column Count - displays the number of columns in the board array. Edit this field to define the number of columns in the array.
Row Count - displays the number of rows in the board array. Edit this field to define the number of rows in the array.
Mirrored - enable to horizontally mirror the board array.
Link Location to Embedded Board Origin - enable to reference the board array/panelization from the origin of the embedded board. Disable (default) to build the array based on the bottom left point of the objects in the referenced board's design space.
Column Margin - displays the current column margin between edges of PCBs in the array. Values can be defined in either mm or mil units. To specify the units when entering a number, add the mm or mil suffix to the value.
Row Spacing - displays the current vertical pitch between PCBs in the array. The space between two adjacent boards is the pitch minus the height of one board. Edit this field to change the board pitch. Values can be defined in either mm or mil units. To specify the units when entering a number, add the mm or mil suffix to the value.
Column Spacing - displays the current horizontal pitch between PCBs in the array. The space between two adjacent boards is the pitch minus the width of one board. Edit this field to change the board pitch. Values can be defined in either mm or mil units. To specify the units when entering a number, add the mm or mil suffix to the value.
Row Margin - displays the current row margin between edges of PCBs in the array. Values can be defined in either mm or mil units. To specify the units when entering a number, add the mm or mil suffix to the value.

Additional Options

Select the object you would like to enable or disable by type. If the object is blue, it is enabled.

Parameters Tab

Table - displays the Name of each listed parameter. Use the icon to enable or disable the parameters.

Layers Tab

Table - displays the Name and Type of all layers from the linked PCB. You the icon to enable or disable the layers.