Creating Library Components

Try to make sure all components used are not linked directly to the Altium Manufacturer Part Search - instead, add them to the Orbital workspace as described here.

How to create a new component in the UW Orbital 2024 workspace:

• Open the Components panel, pick any of the available folders and scroll all the way to the bottom. Click Create component.

• Select the folder you’d like to put the component in (ie. put resistors in the resistors folder, etc).

• If the component is in Altium’s Manufacturer Part Search (which it almost certainly is), you can enter the component’s part number into the Name field. This will autofill many of the fields and possibly the symbol and footprint as well.

  • If it’s a common component like a resistor or capacitor, the workspace probably already has a default symbol already, as well as a footprint of the appropriate package size (0402, 0603, etc). Just use those.

• If there is no schematic/footprint available directly through Altium, you can download one from the Internet. Usually Digikey has models listed under the component - if not then SnapEDA and UltraLibrarian are good places to find these models. UltraLibrarian generally has more models but those on SnapEDA are easier to use. [or use SamacSys - will add explanation TBD]

• If you absolutely can’t find a model anywhere, you’ll have to make your own. This will be very annoying so it might just be easier to find another component. If not

  • Symbol: For ICs, it’s probably easiest to launch the schematic symbol wizard and pick the number of pins, package, etc. You can also create a new symbol from scratch if necessary.
  • Footprint: The footprint wizard is a good place to start. Use the datasheet for the component to figure out the component’s geometry - if the datasheet has a footprint guideline use that, otherwise use the component dimensions and add some space on all sides.

• For basic passives (resistors, capacitors, inductors), format the name of the component as follows: [component type] [value] +/-[tolerance] [power/voltage rating] [package size]

  For example, a resistor name might look like this: RES 100K 1% 100mW 0402.

  A capacitor name might look like this: CAP 10uF 40% 6.3V X7R 0402.

  For other components (specialized passives, ICs, etc) leave the component name as the manufacturer part number (such as BD87A28FVM-TR for this component).

• Any auto-generated description is probably fine to leave as is, but if not use the component description generated by Digikey.

• If there’s no part choice automatically listed, make sure to add one. Just press Add and search for your component from the Manufacturer Part Search.