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Altium Designer

Altium Designer is an integrated electronic design automation (EDA) software suite developed by Altium, a subsidiary of Renesas Electronics Corporation since August 2024, providing a unified platform for the complete design process of printed circuit boards (PCBs), including schematic capture, PCB layout, simulation, and 3D visualization.^[1]^[2] Originally evolving from the Protel PCB design software, which was first introduced in 1985 by Protel Systems Pty Ltd in Australia, Altium Designer represents a modern rebranding and enhancement of these early tools, with the unified suite officially launched in 2005 to consolidate schematic, PCB, and FPGA design functionalities into a single environment.^[3]^[4] Key capabilities of Altium Designer include advanced routing algorithms, mixed-signal circuit simulation compatible with SPICE, real-time bill of materials (BOM) management, and native 3D PCB modeling for mechanical integration and clearance checks, enabling seamless collaboration between electrical and mechanical design teams.^[1]^[5] The software supports multi-board systems, harness wiring design, and integration with manufacturing outputs, while its cloud-based Altium 365 platform facilitates version control, team collaboration, and supply chain data access, making it a cornerstone tool for professional engineers in electronics product development.^[1]^[6]

Introduction and Overview

Product Description

Altium Designer is a comprehensive electronic design automation (EDA) software suite developed by Altium Limited, primarily focused on printed circuit board (PCB) design, schematic capture, library management, and associated engineering tasks.^[7] This tool enables engineers to create and manage electronic designs in a professional environment, supporting the full spectrum of activities from initial concept to production-ready outputs.^[1] The software operates as a unified platform, integrating all core functions—such as schematic editing, PCB layout, component libraries, and file generation—within a single, cohesive application.^[5] This design approach streamlines workflows by avoiding the fragmentation typical of modular tools, allowing users to transition seamlessly between design phases without exporting data to external programs.^[8] Launched in 2005 as a successor to the Protel suite, Altium Designer emphasizes an integrated, end-to-end process from design ideation through to manufacturing preparation. As of November 2025, its latest stable release is version 25.8.1 (released July 16, 2025), which incorporates cloud-connected capabilities via Altium 365 for enhanced collaboration and data synchronization, along with improvements like an enhanced Constraint Manager and support for inline harness connectors.^[9]^[10]

Target Users and Applications

Altium Designer is primarily utilized by electrical engineers, PCB designers, and hardware developers working in environments ranging from small teams to large enterprises.^[7] These professionals leverage the software for its unified design environment, which supports efficient project management across diverse scales.^[7] The tool finds extensive application in key industries such as consumer electronics, automotive, healthcare, aerospace, and Internet of Things (IoT) product development.^[11] In consumer electronics, it enables the design of compact devices like smartphones and wearables, integrating multiple functions into lightweight structures to enhance user experience.^[11] Automotive applications include sensors and control units embedded directly into vehicle components, improving reliability, reducing assembly complexity, and supporting fuel efficiency through lighter designs.^[11] In healthcare, Altium Designer facilitates the creation of medical devices for diagnostics and therapy, allowing for smaller, more functional units that improve patient outcomes.^[11] Aerospace projects benefit from its capabilities in developing lightweight electronic components for high-reliability applications, such as avionics systems.^[12] For IoT, it supports cellular industrial designs, such as modules for connected devices, streamlining integration and reference layouts.^[13] Real-world applications encompass full-cycle PCB projects, from simple circuits to complex multi-board systems, including embedded systems for military and industrial use.^[7] The software's advanced features support precise layout for applications requiring high signal integrity, such as RF designs.^[14] For users, Altium Designer offers benefits like streamlined collaboration through cloud-enabled synchronization, enabling distributed teams to share data in real-time with manufacturers and developers.^[7] This supports agile development in fast-paced markets, such as 5G infrastructure and AI hardware, by facilitating efficient product iteration and resource optimization via integrations like Altium Agile.^[15]

Historical Development

Origins as Protel

Protel originated from Protel Pty Ltd, an Australian software company founded in 1985 by Nicholas M. Martin in North Hobart, Tasmania, which developed the first DOS-based printed circuit board (PCB) design tool named Protel PCB.^[16] This tool emerged during a pivotal era in the electronics industry, marked by the transition from manual drafting to automated PCB design amid the 1980s boom in consumer electronics and computing, where increasing circuit complexity demanded efficient software solutions for engineers.^[17] Protel PCB provided essential features for layout and routing on personal computers, addressing the limitations of earlier mainframe-based systems and enabling broader accessibility for small teams and individual designers. By the late 1980s and early 1990s, the company advanced its offerings with DOS-based schematic capture tools, such as Protel Schematic released in 1987, followed by the pioneering shift to Windows in 1991 with Advanced Schematic and Advanced PCB 1.0—the world's first Microsoft Windows-based PCB design system.^[4] These releases introduced graphical user interfaces that improved usability over command-line DOS environments, supporting early library management for component reuse and basic simulation capabilities. Key pre-2000 innovations included enhanced integration of design tools, with Protel 99 released in April 1999 introducing the first integrated 3D visualization for PCB assemblies, alongside support for mixed-signal simulation using SPICE 3f5 models.^[16]^[18] This version also featured advanced library management for standardized component databases, streamlining workflows during the 1990s electronics expansion driven by personal computing and telecommunications growth. In 1999, Protel International Limited, the evolved entity from the original Pty Ltd, completed an initial public offering on the Australian Stock Exchange, raising funds for further development, setting the stage for rebranding to Altium Limited.^[16]

Evolution to Altium Designer

In 2005, Altium rebranded its flagship electronic design software from Protel to Altium Designer with the release of version 6.0 on November 28, marking a significant consolidation of previously separate tools into a unified integrated development environment (IDE). This shift aimed to streamline the design process by integrating schematic capture, PCB layout, and embedded software development within a single platform, reducing the need for multiple disparate applications and improving workflow efficiency. The rebranding reflected Altium's vision for a more cohesive toolset that supported the growing complexity of electronic product development.^[3]^[19] Version 6.8, released in November 2007, introduced key advancements in visualization and verification, including the first integrated 3D PCB engine for real-time rendering and navigation, as well as real-time clearance checking to detect potential physical conflicts during layout. These features enabled designers to visualize board assemblies in three dimensions directly within the editor, facilitating better mechanical integration and error prevention without exporting to external CAD tools. By enhancing interactive design capabilities, this update solidified Altium Designer's position as a forward-looking suite for high-density, high-speed boards.^[20] During the early to mid-2010s, Altium emphasized multi-disciplinary design approaches, integrating diverse workflows such as FPGA development and supply chain management. Version 10, released in 2010, added support for FPGA code generation, allowing seamless transition from C/C++ software to hardware implementation within the IDE, which broadened its appeal for embedded systems designers. In the early 2010s, ActiveBOM was introduced as a dedicated editor for bill of materials management, enabling real-time supplier integration, part sourcing, and cost tracking to bridge design and manufacturing processes. These enhancements underscored a strategic focus on user experience through unified file formats like .PcbDoc and .SchDoc, intuitive drag-and-drop interfaces, and expanded capabilities such as rigid-flex PCB support by 2015, which included advanced layer stack management and bikini coverlay options for flexible regions.^[21]^[22] Altium Limited's ongoing growth as a publicly listed company since its initial public offering in 1999 fueled investments in these developments, including efforts toward broader compatibility across design ecosystems and platforms, positioning the software as a comprehensive solution for modern electronics engineering.^[23] Following the mid-2010s, Altium pursued aggressive expansion through acquisitions, including the purchase of Mentor Graphics' PADS business in 2013 and other tools to enhance its portfolio. In February 2024, Renesas Electronics announced its acquisition of Altium for approximately $5.9 billion, completing the deal in July 2024 and integrating Altium into its operations as of November 2025, marking a pivotal shift in the company's history.^[24]

Design Workflow

Schematic Capture

Schematic capture in Altium Designer serves as the foundational step in the electronic design process, allowing users to create detailed circuit diagrams that represent the logical structure of a design. The software supports both flat and hierarchical schematic designs, enabling engineers to start with simple single-sheet layouts and scale to complex, modular structures as needed. Components are sourced from managed libraries accessible through the Components panel, which integrates with Altium 365 workspaces for centralized access to approved parts with associated models, footprints, and symbols. This library management ensures consistency and reusability across projects.^[25]^[26] For modularity, Altium Designer facilitates multi-channel designs and the use of sheet symbols, which allow repetitive circuit blocks to be defined once and instantiated multiple times, promoting efficiency in designs with identical subsections like amplifiers or filters. Sheet symbols act as placeholders for sub-sheets, enabling hierarchical organization where a top-level sheet references lower-level details via sheet entries that map ports and nets. This approach supports the creation of reusable design modules, reducing redundancy and simplifying maintenance. Buses can be routed using annotation tools to group related signals, while power nets are defined with labels such as "GND" or "12V" to establish connectivity without physical wires.^[25]^[26]^[27] Key tools enhance the accuracy and usability of schematic creation. Annotation automatically assigns unique designators (e.g., R1, C2) and parameters to components via the Annotate dialog, ensuring standardized labeling across the design. Cross-probing provides bidirectional navigation between the schematic and PCB editor, allowing users to jump from a schematic element to its corresponding PCB placement for verification. Electrical Rule Checking (ERC) validates connectivity by flagging issues like unconnected pins or invalid connections, configurable through the project's Connection Matrix and Error Reporting settings in Project Options.^[25]^[27] Integration into the broader workflow is seamless, with automatic netlist generation that transfers schematic connectivity directly to the PCB editor upon import, maintaining synchronization without manual intervention. Variant management allows for handling design revisions by defining different configurations of the same schematic, such as fitted or not-fitted components for assembly options, managed through the Variants dialog. Real-time collaboration features via Altium 365 enable previews and annotations shared among team members, supporting distributed design reviews while preserving the schematic's integrity. This netlist-driven approach ensures a smooth transition to physical layout while accommodating iterative changes.^[25]^[26]^[27]

PCB Design and Layout

The PCB design and layout process in Altium Designer translates the imported schematic netlist into a physical board arrangement, focusing on optimizing component placement and trace routing within a 2D environment.^[28] Component placement is handled interactively, allowing users to select and drag components across the board using mouse input, with real-time re-optimization of connection lines to maintain electrical integrity.^[28] Rotation during placement is achieved by pressing the Spacebar, flipping with the 'X' key, and precise nudging via Ctrl+arrow keys in grid increments, supporting efficient arrangement for single-layer prototypes to complex multi-layer designs.^[28] Routing employs advanced interactive algorithms, including the ActiveRoute tool for automated multi-net pathfinding and the interactive router with modes such as Walkaround, Push, and Ignore Obstacles to navigate obstacles dynamically.^[29] These support high-density routing on boards from simple single-layer to sophisticated multi-layer configurations, with features like auto-insertion of vias (Ctrl+Shift+Wheel) and differential pair handling for signal integrity.^[30] Layer management accommodates up to 32 signal layers for trace routing and 16 internal power plane layers for distribution, alongside documentation layers like silkscreen for component labels and mechanical layers (unlimited) for outlines.^[31] Design rules enforce constraints such as minimum clearance spacing, trace width, and length matching via dedicated rules like Clearance, Width, and Routing Via Style, ensuring compliance across all layers.^[31] Verification occurs through integrated Design Rule Checking (DRC), available in real-time Online mode during editing or Batch mode for comprehensive pre-manufacture validation, highlighting violations like shorts or spacing errors in the PCB Rules and Violations panel.^[32] This process confirms manufacturability by cross-referencing all defined rules, with customizable graphics for issue resolution.^[33] Panelization for batch production is facilitated by the Embedded Board Array feature, which replicates the PCB design in arrays (e.g., step-and-repeat or step-and-turn patterns) and defines separation methods like V-grooves or perforated tabs (mouse bites) on mechanical layers.^[34] Output preparation generates industry-standard files directly from the layout, including Gerber RS-274X or X2 files for each layer (e.g., copper, solder mask) via the Gerber Setup dialog, NC Drill files (.DRL, .TXT) for hole patterns, and pick-and-place reports detailing component positions, rotations, and sides for automated assembly.^[35] These are configured through Output Job files for streamlined release to fabrication.^[35]

Multi-board and Harness Design

Altium Designer's multi-board design capabilities enable the creation of interconnected systems comprising multiple printed circuit boards (PCBs), extending beyond individual board layouts to capture logical and physical relationships at the system level. A multi-board project, structured as a hierarchical document set, includes a multi-board schematic document (.MbsDoc) for defining logical connections between child PCB projects represented as modules, and a multi-board assembly document (.MbaDoc) for positioning boards and verifying physical interconnections such as direct wires, cables, or harnesses.^[36] Board-to-board connections are established using harness connection objects or ports in the schematic, which propagate to the assembly view for clash detection and STEP model integration, ensuring accurate representation of the overall system.^[37] Support for rigid-flex transitions is integrated by importing child PCB projects that include flex regions, allowing designers to model and verify flexible interconnections within the multi-board environment without separate tools.^[38] Harness design in Altium Designer facilitates the development of wiring systems for multi-board assemblies, providing tools for defining pin-to-pin connections, routing wires and cables, bundling them with protective elements, and specifying terminations at connectors or splices. The process begins with a harness wiring diagram (.WirDoc) for logical capture, where wires are placed with properties like gauge, insulation, and color, followed by a harness layout drawing (.LdrDoc) for physical 2D or 3D arrangement, including bundling via cable ties, tapes, or heat shrink tubing.^[39] Termination details are managed through component libraries and connection points, supporting complex splices and backshells for robust assemblies. Version 25 introduced major upgrades, including enhanced flexibility in wire routing with automatic length calculations, improved organization via dynamic bundling previews, and streamlined validation through integrated electrical rule checks to detect mismatches early.^[40] Integration between multi-board and harness designs ensures seamless synchronization with underlying PCB layouts, where changes in connector pins or harness definitions propagate bidirectionally via engineering change orders (ECOs), maintaining consistency across the system. The Connection Manager verifies pin-to-pin mapping and highlights errors, while harness projects can be embedded within multi-board projects for unified management.^[41] Manufacturing outputs are generated directly from the project, including wire lists detailing lengths and terminations, BOMs with total material requirements, and 3D models for export to mechanical CAD tools, facilitating downstream production and assembly.^[39] These features find critical applications in domains requiring cohesive multi-PCB assemblies, such as automotive wiring harnesses that connect control units, sensors, and power distribution across vehicle systems, and aerospace configurations where precise board interconnections ensure reliability in harsh environments.^[41] In both cases, the tools support error-free verification and documentation, reducing design iterations and enhancing system integrity.^[40]

Advanced Capabilities

3D PCB Design

Altium Designer's 3D PCB design capabilities enable engineers to visualize and validate printed circuit board assemblies within a mechanical context, integrating electrical layouts with enclosure and structural elements. The 3D environment allows for the import of mechanical models in formats such as STEP (.stp, .step), IDF v3.0, and others like SOLIDWORKS (.sldprt) or Parasolid (.x_t, *.x_b), which can be placed as 3D Body objects directly in the PCB editor or footprint library.^[42]^[43] This step-by-step import process supports the addition of enclosures, brackets, and other mechanical components to ensure spatial compatibility early in the design phase. Real-time 3D rendering is facilitated through the PCB editor's 3D Layout Mode, accessible via the View menu or the '3' shortcut key, providing fluid navigation with zoom, rotation, and section views for inspecting internal structures. Component height checks are integrated via the Layer Stack Manager, which configures fabrication layers to accurately represent board thickness and component dimensions, allowing validation of vertical clearances during interactive placement.^[44] Collision detection for fit validation is enforced through 3D clearance design rules, which monitor component-to-component and component-to-housing interactions, highlighting violations in the 3D view to prevent assembly issues.^[42]^[45] For collaboration with mechanical CAD (MCAD) tools like SolidWorks or AutoCAD, Altium Designer supports export to STEP (AP214 or AP203) formats, enabling the transfer of PCB geometry including folded boards or selected objects via the File > Export menu or output job files. This integration allows mechanical designers to incorporate the PCB into enclosure models, with bi-directional synchronization maintained through formats like IDX v2.0 for incremental updates.^[43]^[46] Advanced tools extend 3D support to curved and rigid-flex boards, where the Layer Stack Manager defines region-specific stacks for flexible areas, visualized in real-time within the 3D mode. Folding previews for flexible circuits are achieved using the Fold State slider in the PCB panel's Layer Stack Regions mode, which dynamically applies bending lines based on sequence values to simulate transitions from flat to fully folded configurations, with options for slow-motion playback and pausing.^[47] The overall workflow emphasizes bi-directional synchronization between 2D PCB layouts and 3D models, where updates from the schematic or 2D editor propagate to the 3D view via commands like Design > Update PCB Document, ensuring consistency and manufacturability across electrical and mechanical domains.^[28]^[44]

Simulation and Verification

Altium Designer provides integrated tools for simulating and verifying PCB designs, focusing on electrical performance to ensure reliability before manufacturing. These capabilities include signal integrity analysis, power distribution network (PDN) evaluation, and mixed-signal circuit simulation, all accessible directly from the PCB editor or schematic environment. By leveraging inputs from schematic capture and PCB layout, designers can perform pre-layout predictions and post-layout validations without exporting to external software. As of Altium Designer 25 (2024), enhancements include advanced constraint management for signal integrity and continued integration with CST for PDN analysis.^[48]^[49] Signal integrity analysis in Altium Designer addresses issues like reflections, crosstalk, and timing violations through pre- and post-layout simulations. The Signal Integrity Analyzer employs transmission line models and I/O buffer information from IBIS files to simulate signal propagation, calculating voltages at net nodes based on routing geometry and layer stackup. For instance, it evaluates overshoot, undershoot, and crosstalk coupling, using SPICE-compatible engines for accurate waveform analysis. Impedance calculations for traces are also supported, with a common approximation for microstrip lines given by:

Z_0 = \frac{87}{\sqrt{\epsilon_r + 1.41}} \ln \left( \frac{5.98 h}{0.8 w + t} \right)

where Z_0 is the characteristic impedance, \epsilon_r is the dielectric constant of the substrate, w is the trace width, h is the height (distance to the reference plane), and t is the trace thickness. This formula helps designers adjust trace dimensions to match target impedances, typically 50 Ω or 100 Ω differential, during routing.^[50]^[51] Power and thermal verification tools in Altium Designer focus on DC integrity and heat management to prevent voltage drops and hotspots. The PDN Analyzer simulates current flow across power and ground planes, identifying voltage drops and current densities that could affect component performance; it visualizes results as heat maps, highlighting areas exceeding safe limits like 20 mV drop. For thermal analysis, the Power Analyzer extension maps temperature distributions by defining heat sources from component power dissipation and copper conductivities, supporting iterative design adjustments to maintain junction temperatures below 100°C. These tools integrate with the layer stack manager for material-specific simulations, ensuring compliance with thermal derating requirements.^[52]^[53] The verification suite in Altium Designer encompasses mixed-signal simulation and automated reporting for design rule adherence. Its SPICE3f5-compatible mixed-signal simulator handles analog and digital circuits simultaneously, allowing verification of interactions like ADC noise or digital switching effects on analog sections. Automated reports generate compliance summaries against standards such as IPC-2221, which specifies trace width and spacing for current-carrying capacity; for example, it flags violations in power trace sizing to limit temperature rise to 10°C. These reports include waveform plots, pass/fail metrics, and exportable data for documentation, streamlining the transition to fabrication.^[54]^[55]

FPGA Development

Altium Designer supports FPGA development through integration with the PCB workflow, allowing schematic-based logic capture and synchronization of programmable logic with physical board layouts. The software enables schematic entry for FPGA designs, where hierarchical sheets represent logic blocks, and mixed-signal designs can combine analog components with digital FPGA elements from the schematic capture process. Implementation focuses on synchronizing FPGA pin assignments with PCB constraints using the FPGA Pin Mapper tool, which imports external pin files from vendor tools to map them to schematic symbols. This generates constraint files defining pin locations, I/O standards, and differential pairs, preventing mismatches through engineering change orders (ECOs) that maintain consistency between FPGA logic and PCB footprint.^[56] Toolchain integration enables export of designs to major FPGA vendors for further processing. Schematic netlists can be exported as EDIF or other formats for import into tools like AMD Xilinx Vivado or Intel Quartus Prime for synthesis, place-and-route, and bitstream generation. The software supports vendors including AMD Xilinx, Intel (formerly Altera), Lattice, and Microchip (formerly Microsemi/Actel), with constraint files ensuring compatibility for device targeting and programming.^[56] The workflow in Altium Designer emphasizes seamless handoff, starting with schematic capture and pin mapping, followed by export to vendor-specific tools for implementation and verification. Bidirectional synchronization via the Pin Mapper ensures FPGA changes reflect in the PCB layout and vice versa, minimizing errors in system-level designs.^[56]

Data Management and Collaboration

Project Management

Altium Designer employs a hierarchical project structure to organize electronic designs, allowing users to create parent-child relationships between documents such as schematics and PCBs through sheet symbols and ports, which are dynamically compiled to maintain connectivity across the project.^[57] Projects are managed via the Projects panel, which displays a logical folder-based organization including subfolders for source documents, settings, libraries, and generated outputs, facilitating efficient navigation and dependency tracking between components, nets, and files.^[57] Library management is integrated into this structure, with local libraries stored in dedicated folders subdivided by type—such as schematic symbols or PCB footprints—enabling centralized component reuse while validating dependencies through project compilation.^[57] Source control integration supports Git as the primary version control system (VCS), with SVN available as a legacy option, allowing projects to be linked to external repositories for tracking changes and collaboration.^[58] To set up Git, users install the VCS Provider – Git extension and connect projects to local or remote repositories, where status icons in the Projects panel indicate modifications, conflicts, or synchronization states.^[59] Revision tracking includes local history views accessible via the History & Version Control menu, enabling comparison of changes against repository baselines to identify differences in schematics or layouts.^[57] Commit and release workflows mitigate data loss by allowing users to stage, commit, and push changes from local working repositories to remote Git servers, with options to revert or merge conflicts using built-in comparison tools.^[59] These workflows ensure revisions are preserved, with the Projects panel refreshing history on demand to display commit logs and version states.^[57] For design reuse, Altium Designer provides snippets—captured sections of circuitry or layouts saved as reusable blocks—and project templates that preload parameters and structures, streamlining the creation of similar designs without redundant editing.^[60] Managed outputs, such as Bills of Materials (BOMs) and assembly drawings, are generated through Output Job files organized in the project's Generated folder, with ActiveBOM facilitating parameter editing and variant management for production readiness.^[61] Best practices for project organization emphasize folder-based hierarchies to group related files, regular validation to track dependencies, and manual saves to local or server storage as a form of backup, supplemented by Git commits for revision safety.^[57] These local management features can extend to cloud-based systems for enhanced team access.^[62]

Altium 365 Integration

Altium 365 is a cloud-based platform that integrates seamlessly with Altium Designer, enabling real-time collaboration, project hosting, and ecosystem connectivity for PCB design teams.^[63] The platform's cloud workspace hosts design projects, components, and templates, allowing distributed teams to engage in simultaneous editing with read/write access directly from the desktop application.^[63] Interactive commenting on schematics, layouts, and bills of materials (BOMs) supports threaded discussions, while built-in task assignment facilitates workflows such as design reviews, issue tracking, and part requests, ensuring efficient coordination without local file transfers.^[63] Key features extend to secure sharing and release management, where users can privately share live project views, static snapshots, or complete manufacturing packages with internal teams, external guests, or fabrication partners via browser-based portals.^[63] These release portals track revisions through a structured lifecycle, from draft to production-ready states, streamlining handoffs to manufacturers.^[63] Additionally, integration with supply chain resources via the BOM Portal connects to providers like SiliconExpert and Z2Data, offering real-time component sourcing, availability checks, lifecycle status, and regulatory compliance data to inform design decisions.^[64] Security and access controls in Altium 365 emphasize enterprise-grade protection, with role-based permissions that define granular access levels—such as view-only for reviewers or full edit rights for contributors—and support for guest accounts without full platform licenses.^[63] Comprehensive audit trails log all changes, revisions, and user actions, providing traceability for compliance and quality assurance. Mobile and browser-based access further enables remote reviews and approvals from any device, without requiring Altium Designer installation, enhancing flexibility for field teams or stakeholders.^[65] Introduced on May 1, 2020, as the world's first cloud platform dedicated to PCB design and realization, Altium 365 has evolved to address modern team dynamics and automation needs.^[66] Major 2025 updates include AI-assisted capabilities in the Requirements Portal, which apply data-driven systems engineering to automate requirement analysis and validation, accelerating early-stage design reviews.^[67] Concurrent enhancements to the MCAD CoDesigner improve real-time synchronization for rigid-flex and multi-board assemblies with tools like Siemens NX and Autodesk Inventor.^[68] The platform's REST and Python APIs were expanded with updated documentation in September 2025, enabling deeper custom integrations and automated workflows for third-party tools.^[69]

File Formats and Interoperability

Native File Formats

Altium Designer's native file formats are proprietary structures designed to encapsulate the full range of PCB design data, including schematics, layouts, and component libraries, in a manner optimized for the software's internal processing and storage. These formats primarily utilize binary encoding for efficiency and compactness, though users can opt to save certain documents in ASCII for readability or external processing needs. This dual capability ensures robust data integrity while allowing flexibility in file handling.^[70]^[71] Schematic documents are stored in the .SchDoc format, which supports the creation and management of circuit diagrams, including hierarchical designs where multiple sheets can be nested to represent complex systems. The .SchDoc file embeds textual annotations, netlist data, and graphical elements for symbols and wires, enabling seamless synchronization with PCB layouts during the design flow. This format's structure facilitates the inclusion of design rules and parameters directly within the file, promoting consistency across the project.^[70]^[72] PCB documents utilize the .PcbDoc format to store board layout information, encompassing layer stackups, component placements, routing paths, and associated design rules such as clearances and trace widths. This format integrates 3D model data, copper pour regions, and silkscreen elements in a self-contained manner, allowing for comprehensive board visualization and validation within the software. The embedded rules in .PcbDoc files ensure that layout decisions adhere to project-specific constraints without requiring external references.^[71]^[73] For component management, schematic libraries are maintained in .SchLib files, which house reusable symbols complete with pin assignments, graphical representations, and parameter sets. PCB libraries, stored as .PcbLib files, contain footprints, 3D models, and courtyard definitions essential for physical placement. Integrated libraries (.IntLib) compile both .SchLib and .PcbLib content into a single, managed unit, embedding models and links to streamline component reuse across designs. These library formats are self-contained, incorporating all necessary graphics and metadata to avoid dependency issues.^[74]^[75] A key advantage of these native formats is their backward compatibility, enabling files from previous Altium Designer versions to be opened and edited in newer releases without data loss, supported through version-specific save options in the file format dialog. This feature preserves design integrity over time and facilitates team collaboration on evolving projects. Additionally, the self-contained nature of the formats, with embedded graphics, rules, and hierarchical data, reduces external dependencies and enhances reliability in project management workflows.^[73]^[57]

Import and Export Capabilities

Altium Designer supports importing mechanical data in DXF and DWG formats, enabling the integration of board outlines and other geometric elements from CAD tools into PCB designs.^[76] For legacy compatibility, it provides import capabilities for OrCAD schematic and PCB files through the Import Wizard, preserving hierarchical designs and component data where possible.^[77] Protel legacy files, as predecessors to Altium's native formats, can also be imported directly to facilitate migration of older projects.^[78] Additionally, 3D models in STEP (AP203/AP214) and IDF (up to version 3.0) formats are supported for importing enclosure and board assembly data, allowing seamless incorporation into multi-board or PCB layouts.^[43] Netlists from Eagle and KiCad can be imported via the dedicated Import Wizard options, converting schematic connectivity for further editing in Altium Designer.^[79]^[80] On the export side, Altium Designer generates industry-standard fabrication files including Gerber (RS-274X, X2) for copper layers and silkscreen, paired with Excellon drill files for vias and holes.^[81] Advanced CAM outputs like ODB++ provide a comprehensive database format encompassing stackup, drill, and netlist information for enhanced manufacturing accuracy.^[81] For MCAD collaboration, exports to STEP and Parasolid formats transfer 3D PCB models, including board shapes and component bodies, to tools like SolidWorks.^[43] IPC-2581 exports, available as an extension, deliver paperless manufacturing data in an XML-based structure that includes assembly instructions and variants.^[82] Specialized exports include wire lists and harness diagrams generated from harness design projects, which can be placed and output as tables detailing pin-to-pin connections for manufacturing.^[39] For FPGA development, Altium Designer exports netlists and pin constraint files, such as CSV formats compatible with Xilinx tools, to support implementation in vendor-specific environments like ISE for UCF generation.^[56] Interoperability extends to bi-directional data exchange with MCAD tools like SolidWorks via the MCAD CoDesigner extension, allowing synchronized updates of board geometry and enclosures.^[83] Exports handle design variants by enabling selection in output generators, ensuring fitted or not-fitted components are appropriately represented in formats like Gerber sets or STEP models without altering the base native files.^[84]

Versions and Updates

Release Timeline

Altium Designer 6.0 marked the beginning of the modern era for the software, released in 2005 as a unified platform that integrated schematic capture, PCB layout, and FPGA design tools into a single environment, departing from the modular Protel roots.^[85] This unification emphasized seamless workflow across electronic product development stages, enabling direct synchronization between FPGA logic and PCB routing without external file exchanges.^[85] In 2011, Altium Designer 10.0 introduced significant enhancements to FPGA development capabilities, including improved support for third-party IP cores and advanced signal integrity tools for high-speed interfaces, building on the unified architecture to streamline FPGA-PCB co-design.^[86] These updates facilitated better integration of programmable logic with board-level design, reducing iteration cycles in complex embedded systems.^[87] Version 14.0, launched in 2013, pioneered multi-board system design features, allowing users to capture logical interconnections across multiple PCBs within a single project environment for more efficient handling of modular electronics.^[88] This release expanded the software's scope to support hierarchical system-level design, including 3D visualization of assemblies.^[89] The mid-2010s saw continued evolution with Altium Designer 18.0 in 2017, which debuted ActiveBOM for real-time bill of materials management, integrating supplier data and lifecycle insights directly into the design process to accelerate component sourcing.^[90] This tool enhanced supply chain visibility, enabling proactive adjustments during schematic and layout phases.^[91] By late 2019 with updates extending into 2020, Altium Designer 20.0 integrated beta cloud collaboration features via Altium 365, allowing remote team access to design data and version control, marking a shift toward ecosystem-based development.^[92] This release emphasized connected workflows, with unified data management across distributed teams.^[93] Altium Designer 22.0 arrived in early 2022, with enhancements supporting automated length tuning and 3D export for manufacturing handoff in multi-board systems.^[94]^[95] In late 2022, Version 23.0 introduced harness design tools for wire bundle routing and validation in multi-board systems, improving accuracy in electromechanical integration.^[96] This iteration focused on intelligent automation while maintaining core modularity.^[97] Altium Designer 24.0, released in late 2023, introduced agile licensing models tied to subscription-based access, aligning with cloud-centric updates and the end of new perpetual license sales in 2024.^[98] It prioritized flexible deployment options for enterprise users.^[98] The latest major release, Altium Designer 25.0 in early 2025, delivered substantial UI modernizations and advanced simulation integrations, enhancing real-time analysis for signal integrity and thermal performance within the unified interface.^[9] These boosts emphasized user productivity and ecosystem interoperability.^[99] Overall, Altium Designer has followed a pattern of annual public releases since 2005, supplemented by developer previews, with a consistent emphasis on modularity, cloud integration, and expanding the software's role in full product lifecycle management.^[10]

Key Enhancements in Recent Versions

Altium Designer 20, released in late 2019 with updates extending into 2020, introduced initial integration with Altium 365, enabling project history timelines and seamless sharing of design data across teams for improved collaboration.^[100] This version also enhanced routing capabilities for high-speed designs through improved route glossing and a new DirectX-accelerated schematic editor engine, which streamlined the handling of complex signal paths and reduced manual adjustments.^[101] These updates laid the foundation for more efficient workflows in multi-user environments while maintaining compatibility with prior file formats. Subsequent releases from versions 22 to 24, spanning 2022 to late 2023, built on these advancements with targeted improvements in specialized design areas. Enhanced harness design features, introduced in version 23, included support for 3D bundling and wiring diagrams, allowing users to model cable assemblies with greater precision and generate manufacturing outputs directly from the schematic.^[39] AI-driven tools for component search and placement emerged in later updates, leveraging machine learning to suggest alternatives based on availability, specifications, and past usage, thereby accelerating library management and reducing selection time.^[102] Additionally, rigid-flex PCB support was expanded with better handling of advanced materials, such as polyimide substrates, enabling more accurate stackup definitions and fold simulations for compact, durable designs in wearables and aerospace applications. Version 25, released in early 2025, represents a significant leap in PCB functionality and simulation capabilities, with new features like automated variant management that streamline the creation and switching of design configurations through integrated workflows.^[10] Upgraded simulation tools now better support high-frequency applications, including analysis of 5G signal integrity, by incorporating advanced SPICE models for mixed-signal verification and faster iterative testing.^[103] Cloud-based AI enhancements via Altium 365 facilitate automated design reviews, where machine learning algorithms detect potential issues like rule violations or thermal hotspots in shared projects, promoting enterprise-scale collaboration without compromising local performance.^[102] These enhancements across recent versions emphasize scalability for enterprise users, with backward compatibility ensuring seamless transitions from older projects and notable performance gains, such as up to 30% efficiency improvements in design cycles through optimized rendering and simulation speeds.^[104] For instance, version 25 delivers up to 8 times faster simulation runs on large boards, enabling quicker validation of complex layouts while supporting cloud-offloaded tasks for distributed teams.^[105]

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Protel PCB Design Software Rebrands to Altium Designer
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### Summary of Schematic Capture Features in Altium Designer
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Schematic Capture Software and PCB Layout Tools in Altium Designer| Altium
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Capturing the Schematic
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Laying Out Your PCB
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Routing the PCB
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Defining the Layer Stack
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Board Panelization
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Preparing Fabrication Data
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Harness Design
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Mechanical Data Import-Export Support
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Controlling the 3D View
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Designing a Rigid-Flex PCB
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### Summary of FPGA Design Processing in Altium Designer
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Managing Project Documents
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Git-based Version Control
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