To import an Altium Designer PCB document into CircuitMaker, you need to export it from Altium Designer in a format compatible with CircuitMaker. Here's how:
Steps to Export from Altium Designer:
- Open the PCB document you wish to import in Altium Designer. This should be an active PCB document (.PcbDoc).
- Navigate to the Export Menu: Go to
File»Export»CircuitMaker.- Alternatively, you may see the option
File»Export»CircuitStudio. CircuitStudio is a similar software and the exported file should also be importable in CircuitMaker.
- Alternatively, you may see the option
- Save the file: Choose a location on your computer to save the exported file. The file will be saved with the extension
.CMPcbDoc(if exporting directly to CircuitMaker) or.CSPcbDoc(if exporting to CircuitStudio format).
Steps to Import into CircuitMaker:
- Open CircuitMaker.
- Navigate to the Import Menu: Go to
File»Open. - Select the Exported File: Browse to the location where you saved the
.CMPcbDocor.CSPcbDocfile and select it. - Open the PCB: CircuitMaker should now import and open the PCB document.
Important Considerations:
- Version Compatibility: Ensure that the version of Altium Designer you're using is compatible with CircuitMaker. It's always best to use the latest versions of both software for the best compatibility.
- Complex Designs: Extremely complex designs with advanced features in Altium Designer might not translate perfectly into CircuitMaker. Some features might need manual adjustments in CircuitMaker after import.
- Library Differences: Differences in component libraries between Altium Designer and CircuitMaker may require you to remap or replace certain components after importing.
By following these steps, you can successfully export your Altium Designer PCB designs and import them into CircuitMaker for further editing or use.
