How to design a standard PCB layout using Altium Designer
How to design a standard PCB layout using Altium Designer
This document is currently in a work in progress.
All Altium Designer Shortcut Keys [Download]
+400 Shortcuts for Altium Designer [View]
Ctrl
+ M
: Measure.C
Then C
: Compile the active project.D
Then U
: Update the PCB with any schematic changes.D
Then O
: Open the “Document Options” window.Q
: Toggle the measurement unit system between metric and imperial.T
Then C
: Cross-probe a net, pin or component between the schematic and the PCB.P
Then W
: Start placing wires.J
Then C
: Jump to component.J
Then N
: Jump to net.T
Then A
Then A
: Open the “Annotate” window.T
Then A
Then U
Open the “Quick Annotate” window.D
Then I
: Import changes from schematic to PCB.T
Then D
Then R
: Run DRC (Design Rule Checks).Q
: Toggle the measurement unit system between metric and imperial.T
Then C
: Cross-probe a net, pin or component between the schematic and the PCB.P
Then T
: Begin routing a track.Tab
(while routing): Brings up routing options/properties windows.Shift
+ Space
: Change the track routing style (e.g. from straight to 45 to curved and back again).Shift
+ W
: Set the track width to something from the predefined track width list.T
Then G
Then A
: Repour all polygons.L
: Flip a component.Spacebar
: Rotate object by 90°.J
Then C
: Jump to component.Ctrl
+ Shift
+ C
: Align horizontal centers.Ctrl
+ Shift
+ T
: Align horizontal tops.Ctrl
+ Shift
+ B
: Align horizontal bottoms.Ctrl
+ Shift
+ V
: Align vertical centers.Ctrl
+ Shift
+ L
: Align vertical lefts.Ctrl
+ Shift
+ R
: Align vertical rights.E
Then M
Then M
: Move component (useful for when you can’t select it because it’s ontop of other components).Shift
+ S
: Hide all but selected layer.V
Then B
: Flip board.MouseScroll
: Move up/down.Shift
+ MouseScroll
: Move left/right.Ctrl
+ MouseScroll
: Zoom in/out.Ctrl
+ M
: Measure.+
/ -
: Increment/Decrement through the enabled layers.*
: Increment/Decrement through routing layers only.S
Then S
/ Ctrl
+ H
: Enables you to select a section of connected copper. Stops the selection at a via, pad or intersection.D
Then T
Then <letter>
: Select a view configuration. These views and their key shortcuts are user configurable.
D
Then T
Then U
: Selects the “up” configuration (all top layers).D
Then T
Then D
: Selects the “down” configuration (all bottom layers).D
Then O
: Open Board Options window.Ctrl
+ G
: Open the Grid Editor window.L
: Show the Layers dialog box to adjust the visible layers and/or enable/disable layers.G
: Cycle through the predefined grids.D
Then R
> Design Rules
> Electrical
> Clearance
D
Then R
> Design Rules
> Routing
> Width
D
Then R
> Design Rules
> Routing
> Width_PWR
D
Then R
> Design Rules
> Routing
> Routing Via Style
D
Then R
> Design Rules
> Mask
> Solder Mask Expansion
D
Then R
> Design Rules
> Manufacturing
> Hole To Hole Clearance
D
Then R
> Design Rules
> Manufacturing
> Minimum Solder Mask Silver
D
Then R
> Design Rules
> Manufacturing
> Silk to Solder Mask Clearance
D
Then R
> Design Rules
> Manufacturing
> Silk to Silk Clearance
D
Then R
> Design Rules
> Placement
> Component Clearance
DXP
> Prefs
> PCB Editor
> Defaults
> Via
Design
> Layer Stack Manager
View
> Panels
> PCB
PCB Panel
> <Net Name>
> Right-Click
> Change Net Color
PCB Panel
> <Net Name>
> Right-Click
> Display Override > Selected ON
F5
= Toggle Net Colors