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Simultaneously generate L, N, and M density

Printed From: PCB Libraries Forum
Category: PCB Footprint Expert
Forum Name: Product Suggestions
Forum Description: request new features
URL: https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=2492
Printed Date: 12 Oct 2024 at 9:22pm


Topic: Simultaneously generate L, N, and M density
Posted By: LaserAlex
Subject: Simultaneously generate L, N, and M density
Date Posted: 03 Jun 2019 at 4:39pm
I would love to see a checkbox in the export / script generation window that would generate all three footprint densities (Least, Nominal, Most) in a single output script.  This would make it much easier to provide all three footprints at once when creating a new component into Altium Designer.


Replies:
Posted By: Tom H
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2019 at 8:18am
Would you mix L, N and M in the same PCB library?

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Posted By: LaserAlex
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2019 at 9:21am
Yes, I would keep them in the same library, with each schematic component pre-assigned to be able to use all three options.  That is how Altium's on-demand library parts work and I like the effect.

I start the layout with the N part for most designs, or M for high-reliability.  But if I find myself caught in board size constraints I can change parts down to L (or from M to N) in the schematic or board layout without needing to replace the schematic component with one from another library.

Of course you have more experience than a lot of us here, Tom, so if you suggest an alternate workflow I'd be happy to hear.

Posted By: JamesHeadOI
Date Posted: 04 Jun 2019 at 11:57pm
Yes, I too would use such a feature though I wouldn't place it as a priority.
I always output all three, N, M and L at the same time and import into the same footprint library for Pulsonix to give me choice in designs.
I normally only use the N but in some portable instruments where space is tight I may make the decision to go down to L.
Generally I use M for those boards where there's a high likel hood that they are going to be hand-soldered as a prototype/development board or even a production board where only a handful are going to be required each year and it again is going to be hand-soldered.

Posted By: SquareBill
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2021 at 3:48pm
I would prefer an option to generate them into separate libraries. We use Concord and all of the footprints are their own elements that can be added to a component definition. I only ever use Nominal and Least, although I wouldn't care if M were generated along with the others.
Something I would like to see would be to import sub configs into the settings so that a Flex definition for instance could be simultaneously exported along with any or all of the IPC definitions.

Posted By: zentekfr
Date Posted: 18 Feb 2022 at 2:11am
I second this suggestion.
I always generate L and M densities in the same file for further flexibility of my future designs.


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