Reference designator, getting .Designator2
Printed From: PCB Libraries Forum
Category: Libraries
Forum Name: Altium
Forum Description:
URL: https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3470
Printed Date: 13 Feb 2025 at 11:26am
Topic: Reference designator, getting .Designator2
Posted By: JCurtis
Subject: Reference designator, getting .Designator2
Date Posted: 13 Feb 2025 at 4:20am
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After building a new PC and re-installing everything, I've gone to make some parts. So using version 25.3, I've generated the build scripts for some resistors - my go to sanity check that I have the settings right. For some reason, the reference designator text is appearing as .Designator2. I am looking to get the designator onto the assembly outline layer, sized and centered appropriately. I can't seem to figure out why I am getting the 2 suffix, I don't remember that before.
No doubt I've missed something obvious, but I can't find it. |
Replies:
Posted By: Tom H
Date Posted: 13 Feb 2025 at 8:40am
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There are two .Designator One for Silkscreen .Designator and one for Assembly .Designator2 You can turn then on/off in Tools > Options > Drafting > Silkscreen/Assembly Are you using V25.03 that was released 12 hours ago? ------------- Stay connected - follow us! https://twitter.com/PCBLibraries" rel="nofollow - X - http://www.linkedin.com/company/pcb-libraries-inc-/" rel="nofollow - LinkedIn |
Posted By: JCurtis
Date Posted: 13 Feb 2025 at 11:07am
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Yes, V25.03. Just downloaded the latest as I'm slowly sorting out the PC. I didn't realise Altium would take a .Designator2 when creating assembly/draftsman outputs. I'll give it a try tomorrow. Is this a new feature? I've been using PCBLibraries for a few years and not seen before. I'm rebuilding my 5 year old database library, trying to get everything into a common format. It's grown organically over the years. If I only knew what I do about Altium back then!
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Posted By: Tom H
Date Posted: 13 Feb 2025 at 11:14am
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The Assembly .Designator2 is a new feature in V25.03. But you have on/off control in Tools > Options > Drafting  ------------- Stay connected - follow us! https://twitter.com/PCBLibraries" rel="nofollow - X - http://www.linkedin.com/company/pcb-libraries-inc-/" rel="nofollow - LinkedIn |
Posted By: JCurtis
Date Posted: 13 Feb 2025 at 11:19am
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That would explain it. Though Altium only specifies .Designator as a special string. I was seeing .Designator and .Designator2 on the different layers. The docs just say..
https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-designer/text-objects-pcb#notes-about-using-special-strings" rel="nofollow - https://www.altium.com/documentation/altium-designer/text-objects-pcb#notes-about-using-special-strings When I'm back in the office tomorrow I'll see if Altium treats them both the same and replaces them with the actual component designator when generating the outputs.
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