What's New in Altium 365
Learn about the new features, enhancements, and important changes
introduced to the Altium 365 platform.
Rigid-Flex Design Transfer to Siemens NX (Advanced)
Feature: MCAD CoDesigner now supports the transfer of Advanced Rigid-Flex (RF2) designs from Altium Designer to Siemens NX.
- Support for any number of rigid and flexible regions.
- Accurate representation of varying flex region thicknesses.
- Transfer of overlapping flexible regions.
- Visualization of copper and silkscreen layers on rigid regions within Siemens NX.
- Representation of localized bends within flex region cutouts.
Benefit: This enhancement facilitates more accurate representation of complex flexible circuit designs in Siemens NX, reducing the need for manual adjustments and improving collaboration on electromechanical assemblies involving flexible PCBs.
Multi-board Assembly Synchronization with Autodesk Inventor
Feature: MCAD CoDesigner now enables the synchronization of multi-board assemblies between Altium Designer and Autodesk Inventor. This allows for the transfer of the assembled PCB structure, including board placement and orientation.
Benefit: This feature allows both electrical and mechanical engineers to visualize the complete device assembly in their respective design environments. ECAD engineers can perform electro-mechanical checks (e.g., component clearances), and mechanical engineers can ensure accurate integration of the PCBs within the enclosure. This improves communication and reduces potential integration issues.
Try MCAD CoDesigner now.
Please visit the product page for more details about the MCAD CoDesigner functionality.
Dive deeper into the new features and improvements by exploring the complete release and details in our documentation.
We're excited to announce the beta test of our new Design Review application for Altium 365, is now available for everyone to test. This new application accelerates your design reviews, tracks everyone’s feedback in real time, and prevents errors for higher-quality products.
Accelerate Your Electronics Design Process with our NEW Design Review Application
Design Review for Altium 365 offers development teams and engineering managers:
- Faster Reviews and Better Traceability: No more time wasted figuring out who hasn’t provided feedback. The status tracker gives you real-time visibility into which reviewers have given input and what still needs attention, making it easy to track progress and prepare for audits.
- Higher Quality Products: No more missed feedback. Capture 100% of stakeholder input and ensure it’s addressed, reducing the risk of last-minute redesigns, production errors, and costly product recalls.
Key Features
- Design Review Status Tracker: invite stakeholders and easily track when their review is completed. Use “voting” to see if they approve or reject the current design.
- Checklist templates and tracking: use included templates for various reviews or build your own and track progress on the Status Tracker.
- Comments and Tasks are in the design review for context: use comments and tasks as you normally would in Altium 365, but now you can track them by each design review.
- Compare Views tool: compare the current review with previous comments or releases to accelerate the review process.
- Design Review Report: once the review is approved or rejected, all review information is available in one place. Fields will be non-editable but available for future viewing for context and audit preparation.
Get Started with Design Review
Ready to streamline your electronics development process? Design Review is available for free to all Altium 365 users with the Organizational Security Package. When you open a project, you should see a navigation tab on the left side that says “Design Review BETA”.
If you don’t have our Organizational Security Package, you can still try our beta software by adding yourself to the beta test list. Go to the Design Review Try Now page and add your name to the list and you should get access within a few business days.
We hope you enjoy working with our new Design Review application!!
- Learn more about the Design Review application
- Watch our Design Review webinar
- Design Review FAQs
- Design Review documentation
We’re thrilled to inform you about the latest updates to the Altium 365 BOM Portal, which includes the ability to manage and optimize multiple BOMs, visibility into parts usage, and autofill of alternate parts. These new features and improvements are designed to make your BOM management even more efficient, helping you streamline purchasing, reduce costs, and mitigate supply chain risks.
New Features
Consolidated BOM (Open Beta)
Combine multiple BOMs, adjust quantities, and optimize part selection. This feature allows you to consolidate similar parts manually, reducing the number of unique components, and potentially lowering costs with bulk ordering. Octopart users can export their optimized BOM or order parts directly from Octocart. Automated part consolidation suggestions are coming in the future!
Used Parts (Open Beta)
Gain a comprehensive overview of all components used across your projects. Monitor and optimize your parts usage, track part lifecycle, availability, and compliance, and streamline your supply chain management. This feature allows for manual optimization by identifying opportunities to consolidate similar components.
Autofill Alternates
Accelerate the process of adding alternates to your BOM with the new Autofill Alternates action. This feature works with both library-added alternates and those suggested by approved parts data providers (IHS, SE, Z2Data). The alternates from your library part choice list will be added by default.
Other Improvements
- Compare existing BOMs with new BOMs or any BOM in your workspace
- Specify your country/region in BOM settings to receive accurate SKU offers tailored to your location.
- App-level settings for BOM Portal:
- Assign users to the BOM Portal App and
- Define default settings for currency, country, favorite suppliers, and BOM checks
- BOM Portal UI adjustments:
- Increased height of the lines,
- Component preview,
- Freeze column action,
- Extra quantity support to add spare parts, and
- Item % column to show the percentage of BOM cost per line.
- Alternates are shown now in BOM comparisons
- Enhanced BOM Checks:
- Mismatch alerts between part number and BOM Item descriptions,
- Potential incompatibility of used alternates and
- Missing Part Number in PCL (part choice list)
- Improved MPN Resolution Logic:
- The system now uses the Name and Description columns to find and map the MPN if it’s not provided.
- Enhanced Revision ID Component Linking:
- Both Revision and Revision ID columns can now be used as Internal Part Numbers (IPN).
- Start your BOM Portal Evaluation here
- Learn more about BOM Portal
- Watch our on-demand BOM Portal Webinar
- Sign up for the upcoming webinar "Ensuring Electronic Component Traceability From Idea to Innovation"
We are excited to release a new Secure Collaboration tool, Altium 365 Organizational Security Package. A new package designed to give your IT security team advanced access controls and compliance tools to safeguard your data, while giving your design teams intuitive tools to manage your projects and teams.
Simple Tools to Manage Your Development Projects & Teams
Save time and get a better overview of your projects with our Jira integration. Organize your projects and teams as needed with multiple workspaces and unlimited data storage.
Easily Add Your Existing Access Controls & Compliance Tools
Strengthen access controls with IP whitelisting, group & workspace management, and your existing SSO. Gain real-time visibility into user activity and generate compliance reports through our SIEM Integration API.
| Capability | Description | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Workspaces | Supports creating and managing various workspaces, with admin controls over workspace creation. | Separate your projects into different workspaces so team members can focus on their specific tasks without being distracted by unrelated work. |
| Unlimited Data Storage | Ensures the team can store all projects and component libraries without space constraints or infrastructure worries. | Provides a cost-effective solution by allowing teams to store all projects without additional fees for increased storage capacity. |
| Jira Integration | Synchronize your Altium 365 electronics design process with your Jira cloud software. | Reduce operational costs of manual task updates and make better decisions by knowing the current status of your project. |
| Access to all Altium 365 apps | Your team has access to all the Altium 365 applications. | Your entire electronics development process starting with Requirements, Design, Supply Chain, and Manufacturing can be managed by Altium 365. |
| Capability | Description | Benefit |
| Multiple Workspaces | Supports the creation and management of multiple workspaces. | Compartmentalize design data across teams and workspaces, enabling auditability for compliance reporting and alerting. |
| Advanced Workspace Controls | Admins control the creation, file sharing, and uploading capabilities of new workspaces and Personal Spaces. | Manage the creation of new workspaces and Personal Spaces, enforcing security policies and ensuring consistency across the platform. |
| SSO, MFA, SCIM | SSO simplifies access with one set of credentials across multiple systems. Strengthen security over just passwords (Core Altium 365). MFA enhances security with multiple verification methods. SCIM open-standard protocol is used to simplify cloud identity and access management. | Easily manage and secure digital identities & control user access using your existing identity management tools Simplify compliance - companies can demonstrate data isn’t being misused |
| IP Whitelisting | Limit unauthorized access to your workspaces by only allowing specific IP addresses to access it. Add up to 100 IP rules. | Enhanced security by reducing the risk of unauthorized access of individual IP addresses, or ranges of IP addresses. |
| Group Management | Groups are collections of account users where group settings apply to all members. | Save time by setting up Groups with standardized access controls, licenses, and other settings based on roles or teams. You can also manage app and data access based on Groups. |
| Event Log | Includes detailed information for each event entry such as when it occurred, who invoked the event, and what object or User was affected. | Helps identify and mitigate security risk by offering visibility into actions taken within the system for audit and compliance purposes. |
| SIEM Integration API | Monitors and manages security events via API, providing analysis of security alerts from applications and network hardware, while exposing log data for SIEM with customer-managed configuration. | Use your existing SIEM and our API to enhance compliance, streamline auditing with comprehensive event tracking and reporting, and provide centralized visibility of security events across your organization. |
Learn more about the Altium 365 Organizational Security Package.
Learn more about the Altium 365 Jira Integration.
Watch a recording of our Organizational Security Package webinar: How to Protect Your IP While Accelerating Electronic Product Developement
Learn more about Altium 365 Information Security.
3D Fillet and Chamfer Translation
Feature: Automatic translation of fillets and chamfers on vertical PCB edges (Z-axis) in MCAD to the board sketch.
Benefit: Eliminates manual re-creation of fillets and chamfers for ECAD usage.
Smart Sketch Change Management
Feature: Retains unchanged elements in the board sketch during ECAD-to-MCAD updates.
Benefit: Reduces the need for manual restoration of dimensions and constraints after ECAD board shape changes.
Details: The "Smart Sketch Change" option allows for the disabling of complex scenarios.
Enhanced Pull Capabilities in MCAD (PRO/ENT/ADV only)
Feature: Ability to pull any previous pushes performed in ECAD.
Benefit: Easier retrieval of historical design iterations within MCAD.
Details: Updated automatic push policy: Automatic pushes from ECAD only occur on projects previously pulled into MCAD (since May 2024).
Try MCAD CoDesigner now.
Please visit the product page for more details about the MCAD CoDesigner functionality.
Dive deeper into the new features and improvements by exploring the complete release and details in our documentation.
Integrate your Altium 365 Workspace with an SIEM system using the SIEM API to capture and correlate security events, minimizing manual tasks and enhancing efficiency.
Real-Time Event Monitoring
With the SIEM API, you can transfer Events Log data to your SIEM system for compliance and auditing. This API, part of the Altium 365 Organizational Security Package, offers real-time monitoring and simplified troubleshooting.
Key Benefits of SIEM Integration
- Enhanced Compliance: Meet regulatory requirements by exporting audit logs effortlessly.
- Efficient Auditing: Streamline auditing with comprehensive event tracking and reporting.
- Centralized Visibility: Achieve a unified view of security events across your organization.
SIEM Example Use Case
Imagine a scenario where a company integrates Altium 365 with an SIEM solution. The SIEM detects an employee accessing sensitive project data outside of business hours from an unusual location exhibiting unusual behavior patterns. This triggers an alert, empowering an IT Analyst to evaluate the employee's behavior using contextual data related to their role, department, and access permissions.
Our Customer Success Managers will be available to assist customers with the integration. This feature is included in the Organizational Security Package. For more details on the package, please click here.
What is an IP Whitelist?
IP Whitelisting acts as a gatekeeper, ensuring that only traffic from trusted IP addresses can access your network. This is crucial for maintaining the integrity and security of your data.
Where is the IP Whitelisting Used?
IP Whitelisting is widely used in business-to-business communication scenarios, where APIs and services are private and intended to be accessed exclusively by specified entities. By implementing IP whitelists, organizations can establish secure communication channels with trusted partners, safeguarding against unauthorized access.
How Does it Work?
IP Whitelisting functions by filtering incoming traffic at the network's entry point, effectively blocking unwanted traffic before it can reach sensitive resources. This selective access minimizes resource interference and optimizes network performance by reducing unnecessary load and allowing access exclusively to pre-approved IP addresses. This feature is particularly designed for administrators who can manage and control access through the "Admin - Inbound Traffic" section.
Key Features:
- Restrict Access: Only IP addresses explicitly approved by administrators can access the workspace. By limiting access to approved IP addresses, IP Whitelisting reduces the attack surface and mitigates the risk of security breaches.
- Centralize Access Management: Administrators have the sole authority to add and manage IP addresses through the Altium 365 Admin Settings. This includes the ability to add both individual IPs and ranges of IPs. With exclusive control over IP Whitelisting, Altium 365 workspace admins can centrally manage and oversee access permissions, ensuring compliance with security protocols.
- Scalability and Maximum Capacity: IP Whitelisting offers a scalable solution for electronic development in Altium 365. It supports up to 100 approved IP addresses and provides ample capacity for organizations of varying sizes to manage access effectively.
- VPN Compatibility: If a VPN's IP address is whitelisted, users connecting through that VPN will gain access, ensuring that security is maintained without sacrificing flexibility.
Initial Setup:
For security purposes, administrators must first add their own IP address to the whitelist before adding others, ensuring that the setup process is controlled and secure from the start. Subsequently, they can add other necessary IPs, setting a robust foundation for controlled access. Watch our detailed walkthrough below:
Visit the website to explore more capabilities and learn more about it in our documentation.
🛒 Uninterrupted Procurement at Your Fingertips
- Direct Supplier Integration: Easily create a shopping cart on supported supplier websites like Mouser, Newark, Digi-Key, Online Components, and more on the way.
- Efficient BOM Management: Transform your BOM management experience by reducing manual steps.
How to Use It:
- Initiate Purchase: Click on the shopping cart icon in the managed BOM view of BOM Portal.
- Explore Suppliers: In the Octocart panel, view the list of supported suppliers used in your BOM's order list.
- Buy with Ease: Click 'Buy' or 'Buy All' to create a shopping cart on the supplier’s website.
Octocart ensures a smooth transition from BOM management to procurement.
👉 Get Started: Accelerate your procurement process with Octocart in Altium 365 BOM Portal and experience the convenience of integrated shopping and custom pricing.
Explore BOM Portal’s capabilities and learn about Custom Part Sources: List View Features, including Octocart and Custom Supplier Prices.
Tailored Pricing for Smarter Design Decisions
Strong supplier relationships are key to long-term business growth. This month, we focused on enabling deeper relationships with our customers and suppliers with Altium 365*. Now you can easily configure and view Custom Parts Provider Pricing for any BOM to scale your business and supplier relationships.
Real-Time Price Insights for Accurate Costing: View custom prices and special discounts from your suppliers directly in BOM Portal. With Custom Prices Support, you see real, discounted prices instead of generic ones during BOM and part selection, enabling more accurate part decision-making.
Consolidate Part Usage to Unlock Price Breaks: You can manage and collaborate on BOMs across projects to consolidate part usage to common preferred parts for bulk purchasing. No more switching between platforms and BOMs to view real prices, simplifying the design process and procurement.
How to Use It
- Set Up Supplier Accounts: Configure supplier accounts in Altium 365's Altium Part Provider page, using your username and password for authentication.
- Custom Pricing Integration: Once set up, custom pricing info from suppliers like Samtec, TTI, and Future Electronics appears alongside general pricing across all relevant Altium 365 features.
- Visible to All: While setup requires admin access, the feature and its benefits are visible to all users on the platform.
What to Expect
Immediate Access to Custom Prices: Get custom prices for used parts in Altium 365, including apps like BOM Portal.
*BOM Portal purchase is required to enable the secure connection to external part providers, but the pricing information is available on all apps connected to your Altium 365 Workspace.
👉 Get Started: Enhance your design process with tailored pricing information in Altium 365. Set up your supplier accounts today and make informed part decisions with ease.
Visit the to explore its capabilities and learn more about our documentation.
We are excited to unveil the Altium 365 BOM Portal, a new application designed to help engineers and procurement professionals reduce costly design respins and improve time to market with unmatched part data insights and collaboration features for all your electronic BOMs.
Proactive BOM Management & Collaboration
The Altium 365 BOM Portal bridges the gap between engineering and procurement, making their interaction more efficient for improved project efficiency. Centralizing supply chain and component lifecycle management on one platform enables swift, informed decision-making and reduces the effort in cross-departmental communications. This integration bolsters team coordination and accelerates the overall design-to-production process.
Unique Organizational Insights
The BOM Portal simplifies the import process, effortlessly integrating your existing BOM data from all your ECAD tools. Additionally, the portal allows for the creation of 'managed BOMs' from existing PCB projects, offering efficient and tailored BOM management for your organization. Beyond simple imports, it enriches BOM parts with additional data from leading providers like Octopart, IHS Markit, SiliconExpert*, and Z2Data* (coming soon), ensuring up-to-date specifications and supply chain details.
Data-Driven Supply Chain Risk Mitigation
The BOM Portal proactively monitors part supply chains and offers alerts on potential issues to preempt production disruptions, including availability and pricing across designated distributors. Make reliable supply chain decisions with ranked alternates for every component with part risk assessments and library health insights. Additionally, it incorporates “where-used” tracking for effective impact analysis and obsolescence management.
Spreadsheet Simplicity Meets Advanced Functionality
Combine the ease of spreadsheet-style management with the robustness of advanced document control. The capabilities of the BOM Portal extend to secure data sharing, easy data organization, and customizable BOM lifecycle states. The BOM Portal enhances BOM management efficiency, offering direct analysis and issue resolution from the interface. This feature-rich environment aligns with your design data, promoting an integrated and efficient approach to component management.
To learn more about the Altium 365 BOM Portal and get updates, please visit the following link: Altium 365 BOM Portal Product Page.
If you want to see our BOM Portal in action, watch our webinar recording.
Press Release
Blog: How Can I Make BOM Creation and Management Easier with a Cloud Solution?
The SiliconExpert integration opens access to many critical part properties; however, not all properties might be useful for every company. To help you focus on your key data points, we introduced the capability to control the default list of SiliconExpert properties that are visible in Altium tools. So when you request SiliconExpert information for specific parts, we will show only a specific dataset for each part. You can change these settings anytime and additional data will be available in the tool without additional quota usage if you already requested data for that part.
Admin settings (Admin -> Apps -> SiliconExpert) allow you to see your Part Quota limit, count, and remaining balance. More importantly, you can select settings visibility on the Workspace level to manage your part data request quota and parameter list. The Data Visibility Settings are split into parameter categories:
Checks Manager
The Checks Manager allows you to configure default checks for all BOMs, ensuring consistency and efficiency across your workflow.
Standardized Checks: Set uniform Check criteria and Report Level for all projects and BOMs, maintaining consistency and quality standards. Report Levels:
- Fatal Error
- Error
- Warning
- No Report
Efficiency Boost: Save time by avoiding repetitive setup for each new project or BOM.
Latest Parameter List - Jan 12, 2024
Miscellaneous
- Countries of Origin
- ECCN (Export Control Classification Number)
- HTSUSA (Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States)
- Last Check Date
- Schedule B (Export Schedule B Number)
- SE Grade (Specific Grade or Category)
- TARIC (Integrated Tariff of the European Communities)
- UNSPSC (United Nations Standard Products and Services Code)
Environmental - Specific Certifications
- Bisphenol A (BPA) Free
- Halogen Free
- Lead Free
- Green (Eco-friendly certification)
Environmental - Global Compliance
- California Proposition 65
- China RoHS Status
- EU SVHC List Version
- EURoHS
- Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
- WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive)
- ELV (End of Life Vehicle Directive)
Environmental - Substance Restrictions
- Global PFAS Assessment Status
- Inorganic Phosphorus Content
- ODC (Ozone Depleting Chemicals)
- PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid)
- PFOS (EU Directive 2006/122/EC)
- Phthalates Content
- Rare Earth Element Information
- TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act)
Environmental - RoHS and REACH Compliance
- RoHS Exemption
- RoHS Status
- RoHS Version
- REACH Contains SVHC
- REACH Restriction (Annex XVII)
- REACH SVHC Exceeds Threshold Limit
- REACH(SVHC) Information
General Compliance - Automotive Industry
- Automotive
- AEC Number
- AEC Qualified
General Compliance - Other Standards
- IEC 62474
- PPAP (Production Part Approval Process)
Overall Risk Assessment
- Overall Risk
- Overall Risk Percentage
Lifecycle Risk Information
- Estimated EOL Date (End of Life)
- Lifecycle
- Lifecycle Risk
- LTB Date (Last Time Buy)
- Obsolescence
- Part Lifecycle Stage
- YTEOL (Years-to-End-of-Life)
Multisourcing Risk
- Crosses Available Within Part Category
- Multi Sourcing Risk
Compliance Risk
- Conflict Mineral
- RoHS Risk
Inventory Risk
- Inventory Risk
- Other Sources
Military Specifications
- FSC (Federal Supply Classification)
- Military Part Number
- Military Specification
- Military Taxonomy
- NSN (National Stock Number)
- Vendor Part Number
Learn more about the SiliconExpert Integration or read more content.
Read the integration announcement.
Happy New Year! 🎉 We are thrilled to announce that the Altium 365 Assembly Assistant is now officially released and available for direct purchase through the Altium Store.
Fast and Accurate Manual Board Assembly
Manual PCB assembly often involves tedious cross-referencing between BOM and PCB printouts and navigating various CAD software. Assembly Assistant addresses these challenges by providing a web-based tool to simplify manual PCBA placement, improve efficiency, and minimize errors. Designed for ease and accuracy, the interface allows users to focus on precise assembly with an intuitive, user-friendly interface, eliminating the need for cumbersome paper printouts and complex CAD software navigation.
- Cut prototype/manual PCB assembly time by up to 50%.
- Combine BOM, PCB Viewer, and assembly instructions in one app.
- Avoid errors with cross-probing, linking BOM to 3D view for accurate orientation.
- Minimize costly production delays by ensuring accurate component placement.
- Design and BOM changes are instantly updated with the latest information.
Purchasing Assembly Assistant
With its availability in the Altium Store, you decide when to buy and start using it immediately.
Independent Licensing with Direct Purchase: Effective January 1st, 2024, Assembly Assistant has independent licensing and will not be included with Altium 365 or Altium Designer subscriptions. Purchase Assembly Assistant from the Altium Store.
License Terms: Access to Assembly Assistant is associated with a unique user (named user), identified by a unique email/username. Each license is valid for one year from the date of purchase.
Evaluate Before Purchase: As part of the free trial, you can assemble up to 10 boards at no cost, allowing you to experience the practical benefits of our Assembly Assistant firsthand.
Accessing Assembly Assistant
Assembly Assistant is available from the WIP view of a specific project, or from the Design Snapshot view of a project Release. Choose the Assembly Assistant option in the navigation tree to open the Assembly application in its interactive preview mode, and then at any time, invoke the assembly process mode from the Start Assembly button.
- For more details about the Assembly Assistant functionality, visit the Assembly Assistant Product page.
- To see Assembly Assistant in action, check out our webinar: 8x Faster Assembly per Board with Assembly Assistant
- Visit Assembly Assistant in an Altium 365 Workspace | User Manual | Documentation to learn more about this feature.
Altium 365 Web Viewer introduces a suite of new visualization shortcuts and features, enhancing the user experience for rigid-flex and standard design projects. These productivity improvements significantly enhance the design and review process, offering more intuitive and efficient ways to navigate and visualize electronic designs.
Key Enhancements
Rigid-Flex Design Interaction:
- Users can fold and unfold rigid-flex boards using the "5" hotkey, streamlining design manipulation.
3D View Customization:
- Flip the top/bottom view in 3D for any design using the "F" hotkey or the top/bottom buttons in the Objects panel.
- The ability to toggle the visibility of various objects in 2D and 3D views, including polygons, 3D objects, and connection lines.
Advanced Navigation Tools:
- Implementing “2” and “3” keyboard shortcuts for quick switching between PCB 2D and 3D views respectively.
- Double-clicking on an object selects the entire net, while single clicks offer iterative selection around the cursor.
Enhanced URL Context:
- The URL includes additional context such as window zoom/location, design/document view (e.g., SCH sheet 1 vs SCH sheet 2 vs PCB vs BOM), layers enabled (for PCB), and variant selection. This feature enables users to return to their exact previous view when reloading a page or sharing URLs.
This November, we introduced the Harness Wiring Component as the first step to reduce the need for third-party harness tools. This month, we present Altium 365 Web Viewer support for Harness Design Documents establishing a comprehensive, interactive browser environment for harness design collaboration with no tool installation or maintenance. All project stakeholders have a single space to review, inspect, and comment on the documents of harness and PCB designs (single and multi-board). Now team members can communicate design intent more effectively and reduce misunderstandings and delays.
Uploading and Creating Harness Projects
Navigate to your Workspace Projects tab and select New.
- Use Upload Project for existing projects.
- Use Create Project to select the
- Select Harness for your Project Template.
Navigate Document Structure and Properties:
Once you have created your project, four tabs are available for Wiring, Layout, BOM, and Draftsman documents. Harness documents listed under “Design > Source Documents” retain their Altium Designer order. You can share, comment, and inspect your harness design documents with the Properties panel to improve communication.
Navigating Harness Projects
For a complete overview of recent Viewer updates, visit the Altium forum here. Learn more about Harness Design with Altium Designer.
- Harness Design Overview Video
- Harness Design in Altium Designer
- Creating a Manufacturing Drawing for a Harness Design in Altium Designer
- Creating the Harness Layout Drawing in Altium Designer
- Defining the Harness Wiring Diagram in Altium Designer
- Creating a Harness Wiring Component for Use with Harness Design in Altium Designer
- Creating Harness Template Documents in Altium Designer
Support for non-CAD design files enriches collaboration by enabling online access to a complete set of project files, streamlining communication and decision-making, and making design reviews more comprehensive and efficient.
What are Non-CAD Project Files?
Non-CAD project files are essential components of a design project that aren't directly related to the CAD design. These include datasheets, design specifications, simulation results, and more in PDF, XLSX, CSV, DOCX, and ZIP formats.
Why This Feature?
Until now, the Altium 365 Web Viewer supported only Altium design files such as SCH/MBS, PCB/MBA, BOM, and Draftsman. However, users typically work with a broader range of project files that are available in Altium Designer, but not in the Web Viewer. This enhancement provides the foundation to track the complete project document spectrum within the Web Viewer, including both design and non-CAD files.
Accessing Non-CAD Project Files
- Open your project in the Altium 365 Web Viewer.
- Navigate to “Expand design >> other documents.”
- Select a PDF document to view or download it.
- For non-PDF documents, users can download them directly from the viewer.
Note: Only PDF files can be visualized directly in the Web Viewer, but other document types are available for download.
For a complete overview of recent Viewer updates, visit the Altium forum here or watch the update video at this link. Try it for yourself with the Altium 365 Guide.
The Harness Wiring Component integrates revision control for harness components, eliminating the need for manual copying and pasting of wire and cable designs. This enhancement is aimed at making the design process more efficient and error-free.
Our team is actively working to enhance the Harness Wiring Component feature, improving component usage tracking and implementing automatic updates for the latest cable revisions in Harness Wiring documents.
To learn how to create a Harness Wiring Component for use with Harness Design in Altium Designer, visit our documentation here. Engage with the community in our forum to exchange ideas with fellow users and connect with the Altium team here. We're here to answer your questions and support your needs.
The new feature is a valuable tool for engineers and designers who must share their designs with others or store and manage Gerber and ODB++ files. It can also be used to collaborate on legacy projects that use Gerber and ODB++ files.
To try the new feature, click the Upload button to your Altium 365 Workspace. Then, select the Gerber or ODB++ files you want to upload. Once the files are uploaded, you can view them, share them with others, and collaborate on them in real time.
Key Features:
Ability to Upload ODB++ and Gerbers: Altium allows users to upload ODB++ and Gerber manufacturing data directly into the workspace.
Manage Outputs in Altium 365 Workspace: Users can securely manage the outputs of current and legacy projects within the Altium 365 workspace. This likely streamlines project management and accessibility.
ODB++ Features: With uploaded ODB++ data, users can switch between layers, take 2D measurements, share their designs, and add comments. This makes it easier to collaborate and work on PCB designs.
Support for Gerber Formats: Altium supports both Gerber X2 and Gerber RS-274X formats and corresponding NC Drill files. This is crucial for PCB fabrication and ensures compatibility with different manufacturing processes.
Gerber Inspection and Management: For uploaded Gerber files, users can browse and inspect fabrication data, place and manage comments, toggle the visibility of layers, and perform measurements between placed datum points. This enhances the ability to review and fine-tune PCB designs.
Feedback and Support: We value your feedback! If you have any comments or suggestions or run into any issues while using this feature, please don't hesitate to let us know. Your input helps us improve Altium 365 Workspace.
Join the Discussion: Join the conversation on our forum to share your thoughts, ask questions, and connect with other users: Altium Forum.
To gain further insight into the process of uploading a Gerber or ODB++ Fileset, kindly click on the following link: Projects in an Altium 365 Workspace | Altium 365 Technical Documentation
New harness synchronization capability. This allows engineers to push the harness definition from ECAD to MCAD, where the mechanical engineer can define the cable routing through the enclosure and the connections to the printed circuit boards. The 3D harness definition can then be pushed back from MCAD to ECAD as part of the multi-board assembly. The physical length of wires, cables, and harness segments is assigned to the corresponding Harness entities in ECAD.
Multi-board assembly support for PTC Creo. This allows electrical and mechanical engineers to collaborate on the design of multi-board assemblies, including the synchronization of boards, mechanical enclosure, and 3D harness routing.
Other enhancements. These include improved processing of component models, working with workspace folders, and support for the new versions of MCAD software.
We recommend diving deeper into the new features and improvements of MCAD CoDesigner 3.5.0 by exploring the complete release and details in the New Altium MCAD CoDesigner.
Altium is excited to announce our new integration of SiliconExpert into Altium 365! This integration provides access to a wealth of component data directly within the Altium 365 WebViewer, the Manufacturer Part Search, and your ActiveBOM, enhancing your design process and decision-making capabilities.
Comprehensive Component Data
Explore data on over a billion electronic parts, ranging from the simplest resistors to the most complex ICs. With this integration, you gain direct access to extensive details sourced straight from manufacturers, ensuring the highest level of accuracy.
Risk Management
Mitigate design and production risks with comprehensive metrics, including YEOL date, multi-sourcing, and inventory risks, all accessible within Altium 365. This proactive risk management toolset fosters strategic decision-making, enhancing the reliability and longevity of your projects. With SiliconExpert's data, you can anticipate disruptions, effectively manage supply chain risks and safeguard the integrity of your designs.
Accurate and Reliable
Trust in the high-quality data driven by SiliconExpert's strict data integrity protocols. Regular updates guarantee that the component data you access is always the most recent, providing you with the most reliable information for your designs. Join countless engineers and manufacturers worldwide who trust and rely on SiliconExpert for their component data needs.
Experience the combined power of Altium 365 and SiliconExpert now, and design with confidence like never before!
To learn more about the SiliconExpert integration and get updates, please visit the following link: Design with Confidence: Altium 365 Meets SiliconExpert.
Altium has achieved CMMC Level 1 self-assessment, demonstrating our commitment to security. Users benefit from enhanced data protection, trusted relationships, access to SPRS scores, and CMMC 2.0 compliance. Organizations can leverage Altium 365 GovCloud to satisfy CMMC 2.0 requirements.
The SPRS score, the summary level score, helps identify a government contractor’s progress toward implementing the NIST SP 800-171 security controls.
We are actively working towards achieving Level 2 certification under CMMC 2.0. It is important to note that the CMMC Levels are cumulative, meaning that each level builds upon the requirements of the previous one..
For security and compliance information, visit our Trust Center. Altium 365 is designed to meet the requirements of defense and government projects. You can find the answer to your question and access the FAQ section by clicking here: My company works on defense or government projects. Can Altium 365 be used for such projects? Do you have corresponding certifications or compliance programs (NIST, ITAR, etc.)? Has your company achieved a Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) of level 3 or higher?
We are grateful to our beta testers for their valuable feedback. Your insights and suggestions have helped us significantly improve the product, and we couldn't have done it without you.
Specifically, your feedback helped us to:
- The ability to reset the view by clicking outside of targeted objects.
- The ability to show a legend that describes the colors representing the added/removed/modified objects visually and in different list icons.
- The ability to filter the Differences list according to enabled layers:
The PCB Compare feature is valuable for PCB designers. It can be used to:
- Save time and money by identifying design differences between versions before prototyping, uncovering potential problems early on, and avoiding costly iterations.
- Help designers find differences between versions that are difficult to see with the naked eye.
- Track changes and ensure design consistency with version comparison during development.
- Pre-manufacturing verification to minimize production issues, ensuring a smoother manufacturing process.
Users can open the Project History or Releases page in the Altium 365 Web Viewer or Altium Designer to access the PCB Compare feature. From there, they can select two commits or releases to compare. Stay tuned for more updates and advancements as Altium continues to empower designers worldwide.
To learn how to invite other users to your Altium 365 workspace, please visit the following link: Design Data Comparisons in an Altium 365 Workspace | User Manual | Documentation
When you open a Multi-board project from the main Projects page, you will find tabbed view options for schematic (MBS) and board assembly (MBA) views.
The Altium 365 Web Viewer interface provides universal access to Multi-board projects through a web browser, allowing you to perform standard operations like opening, sharing, and renaming. You can navigate through child projects, explore their content, and delve into the properties of MBS entities, including Modules and Connections.
Every subproject can now be individually opened, allowing you to understand their unique contributions to the overall design. The Multi-board Tasks and Releases views utilize the Multi-board's subprojects, facilitating effortless tracking and managing the progress. The History view showcases a timeline of major events that have occurred chronologically.
For detailed instructions on how to utilize the Multi-board Design View in the Altium 365 workspace, we recommend visiting the following link: Web Viewer Functionality on the Altium 365 Platform | User Manual | Documentation
Altium 365 has introduced a new update that improves visibility and project management for external users. This update introduces the concept of "Guests" to identify and differentiate external users from workspace members.
Inviting guest users in Altium 365 can be useful in various scenarios, such as when working with external vendors or partners. An external user refers to any user not already a part of the workspace, typically someone from outside the company or organization. This update clarifies who belongs to the workspace members and who is an external user.
Workspace Administrators can easily manage guest users through the "Guests" tab on the Workspace Members page. This enhancement represents the first step in improving the management of guest users, and more capabilities will be added in the future.
It's important to note that inviting guest users is available for all subscription levels.
To learn how to invite other users to your Altium 365 workspace, please visit the following link: Managing Membership of Your Altium 365 Workspace | User Manual | Documentation
Your feedback matters to us, and we've been closely listening to your concerns about scheduled maintenance causing inconveniences when you have critical, last-minute changes to make before a deadline. We've taken decisive action to ensure a seamless experience on Altium 365.
We no longer require any downtime for Altium 365 to perform regular or weekly maintenance. This means that the platform is always available to you. Of course, from time to time, if there is a need for maintenance, we will announce it well in advance. We aim to provide a hassle-free experience while informing you about any necessary updates.
We have the Altium 365 status page at your disposal to ensure transparency and keep you fully informed. This dedicated page provides regular updates on the platform's status, including ongoing maintenance or any issues that may arise.
We encourage you to bookmark the status page (https://status.altium.com/) and subscribe for updates.
We are thrilled to announce a new feature in Altium 365 that empowers non-admin users to create invitation requests for new users to join the workspace. Previously, only workspace administrators could invite new users, limiting the flexibility to bring in additional workspace members.
In the current Altium 365 environment, non-admin users have had to rely on external means such as email to request workspace access, requiring them to know and contact the workspace admin directly. This disconnected process of inviting users and granting permissions often leads to inconvenience and inefficiency, as users must remember to request an invite and separately share project access.
With the introduction of the invitation flow for non-admins, regular users can now request workspace access for other users directly within Altium 365. This new functionality streamlines the invitation process, making onboarding new members to the workspace easier and more efficient.
This enhancement will greatly improve collaboration and project management within Altium 365, empowering regular users to actively participate in expanding the workspace. Try out the new invitation flow for non-admins today and experience its increased flexibility and convenience.
To learn how to invite other users to your Altium 365 workspace, please visit the following link: Inviting Other Users to Your Altium 365 Workspace | User Manual | Documentation
We're excited to announce the results of a study conducted by Forrester Research Consulting on the impact of the Altium 365® cloud-based electronics design collaboration platform. The findings reveal substantial significant efficiencies and effectiveness gains realized by organizations worldwide, establishing Altium 365 as a trusted platform that saves engineers hundreds of hours annually.
Proven Results
The Forrester Total Economic Impact™ study thoroughly analyzes Altium 365's economic and productivity impact. Forrester's researchers employed a rigorous methodology, considering both quantifiable benefits and the more nuanced influences of the platform on design processes and team collaborations.
The metrics uncovered by the study -- 159 hours saved per engineer annually and a 65% reduction in the need for alternative component sourcing -- are significant, demonstrating the platform's potent efficiency gains. We believe these numbers are strong evidence of Altium 365's impact and translate into concrete economic value for organizations. The saved hours represent cost savings and increased productive work time that can be redirected toward innovation and growth.
Furthermore, Forrester's study uncovers the platform's effectiveness and, for us, highlights how Altium 365 streamlines the production cycle. This streamlining is achieved by enhancing communication among team members, facilitating seamless access to files across global locations, and fostering a transparent supply chain that enables strategic, cost-effective purchasing decisions. This 360-degree improvement in the production cycle underscores Altium 365's capacity to redefine how organizations approach electronic design.
Experience the Power of Altium 365 Today
Altium 365 is committed to helping you develop better hardware products faster. As an all-in-one secure electronic design platform, Altium 365 offers automated workflows, allowing teams to confidently create, scale, and deliver secure electronic designs.
Join the thousands of satisfied clients and experience firsthand the efficiency, effectiveness, and component advantages offered by Altium 365. With our platform, you're not just designing electronics – you're transforming your entire process for the better. Get started today and unlock the full potential of Altium 365.
The powerful insights drawn from the Forrester Study highlight the transformative potential of Altium 365 in your organization. For more detailed insights, you can access the Forrester Study and a Forrester Infographic summarizing the key findings. Moreover, watch our webinar featuring Fabian Winkler, Product Marketing Manager at Altium 365, and Casey Sirotnak, Sr Consultant TEI Project Lead at Forrester.
Find more details here: https://www.altium.com/altium-365/forrester/impact-study
We are pleased to announce that Altium 365 has achieved SOC 2 Type 2 certification, demonstrating our dedication to upholding the highest standards of security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.
The SOC 2 Type 2 certification builds upon the Type 1 audit we previously completed, which assessed the design of our controls (You can access the information about our SOC 2 Type 1 certification by visiting the following link: SOC 2 Type 1 Certification for Altium 365). In contrast, the Type 2 certification evaluates our controls' effectiveness and operational performance over time, ensuring consistency and reliability.
Moving forward, the achievement of SOC 2 Type 2 certification establishes a solid foundation for pursuing additional compliance certifications and audits based on the evolving needs of our customers. The reports on our certifications are available upon request under an NDA.
For more information about security and compliance topics, we encourage you to visit our Trust Center, where you can access detailed information about the certification and learn more about Altium's commitment to security, privacy, and compliance.
We are thrilled to introduce the Altium 365 Contractor Portal, an exciting new platform designed to connect you with trusted partners who are experts in electronic design and Altium 365. This portal offers you a secure and efficient space to connect with professionals specializing in Altium 365.
The Altium 365 Contractor Portal features a curated network of elite partners and contractors who have demonstrated exceptional skills and expertise in various areas of electronic design and Altium 365. We understand that finding the right partner is crucial to your success, so we will start with three carefully selected partners from around the globe to meet your needs.