Applied Parameters: Context=Document
Summary
This command is used to access the Generate Component Libraries dialog, which can be used to generate one or more Component Libraries from the active Schematic Library, or Database Library document.
This feature is only available for standard Database Libraries (DbLibs). Component Libraries cannot be generated from SVN Database Libraries (SVNDbLibs).
If you are unfamiliar with vault-based component management in Altium Designer, a good place to start is the higher-level
Working with Vault Components page, and its associated child pages.
Access
This command is accessed from the Schematic Library Editor, and Database Library Editor, by choosing the Tools » Generate Component Library command from the main menus.
Pre-Requisite Domain Models
Before you can delve into the process of creating a Component Library from the active Schematic Library, or Database Library, and releasing the component definitions therein to a vault, you must first ensure that all the models themselves - representing those components across the various required design domains - have been released. For board-level components this will generally be a case of schematic symbol and PCB 2D/3D component models, initially stored in one or more SchLibs and PcbLibs respectively.
Use
With the domain models migrated into the target vault, the Component Library can now be created.
After launching the command, the Generate Component Libraries dialog will appear. Each component definition is created based on a schematic component in the active Schematic Library (or a component record in the active Database Library), with links to relevant Schematic Symbol and PCB Component Items (hence the need to have released these first), as well as parametric data. Use the controls in the dialog to configure generation of one or more Component Libraries as required.
After defining all options as required, click OK. Generation will proceed and a confirmation dialog will appear when the process is complete. If generating a single CmpLib, and you have opted to do so, the file will be opened after generation.
Tips
- Parameters - additional to the default
Comment and Description system parameters - are imported into the Component Library from the components in the source Schematic Library, or component records in the source Database Library, respectively. With a Databse Library, these are imported as static parameters, and should be reviewed and cleaned up as necessary, prior to release of the component definitions to the target vault.
- With the Component Library generated and open as the active document in the workspace, its constituent component definitions can be released to the target vault. To do so, simply use the File » Release To <TargetVaultName> command. You have complete control over which definitions get included in the release too.
- When generating Component Libraries from source Schematic Libraries, once you are familiar with the process of migrating single libraries to a target vault, you can boost productivity by releasing multiple libraries in batch-like fashion. This is performed using the Release Manager. This provides a centralized release 'console' with which to release multiple source elements, en-masse, including: PCB 2D/3D component models, schematic symbols, and component definitions, stored within one or more Schematic, PCB, or Component Libraries respectively.
