Improved Handling for Missing Legacy Software Platform Plugin

Frozen Content

Modified by Admin on Sep 13, 2017

When opening a Software Platform document (*.SwPlatform) for an Embedded Software project, and that document was built using an older version of the Software Platform, you will be alerted and asked to confirm the Software Platform version that you wish to continue using for that project. While the latest release of the Software Platform is strongly recommended for new projects and projects still under development, the legacy Software Platforms remain available for those finished projects created in Altium Designer 10/12 or Summer 09 releases respectively. If keeping the use of a legacy version of the Software Platform, you will be guided as to which plugin you need to install, to access that legacy functionality.

Choosing Initial Software Platform Version

When opening a Software Platform document created for an Embedded project in a previous release of Altium Designer, the Missing Software Platform Version dialog will appear. Use the drop-down to initially choose the Software Platform version that you want to use for the project moving forward. By default, the version currently used by the project will be selected.

Choose the version of Software Platform that you initially wish to continue using
for the parent embedded project.

Available entries (Software Platform versions) are:

Latest Software Platform – this is the latest version of the Software Platform available for Altium Designer. It contains many fixes and enhancements over older versions. As such, it is strongly recommended for use with new projects, or projects that are still under development.
Release 10 – this is a legacy version of the Software Platform, that was available with releases of the software after Altium Designer Summer 09, but prior to Altium Designer 13.0. It is provided for finished products created using those earlier releases and, as such, is not recommended for ongoing development. Use of this version requires installation of the Software Platform – Release 10 plugin.
Summer 09 – this is a legacy version of the Software Platform, that was available with Altium Designer Summer 09. It is provided to maintain strict compatibility with legacy projects created using that release and, as such, is not recommended for ongoing development. Use of this version requires installation of the Software Platform – Summer 09 plugin.

If choosing to use a legacy version of the Software Platform, the Software Platform document will be opened upon clicking OK in the Missing Software Platform Version dialog, but its data will not populate. You need to manually navigate to, and install, the required legacy Software Platform plugin. Similarly, if you click Cancel in the Missing Software Platform Version dialog, a second dialog will alert you to the fact that not all required plugins have been installed, and again the Software Platform document will open unpopulated.

Use the Project » Locate and Install Missing Plugins command to ensure you have all the features and functionality your project requires, including that provided by the required legacy Software Platform plugin.

Changing Version in Embedded Project Options

The version of Software Platform used by a project can be changed at any time, from the Compiler Options tab of the Options for Embedded Project dialog. Simply select the Build Options entry in the left-hand pane, then use the drop-down field associated to the Default Software Platform Version option, in the Directories region on the right-hand side.

Change the version of Software Platform used at any stage, as part of the options for the Embedded project.

The chosen Software Platform version is used, provided the Add default Software Platform location option is enabled.

Software Platform Plugins

Plugins associated with the different versions of the Software Platform – latest and legacy – can be found on the Embedded Design Tools page of the Plugins & Updates sub-view (under the Admin view of Altium Designer's Home page). The latest version of the Software Platform – provided by the Software Platform plugin – is installed by default.

Accessing Software Platform related plugins.