Altium Designer

Project History

Library management

Release management

Mechanical cad collaboration tool

Copper thieving

Simpler release process

Error Checking

Manufacturing outputs

Hierarchical Schematics

Query language

Quick library part creation

Better 3D capabilities

Ability to snap to 3D parts

Compatibility with OS other than Windows

Visualization of the board layout.

Cross probing.

Constraints management.

Sharing with others outside the business.

Pin assignments import/export to software tools. Output to VHDL/Verilog, for example, or CSV for micro-controllers.

I'm also a hobbies - so a low cost option of the tool that is sub £500.

3D rendering

Differential pair routing

Easy to find resources online

High cost of licensing

Cloud base too restrictive depending on the license type

Creation of new components a little bit too complex

The schematic editor not only produces smart-looking drawings but can also be used to make some good-looking non-technical documentation. Optically, far better than any competition product.

Where to start? In my opinion, technical support, with or without a subscription is at best random. Several questions have remained unanswered.

I find that the interactive routing is more difficult than with the earlier Protel versions. There are so many snap options, that it is continually necessary to change a particular snap setting in order to perform a particular operation, otherwise, the track end will jump where it is not wished.

Visualization of PCBA

Large component library

Source control

Collaboration

Easier integration to look up parts not in the library

schematic capture

board design

sending out for quote

Harness design.

Sharing 3D files with solidworks seems to work well the first time only.

Putting parts in the library is difficult and has lots of room for errors.

3D PCB viewer.

Component import.

Online tutorials.

Rule checker and manager.

Scaling inches to mm.

Importing components via scripts can be buggy.

3D view tabs are difficult to find.

Drag functions for all objects

Version control

3D PCB viewer

Stability issues mostly related to the library importer

More options for managing floating panels

Autosave/crash recovery to minimize work lost from stability issues

Some issues with GIT checkouts when working across multiple computers

When resuming a PC from standby with Altium Designer, open the license is often no longer applied and functions are either greyed out or unresponsive with no explanation

PCB placement

In my opinion, frustrating users

In my opinion, reducing usability over time

Schematic design has many problems with schematic design GUI

Libraries are excessively complex, particularly for low use count

Reduction in usability over time. I have been using for 20 years, and like it less and less overtime

In my opinion, seemingly continuing efforts to push users to use Altium's cloud features is obnoxious

In my opinion, poor menu implementation is frustrating, such as menu items not being in alphabetical order

Ongoing stabilities issues

Seeming focus on fancy features vs. core functionality

In my opinion, lack of online support for simple issues is frustrating

PCBA layout

Schematic capture

Manufacturing file outputs

Harness design is just starting and needs better cohesion with rest of the product

New constrain manager has some bugs that slow down workflow

Even better and more import of footprints, models and simulations

Create design and output job templates for consistent handovers and project packaging

Easily create new components with symbol, footprint editor

Develop design rules for PCB layout to achieve various design constraints

Bug fixes and random crashes

Importing and converting legacy and competitor design files

Altium Vault component footprints are not consistent in their creation

Allows new designs to get started quickly

Great for routing complex signals

Accurate 3D modeling allows mechanical integration in the package

RF tools for signal integrity

Great error checking capabilities

Easier setting up of templates for Design rules

Easier setting up of workspace for new designs

The library system is very clumsy when using the cloud

Generate the schematic design of the electronic circuit.

Make the PCB motherboard based on the schematic design.

The development environment can be intimidating for new users due to its complexity.

I would prefer a more atomized user interface since some functions can be accessed from different menus generating unnecessary complexities.

Incredible integration between teams. I love using Altium 365 and how I can view, edit, and comment on my team members designs. It is an incredible platform and makes collaborations very easy.

Makes it easy to move between different projects, either local or public. I love how I can move between the PCB and schematics of different projects with no downtime.

The UI is clean and works well once someone has learned how to use it. Everything makes sense and the integrated shortcuts make it particularly simple and nice to work with.

I really love how I can search for any part in Altium Designer. I can source any part and place it exactly onto my PCB, allowing me to use the 3D model feature to see precisely what my designs will look like in real life.

The learning curve for Altium Designer is very steep. I believe what scares people is how much learning and practicing you need to do to understand Altium Designer and create your own projects from scratch. I would recommend a suggested tutorial at first open that teaches you how to design a PCB.

It can be hard to work on many projects at once. While switching between a few different projects can be very seamless, once you start to open many the program can start to slow exponentially.

I believe adding a feature where users can pay for certain features may be beneficial, as not all features of Altium Designer are used by all organizations. This could help startups and other small companies achieve better margins.

Powerful program with quite some features for relative complex PCB design

Quite easy to generate output production files, so this helps with consistency and reproduction.

Some features are only supported in Altium 365, and because of our business and policy we are not allowed to store data outside the company, so can't use this features.

From time to time strange behaviour / crashes occcur. Sometimes functions won't behave correct and a restart of Altium solves the issue.

Design rule management. Desing rules are crucial for generating correct PCB layouts and fabrication data. Currently there is not method to verify changes made in the Design Rule during the development.