ECAD-MCAD CoDesign / Introduction to MCAD CoDesigner (for Inventor Users) Completed

ECAD-MCAD CoDesign

Introduction to MCAD CoDesigner (for Inventor Users)

To use the MCAD CoDesigner plugin, download it from the downloads page at Altium.com.

On this page, look for the MCAD CODESIGNER PLUGINS session and download the extension that matches the version of Inventor you are using.

Fig. 1 - Altium downloads page — **Fig. 1 -** Altium downloads page

Download the installation file and then run it to install the plugin. NOTE: Close Inventor before installing the CoDesigner extension if you have that running.

Fig. 2 - Installation wizard — **Fig. 2 -** Installation wizard

When you open Inventor the first time after installing the plugin, it will ask if you want to run the Altium CoDesigner. Select Altium CoDesigner and click Launch Add-in Manager.

Fig. 3 – Launching the plugin — **Fig. 3** - Add-in Manager Security Alert dialog box

Make sure Altium CoDesigner is highlighted in the list of applications, then uncheck Block, check Loaded and Unloaded and click OK.

Fig. 4 - Altium CoDesigner in the menu bar — **Fig. 4** - Add-In manager dialog box

The MCAD CoDesigner panel is hidden by default, and it should be opened before using it. To do this, first create a new document, then click the plus icon in the sidebar, and select Altium CoDesigner.

Fig. 5 - Altium CoDesigner in the menu bar — **Fig. 5** - Create a new document

Fig. 6 - Altium CoDesigner in the menu bar — **Fig. 6** - Click on the + sign

Fig. 7 - Altium CoDesigner in the menu bar — **Fig. 7** - Select Altium CoDesigner

Go to the Altium CoDesigner panel, enter your email and password and click on the Sign In button. If you don’t have an Altium account, click on Register to sign up for an Altium account.

Fig. 8 - MCAD CoDesigner panel — **Fig. 8** - MCAD CoDesigner panel

NOTE: Assuming the PCB design has been pushed from Altium Designer and shared with the mechanical engineer.

Click Pull from the MCAD CoDesigner panel.

Fig. 9 - MCAD CoDesigner panel in Inventor — **Fig. 9** - MCAD CoDesigner panel in Inventor

Select a project from the list and a location to save the project.

Fig. 10 - Select a project — **Fig. 10** - Select a project

Fig. 11 - Select a location to save the project — **Fig. 11** - Select a location to save the project

After editing the design and when you are ready to share it with the electrical engineer, click on the Push button and leave a comment on the MCAD CoDesigner panel.

Fig. 12 - Leave a comment and share the project — **Fig. 12** - Push from the MCAD CoDesigner panel

To enable 3D copper and via, go to Settings on the Altium CoDesigner panel, enable the 3D Copper and Vias checkboxes, and click OK.

Fig. 13 - Settings to allow 3D copper and vias — **Fig. 13** - Top of MCAD CoDesigner panel

Fig. 14 - Top of MCAD CoDesigner panel in SOLIDWORKS — **Fig. 14** - Select Settings

Fig. 15 - Top of MCAD CoDesigner panel in SOLIDWORKS — **Fig. 15** - Settings to allow 3D copper and vias

Other than your MCAD tool, we also can view the design on the web.

Fig. 16 - Top of MCAD CoDesigner panel in SOLIDWORKS — **Fig. 16** - Top of MCAD CoDesigner panel

Good job! Article is now completed!

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