Introduction to MCAD CoDesigner (for SOLIDWORKS 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 SOLIDWORKS 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 SOLIDWORKS before installing the CoDesigner extension if you have that running.

Fig. 2 - Installation Wizard — **Fig. 2 -** Installation Wizard

When you open SOLIDWORKS, the plugin may not launch automatically. To launch the plugin, go to the Add-Ins settings, find Altium CoDesigner on the list and enable the activation checkbox. Once enabled, the Altium CoDesigner icon will appear in the sidebar.

Fig. 3 - Options dropdown — **Fig. 3** - MCAD CoDesigner options dropdown

Fig. 4 - Add-Ins dialog box — **Fig. 4** - Add-Ins dialog box

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. 5 - MCAD CoDesigner panel — **Fig. 5** - MCAD CoDesigner panel

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

Click Pull from the MCAD CoDesigner panel.

Fig. 6 - MCAD CoDesigner panel in SOLIDWORKS — **Fig. 6** - MCAD CoDesigner panel in SOLIDWORKS

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

Fig. 7 - Select a project — **Fig. 7** - Select a project

Fig. 8 - Select a location to save the project — **Fig. 8** - 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 along on the MCAD CoDesigner panel.

Fig. 11 - Leave a comment and share the project — **Fig. 9** - Leave a comment and share the project

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. 10 - Dropdown menu under your profile icon

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

Introduction to MCAD CoDesigner (for SOLIDWORKS Users)

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