Importing Libraries to Altium

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We describe importing project component model libraries in Importing Project Components. Databases and other user data sources are also available in Altium. We will demonstrate how to import footprint libraries, symbol model libraries, and integrated libraries.

Perform the following steps to import file-based libraries:

Choose File > Library Importer from the main menu.

Fig. 1 - Open the Library Importer — **Fig. 1** - Open the Library Importer

In the Library Importer that opens, click "+ Library" or "Choose a File" to locate and choose the path to the file. During this stage, we will migrate footprints from PCB libraries only.

Fig. 2 - Choose a file to import — **Fig. 2** - Choose a file to import

Navigate to the Spirit_Level_Project.PcbLib file installed with Altium Designer (shown in the image below).

Fig. 3 - Location of the footprint model library — **Fig. 3** - Location of the footprint model library

Tip: Perform the above actions carefully when importing several libraries in different folders. Careful import will simplify finding the correct library to use and eliminate the possibility of footprint errors.

Tip: Since the "save" settings have not been changed, you can find all models placed in Altium in the Components > Models > Footprint folder.

Fig. 4 - Models libraries' location — **Fig. 4** - Model libraries' locations

If you opened the incorrect library or wish to remove this library from the importer, simply right-click the library name and select "Remove from Importer."

Fig. 5 - Remove from Importer — **Fig. 5** - Remove from Importer

Click the Import button to import the library. After the import is complete, a window shows the migration's success and the total number of migrated models.

Fig. 6 - Import button — **Fig. 6** - Import button

Fig. 7 - Import completed — **Fig. 7** - Import completed

If there are footprints with matching names in the libraries, they will be successfully imported to Altium; however, the Revision ID value provides the uniqueness of the entry.

We recommend comparing and removing duplicates after the import process if you have not cleaned up your library before. You can perform the comparison in the Explorer panel by navigating to Components > Models > Footprints, as shown in the image below.

Fig.8 - Footprint Models with the Same Name — **Fig. 8** - Footprint Models with the same names

Perform the following steps to import schematic symbol model libraries:

Choose File > Library Importer from the main menu.

Fig. 9 - Open the Library Importer — **Fig. 9** - Open the Library Importer

In the Library Importer that opens, click "+ Library" or "Choose a File" to locate and choose the path to the file. During this stage, we will migrate footprints from PCB libraries only.

Fig. 10 - Choose a file to import — **Fig. 10** - Choose a file to import

Navigate to the Spirit_Level_Project.SchLib file installed with Altium Designer (shown in the image below).

Fig. 11 - Location of the symbol model library. — **Fig. 11** - Location of the symbol model library

The models transfer to Altium during import. The created components contain symbol models.

Fig. 12 - Components created during import. — **Fig. 12** - Components created during import

Click the icon

under IMPORT PREVIEW to open the Folder Structure branch.

Components will be created with different defined types in a separate folder for each type.
Some components have an unspecified type. During import, they will be placed in the Components/Uncategorized folder. You can change the component type later if you wish.
Symbols will be created in the Components/Models/Symbol folder.

Fig. 13 - Proposed Library Structure After Migration — **Fig. 13** - Proposed library structure after migration

You can perform the import without defining the component types in the Uncategorized folder; however, you must set the component type by editing them. It is more advantageous to make corrections in the source libraries.

Tip: If you import libraries of the same components, select the category and all components and then set the required type. You will reduce the work on editing these components in Altium.

Click the Validate button to check for possible errors the import may cause.

Tip: Some Symbol models contain links to footprints, and there is now no access to them. These types of components will cause import errors and will not be transferred.

Fig. 14 - Possible errors regarding missing footprint links — **Fig. 14** - Possible errors regarding missing footprint links

In this case, you will need to manually disable links to footprints in the imported library. To do this, open the library file. Right-click on models with Footprint types in the lower grid, then select Remove from the context menu.

Fig. 15 - Remove Footprint model types — **Fig. 15** - Remove Footprint model types

After the import is complete, a window opens, stating that the import was successful and displaying the total number of components, models, and migrated templates.

Fig. 16 - Import Successfully Completed — **Fig. 16** - Import successfully completed

The steps for importing an integrated library are the same as for importing project libraries in the Importing Project Components Chapter.

It is important to note that any libraries available to users can be imported to Altium, such as libraries from a particular project, database libraries, the manufacturer's website, libraries included with the installed software, etc.

Importing Libraries to Altium

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