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Embedded thumbnail for Coming Soon: Design Rule Sets
New in Altium's Software
Coming Soon: Design Rule Sets

Soon, PCB design rules in Altium will be organized into reusable Rule Sets within the PCB Rules and Constraints Editor. These rule sets can be created, duplicated, enabled or disabled, renamed, deleted, imported, and exported, making it easier to manage rules for specific interfaces, manufacturing requirements, or unique design constraints.

NEW
Embedded thumbnail for Decoupling Capacitor Routing: When to Use Vias vs Traces
How-To's
Decoupling Capacitor Routing: When to Use Vias vs Traces

Check out this video, a follow-up to the decoupling capacitor placement series, exploring the inductance tradeoffs between trace routing and via connections. Using real component examples from an Ethernet switch design in Altium, the video demonstrates how different routing choices can impact overall performance.

Embedded thumbnail for Coming Soon: Interactive Dynamic Phase Tuning
New in Altium's Software
Coming Soon: Interactive Dynamic Phase Tuning

The Interactive Length Tuning tool allows you to manually tune a single net in a differential pair while maintaining equal pair length and phase alignment across the entire route. This enables more efficient differential signal transmission, greater control during manual tuning, and faster pattern creation within defined phase tolerance limits.

Blog
How to Use a Multicad Viewer for Seamless Collaboration

Because ECAD formats are typically incompatible, teams often struggle with versioning, conversions, and fragmented review processes. This article breaks down how multi-CAD viewers provide a unified, read-only environment that supports structured design reviews, comments, and task assignment across disciplines.

Embedded thumbnail for AI PCB Layout vs. Human Design: The Honest Truth
How-To's
AI PCB Layout vs. Human Design: The Honest Truth

The question is: Can AI really route a PCB as well as an experienced human designer? In this video, we set out to find the answer. Our expert, Zach Peterson, puts it to the test in a side-by-side layout review. The challenge is based on a LinkedIn post where viewers had to guess which board was AI-generated and which was designed by a human.

Embedded thumbnail for Improve Your 3D Wire Bonding Workflow
New in Altium's Software
Improve Your 3D Wire Bonding Workflow

Check out the video where we showcase enhanced wire bonding features, including precise bond wire shape definition, improved clearance checking, streamlined import and export workflows, and efficient management of wire bonding objects.

Blog
Rigid-Flex PCBs in Consumer Electronics

Rigid-flex PCBs help modern devices get smaller, lighter, and more compact by eliminating connectors and fitting into tight 3D spaces. This article explains how to design them properly to avoid common reliability issues.

Blog
From Design to First Assembly: Complete Your BOM & Plan Your Build

This webinar walks through the complete post-release workflow, from generating a managed BOM to sourcing components and assembling the first prototype. It demonstrates how integrated tools streamline data enrichment, supplier selection, and guided assembly to reduce delays and errors.

Blog
The Future of BOM Management: Trends and Innovations

BOM management is no longer just a checklist. It’s becoming a real-time engine for smarter decisions! Discover how AI, automation, and connected systems are transforming BOMs into powerful tools for navigating supply chain uncertainty.

Embedded thumbnail for Customize Your ODB++ Output for Each Partner
New in Altium's Software
Customize Your ODB++ Output for Each Partner

You can now precisely control what design data is included in your ODB++ outputs for different manufacturing recipients. Choose which signal layers to export, decide how the netlist is handled (included, disabled, or neutralized), and control whether component data is removed or shared without properties.

Embedded thumbnail for Proper Voltage Built a Universal Battery Platform with Altium
Altium Stories
Proper Voltage Built a Universal Battery Platform with Altium

Watch our latest customer success story to see how Proper Voltage partnered with Altium to accelerate high-power battery development for next-generation robotics. With our software, they streamlined collaboration, sped up design reviews, improved sourcing visibility, and reduced risk.

Embedded thumbnail for Improve Readability with Custom Pin Spacing
New in Altium's Software
Improve Readability with Custom Pin Spacing

You can now control the vertical spacing of a pin’s designator and name with a custom margin. This setting can be applied globally via Schematic Preferences or adjusted individually in the Pin properties.

Embedded thumbnail for Does Decoupling Capacitor Placement Actually Matter?
How-To's
Does Decoupling Capacitor Placement Actually Matter?

Our new video tackles common questions about capacitor placement on a PCB. Expert Zach Peterson explains why placement is often less critical on multilayer boards with well-designed power and ground planes and shares the key insights most application notes leave out.

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Introduction to Open Source Laptop Project
Blog
Introduction to Open Source Laptop Project

We have started a very exciting journey into the creation of an open source laptop project. This project will be an ongoing one, with our community able interactively participate. By utilizing Altium 365 users will be able to view, comment on, and download design files. This will be a great learning experience for new and experienced PCB designers.

Blog
Ebook: Routing High-Density Interconnects with Reliable Microvias

HDI PCBs take a particular approach to routing interconnects through multiple layers to ensure reliability during fabrication, assembly, and operation. The critical structure that enables this is microvias, which are prone to failure if not designed properly. In this e-book, readers will receive an initial look at the reasons microvia reliability has come into the spotlight and why HDI PCB designers put reliability first when routing through microvias.

Blog
IPC-2221 Calculator for PCB Trace Current and Heating

Aside from impedance and annular ring calculations, one of the other major formulas specified in the IPC 2221 standard relates temperature rise, trace width, and trace current. THere is also the IPC-2152 standard, both include this guidance on designing for thermal reliability, but which standard should we use?

Blog
Stripline Impedance Calculator

Striplines provide some advantages over microstrips as they take advantage of natural shielding and coupling from nearby ground plane layers. Although they tend to experience higher losses due to total confinement in the dielectric, they can be thinner due to the high dielectric constant used in internal layers of a PCB. Use our free impedence calculator to help you determine the correct width needed to hit a target impedance.

Blog
Which Types of Opto-Isolators Are Right For Your Signal?

An optoisolator is a cool electronic device that can be used to pass information between a diode without passing an electrical current. There are many great applications for these, but do you know which one is right for you?

Blog
Properties panel document options in SCH editors

The Properties panel provides access to the properties of documents and objects. The contents of the panel change depending on the active document or the selected object. This blog will quickly go over some of need to know options around the properties panel in the schematic document.

High-Speed PCB Stackup Design
Blog
The High-Speed PCB Stackup Design Challenge

Even with all the good guidelines out there for high speed design, there are particular aspects of stackup construction and their relation to building boards that get overlooked. This blog is goes beyond just the typical SI/PI guidelines and looks at these problems from more of an engineering perspective.

stitching vias
Blog
Everything You Need to Know About Stitching Vias

Stitching vias are something you often see spread around the surface layer of a PCB, but what are they? and should you be using them? In this guide, we'll go over some of the standard uses of stitching vias and when they should be used in a PCB.

PCB Stackup Basics
Blog
PCB Stackup Basics

In comparison to the build-up of a PCB, the stackup is more concerned with the electrical type of each layer, that is are we working with signals, power, or ground. Continue reading to learn how you can optimize your layer stack.

chip with neon illumination
Blog
How Does the Package PDN Impact Power Integrity?

Whenever we say something to the effect of “components can’t work without a correctly designed PCB,” we only have to look at component packaging for evidence. It is true that component packages come with parasitics that affect signal integrity, but there is one area that we don’t often look at in terms of component packaging: power integrity.

electrical circuit with microcontroller
Blog
Designing Custom Hardware with Microcontrollers

In this article, we’ll look at all that is required to start creating your own custom microcontroller-based hardware designs. You’ll see that there actually isn’t too much to this, as microcontroller manufacturers over the years have tried to make the learning curve less steep and their devices more, and more accessible. This is both from an electrical point of view but also – equally importantly – from a programming point of view.

high-speed printed circuit board
Blog
Guide to Low-Dk PCB Materials

If you’ve taken time to learn about PCB material options and layer constructions, you have probably seen the wide range of materials that are available on the market. Materials companies produce laminates with varying Dk values, Tg values, weave styles, CTI values, and mechanical properties to target various applications in the electronics industry.

Tag
Embedded thumbnail for Drawing Tools for Pro Schematics in Altium
How-To's
Drawing Tools for Pro Schematics in Altium

In our brand-new tutorial, you’ll learn how to create professional-looking schematics in Altium using built-in drawing tools and features. We’ll show you how to add custom title blocks, revision histories, tables of contents, block diagrams, and color schemes to make your schematics stand out.

Embedded thumbnail for 3 GHz RF Amplifier Deep Dive
How-To's
3 GHz RF Amplifier Deep Dive

Check out our design review of a 3.6 GHz RF amplifier! This in-depth analysis highlights schematic issues, PCB layout challenges, and key RF design principles to help you build better high-frequency circuits.

Embedded thumbnail for The Right Way to Use SIG/GND/PWR/SIG Stackups
How-To's
The Right Way to Use SIG/GND/PWR/SIG Stackups

Find out how to properly implement signal-ground-power-signal stackups in 4-layer PCB designs. Check out our tutorial from Zach Peterson, where he explains when to use dedicated power layers, how to route signals correctly over split power planes, and common mistakes to avoid for optimal EMI performance and signal integrity.

Embedded thumbnail for Altium Training - Design Environment: Documents and Panels
Altium Training
Altium Training - Design Environment: Documents and Panels

In our new tutorial, we explore different panel display modes, including docked, floating, and tabbed grouping arrangements. Effective panel management is essential for creating an efficient design environment tailored to your specific workflow requirements.

Embedded thumbnail for Mechanically Drilled Blind & Buried Vias: PCB Design Rules Explained
How-To's
Mechanically Drilled Blind & Buried Vias: PCB Design Rules Explained

Discover the essential design rules and manufacturing processes for mechanically drilled blind and buried vias in PCB layouts in this comprehensive tutorial. We cover the stack drill-and-plate fabrication process, aspect ratio limitations, sub-lamination design, and copper weight considerations. You’ll also learn how these vias differ from HDI microvias and gain a clear understanding of the critical design constraints needed for successful PCB manufacturing.

Embedded thumbnail for Altium Training - Design Environment: Navigation with Schematic Workspace
Altium Training
Altium Training - Design Environment: Navigation with Schematic Workspace

Discover the most important navigation techniques for the schematic workspace using both mouse and keyboard controls. In this tutorial video, you’ll learn how to use the View menu commands for document fitting, area zooming, and object selection, along with advanced navigation shortcuts. Master mouse-based panning and zooming, explore Ctrl key combinations, and practice arrow key movements - all designed to simplify your workflow in the PCB design process.

Embedded thumbnail for Altium Training - Design Environment: The Altium Environment
How-To's
Altium Training - Design Environment: The Altium Environment

Get familiar with the core workspace layout and navigation methods. In this video, you’ll see how to open schematic and PCB documents, work within the unified design environment, and move between multiple open files using document tabs and keyboard shortcuts.

Embedded thumbnail for Altium Training - Design Environment: Opening a Project from a Local Drive
Altium Training
Altium Training - Design Environment: Opening a Project from a Local Drive

Get your PCB design workflow off to a smooth start. This Altium tutorial walks you through opening projects from your local directory - a core skill that keeps your process efficient and organized from day one.

Embedded thumbnail for Altium Essentials: Design Environment
Altium Training
Altium Essentials: Design Environment

Take control of your PCB design workflow with Altium Essentials: Design Environment. This tutorial module guides you through the fundamentals of workspace management, from handling panels and documents to mastering menus, context commands, and time-saving shortcuts.

Embedded thumbnail for What Makes a Great PCB Design Review Submission?
How-To's
What Makes a Great PCB Design Review Submission?

Turn your PCB designs into professional-grade submissions. At Altium, we reveal the key practices that transform schematics, layouts, and documentation into review-ready work that stands out. Watch our brand-new tutorial and take your PCB design process to the next level.

Embedded thumbnail for Altium Training - Workspace Folder Structure: Opening the Explorer Panel
Altium Training
Altium Training - Workspace Folder Structure: Opening the Explorer Panel

Discover the key ways to access the Explorer panel in Altium Designer with this step-by-step tutorial. The video walks you through four different methods, giving you the freedom to choose the approach that best fits your workflow.

Embedded thumbnail for Altium Essentials: Workspace Folder Structure Overview
Altium Training
Altium Essentials: Workspace Folder Structure Overview

Altium Essentials: Workspace Folder Structure is a tutorial series designed for PCB designers who are learning the fundamentals of navigating an Altium workspace. This playlist walks through key Explorer panel skills, including multiple ways to open it (via keyboard shortcuts, menus, panel buttons, and workspaces), navigating projects, and understanding the panel’s six core information areas.

Embedded thumbnail for NFC Reader Project Part One: Schematics to PCB in Altium
How-To's
NFC Reader Project Part One: Schematics to PCB in Altium

Check out our new, in-depth NFC Reader Project tutorial! In this two-part video series, we design an ESP32-based NFC transceiver board from schematics to PCB layout. In Part 1, we dive into the TRF7970A NFC chip from Texas Instruments and guide you step-by-step through the complete design process in Altium.

Embedded thumbnail for HDI PCB Design Review: nRF52840 Via Sizing & Stack-Up Best Practices
How-To's
HDI PCB Design Review: nRF52840 Via Sizing & Stack-Up Best Practices

Explore key HDI design strategies, from calculating aspect ratios and optimizing pad diameters to managing drill tolerances and refining stack-ups for improved signal integrity. This comprehensive review highlights practical solutions to common HDI challenges, including via-in-pad layouts, clearance violations, and layer thickness adjustments for both mechanical and laser drilling processes.

Embedded thumbnail for 13 Common PCB Problems & How to Fix Them in Altium
How-To's
13 Common PCB Problems & How to Fix Them in Altium

Stop wasting time on manufacturing rework. This guide shows you how to set up Altium’s design rules to prevent the 13 PCB issues that most often derail production ensuring your boards are built right the first time.

Embedded thumbnail for What's Inside Your MCU Module?
How-To's
What's Inside Your MCU Module?

Are you curious about what’s inside a microcontroller module? Join us as we take a closer look at the Texas Instruments CC3235 Wi-Fi module under the microscope. In this video, we’ll explore its key components, including the microcontroller, flash memory, and RF circuitry, and explain how they work together to power the module.

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Integrating Requirements June 2025 Webinar
On-Demand Webinar Mai 28, 2025
Integrating Requirements into Your PCB Design Workflow
Join our webinar where you will learn about integrated requirements tools who can help you eliminate late-stage design changes, AI support through system requirements and integration of design requirements directly in PCB Design. Don't miss it, register now!
Streamlining Team Collaboration
On-Demand Webinar Apr. 17, 2025
Streamlining Team Collaboration in Industrial PCB Projects
Join us for our upcoming webinar to discover how Altium Designer and Altium 365 can transform your team’s collaboration and take your PCB design projects to the next level. Attend for a chance to win free access to the Altium 365 Training Bundle.
PCB CoDesign Webinar
On-Demand Webinar Jan. 24, 2024
Discover How Altium Designer 24 Revolutionizes Team Dynamics in PCB Design
Expand your collaboration skills and stay ahead of the curve with PCB CoDesign. Design teams often grapple with prolonged design cycles and coordination issues, leading to delays and inefficiencies. In the current landscape, design processes are hindered by fragmented collaboration, resulting in increased layout times and difficulties in synchronizing design updates.