Component footprints don't match library footprints

[Digibin]

I'm working on a design in Altium 15.1.9 and for some reason Altium is telling me that some of the component footprints don't match their library footprints. I've gone through the Update From PCB Libraries process many times but this doesn't appear to actually update the footprints, because Altium still tells me they don't match the library footprint. Some of these components share the same footprint (just a 0805) as other components that do match their library reference. I've replaced every single component footprint with the library footprint but still the same thing happens for a specific 42 components. There's no link between them, from what I can tell, it appears to be a random selection of parts, not in the same area or even on the same side.

During the Update From PCB Libraries process in the Difference Details section, it looks like it's something to do with Mechanical 13 (3D body layer), as the primitives on this layer for the non-matching parts are listed. I can't discern any difference between them and a) other parts on the board with the same footprint, and b) the library footprint itself.

Oddly, if I delete an offending component and import changes to PCB to replace it, Altium is then happy that it matches it's library reference. But when I then move the part to the bottom layer to place it again, Altium declares it non-matching. For offending parts on the top layer, as soon as I connect it to a track it then becomes non-matching.

Any ideas?!

[T3sl4co1l]

Are the Component Links up-to-date, and are the SCH/PCB in sync?

Tim

[ajb]

Component links would be my first guess as well. 

The moving from to to bottom thing sounds like you don't have mechanical later parties setup correctly--if your bodies are on M13 then you would want to set up M13 and M14 as a pair so that Altium understands how to flip them properly. 

[Digibin]

Are the Component Links up-to-date, and are the SCH/PCB in sync?

Yep all components are linked backed to the schematic, and the PCB and SCH are in sync.

The moving from to to bottom thing sounds like you don't have mechanical later parties setup correctly--if your bodies are on M13 then you would want to set up M13 and M14 as a pair so that Altium understands how to flip them properly. 

Well, I didn't have M13/M14 set up as a pair, so I've done that now. However it's had no effect - still have 34 unmatched components that I can update from library all I like but Altium isn't happy with them.

I've attached a screen which might help. It's definitely related to the M13 3D body layer. It's strange how some components are affected but some are fine, I can't see any link between the affected parts.

[Digibin]

I've created a new PCB and imported everything from the schematics into it. I then immediately go to update footprints from PCB libraries and it says 49 components don't match. Different components to those from my actual PCB design.

What the..?

[Digibin]

I found this thread that talks about component rotation:

http://www.edaboard.com/thread189547.html

After investigating, it looks like I have the same issue. In the fresh PCB I created to test this, all of the offending parts appear to have imported into the PCB with an orientation different to that in the footprint library. If I rotate one back to how it is in the footprint library, that component is then considered matched.

Any ideas what's causing this?

[DerekG]

Any ideas what's causing this?

A major bug perhaps. Component orientation did not lead to mismatches in Ver 14.

I would suggest you discuss this with Altium via their SUPPORTcenter:

https://live.altium.com/#signin

They may have a work-around for you.

[Digibin]

It had crossed my mind. I'll try opening the files on a machine with a different version of Altium.

[DerekG]

It had crossed my mind. I'll try opening the files on a machine with a different version of Altium.

Reading through the user forum, your problem will be fixed if you update to version 15.1.15 (I know it's weird but Altium use the system where 15.1.15 is release update ver 15 whereas 15.1.9 is release update version 9).

http://techdocs.altium.com/display/ADOH/Release+Notes+for+Altium+Designer+Version+15.1

[exmadscientist]

It had crossed my mind. I'll try opening the files on a machine with a different version of Altium.

Reading through the user forum, your problem will be fixed if you update to version 15.1.15 (I know it's weird but Altium use the system where 15.1.15 is release update ver 15 whereas 15.1.9 is release update version 9).

http://techdocs.altium.com/display/ADOH/Release+Notes+for+Altium+Designer+Version+15.1

This! There have been many bugs in this area in 15.1. I remember 15.0.x being much better behaved. There do appear to still be some bugs in the latest release, but at least special strings work right now.