Force an update from PCB libraries

[joelby]

Hi all,

I've modified component footprints in my PCB library and saved it, but "Update from PCB Libraries" doesn't reliably detect any changes between the PCB and the library. The only way I've found to force an update is to delete the components and import changes from the schematic, which is annoying because I have to manually reposition everything exactly where they were (and generally they've lost their grid alignment for some unknown reason).

Is there a way to force a re-import or convince Altium that a part has changed?

[joelby]

Ah, I've discovered a better way to do it - from the "PCB Library" pane, right-click on the component you want to update and "Update PCB with xxxx".

It's vaguely unsettling that it does this without an ECO or any confirmation about which PCBs it's updating, but at least it works.

[slateraptor]

The only way I've found to force an update is to delete the components and import changes from the schematic, which is annoying because I have to manually reposition everything exactly where they were (and generally they've lost their grid alignment for some unknown reason).

This was the only way I knew how to force a footprint update, which was painfully annoying especially if I had to change the footprints on a crap ton of bypass caps, or something update a 3D body.

Thanks for the tip.

[Eonir]

Ah, I've discovered a better way to do it - from the "PCB Library" pane, right-click on the component you want to update and "Update PCB with xxxx".

It's vaguely unsettling that it does this without an ECO or any confirmation about which PCBs it's updating, but at least it works.

Thank you for finding this. It saved me quite some frustration! I don't know why, but I couldn't find this information in the AD help.

[dodonny]

So f***ing thanks to you !

[T3sl4co1l]

Note that, as with ECO updates, the footprint will be changed only if pads match.  I had one recently with a duplicated pad for some reason, had to delete the extra first (which was done by selecting the footprints, unlocking primitives, querying their pads, manually selecting every other pad in PCB List, deleting them, and re-locking primitives).

Another option is deleting the components, but saving their positions first by selecting them, and copying X1, Y1, Rotation columns in PCB List.  Delete, import, select the new parts, and paste it in.  If you want to save designator specs as well, make a copy of those data and paste it into a notepad or spreadsheet for temporary holding, then copy and paste it back in.

Tim