AD18 Gripes

[tszaboo]

OK, so I got a brand spanking new AD18 license. I've used this software for years. I am stunned by the complete stupidity the company makes year after year, but this time they got really stupid, without really telling us.
So we got 4 versions for the software:

Circuit maker. Always online, has access to Altium vault.
Circuit studio. Not always online, has access to Altium vault.
Designer. Not always online, does not have access to Altium vault. (mod)
Nexus. Has access to Altium vault.

I mean, wtf. So in the software which costs 1500 EUR/year maintenance, I dont have access to online components, and search. That's just great, we are back to manually create footprints instead of downloading one. Or update to nexus, I dont even dare asking how much it costs.

Also, do you remember Ciiva? The software that allowed smart BOM management, and was acquired by Altium to enhance their Designer? 120 dollar / user / month.

And they place a "request pert online" button on the libraries, leading to this site.
https://eeconcierge.com/pricing/ To save you time its about 50 EUR for a 20 pin device.

They are really going for high-end pricing. What's next, 10EUR/ schematic symbol? 10EUR/hour/user while software is running? % of income of company?

[enz]

Designer. Not always online, does not have access to Altium vault.

Of course Altium Designer has access to the Altium Vault. It is now called "Explorer" and is accessible via the "Panels" button at the lower right.

Martin

[D3f1ant]

Beat me to it, but wow, someone who actually uses Altiums Vault/Explorer!

[veryevil]

Beat me to it, but wow, someone who actually uses Altiums Vault/Explorer!

Agreed, I nearly always draw from scratch or if not I download it locally, copy into my libraries then clean up.params so it matches my needs. Clear up footprint and check because I have a massive distrust of any footprint or pin out I didn't do or check.

[tszaboo]

They hide it well.

There is always something, that you want to outsource. Connectors for example. And then there are the footprints, that are pain to place into the EDA, because the drawing is just inconvenient. You know, those where you have to have a calculator, printed out footprint and a pen to note down everything, and a hour.

Anyway, I'm glad that they haven't completely cut this option. I'm still struggling how I can setup the activeBOM, it was easier in AD17.

Any idea? I typically have manufacture part number and digikey ordercode in my components.

[enz]

Beat me to it, but wow, someone who actually uses Altiums Vault/Explorer!

Not really.
When I use it, then only for symbols of complexer parts.
Mostly as a starting point for modifications.

Footprints can be used as a double check, to compare them with my own.

[D3f1ant]

They hide it well.

There is always something, that you want to outsource. Connectors for example. And then there are the footprints, that are pain to place into the EDA, because the drawing is just inconvenient. You know, those where you have to have a calculator, printed out footprint and a pen to note down everything, and a hour.

Anyway, I'm glad that they haven't completely cut this option. I'm still struggling how I can setup the activeBOM, it was easier in AD17.

Any idea? I typically have manufacture part number and digikey ordercode in my components.

I love the active bom, depsite the problems. What I hate is that is now uses USD pricing and applies the exchange rate when  to come up with other currencies. This is very very inaccurate. Digikey for example charge something like 5% more on their .co.nz website (in NZD) than what AD uses...so for pricing is pretty hopeless. It also happily finds and uses pricing parts that you can get at all...for example certain modules or  batteries.