Hi All,
Just got this email from Max Clemmons from Altium:
Hi,
I'm excited to tell you that we've just released the newest CircuitMaker beta build to the testing group. With this new build, the component workflow has moved entirely to the Libraries panel, so you can search for and create components from a single, convenient location! Check out the forum post for all the details and an installer (if you need a fresh install):(link removed - need a closed beta account to access the forum at the moment)
Also, we are releasing you from your NDA, so please go ahead and share your CircuitMaker experience with the world!I'll write up my impressions of the new beta over the next few days and will post when ready.
But for the curious:
1. All the issues I see with Circuit Studio I also see with Circuit Maker
(see here:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/altium/altium-circuit-studio/msg602360/#msg602360)
2. The focus is that you use the footprints / parts that are developed by the community and are available through Octopart. Not a bad idea if you ask me.
BUT
3. You CANNOT make a custom part that isn't associated with Octopart. This ruins things like Edge Connectors, Programming Headers (i.e. Tag Connect), fiducials, testpoints and RF coils / antenna that are essentially pure PCB partwork. This is a noisy point on the closed beta forum and I get the feeling the developers are pushing back against their corporate masters on this but are currently on the back foot.
I reckon when the open beta is released in May the same corporate masters will get flooded with feedback around this!
That said, it's good, I like it but I won't use it seriously until the Octopart limitation is lifted.