KB: Importing CircuitMaker Projects from Altium 365

Solution Details

Accessing and Migrating CircuitMaker Projects

Understanding the Source of CircuitMaker Projects

CircuitMaker projects stored in Altium 365 under "My Personal Space" or "Shared With Me" must be opened in CircuitMaker to generate local files. These files are then manually imported into Altium Designer for further development or integration.

Why Manual Import is Required

CircuitMaker does not automatically synchronise project files with Altium Designer. Instead, once a project is opened from A365 in CircuitMaker, it generates local files in a specific directory. These files must be manually transferred and imported into Altium Designer to be recognised and used effectively.

Steps to Import CircuitMaker Projects into Altium Designer

To import a CircuitMaker project into Altium Designer, follow these steps:

1. Download and install CircuitMaker
2. Open the project from A365 to generate local files
3. Create a new project in Altium Designer
4. Copy and import schematic files
5. Import the PCB file using the Altium PCB import tool

Detailed Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Download and Install CircuitMaker
   1. Visit https://www.altium.com/products/downloadshttps://www.altium.com/products/downloads.
   2. Download and install CircuitMaker.
2. Open the Project in CircuitMaker
   1. Launch CircuitMaker.
   2. Log in to your A365 workspace.
   3. Navigate to File » Open Project and select the desired project.
   4. Opening the project will generate local design files at:
      C:\ProgramData\Altium\CircuitMaker {XXX-XXX-XXX-XXX}\Projects
Note: Projects in "Shared With Me" may require accepting the share or joining the workspace before they appear in the project list.
3. Create a New Project in Altium Designer
   1. Open Altium Designer.
   2. Go to File » New » Project.
   3. Create a new PCB Project and note the location of the project folder.
4. Import the Schematic Files
   1. Open Windows File Explorer and navigate to the CircuitMaker project folder.
   2. Select all *.SchDoc files and press Ctrl+C to copy them.
   3. Navigate to the new Altium Designer project folder and press Ctrl+V to paste the files.
   4. In the Projects Panel:
      1. Right-click the .PrjPcb project file.
      2. Select Add Existing to Project.
      3. In the file browser, select all pasted *.SchDoc files and click Open.
5. Import the PCB File
   1. In the Projects Panel, right-click the .PrjPcb project file.
   2. Select Add New to Project » PCB to create a new PCB document.
   3. Open the new PCB file.
   4. Navigate to File » Import » Altium PCB.
   5. In the file browser, locate and select the *.CMPcbDoc file from the CircuitMaker project folder.
   6. Click Open to import the board file.
   7. A second *.PcbDoc file will appear in your project.
   8. Right-click the original (empty) .PcbDoc and select Remove from Project.
      Note: This original file is temporary and can be deleted if no longer needed.

Additional Notes

• Version Control: CircuitMaker applies version control to A365 projects. This version control does not carry over to Altium Designer unless the project is reconnected to a version-controlled repository.
• PCB Import Limitations: While schematic files (*.SchDoc) are fully compatible, some PCB constraints or design rules may not translate perfectly. It is recommended to review and validate all imported board settings.

Further Reading

• Working with Design Projects – Altium CircuitMaker
• QuickStart Guides - Altium CircuitMaker