Parts - Getting Started

Download the latest version of Parts

Important !  See Access Security Notices and Permissions 

Extract the Parts files to a folder where you have read / write permissions.

Recommended Parts Demo Folder C:\Parts

Launch Altium.

In the lower right corner of Altium select Panels > Components

Then Select File-based Libraries Preferences

Install From File



Select *.DBLib to file type.

The Parts.DBLib file can be found in the Parts folder.

Select Parts.DBLib > Open.

Close the Available Libraries form.

Right click and Select Columns. 

Drag Column Headings to Organize the Displayed Parts. 

Then start placing parts in a schematic.

Add or Edit Parts

Open the Parts.DBlib file in Altium to edit or add parts.

Optional Parts Frontend.

The optional (not required) Parts Frontend application is for users that are looking for a turn-key solution with a user friendly and intuitive interface for a database library maintenance.

If you have Microsoft Office 365 installed, then Double click the Parts_Frontend.accde to run the Parts application.

If you do not have Microsoft Access installed you can install a free Access runtime. 

Parts Frontend simplifies DBLib and SVNDBLIB library maintenance.

DBLib only takes a few minutes to set up, while SVNDBLIB requires typically about 30 minutes.  Parts supports SVNDBLIB, however I highly recommend using DBLIB & Git.

Parts is simple to install and use, however if needed technical support is available to get you up and running quickly. 

To request technical support or a demo of the Parts Frontend click on Contact Parts.

That's It !

Supplier Information

Display Supplier Information in the Altium Libraries Panel

click on image to view

Edit DXP preferences to display Supplier Information.

DXP > Preferences > Data Management > Suppliers 

Select Digi-Key and Mouser, apply changes, refresh the library panel.

The Supplier Information in the Libraries Panel is handled by Altium Supplier plugins.

Two fields in the Parts Backend were renamed to support the Supplier Information.

Supplier changed to Supplier 1
Supplier Part Number changed to Supplier part Number 1 

Note: The Supplier Names entered in the Parts Backend Database must match the names in DXP > Preferences > Data Management > Suppliers

Example: Enter Digi-Key (not Digikey) in the Parts Supplier 1 field. 

Related Link: Supplier Information Review.

That's It !

Bloat Meter

Your Bloat Meter has maxed out.

Access databases can get bloated after prolonged use.  And they Bloat quickly if you use Part Type Queries or you have been importing a lot of Excel worksheets.

The cure for database bloat is Compact and Repair  < See Microsoft Office Link.

The Parts bloat meter provides a visual indication of the backend file size relative to a user defined file size in MBs.

Suggested setting is between 20 and 100.

Notes:

Tools > Backup Database can be used to Backup and Compact the Parts Database.

Users with Librarian keys can set the Bloat Meter Size using Tools > Backup Database.

Users with only Designer keys can edit the user.dat file. (close Parts first).

Altium leaves connections to Access databases open when Altium is closed :(

Good News! Parts (Access) can close the connections that Altium neglects to close.


That's It !