Glossary of terms

Design Editors

Powerful design creation tools forming the foundation of Altium Designer, enabling engineers to transform concepts into production-ready electronics.

Integrated ecosystem of editors for comprehensive management of the electronics design process.

The Design Editors in Altium Designer 2025 form a comprehensive suite of tools that enable engineers to seamlessly progress from concept to production-ready electronics. Each editor is purpose-built for specific aspects of the design process while maintaining tight integration with the entire platform.

Project Management and Libraries

Define your project structure and create component building blocks. Establish a solid project foundation by organizing file structures and building high-quality component libraries. This stage streamlines your entire development process with version control, supplier database integration, and detailed component models that ensure mechanical compatibility.

1. Design Project Manager ~30-40 unique commands

  • Manages project structure, files, and version control integration
  • Serves as the central starting point for any design project

    • Related panels: Projects panel, Storage Manager panel, Version Control panel, Project Options panel, Variants panel


    2. Component Library Manager ~50-60 unique commands

  • Centralizes component information and library management
  • Integrates with supplier databases like Octopart and Ultra Librarian

    • Related panels: Library panel, Component List panel, Supplier Search panel, Parameters panel, Models panel

    3. Symbol Editor ~30-40 unique commands

  • Creates and edits schematic symbols for components
  • Defines electrical properties and pin assignments

    • Related panels: Pin Manager panel, Symbol Properties panel, Component Editor panel, Symbol Library panel, Drawing Tools panel


    4. Footprint Editor ~40-50 unique commands

  • Designs physical component representations for PCB placement
  • Implements IPC-compliant manufacturing standards

    • Related panels: PCB Library panel, Properties panel, Pad Properties panel, Primitive Properties panel, Footprint Manager panel


    5. 3D Body Editor ~20-30 unique commands

  • Creates and manages 3D component models
  • Enables mechanical verification and MCAD integration

    • Related panels: 3D Body Items panel, 3D Body Properties panel, Generic Models panel, 3D Visualization panel, STEP Model panel

    PCB

    Design Creation and Analysis

    Transform engineering concepts into functional schematics and validate designs before physical implementation. This phase encompasses comprehensive design verification through simulation, signal integrity analysis, constraint management, and multi-layer stackup configuration.

    6. Schematic Editor ~100-120 unique commands

  • Creates and edits electrical schematics
  • Defines the logical operation of the circuit

    • Related panels: SCH Library panel, SCH Inspector panel, Navigator panel, Nets panel, Electrical Rules panel


    7. Simulation Editor ~30-40 unique commands

  • Performs electrical, signal integrity, and thermal simulation
  • Validates design before physical implementation
  • Note: May require an active license for simulation features

    • Related panels: Mixed Sim panel, Waveform Analysis panel, SPICE Model Manager panel, Signal Integrity panel, Simulation Dashboard panel


    8. FPGA Design Integration ~40-50 unique commands

  • Manages FPGA design synchronization with PCB
  • Automates pin assignments between HDL code and PCB connections

    • Related panels: FPGA Configuration panel, Pin Mapping panel, HDL Project panel, Constraints panel, Signals panel

    9. Constraint Manager ~25-35 unique commands

  • Defines electrical and physical design rules
  • Sets high-speed routing and signal integrity constraints

    • Related panels: Constraint Manager panel, Rule Priority panel, Design Rules panel, Differential Pairs panel, xSignals panel


    10. Layer Stack Manager ~20-30 unique commands

  • Configures PCB layer structure and materials
  • Sets impedance profiles and flex-rigid parameters

    • Related panels: Layer Stack panel, Layer Properties panel, Impedance Profiles panel, Dielectric Material panel, Signal Layer panel


    11. PDN Analyzer ~25-35 unique commands

  • Analyzes power delivery network integrity
  • Identifies voltage drops and thermal hotspots

    • Related panels: PDN Summary panel, Power Nets panel, DC Drop Analysis panel, Thermal Analysis panel, Net Connectivity panel


    12. PCB Editor ~150-180 unique commands

  • Provides comprehensive PCB layout capabilities
  • Implements component placement and routing

    • Related panels: PCB panel, Properties panel, PCB Inspector panel, Design Rule Checker panel, Board Planning Mode panel, 3D Layout Mode panel

    PCB

    Advanced System Design

    Move beyond single boards to create complex electronic systems that integrate multiple devices into cohesive products. This design level enables sophisticated multi-board assemblies with cable harnesses and 3D-formed interconnects, ensuring precise spatial coordination and electrical compatibility.

    13. Multi-board Editor ~40-50 unique commands

  • Designs systems with multiple interconnected PCBs
  • Manages mechanical and electrical connections between boards

    • Related panels: Multi-board Assembly panel, Connection Manager panel, Placement panel, 3D Mode panel, System Browser panel


    14. 3D-MID Editor ~25-35 unique commands

  • Creates 3D Molded Interconnect Device designs
  • Enables component placement on 3D substrates
  • Note: May require specialized license

    • Related panels: 3D MID Surface panel, 3D Routing panel, Component Placement panel, Manufacturing Settings panel, MID Properties panel

    15. Harness Designer ~35-45 unique commands

  • Designs cable and wire harness assemblies
  • Integrates with multi-board systems

    • Related panels: Harness Definition panel, Cable Manager panel, Wire Properties panel, Connector panel, Harness Documentation panel

    PCB

    Manufacturing and Documentation

    Prepare your designs for flawless production with comprehensive technical documentation and manufacturing outputs. This final stage optimizes bills of materials, automates assembly drawings, and generates production-ready files that accurately translate engineering intent into finished products.

    16. ActiveBOM ~30-40 unique commands

  • Manages bill of materials and supply chain data
  • Tracks component pricing and availability

    • Related panels: BOM panel, Supplier Search panel, Part Choices panel, Cost Analysis panel, Component Status panel


    17. Output Job Editor ~25-35 unique commands

  • Configures and automates manufacturing output files
  • Generates consistent production documentation packages

    • Related panels: Output Container panel, Output Generator panel, Output Settings panel, Templates panel, Batch Process panel


    18. CAM Editor ~35-45 unique commands

  • Reviews and verifies manufacturing data
  • Performs DFM checks before production

    • Related panels: CAM View panel, Layer panel, Aperture panel, NC Drill panel, Comparison panel

    19. Draftsman ~40-50 unique commands

  • Creates manufacturing documentation and assembly drawings
  • Generates dimensioned board and assembly views

    • Related panels: Drawing panel, Assembly panel, Detail View panel, Drawing Views panel, Fabrication panel


    20. Scripting Editor ~30-40 unique commands

  • Automates design tasks and batch operations across all design stages
  • Provides TCL, JavaScript, and DelphiScript support
  • Note: Can be used to enhance workflows in any editor

    • Related panels: Script Editor panel, Execution panel, Code Explorer panel, Debug panel, Script Library panel

    Total for all editors: approximately 820-1000 unique commands.

    This comprehensive organization reflects the typical electronic design workflow from concept to manufacturing. Each editor is purpose-built for specific aspects of the design process while maintaining tight integration with the entire platform. Understanding these tools in their workflow context helps engineers navigate the complete design process efficiently, from initial project setup through component creation, schematic design, PCB layout, to final manufacturing documentation.

    Text Editor - Preferences

    Text Editor - Preferences - General Text Editor - Preferences - Display Text Editor - Preferences - Colors


    Section
    Design Editors in ECAD-MCAD