New in CircuitMaker

 

This page details the improvements included in the initial release of CircuitMaker 2.0, as well as those added in subsequent updates. Along with delivering a range of improvements that develop and mature the existing technologies, each update also incorporates fixes and enhancements based on feedback raised by the CircuitMaker Community.

Update to the latest available version of CircuitMaker is a requirement to keep using it. Where a later version of the software is detected, you will be offered the ability to update. Should you reject the update, the software will close.

CircuitMaker 2.2

Released: 15 June 2022 - Version: 2.2.1 (build 6)
Released: 6 April 2022 - Version: 2.2.0 (build 5)

This update to CircuitMaker adds the ability to import design projects and documents created in 3rd party software, including KiCAD and P-CAD, in CircuitMaker projects. It also incorporates fixes and enhancements based on feedback raised by the CircuitMaker Community.

Key Highlights

CircuitMaker 2.1

Released: 11 February 2022 - Version: 2.1.0 (build 4)

This latest update to CircuitMaker adds the ability to collaborate efficiently with your counterpart Mechanical Engineer, enabling CoDesign between CircuitMaker and Autodesk® Fusion 360®. Delivered through the Fusion 360 CoDesigner extension, your direct interface to this feature is through the new Fusion 360 CoDesigner panel (View | System | Fusion 360 CoDesigner) from the PCB ribbon menus),  which is used to Push and Pull design changes back and forth between the two design domains.

Design changes are not transferred directly between the ECAD and MCAD environments, they are transferred through the Altium 365 platform. CircuitMaker projects are stored in an Altium 365 Personal Space, CoDesigner also uses this space to store a tool-neutral snapshot of the design that is accessible to both CircuitMaker and Autodesk Fusion 360. This approach allows designers on both sides to continue to edit their design files, and Push and Pull the updates when they are ready. The tool-neutral snapshot holds details of the objects that are supported, not the entire board design.

  • Design changes created in either environment are transferred to the target environment by performing a Push in the source editor. A message can be included to explain the nature of the change, this message is displayed in the respective panel's target environment. The Send button is then clicked to push the board to the shared Altium 365 platform. The Pull button can then be clicked in the target editor to synchronize the ECAD and MCAD designs.
  • When a change is Pushed, the target editor's panel will display a message that there is a change pending the next time they open their working copy of the design file. Click View Changes to display a list of changes.
  • You can check for outstanding changes at any time by performing a Pull. When the Pull button is clicked, a list of Changes will display. Each change is a difference between the data in the PCB file, and the data pushed by the source editor. You can click on an individual change in the Change List. That change will be highlighted on the board.
  • You can select which changes are to be applied - those not selected will be discarded.

CircuitMaker 2.0

Released: 12 August 2021 - Version: 2.0.3 (build 51)
Released: 02 July 2021 - Version: 2.0.2 (build 40)
Released: 23 June 2021 - Version: 2.0.1 (build 20)
Released: 14 June 2021 - Version: 2.0.0 (build 14)
Released: 10 June 2021 - Version: 2.0.0 (build 9)

The first thing to note with this release is that Altium CircuitMaker has been completely upgraded, with robust new features and a brand new User Interface. In addition, CircuitMaker’s code has been updated to align the code base with the latest Altium Designer technology, enabling further development and quicker adaptations to changes in the operating system environment.

CircuitMaker 2.0 remains free, community-centric and simple to use, while remaining powerful enough for you to embark on that next fun project.

CircuitMaker 2.0 now comes with a free account on Altium 365, our collaborative, cloud-based infrastructure platform. An Altium 365 account is and will remain free for CircuitMaker users. You can view schematic, PCB, BOM, Gerbers, and 3D directly in a web browser with your free account. Anyone with whom you choose to share your project (including people outside the CircuitMaker Community) can easily open and view that project via a web browser, without installing CircuitMaker.

Key Highlights

CircuitMaker 2.0 is a significant upgrade to CircuitMaker 1.3 and contains many fixes and improvements in all areas of the product. Click on the following collapsible sections to take a look at some of the major highlights.

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