PCB RawProject

The PCB RawProject repository provides a ready-to-use template for your PCB designs in Altium Designer. It includes pre-configured settings that will help you kickstart your designs without the hassle of setting everything up from scratch.
The project is designed to serve as a foundation for creating and customizing your own PCB projects, ensuring consistency and ease of use.
This project is ideal for anyone looking to save time in the early stages of PCB design while maintaining high-quality standards in their projects. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced designer, using this template can streamline your workflow and help you focus more on the design aspects.

[!TIP]
If you're looking to better understand how to navigate and use my GitHub repositories — including exploring their structure, downloading or cloning projects, submitting issues, and asking questions,
everything you need is clearly explained in this video:
aKaReZa 95 - Programming, Git - PART B
Make sure to check it out!

[!IMPORTANT] Begin your embedded systems journey with clarity and purpose. This episode outlines a structured roadmap for mastering microcontrollers, communication protocols, hardware design, and project development.
Learn how to choose your specialization, follow curated playlists, and engage effectively with the community—ideal for learners seeking a scalable, goal-driven path into embedded engineering.
aKaReZa 124 – Embedded Systems Roadmap
Watch it now to kickstart your journey!

[!CAUTION] It is absolutely critical that you carefully read every single word of this document, line by line, to ensure you don't miss any details. Nothing can be overlooked.

📂 Repository Contents

This repository contains a collection of pre-configured Altium Designer templates to streamline your PCB design workflow. Each file has a specific role in automating documentation, BOM generation, schematic layout, and rule enforcement.

File / Folder	Description
Images/	Contains images or diagrams used in documentation or templates.
PCB_RawPrj/	Pre-configured Altium project directory with all recommended settings applied — ready to be cloned and used as a starting point.
A4 Template.SchDot	Schematic template in A4 size for use in Altium schematics.
BOM Template.xlsx	Pre-formatted Excel file for Bill of Materials (BOM) output with standard columns.
CheckList.md	A full PCB design checklist to ensure all critical steps are completed before manufacturing.
Documents.OutJob	Output job configuration that automates the generation of Gerbers, BOM, Pick-and-Place, and PDF files.
DraftsMan A3 Sheet.DwsDot	A3-sized Draftsman sheet template for creating PCB manufacturing drawings.
DraftsMan Template.DwfDot	General Draftsman document template for standardized mechanical and assembly drawings.
LICENSE	License file for the project (default is MIT unless changed).
README.md	You’re reading it! Contains the project overview, usage, and file descriptions.
Rules.RUL	Design rules file to be imported into Altium for consistent rule-checking across projects.

How to Use the Template Files

To use the provided Altium Designer Templates, you need to copy them into the correct system directory so they appear automatically when creating new projects, schematics, drafts, or output jobs.

✅ Default Template Directory for Altium Designer 24:

C:\Users\Public\Documents\Altium\AD24\Templates

[!NOTE] This is the default path, assuming the installation directory was not changed during setup.

🔄 For Other Altium Versions:

• Replace AD24 in the path with the version you are using:
  • Altium Designer 23 → AD23
  • Altium Designer 22 → AD22
  • and so on...

📝 Example:

If you're using Altium Designer 22, place the template files here:

C:\Users\Public\Documents\Altium\AD22\Templates

After copying the templates into the correct folder:

• Restart Altium (if it was open)
• Your templates will be available when creating new schematic sheets, PCB documents, Draftsman documents, or output jobs.

[!TIP] A complete tutorial on how to use all the provided templates, follow the checklists, document your project properly, and prepare the PCB for ordering is available in this video: aKaReZa 98 - PCB, Ordering

Minimum PCB Design Requirements

Requirement	Value
Minimum Drilling Hole Diameter	0.4mm
Minimum Drilling Hole Diameter (HalfPad)	0.7mm
Minimum Clearance	0.2mm
Minimum Trace Width	0.2mm
Minimum Overlay Resolution	0.15mm
Minimum Annular Ring	0.15mm
Minimum Copper to Board Edge Distance	0.2mm
Minimum Hole-to-Hole Distance	0.3mm
Minimum CNC-Route Gap for Internal Cuts	0.6mm

[!TIP] The design rules in this project are suitable for most local PCB manufacturing companies. However, it is recommended to consult and place your PCB orders through the Telegram group below for affordable and reliable PCB printing services:
CheapProject Telegram Group

Connection Matrix Configuration

In this project, the "Connection Matrix" settings in Altium Designer have been configured in such a way that no pin can remain unconnected. This ensures that all pins and ports are appropriately linked to their corresponding components or circuits, eliminating the possibility of unconnected pins in the PCB design.

Connection Verification

Through this configuration, Altium automatically verifies and ensures that every pin is connected to the appropriate component or system in the design. If a pin is left unconnected, it will be flagged, and the designer will be alerted. This eliminates potential errors caused by missing connections and ensures a more robust and functional design.

Error Reporting

Color coding is used to show the status of each connection:

• Red: Fatal Error — A critical issue with the connection.
• Orange: Warning — A potential problem that needs attention.
• Green: No Report — No issues detected.
• Yellow: Error — A minor issue or misconfiguration detected.

This configuration helps in ensuring that the design adheres to best practices and prevents any unconnected pins from being overlooked during the design process.

Net Scope Configuration

According to the settings configured in the Options section, all Power Ports and Net Labels are treated as local in this design. This configuration is important, especially in a hierarchical design, where multiple schematic sheets are involved.

In hierarchical designs, multiple sheets represent different sections or modules of the circuit. The local setting for Power Ports and Net Labels means that their scope is limited to the sheet or module in which they are defined. This ensures that:

• Power Ports will be confined to their respective sheets and will not interfere with or be incorrectly referenced by other sheets. Each sheet can have its own local power ports, which simplifies the design and prevents cross-sheet confusion.
• Net Labels will similarly be treated locally within each sheet. This prevents issues where nets are incorrectly connected across different sheets due to misidentified or globally scoped labels.

By setting Power Ports and Net Labels as local, the design follows a strict hierarchical structure, where connections between sheets are well-defined and easy to manage, avoiding unintended cross-connections or misinterpretations of net names across different sheets.

This approach helps maintain a clean and organized design, especially in large or complex PCB projects that involve multiple schematic sheets and hierarchical levels.

Resources

[!TIP] The resources are detailed in the sections below.
To access any of them, simply click on the corresponding blue link.

• Altium Library

  All PCB designs across all repositories and projects are built using this Altium Designer component library. It contains a wide range of verified footprints, schematic symbols, and 3D models, ensuring consistency and accuracy in PCB designs. If you're working on a new PCB, using this library will save you time and minimize errors.

• PCB & Electronics Design Training

  This repository is dedicated to learning PCB design and electronics from scratch. It covers everything from circuit theory to practical PCB layout techniques, including routing strategies, best practices, and component placement. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced designer, this resource will help you improve your PCB design skills and create professional-quality boards.

• PCB Checklist

  This checklist is designed to guide you through the complete process of designing a PCB. It includes critical steps, ensuring that your design is accurate and ready for manufacturing. Follow each item, confirming your progress with initials and date.

💻 How to Use Git and GitHub

To access the repository files and save them on your computer, there are two methods available:

1. Using Git Bash and Cloning the Repository

   • This method is more suitable for advanced users and those familiar with command-line tools.
   • By using this method, you can easily receive updates for the repository.

2. Downloading the Repository as a ZIP file

   • This method is simpler and suitable for users who are not comfortable with command-line tools.
   • Note that with this method, you will not automatically receive updates for the repository and will need to manually download any new updates.

Clone using the URL.

First, open Git Bash :

• Open the folder in File Explorer where you want the library to be stored.
• Right-click inside the folder and select the option "Open Git Bash here" to open Git Bash in that directory.

[!NOTE] If you do not see the "Open Git Bash here" option, it means that Git is not installed on your system.
You can download and install Git from this link.
For a tutorial on how to install and use Git, check out this video.

• Once Git Bash is open, run the following command to clone the repository:

git clone https://github.com/aKaReZa75/PCB_RawProject.git

• You can copy the above command by either:
• Clicking on the Copy button on the right of the command.
• Or select the command text manually and press Ctrl + C to copy.
• To paste the command into your Git Bash terminal, use Shift + Insert.

• Then, press Enter to start the cloning operation and wait for the success message to appear.

[!IMPORTANT] Please keep in mind that the numbers displayed in the image might vary when you perform the same actions.
This is because repositories are continuously being updated and expanded. Nevertheless, the overall process remains unchanged.

[!NOTE] Advantage of Cloning the Repository:

• Receiving Updates: By cloning the repository, you can easily and automatically receive new updates.
• Version Control: Using Git allows you to track changes and revert to previous versions.
• Team Collaboration: If you are working on a project with a team, you can easily sync changes from team members and collaborate more efficiently.

Download Zip

If you prefer not to use Git Bash or the command line, you can download the repository directly from GitHub as a ZIP file.
Follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the GitHub repository page and Locate the Code button:

   • On the main page of the repository, you will see a green Code button near the top right corner.

2. Download the repository:

   • Click the Code button to open a dropdown menu.
   • Select Download ZIP from the menu.

3. Save the ZIP file:

   • Choose a location on your computer to save the ZIP file and click Save.

4. Extract the ZIP file:

   • Navigate to the folder where you saved the ZIP file.
   • Right-click on the ZIP file and select Extract All... (Windows) or use your preferred extraction tool.
   • Choose a destination folder and extract the contents.

5. Access the repository:

   • Once extracted, you can access the repository files in the destination folder.

[!IMPORTANT]

• No Updates: Keep in mind that downloading the repository as a ZIP file does not allow you to receive updates.
  If the repository is updated, you will need to download it again manually.
• Ease of Use: This method is simpler and suitable for users who are not comfortable with Git or command-line tools.

📝 How to Ask Questions

If you have any questions or issues, you can raise them through the "Issues" section of this repository. Here's how you can do it:

1. Navigate to the "Issues" tab at the top of the repository page.

2. Click on the "New Issue" button.

3. In the Title field, write a short summary of your issue or question.

4. In the "Description" field, detail your question or issue as thoroughly as possible. You can use text formatting, attach files, and assign the issue to someone if needed. You can also use text formatting (like bullet points or code snippets) for better readability.

5. Optionally, you can add labels, type, projects, or milestones to your issue for better categorization.

6. Click on the "Submit new issue" button to post your question or issue.

I will review and respond to your issue as soon as possible. Your participation helps improve the repository for everyone!

[!TIP]

• Before creating a new issue, please check the "Closed" section to see if your question has already been answered.
  
• Write your question clearly and respectfully to ensure a faster and better response.
• While the examples provided above are in English, feel free to ask your questions in Persian (فارسی) as well.
• There is no difference in how they will be handled!

[!NOTE] Pages and interfaces may change over time, but the steps to create an issue generally remain the same.

🤝 Contributing to the Repository

To contribute to this repository, please follow these steps:

1. Fork the Repository
2. Clone the Forked Repository
3. Create a New Branch
4. Make Your Changes
5. Commit Your Changes
6. Push Your Changes to Your Forked Repository
7. Submit a Pull Request (PR)

[!NOTE] Please ensure your pull request includes a clear description of the changes you’ve made. Once submitted, I will review your contribution and provide feedback if necessary.

🌟 Support Me

If you found this repository useful:

• Subscribe to my YouTube Channel.
• Share this repository with others.
• Give this repository and my other repositories a star.
• Follow my GitHub account.

📜 License

This project is licensed under the GPL-3.0 License. This license grants you the freedom to use, modify, and distribute the project as long as you:

• Credit the original authors: Give proper attribution to the original creators.
• Disclose source code: If you distribute a modified version, you must make the source code available under the same GPL license.
• Maintain the same license: When you distribute derivative works, they must be licensed under the GPL-3.0 too.
• Feel free to use it in your projects, but make sure to comply with the terms of this license.

✉️ Contact Me

Feel free to reach out to me through any of the following platforms:

• 📧 Email: aKaReZa75@gmail.com
• 🎥 YouTube: @aKaReZa75
• 💼 LinkedIn: @akareza75