Footprint Expert 2024.01

The software developer PCB Libraries, Inc. is pleased to announce the availability of PCB Footprint Expert 2024.01. This solution lets you effortlessly calculate and generate high-quality footprints in a fraction of the time it would take you to create them using a CAD tool library editor.

Fixes & Enhancements:

Options:
- Recommended for existing users – Create a new Option file from scratch. Do not use your existing .opt file.
- Updated the Internal Defaults to IPC-7352 Guideline
. Removed Fab & Assy tolerances and changed all negative solder joint goals to 0.00
. Note 1: this update might create SMD pad sizes smaller by an average of – 0.01 to 0.03 mm
. Note 2: there will be a V23.opt file for users who want the original (IPC-7351) version
. But you can still use your original .opt file if you don’t want to update to IPC-7352
. Note 3: if you want to use the new IPC-7352 options to upgrade to the new mathematical model for pad stack calculations, you should recreate your Master Option file from scratch by selecting “File > New (Internal Defaults)” then “File > Save As > New Name.opt”
. Note 4: V24 installs into a separate folder to allow you to run V23 and V24 side by side to copy your existing Options to a new Option file
- Redesigned all the Terminal Options GUI
. Major rewrite for all Grid Array component families – BGA, CGA and LGA
- Added the ability to enter 1 for pad size and placement
. 3 = 0.001
. 2 = 0.01
. 1 = 0.10
CAD Tools:
- Allegro – translator dug in pad stack definition for mask layers
FP Designer:
- Moving a calculator footprint to FP Designer and selecting “New” pad stack created an error message
Calculators:
- Batch Build was only creating one footprint
- BGA pad trimming caused a discrepancy between the actual pad size and the displayed pad size
- Through-hole pad stack calculations were updated


PCB Libraries is a culmination of decades of work, first started in 2003 with the bold vision of developing a “One World Standard PCB Footprint”. CAD library solutions developed by PCB Libraries has been used by over one hundred thousand PCB designers and engineers world-wide. The latest and greatest "PCB Footprint Expert" is designed to eliminate a vast amount duplication of effort wasted by - footprints and 3D models. PCB Libraries solutions streamline significant parts of the PCB design process with its CAD LEAP (Libraries Enhanced with Automated Preferences) technology, which supports 23 CAD formats with Footprints, 3D STEP models, and (soon) Schematic Symbols. The Library Expert can automatically create tens of millions of intelligent parts which can be batch-updated with dozens of user-defined settings (rotation, pad shapes, tolerance, line widths, etc). PCB Libraries is led by veteran technologists and provides enterprise-level library solutions to many household-name companies throughout the world.

PCB Footprint Expert Overview


This video is a high-level overview of how the PCB Footprint Expert can be used in combination with our "Parts on Demand" database to automatically generate high quality footprints and 3D models. This video was created using the Altium and 3D STEP outputs (each licensed separately).
PCB Libraries was started in 2003 as a sole proprietorship and was based on a couple of decades worth of work. The LP Wizard we developed over 12 years ago has for the most part remained unchanged after getting acquired in 2008 by Valor. Valor was later acquired by Mentor Graphics.

Owner: PCB Libraries, Inc.
Product Name: PCB Footprint Expert
Version: 2024.01 Subscription (v.01 12/17/2023)
Supported Architectures: x86 or x64
Website Home Page : www.pcblibraries.com
Languages Supported: english
System Requirements: Windows *
Size: 42.7 mb