I've noticed that some Altium PCB Libraries contain a designator in a Text field using the .Designator parameter. I've duplicated this in my own libraries, however if I attempt to place a component on the PCB, I have two designators displayed (the default, and the one I added to the library). Is there something I'm missing?
The reason why I ask is I've been working on using some smaller components lately, and the default designator is too large. At the very least this would save me some time in the Inspector.
Any ideas?
Best Answer
As far as I know you can't do anything about this in the library, but in the PCB layout, you can open the properties for the component and select the 'Hide' option under the Designator section. That is the default designator properties. Any additional string you add in the PCB library with .Designator as the text will appear as and where you place it in the PCB footprint, even multiples.