TL;DR at the end if you’re lazy.
Overview and Access
After the gerbers are generated for a project, the last step is to use the release manager tool to create the documentation, fabrication files, the bill of material and the step files.
On top is an image of the release manager tool.
To access the release manager tool,
for existing projects, go to ‘settings’ folder in the projects tab in Altium, then open ‘Output Job Files’. You will see a file called ‘Elecrow.OutJob’.
for new projects, copy an ‘Elecrow.OutJob’ file from another project.
It does not matter where it comes from, all you need is the file as it will adjust to your project.
You can also create a new outjob file, but it is not recommended as you have to set it up.
If you do want to create a new outjob file, go to file, then new, then outjob. You then have to follow the images below.
This file will be what you will be using for the release tool. In the release tool, you only need to care about two boxes, ‘Outputs’ and ‘Output Containers’, which are the top boxes will blue highlighted sub boxes.
Outputs
This is a typical electrow outputs box in the release manager
In the ‘Outputs’ box, there are 4 headers
Name
This names what files the row is for
Data Source
This names which file it will export from
Everything is preset
Output Description
This describes what the file is for
Usually, it is the same as Name
Enabled
This shows which files will be included in the output container chosen
Everything is preset
If you created a new outjob file, copy the images below in
For the subcategories in the rows, you can add new files, but talk to your lead if you are.
Output Containers
This is a typical elecrow file output containers in the release manager
In the ‘Output Containers’ box, there will be three options preset
PDF
This output includes ALL of the documentation of your board which includes
Schematic Files
Bill of Material
2D PCB Image
3D PCB Image
Electrical Rules Check
Design Rules Check
For the options for set up, follow the image below
For the data source, the default option is fine, but if it does not output correctly, usually it is the first option
An example will be on the bottom
Note: The PDF will pop up after it is fully generated
Fabrication Files
These are ALL the gerbers that you generated which include
Gerber Files
The number of gerbers you generated earlier should be the same as what is outputted
NC Drill Files
For the options for set up, follow the image below
BOM & STEP
These are your
Bill of Materials in excel form
STEP file
For the options for set up, follow the image below
An example will be on the bottom
When everything is set-up, press the ‘Generate content ->’ text in the blue highlighted box.
For all the ‘Path in server’ and ‘Local Path’, it will be preset, but if it isn’t configured properly, route it to your project file in your drive. Usually, all the files will be found in the ‘Project Outputs for [Project Name]’ file in the project file.
TL;DR
Use the Elecrow.OutJob file included in your project or copy one in another folder and press
‘Generate content ->’ text for all three containers and you’re done.
Press what the red circle is showing.
Hard Copy
Unless your lead tells you anything about the hard copy, please do not touch it. 