Release Manager Tool

After the gerbers are generated for a project, the last step is to use the release manager tool. To do so, an outjob file must be present in the project. If the outjob file is missing, follow the review below. If you have the outjob file, skip to the ‘Project Release’ part of the guide.

Output Job Review

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On top is an image of the output job tool.

To access the output job file,

• 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 output job 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 output job tool, you only need to care about two boxes, ‘Outputs’ and ‘Output Containers’, which are the top boxes will blue highlighted sub boxes.

Outputs

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This is a typical electrow outputs box in the output job tool.

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

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

An existing project should have an output job file, but if it doesn’t, copy one from another project.

Example Files

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PDF example

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BOM excel file example

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STEP file example

Release Manager

With the output job file that you have (or just created),

Access

To access the release manager, go to the projects tab on the top, then choose 'Project Releaser…'

Release Manager Tool

New Release Manager Tool

To set up the release manager tool, make sure all the ‘Include’ checkboxes are present. If a red text of ‘No OutputJob specified.’ is present, click on it, and choose ‘Elecrow’ for all the options in the release options.

Release Manager Tool after set up

When prepare is selected on the bottom left corner, an item creation pop up will appear. Click on ‘Create items’.

Generate and Review Data

Unfortunately, right now, the team is currently having trouble generating the files needed. The process that is not functioning correctly currently is on the review data part of the release manager. The gerbers, BOM and STEP files are not able to be accessed right now and that causes the tool to get stuck on the review data part. If it worked properly, it will go straight to execution report and everything would be done.

Final message reports pass, but the project fails to continue

Failed generation