PCB Libraries Forum : Reference designator, getting .Designator2 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/ Fri, 03 Apr 2026 12:53:23 +0000 Sat, 15 Feb 2025 08:02:55 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.07 360 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=3470 <![CDATA[PCB Libraries Forum]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/forum_images/PCBLForumLogo.gif https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/ <![CDATA[Reference designator, getting .Designator2 : Just to close this off. The issue...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/reference-designator-getting-designator2_topic3470_post13792.html#13792 Author: JCurtis
Subject: 3470
Posted: 15 Feb 2025 at 8:02am

Just to close this off. The issue has been identified and swiftly fixed by the PCBLibraries team. If you see this problem, simply re-download V25.03.]]> Sat, 15 Feb 2025 08:02:55 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/reference-designator-getting-designator2_topic3470_post13792.html#13792 <![CDATA[Reference designator, getting .Designator2 : OK, that makes sense. It&#039;s...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/reference-designator-getting-designator2_topic3470_post13790.html#13790 Author: JCurtis
Subject: 3470
Posted: 14 Feb 2025 at 8:14am

OK, that makes sense. It's just the naming I use for the Database library file paths.

The .Designator2 needs fixing though. Easy enough to manually edit the created footprint to remove the 2 at the end.
]]> Fri, 14 Feb 2025 08:14:48 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/reference-designator-getting-designator2_topic3470_post13790.html#13790 <![CDATA[Reference designator, getting .Designator2 : Only IPC generated footprints...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/reference-designator-getting-designator2_topic3470_post13789.html#13789 Author: Tom H
Subject: 3470
Posted: 14 Feb 2025 at 8:09am

Only IPC generated footprints get a Density Level Suffix. 

It you use the Mfr. Recommended Pattern or FP Designer or rename the footprint to something other than the IPC footprint name, there is no IPC Density Level Suffix. 

]]> Fri, 14 Feb 2025 08:09:14 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/reference-designator-getting-designator2_topic3470_post13789.html#13789 <![CDATA[Reference designator, getting .Designator2 : While I&#039;m here, has the footprint...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/reference-designator-getting-designator2_topic3470_post13788.html#13788 Author: JCurtis
Subject: 3470
Posted: 14 Feb 2025 at 3:48am

While I'm here, has the footprint name changed in 25.03?
Previously, if I had a manufacturer set on a part, the generated Altium footprint would have that prefixed onto the footprint name. That doesn't seem to be happening now.

For example, I've previously generated a footprint for a MCP2221A-ST, and the name generated was

MICROCHIP_SOP8P65_300X640X120L60X24N

Now the MICROCHIP_ prefix is missing if I generate the same part. Is this an options thing I'm missing?
Took me a few moments to wonder why things weren't updating until I spotted the name change.
]]> Fri, 14 Feb 2025 03:48:14 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/reference-designator-getting-designator2_topic3470_post13788.html#13788 <![CDATA[Reference designator, getting .Designator2 : Unfortunately Altium doesn&#039;t...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/reference-designator-getting-designator2_topic3470_post13787.html#13787 Author: JCurtis
Subject: 3470
Posted: 14 Feb 2025 at 12:37am

Unfortunately Altium doesn't seem to accept .Designator2 as valid, and doesn't replace the text with the component designator. 

If I edit the text and remove the 2 suffix, Altium renames the field correctly.

I think the the 2 suffix needs to be removed from the field created in the footprint.


]]> Fri, 14 Feb 2025 00:37:37 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/reference-designator-getting-designator2_topic3470_post13787.html#13787 <![CDATA[Reference designator, getting .Designator2 : That would explain it. Though...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/reference-designator-getting-designator2_topic3470_post13786.html#13786 Author: JCurtis
Subject: 3470
Posted: 13 Feb 2025 at 11:19am

That would explain it. Though Altium only specifies .Designator as a special string. I was seeing .Designator and .Designator2 on the different layers.

The docs just say..

  • .Designator – the designator string for a component (placed on any layer in the library editor as part of the component footprint).

When I'm back in the office tomorrow I'll see if Altium treats them both the same and replaces them with the actual component designator when generating the outputs.
]]> Thu, 13 Feb 2025 11:19:49 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/reference-designator-getting-designator2_topic3470_post13786.html#13786 <![CDATA[Reference designator, getting .Designator2 : The Assembly .Designator2 is a...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/reference-designator-getting-designator2_topic3470_post13785.html#13785 Author: Tom H
Subject: 3470
Posted: 13 Feb 2025 at 11:14am

The Assembly .Designator2 is a new feature in V25.03. 

But you have on/off control in Tools > Options > Drafting


]]> Thu, 13 Feb 2025 11:14:31 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/reference-designator-getting-designator2_topic3470_post13785.html#13785 <![CDATA[Reference designator, getting .Designator2 : Yes, V25.03. Just downloaded the...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/reference-designator-getting-designator2_topic3470_post13784.html#13784 Author: JCurtis
Subject: 3470
Posted: 13 Feb 2025 at 11:07am

Yes, V25.03. Just downloaded the latest as I'm slowly sorting out the PC.

I didn't realise Altium would take a .Designator2 when creating assembly/draftsman outputs. I'll give it a try tomorrow. Is this a new feature?
I've been using PCBLibraries for a few years and not seen before.

I'm rebuilding my 5 year old database library, trying to get everything into a common format. It's grown organically over the years. If I only knew what I do about Altium back then!
]]> Thu, 13 Feb 2025 11:07:28 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/reference-designator-getting-designator2_topic3470_post13784.html#13784 <![CDATA[Reference designator, getting .Designator2 : There are two .DesignatorOne for...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/reference-designator-getting-designator2_topic3470_post13783.html#13783 Author: Tom H
Subject: 3470
Posted: 13 Feb 2025 at 8:40am

There are two .Designator 

One for Silkscreen .Designator and one for Assembly .Designator2

You can turn then on/off in Tools > Options > Drafting > Silkscreen/Assembly 

Are you using V25.03 that was released 12 hours ago? 

]]> Thu, 13 Feb 2025 08:40:08 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/reference-designator-getting-designator2_topic3470_post13783.html#13783 <![CDATA[Reference designator, getting .Designator2 : After building a new PC and re-installing...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/reference-designator-getting-designator2_topic3470_post13782.html#13782 Author: JCurtis
Subject: 3470
Posted: 13 Feb 2025 at 4:20am

After building a new PC and re-installing everything, I've gone to make some parts.

So using version 25.3, I've generated the build scripts for some resistors - my go to sanity check that I have the settings right.

For some reason, the reference designator text is appearing as .Designator2. I am looking to get the designator onto the assembly outline layer, sized and centered appropriately. I can't seem to figure out why I am getting the 2 suffix, I don't remember that before.

No doubt I've missed something obvious, but I can't find it.
]]> Thu, 13 Feb 2025 04:20:27 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/reference-designator-getting-designator2_topic3470_post13782.html#13782