This video explains how to create a new component and build useful integrated library. It also explains how component’s parameters can be used to generate Bill of Materials (BOM) and how to modify Altium Purchasing template to your needs.
Update: Watch also Altium Designer – Create BOM & Library from Supplier’s Data
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Welldone Blog 
Great video, but i have a couple of questions. Is it not better to use the manufacturer part id instead of the digikey ID. By doing that you can then i think you can use the supplier search feature to find the same part at digikey, mouser, farnell etc, and then pick supplier at BOM time.
Also have you tried the database linked libraries feature?
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Hi Tom, you have very good points.
I use it a little bit different way now. Every component includes manufacturer part id and also two more parameters: Supplier + Supplier product number. These two fields are used to order components easily and quickly – for example for prototypes.Linking libraries: I really would like to try this feature, but I use clients software and I am very limited in using some features.
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Hi Robert, I like a lot your videos.
Regarding “Creating useful library” I have one question. Can you explain how do you use the parameters “.CheckedPCB” and “.CheckedSCH”?
Thank you.
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I use these
parameters to identify if symbol and footprint have been checked. I
normally put there my initials (after I check it) or write “used” if the
component is used on a board.
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Hi Robert, How can I update the library?
The problem is: I cannot find the 0805 resister foot prints. I’m a new user please help. I just got the JOB as EE Intern.
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Hi, I highly recommend you to learn how to create your own new footprints. It’s very easy. This will help you http://www.fedevel.com/welldoneblog/2011/08/how-to-start-with-altium-designer-all-in-17-minutes-video/
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Hi Robert. Thank you for your awesome videos, very easy to learn from for beginners like myself. I had a couple of questions about libraries in Altium:
When adding for instance 0805 resistors of different values, is it a good idea to duplicate the footprint as well or would it be a good idea to create generic footprints for these parts?
Do you use per-project libraries or a “generic” library that you re-use in all projects? What are the benefits of using project libraries?
Is it good practice to create your own library or to extract sources and edit parts in Altiums own libraries? For instance when the part already exists but you just want to add another footprint to it.
Thanks for your help.
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