Product Annotation Quick Start

1.1 Create a Board

1. Open Product and click New Board.
2. In Create Root, enter a product name, such as APEX_QuickStart and click OK.
3. Check that Workpart, BOM and Mountpoint appear in the left tree.

1.2 Create a User Component Library

1. Under the board, select BOM (BOM Behavior) .
2. In Electronic Component List on the right, click ＋CREATE.
3. Enter HelloLibrary and click CREATE. Check that Library switches to the new library.

1.3 Import the APEX BOM

At the bottom right, click IMPORT BOM and select QuickStart_Materials/APEX OI Data.csv . Map the source fields as shown below, then complete the import.

The list is black at this stage, indicating that the items are not yet linked to HelloLibrary. Link the components next.

2.1 Find a Matching Shape and Assign the Part Number

1. Select an unlinked BOM item and open Component Library Search.
2. Switch to Internal Library . Use the CSV Description to check the shape, dimensions and leads, then select the matching supplied component.
3. On the asset card, click ADD TO HelloLibrary and in Part No. enter the PartNo from that CSV row and finish adding the asset.
4. Return to HelloLibrary, find the asset by part number and click LINK . Return to the BOM to verify the link.
5. Repeat for the remaining part numbers. Even when multiple items share a part number, verify the link for each Designator.

3.1 Create Two Links

1. Right-click the board root and select Create Link….
2. Create Top Layer (Gerber) and check that the tree contains Link_GerberTop.
3. Then create 3D Shape and check that the tree contains Link_Shape.

3.2 Import the Top Gerber Layers

Right-click Link_GerberTop and select Import Gerber Shape…. Open QuickStart_Materials/Gerber_APEX2024. Hold Ctrl to select and open these four top-layer files:

• APEX2024 Layer 1 stencil_ 2mil.gbr
• APEX2024 Layer 1.gbr
• APEX2024 Layer1 mask.gbr
• APEX2024 Layer1 silk.gbr

Check the four layers in Link Feature Data. Use Focus Viewport to view the board outline.

3.3 Create Annotations in a Batch with Import PNP

1. Select Link_GerberTop and use Import PNP.
2. Select the same QuickStart_Materials/APEX OI Data.csv.
3. Map the fields as shown below, review the import preview and complete the batch import.
4. Check that Designators match the BOM. Verify their positions and rotations on the Gerber.

This example uses imported digital data for annotation. For manual annotation, see the product annotation section of the User Manual .

4.1 Measure the Board Outline

Click Measure and select two diagonally opposite corners of the board outline. Check the X dimension of 304.8 mm and the Y dimension of 165 mm . If a measurement is negative, use its absolute length.

4.2 Generate the 3D Board Shape

Select Link_Shape → ParametricShape . Check that Shape Type is Box, enter the dimensions below, then click GENERATE.

Check that the board shape has been generated and its dimensions match the Gerber outline.

4.3 Move the Gerber to the Top of the Board

1. Right-click Link_GerberTop and open Move Link….
2. This example starts at Z = 0. Check Coord Mode＝Offset.
3. Enter the board thickness as X＝0, Y＝0, Z＝3.0 mm , keep the rotations at 0, then click OK.
4. Check that the Gerber layers sit on the top surface of the board.

5.1 Create Mount Points Automatically

Right-click the board’s Mountpoint and select Create Mount Point. Check the eight automatically generated corner points and their positions.

5.2 Set Workpart Dimensions

Select the board's Workpart and enter the dimensions of the board shape you just created:

These are Workpart dimensions, not Workspace settings. The 0.001 mm Gerber display offset does not change the modeled board thickness.

6.1 Save to Library

1. Select Product → Save to Library to open the save dialog.
2. Check the current product, Name (for example, APEX_QuickStart), version and save location.
3. Under Group membership, select ProductCatalog and click ＋Add and check that the group appears in the table.
4. Use Capture from 3D view to update the preview, then click OK to save.
5. After saving, use Product → Open Project to find and reopen this product in the appropriate Group.

6.2 Completion Checks

• BOM Designators, part numbers and asset links are correct.
• The imported annotation positions and rotations match the Gerber.
• The board is 304.8 × 165 × 3.0 mm, and the corresponding Workpart dimensions have been entered.
• Eight mount points have been created, and the data is retained after reopening.

Continue with machine configuration, simulation and recipe generation.