.SCHDOC File Extension
What is an SCHDOC file?
.SCHDOC files are the primary files associated with Altium Designer’s schematic design functionality.
They encapsulate the schematic diagrams created by users within the Altium Designer environment, containing information about electronic components, connections, annotations, and other design elements.
These files serve as the blueprint for the layout and connectivity of electronic circuits, facilitating the design and prototyping stages of product development.
More Information.
Altium Designer, formerly known as Protel, has a rich history dating back to the early days of electronic design automation.
The .SCHDOC file extension became integral to the software’s functionality, enabling engineers and designers to translate conceptual schematics into tangible circuit designs.
Initially conceived as a tool for printed circuit board (PCB) design, Altium Designer evolved to encompass a wide range of electronic design tasks, with the .SCHDOC file serving as a cornerstone of its schematic design capabilities.
Origin Of This File.
The .SCHDOC file extension emerged as a proprietary format developed by Altium Limited, the company behind Altium Designer.
It was designed to encapsulate the intricate details of schematic designs created within the software, providing a comprehensive and portable representation of electronic circuits.
This proprietary format ensures compatibility and consistency across different versions of Altium Designer, allowing users to seamlessly share and collaborate on schematic designs.
File Structure Technical Specification.
.SCHDOC files are structured in a hierarchical format, organized to represent the various components and connections within a schematic design.
The file typically consists of XML (eXtensible Markup Language) or binary data, encoding the properties and relationships of schematic elements such as components, nets, buses, and hierarchical blocks.
Additionally, .SCHDOC files may include metadata such as design parameters, revision history, and design rule checks, providing comprehensive documentation for the schematic design.
The technical specifications of the .SCHDOC file formats are proprietary to Altium Designer and are subject to periodic updates and enhancements by Altium Limited.
While detailed documentation of the file format may not be publicly available, Altium Designer provides robust tools and APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) for interacting with .SCHDOC files programmatically, enabling customization and automation of design processes.
How to Convert the File?
Converting .SCHDOC files to other formats may be necessary to facilitate interoperability with third-party software or to meet specific project requirements.
Altium Designer provides built-in functionality for exporting schematic designs to various formats, including:
- PDF: .SCHDOC files can be converted to PDF format for easy sharing and viewing by stakeholders who may not have access to Altium Designer.
- Image Formats: Schematic designs can be exported as image files (e.g., PNG, JPEG) for inclusion in documentation, presentations, or web content.
- EDIF (Electronic Design Interchange Format): .SCHDOC files can be converted to the industry-standard EDIF format for interoperability with other electronic design tools.
Additionally, third-party conversion tools and scripts may offer alternative methods for converting .SCHDOC files to desired formats, providing flexibility and customization options for users.
Advantages And Disadvantages.
Advantages:
- Comprehensive Representation: .SCHDOC files encapsulate all the necessary information for schematic designs, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
- Portability: .SCHDOC files can be easily shared and transferred between users and projects within Altium Designer, facilitating collaboration and version control.
- Integration: .SCHDOC files seamlessly integrate with other components of Altium Designer, such as PCB layout and simulation tools, enabling a cohesive design workflow.
Disadvantages:
- Proprietary Format: .SCHDOC files are proprietary to Altium Designer, limiting interoperability with other software platforms and tools.
- Version Compatibility: Differences in file formats between versions of Altium Designer may lead to compatibility issues when sharing .SCHDOC files across different environments.
- Dependency on Altium Designer: Users relying on .SCHDOC files are inherently tied to the Altium Designer ecosystem, potentially limiting flexibility and interoperability with alternative design tools.
How to Open SCHDOC?
Open In Windows
- If you have Altium Designer installed, simply double-click the .SCHDOC file. It should open automatically within the Altium Designer application.
- If Altium Designer is not installed, you’ll need to download and install it from the Altium website or through other authorized sources. Once installed, follow the same process to open the .SCHDOC file.
Open In Linux
- Altium Designer is primarily developed for Windows, but you may be able to run it on Linux using compatibility layers or virtualization software like WineHQ or PlayOnLinux. Install one of these tools.
- Once installed, you can try running Altium Designer through the compatibility layer and open the .SCHDOC file by double-clicking it or using the appropriate menu options within the software.
Open In MAC
- Similar to Linux, you can attempt to run Altium Designer on macOS using virtualization software such as Parallels Desktop or VMWare Fusion. Install one of these tools.
- After installing the virtualization software, set up a Windows virtual machine and install Altium Designer within it. Once installed, you can open the .SCHDOC file using Altium Designer running on the virtual machine.
Open In Android
- Altium Designer is not available for Android devices natively. You may need to use remote desktop software to connect to a Windows computer running Altium Designer.
- Install a remote desktop application on your Android device and configure it to connect to a Windows computer where Altium Designer is installed.
- Once connected, you can use Altium Designer on your Android device to open the .SCHDOC file.
Open In IOS
- Altium Designer is not available for iOS devices. Similar to Android, you may need to use remote desktop software to connect to a Windows computer running Altium Designer.
- Install a remote desktop application on your iOS device and configure it to connect to a Windows computer where Altium Designer is installed.
- Once connected, you can use Altium Designer on your iOS device to open the .SCHDOC file.
