Download Altium

[Michael Hill]

Altium Designer was supposed to have been available on Dec. 10.

http://www.altium.com/frc2013/

However...how can you fill out the registration form? They ask for the name of the competition, but of course, we don't know the name of the game yet.

Am I missing something?

[Michael Hill]

Well, I'd strongly suggest not calling the number they have listed for problems with the download.

The guy I talked to was pretty rude. It turns out to be Altium's technical support phone number. He had no idea about Altium giving away software to FRC teams, which I understand. I gave him the URL. He then went on some tirade about being tech support for paying customers and that he had at five people backed up on the phone.

Yeesh!

[ehochstein]

I am assuming it is asking FRC, FTC, FLL or Jr FLL.

[Michael Hill]

I'm not sure...it looks like they're only offering it for FRC anyway.

At any rate, has anyone ever been able to download it any of the past years? I tried last year and ran into the same thing.

Just searching:
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ghlight=altium
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...ghlight=altium

I just assume there's a lot of teams who don't even think about using custom circuits or anything so they don't even try to download it...then there must be others who have trouble with it and forget about it.

[jee7s]

I downloaded a copy of Altium last year and started a design for this coming season with it. So, I'm trying to get a copy same as you are. I just entered "FRC 2013" for the competition name.

Last year, it took about a day and a half to get the download link, and that link came at about 3am. I gathered from the information they sent me that the approval needs to come from their Australia headquarters, so there's at least a 12 hour lag there. But, I did get a download link and key for the program without any hassle.

[slijin]

I was able to get a copy of the software to use last year. I don't know if I'll want to again, because I ended up using it very little.

Getting it was a hassle for me. I sent in a request and got no reply within a week. I had to call Altium personally - twice, not just once, following up to contact a representative who had promised me that he would get my code sent - to get my code sent. It came three days later.

Downloading and installing the software itself is also something of a hassle, but it's nice software to use.

[linuxboy]

I used it this past year, its fun but very complicated. I think I put in my request right after kickoff and it was responded to quite promptly. Assuming you don't need it now I'd give that a shot.

- Oliver

[Michael Hill]

Originally Posted by jee7s

I downloaded a copy of Altium last year and started a design for this coming season with it. So, I'm trying to get a copy same as you are. I just entered "FRC 2013" for the competition name.

Last year, it took about a day and a half to get the download link, and that link came at about 3am. I gathered from the information they sent me that the approval needs to come from their Australia headquarters, so there's at least a 12 hour lag there. But, I did get a download link and key for the program without any hassle.

What kind of proof do they need that you're on a team? I'm registered in TIMS, but I assume they don't have access to that (or do they as that kind of sponsor?)

[jee7s]

I didn't give them any details beyond what they asked for in the form. My assumption is that they base their decision to give you the software on your honesty.

What I got last year was a copy of Altium with a license that expires by the next FRC season (my license expires on January 31, 2013). You need to connect to and authenticate with their server each time you use the program. Also, it is plastered with all sorts of "Educational Use Only" type messages. Other than that, it looked pretty close to fully featured based on what I've seen at work.

Far be it for me to question the information Altium asks for when one requests the download. They apparently feel it is sufficient proof for the license they offer.

[Michael Hill]

Update!

I got an e-mail with all the info. The guy I talked to said he'd expedite my registration.

[team4384]

May be its time to promote the greatest value...gracious professionalism from FIRST!