How to add STM32 microcontroller to Altium design?

You basically have three options to get an STM32 into an Altium project:

1. Use Altium’s built-in Manufacturer Part Search (fastest)
2. Use a ready-made STM32 library (ST / SamacSys / SnapEDA)
3. Build your own symbol + footprint library

I’ll walk you through each.

1. Fastest: Manufacturer Part Search inside Altium

Most recent Altium versions let you just search the exact STM32 part number and drop it in with symbol + footprint + 3D model already attached.

Steps:

1. Open the Manufacturer Part Search panel

View → Panels → Manufacturer Part Search.

1. Search your STM32 part number

• For example: STM32F407VGT6 or STM32G0B1KBT6.
• Hit Enter.
• Use filters (Models → Has symbol + footprint) to only show parts with ECAD models.

1. Check the models

Click the part → in the detail pane you’ll see if it has a schematic symbol / PCB footprint / 3D model attached.

1. Place it into your schematic

• With a schematic open, click “Place” / “Add to design” in the panel.
• The STM32 symbol will appear on your cursor → click to drop it.

1. Sync to PCB

After wiring the schematic, run Design → Update PCB Document to push the STM32 footprint to the PCB.

This is usually the smoothest way if your exact STM32 is in Altium’s online database.

2. Use an STM32 library (ST or third-party)
2.1 ST’s own Altium library

ST has provided Altium libraries which include STM32 symbols & footprints; they’re downloadable via Altium/partner sites or linked in ST forums.

General flow:

1. Download the ST Altium library package (*.SchLib + *.PcbLib).
2. In Altium, add these to your project or to Available File-based Libraries:

Components panel → File-based Libraries → Installed → Add.

1. Now you can Place → Component and pick the STM32 you need from that library.

2.2 SamacSys / Library Loader (and similar)

Third-party tools like SamacSys Library Loader can auto-build an Altium symbol + footprint + 3D model and drop it into your schematic.

Typical steps:

1. Install Altium Library Loader (SamacSys).
2. In Altium, go to File → Symbols | Footprints | 3D Models (Library Loader menu).
3. Search your STM32 part number.
4. Click “ADD TO DESIGN” → Library Loader generates the part and places it in your schematic, and also saves it into an Altium library for reuse.

SnapEDA / SnapMagic flows are very similar: you download the Altium model and open/import it into your project.

3. Creating your own STM32 symbol + footprint

If your exact package isn’t available, or you want full control, you can build it yourself and save it as a reusable component.

3.1 Create the STM32 symbol (*.SchLib)

1. Create or open a schematic library

File → New → Library → Schematic Library (if you don’t already have one).

1. In the SCH Library panel, click “Add” to create a new component.

Name it something like STM32F407VGT6.

1. Draw your symbol:

• Place pins according to the STM32 datasheet pinout.
• Group pins logically (power, GPIO, analog, debug, etc.).
• Set pin electrical types (Input/Output/Passive) where it makes sense.

1. Set properties:

• Design Item ID → STM32F407VGT6
• Comment → something like Cortex-M4, 1 MB Flash, LQFP100.

Save the .SchLib.

3.2 Create the STM32 footprint (*.PcbLib)

1. Create or open a PCB library

File → New → Library → PCB Library.

1. Use the IPC Footprint Wizard or manual tools to create the package:

• Choose package type (e.g. LQFP64, LQFP100, BGA, QFN).
• Enter pad pitch, body size and tolerances from the STM32 datasheet.
• Wizard will generate pads, courtyard, and 3D body.

1. Double-check:

• Pin 1 orientation and marker.
• Pad numbers match STM32 datasheet pin numbering.
• Solder mask / paste settings.

Save the .PcbLib.

3.3 Link symbol and footprint into a single component

1. Back in your schematic library (*.SchLib), select the STM32 symbol.
2. Click “Add Footprint” in the lower area of the editor.
3. Browse to your .PcbLib and choose the STM32 footprint you just made.
4. Confirm pin mapping (use Pin Map / Model Map dialog if needed).
5. Save the schematic library.

Now you have a fully defined STM32 component in your library (symbol + footprint + optional 3D model). You can place it via Components / Libraries panel → Place in any design.

4. STM32-specific tips when adding it to a design

When you place the STM32 in your actual schematic/PCB, don’t forget:

• All VDD / VSS pins must be connected (sometimes multiple VDD/VSS pins).
• Add decoupling capacitors close to each VDD pin.
• Use proper VDDA / VSSA filtering for analog supplies if recommended in the datasheet.
• Break out SWD/JTAG pins (SWDIO, SWCLK, NRST, VREF) to a programming header.
• Respect ST’s recommended land pattern and keep clear the area under exposed pads (for QFN/BGA).