PCB Design Simplified
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Overview
Unleash Your PCB Design Potential
The Cadence OrCAD X Platform is a comprehensive PCB design software solution that meets the evolving needs of modern designs. It has been designed to be intuitive and efficient to use, harnessing the underlying power of the industry-leading Cadence Allegro X technology.
With a focus on quick-turn PCB designs, OrCAD X helps resolve key issues faced by many teams across the globe. Access to real-time insights, simplified manufacturing, and live DRCs, all help expedite the design process.
Key Benefits
Accelerate PCB Design With a Robust Design Environment
Design Fast
AI Placement and Routing
Accelerate time to market and explore design scenarios with the first commercially available PCB generative AI solution automating component placement, power plane creation, and critical signal routing.
Automated Documentation
Ensure consistency with an automated and repeatable PCB assembly and fabrication documentation process.
Supply Chain Insight
Pick the right component with real-time supply chain insights for pricing, availability, and risk assessment from Sourcengine with support for over 1 billion parts across 3600+ suppliers and manufacturers.
PCB Layout
The fully featured and easy-to-use PCB layout solution on the market reduces learning time from weeks to days.
Design Correct
Constraint Management
Easily manage physical and electrical constraints across schematic, PCB layout, and analysis with the industry-leading solution.
Limitless Simulation
In-design coupling and impedance analysis provide first-order integrity checks with seamless integration into Cadence Sigrity technologies, guaranteeing final power and signal signoff.
Manufacturing Integrity
Reduce the back and forth with your fabricator by left-shifting design for manufacturing (DFM) checks earlier in the design process.
Integrated SPICE Analysis
From transient analysis, electrical overstress, worst case (Monte Carlo), to full electromechanical system simulation—PSpice eliminates the need for expensive hardware prototypes while enhancing circuit reliability.
Design Connected
Business System Integration
Synchronize the ECAD project with the corresponding product definition within industry-leading PLM systems.
Data Management
Share and manage all aspects of your project using version control providing the who, why, and when change history.
PCB Team Design
Expedite PCB layout by concurrently working on the same board with another design engineer.
MCAD/ECAD Collaboration
Effortless bi-directional communication supporting the industry-leading MCAD providers.
Next Steps
Ready to get started with OrCAD X?
Features
Learn How OrCAD X Compares to Other Products
| Schematic Capture | Competitors | OrCAD X |
|---|---|---|
| Schematic sheet limits | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Hierarchical schematic capture with integrated analog mixed-signal simulation | ||
| Built-in SPICE simulator with model library and migration support for LTSpice/PSpice |
| PCB Layout | Competitors | OrCAD X |
|---|---|---|
| Board size limits | 100 in. x 100 in. | 200 in. x 200 in.1 |
| Signal and plane layer limits | 32 signal layers and 16 plane layers | 200 layers total |
| Rules-driven design for modern PCB (HDI, rigid-flex, and multi-board) | ||
| Advanced interactive routing features with built-in signal integrity tools | Subscription based | Yes - Included |
| High-speed design and rigid-flex design features included in standard license | Yes, with OrCAD X Pro Plus and above | |
| Variant management tools for complex projects | ||
| Realistic layer stacks and a modern field solver for accurate impedances | ||
| Photo-realistic 3D viewer with real-time clearance checking | ||
| Visual DC power distribution analysis in the PCB layout | Subscription based | Yes, with Sigrity-based licenses |
Notes:
- Based on 2 decimal places of accuracy—increase/reduction in accuracy reduces/increases board size
- OnCloud Single-User License pricing only
Read the OrCAD X Platform datasheet to learn more.
| Library Management and Sourcing | Competitors | OrCAD X |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in BOM management with real-time supply chain | ||
| Unified libraries with symbols, footprints, simulation models, and distributor links |
| Output and Manufacturing | Competitors | OrCAD X |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in fabrication and assembly drawing generation tools | ||
| Intuitive interface for manufacturing output creation | ||
| Quickly generate ECOs, reports, and documentation | ||
| Customizable document templates for drawings |
| Cloud Services | Competitors | OrCAD X |
|---|---|---|
| Version control, templates, and component libraries stored in cloud | Subscription based | |
| Project history for every change made to a design | Subscription based |
| Platform Integration | Competitors | OrCAD X |
|---|---|---|
Integration with MCAD applications including Autodesk Fusion, Dassault Systèmes SOLIDWORKS & CATIA, PTC Creo, and Siemens NX |
Subscription based | |
| Advanced integration with SOLIDWORKS for MCAD component placement, copper geometry, enclosure exchange, and multi-board/rigid-flex sync | Subscription based | |
| PLM integration with Dassault Systèmes 3DEXPERIENCE | Subscription based | |
| Multiple importer utilities to convert files from other ECAD platforms | Yes |
| Workflow and Processes | Competitors | OrCAD X |
|---|---|---|
| User and role access control, group management with support for single sign-on (SSO), and support for multiple public workspaces | Subscription based |
| Maintenance and Support | Competitors | OrCAD X |
|---|---|---|
| Current version | Varies | Latest release March 2024, one major and one minor release every year with monthly updates |
| Backwards compatible with files from all previous releases | ||
| On-demand training courses, knowledge base, and community forums | Subscription based | |
| Live chat and support tickets | Subscription based | |
| Dedicated customer success manager check-ins and onboarding | Subscription based | Provided by worldwide Cadence Channel Partners |
| Supported Platforms | Competitors | OrCAD X |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 10 and newer | ||
| MacOS 10.15 and newer | ||
| Linux |
| Pricing | Competitors | OrCAD X |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Varies but additional subscriptions increase price substantially | $1280/yr2 |
| Time-based subscription | ||
| Perpetual license options | ||
| Multiple subscription options |
Notes:
- Based on 2 decimal places of accuracy—increase/reduction in accuracy reduces/increases board size
- OnCloud Single-User License pricing only
Read the OrCAD X Platform datasheet to learn more.
Start Your Free Trial Today
Getting access to the industry-leading OrCAD X Platform including Schematic Capture, Simulation, and PCB Design solutions is as easy as 1, 2, 3. Professional users can get access to OrCAD X with a FREE 30-day trial. While students at academic institutions are eligible for a FREE 6-month license with validation of current enrollment. Watch the How to Install OrCAD X video to learn more.
Step 1
Click on the Free Trial button to open the shop.cadence.com page and click on the “Login to Try” in the bottom corner of the screen to begin.
Step 2
Select “Create a Professional Account,” enter the required details, verify your email address, and continue through the account creation process.
Step 3
You will receive an email from no-reply@cadence.com with a link to download the OrCAD X free trial and installation instructions. Be sure to look for more emails with OrCAD X information, including Getting Started materials, to get you designing in seven days!
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