OrCAD Version History

PSpice now allows modeling of nonlinear behavior for passive devices such as resistors, capacitors, and inductors using mathematical functions. Nonlinear devices are available under the Ideal Devices > Passive Category in the Component Explorer panel.

PSpice A/D now supports the following step, mathematical, and random functions to model the electrical behavior of a circuit:

• SMSTP(X)
• STPA(X)
• BUF(X)
• DNLIM(LOWERLIMIT,X,SOFTNESS)
• HYPOT(X,Y), LENGTH(X,Y)
• INT(X), TRUNC(X)
• INV(X)
• UPLIM(X, UPPERLIMIT,SOFTNESS)
• URAMP(X)
• NRAND(X, S)
• ZRAND(X, S)
• RANDOM(X, S)
• ZRANDOM(X, S)
• ROUND(X)
• WHITE(X, S)

PSpice now supports advanced built-in functions to model memristors. The new models are included in the memristor.olb library.

Transient sources for standard CI 210 have been added, which test AC immunity from continuous disturbances. PSpice now supports the following additional ISO 16750-2 transient sources used for automotive applications for 12V and 24V systems:

• 9.1 Single Line Interruption
• 6.4 Load Dump Without Centralized Load Dump Suppression – Test A
• 6.4 Load Dump With Centralized Load Dump Suppression – Test B

GaN MOSFET models are now available and can be accessed from the Component Explorer panel under Discrete.

PSpice now supports sweeping of components models to perform design exploration with different models in a single simulation run. Evaluate different models for a given base model and compare them to see how the circuit behavior changes for different models.

The .MEASURE commands can now be used to evaluate complex expressions that include node voltages and current. Additionally, different parameters, including voltage, current, global parameters, and temperature; can be swept.

OrCAD X PSpice Designer and OrCAD X PSpice Design now have access to OrCAD X Cloud.

Support for TrueType fonts has been introduced to OrCAD X Presto. This feature provides more control over the appearance of layout designs and allows users to incorporate preferred fonts. Styles can also be created to define specific fonts for particular uses, such as silkscreen texts. In addition to standard fonts, the Mooretronics font is also supported within layout editors. This font provides many standard symbols used in PCB design. Install this font locally to use it seamlessly in your designs.

Pad directories can be modified directly within the design environment in the Property panel. Select a pad and change its properties without having to launch the Padstack Editor or navigate multiple menus.

The Import Pin Delay feature allows pin delay to be imported from various file formats, such as Excel files, Allegro Constraint compiler files, and existing pin delay formats.

The Auto Define Differential Pairs feature simplifies the process of defining differential pairs in a PCB design, saving time and effort. The functionality is accessible from the top-level menu and supports default differential pair patterns.

The Export Libraries feature extracts libraries from translated third-party designs, making it easier to reuse libraries in OrCAD X Presto designs.

LiveDoc now provides the ability to add assembly notes and instructions as well as using variables in title blocks and assembly notes. The variable values can be defined in the Property panel of LiveDoc and update globally across the document.

Web-based PCB design review allows all stack holders to collaborate and review the PCB design. Efficiently review and add markups and comments to PCB designs in real-time, facilitating efficient collaboration and reducing errors.

OrCAD X Cloud can be used to share workspaces directly via the Web, making collaboration with team members and stakeholders easier. This feature enables seamless sharing of design data, eliminating the need for manual file transfers and ensuring that everyone has access to the latest design information.

The exploration and analysis feature in OrCAD X Presto, powered by Sigrity analysis technology, brings signal integrity and power integrity analysis capabilities directly to the design engineer and layout designer. Integrated access allows users to leverage their Sigrity Aurora licenses and perform crosstalk analysis, reflection analysis, return path analysis, and decoupling capacitor placement analysis directly in OrCAD X Presto canvas.

This release introduces positive masks, an enhancement for mask layer visualization and manufacturability. Traditionally, mask layers are negative, where the visible objects on the canvas represent openings in the mask. The traditional approach requires designers to mentally invert the image to understand the manufactured outcome. Interpreting these negative mask visuals as positive during 3D rendering or manufacturability checks can be counterintuitive and error-prone, adding complexity to the design and review process.

With this new feature, mask layers can be treated as positive, making it easier to visualize and verify mask shapes. A new option, Positive Mask, has been added to the Cross-section Editor. When enabled, a dynamic shape is generated on a new Positive Mask class, representing the mask layer. Openings in this dynamic shape use the same model as dynamic copper shapes, however, voiding is performed using the traditional negative mask pads in padstacks and objects on mask subclasses, which are typically exported for manufacturing.

This update modernizes the way text is managed in PCB designs, aligning the tool with industry-standard applications. You now have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of fonts that reflect personal or corporate branding while also improving the visual clarity and consistency of design documentation. In addition to standard fonts, the Mooretronics font is also supported within layout editors.

The docked Constraint Manager is a new Constraints panel that simplifies the process of assigning and visualizing constraints directly from the Layout Editor user interface. It presents constraints in a graphical format and organizes them under Basic and Advanced modes. Constraints can be controlled at the group level rather than the net level by assigning constraint sets at the net group, net class, and differential pair levels within the Object Hierarchy panel.

The Search panel is a new dockable panel that allows you to instantly query database objects and cross-probe them from the canvas or panel to find information and objects quickly. This provides on-demand content loading to reduce memory usage and improve performance, real-time updates to ensure you have access to the latest information, and custom column filtering to allow columns to be rearranged as needed.

Smart Search is a new search engine that generates predictions based on entered keywords or questions to find the information you need to complete a task directly in the layout. This feature is useful when modifying the design by applying object properties or setting user preferences while working on it.

A new configuration-based solution defines all required data exports and manages export parameters in a single dialog box. It eliminates the need to explore different areas of the layout editor to produce manufacturing exports.

The enhanced pin delay import feature provides auto-detection, column and cell validation, and the ability to adjust column categories and values directly within the dialog box without modifying the source CSV file. The enhanced functionality queries the database to flag missing Reference Designator and Pin Number combinations in the design and allows selective import by deactivating rows and columns as required.

In this release, Cadence continues to expand the capabilities of 3DX Canvas, helping designers visualize their PCB layouts in a highly realistic 3D environment before sending the layouts to manufacturing. 3DX Canvas has been enhanced to selectively display and incrementally add objects to the 3DX Canvas, making the environment far more interactive and efficient. You can now highlight selected objects in the 3DX canvas from the PCB, cross-probe objects, and adjust the 3D view automatically.

OrCAD X PCB Editor has several performance enhancements added included DRCs, import and export of design data, placement and interactive placement, routing and interactive routing, dynamic shapes, padstack refresh, 3D view, and in-design analysis.

The following new SKILL functions have been added:

• axlGetPreselectSet: Returns a list of the currently preselected database objects.
• axlGetPreselectSetCount: Returns the count of the number of objects in the preselection set.
• axlXSectionGetDrillDirection: Returns a symbol indicating the drill direction for the layer pair.
• axlSetRKSPCTolerance: Sets the allowable tolerance for a route keepout based on spacing domain rules.
• axlGetRKSPCTolerance: Returns the route keepout or route keepin-based tolerance value.
• axlDumpDRCModelinXML: Dumps DRCs in a particular category in an XML file.
• axlPulseGetDesignUrl: Returns the Pulse design URL.
• axlGetBends: Returns a list of bend names.
• axlGetBendInnerRadius: Returns the inner radius value for a bend name.
• axlSetBendInnerRadius: Sets the inner radius value for a bend name.
• axlFormIntroDoc: Describes control types and functions for creating interactive forms.
• axlImportDegassingParams: Imports degassing parameters from an Excel file.
• axlImportMetalFillParams: Imports metal fill parameters from an Excel file.
• axlDBChangeText: Modifies the characteristics of a text string in the layout.
• axlDBChangeTextStyle: Modifies an existing text style using the specified text style parameters.
• axlDBGetTextStyleCharacteristics: Returns the characteristics of a text style object.
• axlDBGetTextStyle: Returns the text style information.

The following SKILL functions have been modified:

• axlPadOnLayer: Tests if a pad is present on an etch layer.
• axlCanvasPrintToPDF: Saves the design file in PDF form.
• axlDBControl: Inquires or sets the value of a special database control.
• axlTriggerSet: Allows registering interest in events that occur in the database.
• axlParamShapeDoc: Supports access to the dynamic, static, and layer parameter records.
• axlDBCreateText: Creates a text string.
• axlDBCreatePin: Adds a pin.
• cmxlExportFile: Exports Constraint Manager object information to a file.
• cmxlImportFile: Imports a file to update a Constraint Manager object.
• cmxlFindOrCreateQBR: Queries a database object and returns an object if it exists or creates it if it does not.

Review a schematic design using comments and markups. Mark any area in the design canvas using rectangular or arrow markups and add text comments in for efficient design reviews.

Find objects by parts, pins, nets, text, class, with additional search criteria for object properties and display properties. Efficiently replace values using the new replace dialog box.

The settings of a design template can now be saved as a .dtp file and loaded to reuse in a design. Save and load templates for later reuse in schematic designs allowing you to quickly configure design properties such as text font and size.

Install OrCAD X Capture on up to five devices and work on one device at a time. This helps reduce cost, simplifies tracking and management of software installations, and streamlines deployment by saving time and effort.

Use on-premises, local CIS database with a cloud-based part database. Easily select the option for OrCAD X Capture and CIS when launching your license.

View and review schematics directly within the Cloud environment. This feature provides real-time collaboration and feedback, streamlining the design review process. Add markups and comments on schematics to ensure all stakeholders are aligned.

Share workspaces directly via the Web, making collaboration with team members and stakeholders easier. This feature enables seamless sharing of design data, eliminating the need for manual file transfers and ensuring that everyone has access to the latest design information.

Use the .MEASURE command to analyze the output of transient, AC, and DC analyses. This command lists the user-defined complex measurement expression to compute the electrical specifications of a circuit in simple text format.

Behavioral diode models are computationally less expensive compared to normal diodes. You can simulate behavioral diode models to analyze the breakdown behavior of a diode for circuit analysis. This also supports temperature effects using temperature coefficients and noise parameters for noise analysis.

PSpice A/D now supports temperature coefficients and grading coefficients:

• TTT1: Transit time temperature coefficients (linear)
• TTT2: Transit time temperature coefficients (quadratic)
• TM1: Linear temperature coefficient for p-n grading coefficient
• TM2: Quadratic temperature coefficient for p-n grading coefficient

Use industry-standard footprint templates to parametrically generate IPC-compliant footprints.

All command windows can now be docked as a panel, providing you with maximum design real estate.

A visual snap cursor and text readout of the snap object helps you view objects to be selection.

Configure the right-click menus and shortcut keys for all your favorite commands giving you a personalized, optimized design environment.

Cut through existing traces to make it easier to move or edit routed designs or make reusable circuitry.

Easily switch between the pad entry and neck modes using the right-click menu commands.

The Move command has been enhanced with options for rip up or slide etch, relative move or absolute location, dynamic heads-up display showing origin and new location, user entry of x and y locations, DFA spacing guides and control, alignment guides and control, and temporary relative grid.

Ultra Shadow mode makes the selected objects stand out against all other objects. Navigate traces and shapes based on their layer color of their assigned net color by toggling custom net colors in a single click.

The Cross-Section Editor is optimized for working with fabricators, allowing you to now set layer-based impedance constraints.

Schematic oriented cluster placement for PCB layout arranges components on the PCB similarly to the layout in the schematic.

Shape drawing now includes a heads-up display for length, angle, radius, parallel segments, and vertex snapping. Shortcuts have also been added for change line and arc mode.

Place the associated decoupling capacitors with the parent IC in a single action.

Integrated access to impedance and coupling analysis has been added within the OrCAD X Presto design environment allowing you to optimize performance and signal integrity. (Available beginning in Version 23.1 ISR5)

Integrated access to TopXP for single ended and differential high-speed simulation has been added to the OrCAD X Presto design environment for topology exploration and extraction.

3DX canvas has been enhanced with all the functionalities found in the 3D Canvas and unrestricted design size. 3DX canvas can now be navigated with the keyboard using the arrow keys.

You can now use the model mapper tab to map 3D models to footprints, devices, or mechanical components.  Import and export functionality allows you to export a mapping file of the existing components and their associated mapped models and import the file after editing to update the components.

Export 3DX canvas designs into the OpenUSD (Universal Scene Description) format that is needed to import into the NVIDIA Omniverse platform.

The Delay Tune feature has been enhanced to contour each bump individually to surrounding obstacles with a single drag window, without the need to extend each bump individually using slide, except for final tweaks only to bring the route into spec. 

3DX canvas has been enhanced with all the functionalities found in the 3D Canvas and unrestricted design size. 3DX canvas can now be navigated with the keyboard using the arrow keys.

You can now use the model mapper tab to map 3D models to footprints, devices, or mechanical components. Import and export functionality allows you to export a mapping file of the existing components and their associated mapped models and import the file after editing to update the components.

Export 3DX canvas designs into the OpenUSD (Universal Scene Description) format that is needed to import into the NVIDIA Omniverse platform.

Frozen dynamic shapes can be selected to resolve all dynamic voiding DRC Errors using the Update Shape command, which updates dynamic voids across the entire shape. Additional commands have been added to delete any dynamic voids inside a frozen dynamic shape, select dynamic voids, and define a void area for update.

To void shapes underneath an object (Example: to avoid coupling noise from adjacent shapes, establish impedance reference several layers down, or remove unwanted return path references), the new void adjacent layers command allows you to select objects on the canvas for which adjacent voids will be automatically generated.

Enter single-ended and differential impedance requirements directly in the cross-section editor for automatic generation of the appropriate physical constraint set for net assignment in the constraint manager.

The Quickviews list in the visibility panel lists all placement layers in a design for quick display, with Component Reference Designators contained inside the component boundary without the need to display additional layers. This new option displays the Top and Bottom placement layers by default with the additional entries for Embedded component and Zone Placement Layers added dynamically.

Objects that can display embedded names is expanded to avoid extensive queries or the display of special layer text that may not always be readable in layout.

• Net Name Labels support Cline, shape, and pins also expanded to support vias
• Drill labels are now expanded to support Thru Via Drills while maintaining the current BB Via/Microvia Drills
• Embedded Component Pin Number display is also added to eliminate the need of displaying the Pin number text.

When routing differential pairs through a dense area, the space transition area has been improved to no longer require excessive lead-ins which results in DRC errors requiring manual cleanup. Improvements have been made to leverage the differential pair trace width and space as well as the pad geometry to calculate the appropriate pad entry that produces DRC-free and manufacturable results.

The new custom smooth option, Allow Electrical DRCs, temporarily ignores electrical constraint DRC errors so that completed routing can be optimized to the shortest, cleanest path and is ready for tuning.

The Delay Tune feature has been enhanced to contour each bump individually to surrounding obstacles with a single drag window, without the need to extend each bump individually using slide, except for final tweaks only to bring the route into spec.

Ignore No Connect (NC) nets by setting a new net property (NC_IGNORE) along with the new user preference (disable_ncnet_count_display). Nets with the NC_Ignore property are not counted in the unrouted nets/unrouted connections count and Quick Reports – Unconnected Pin Report.

Default film record automation is replaced with configuration-based film categories to intelligently generate film records.

• Layer combinations for external/internal conductor layers or planes based on cross section, silkscreen, solder mask, solder paste, and other design/company-specific films
• Global and film category-based film options, such as PDF sequence, undefined line width, domain classification, and IPC-2581 Layer Type.
• Built-in based level configuration is provided with the ability to save user/company specific configuration including support for saving configuration in the library for reuse with other designs.

New Acid Trap check, minimum angle with convex checks, builds upon the existing minimum angle acid trap check, which only find and verifies concave situations. The new check also finds and verifies convex situations for clines and static shapes and combinations of these two design objects as they relate to pads and vias.

You can now publish a new component at the time of creating it within the Component dialog box. The publish functionality is also available from the component dialog box when you edit an existing component.

Multifactor authentication has been added to provide an additional layer of security and prevent unauthorized access to your account. (Available beginning in Version 23.1 ISR6)

Access control provides both an internal workspace for organizational access and an external workspace to include users outside your organization. (Available beginning in Version 23.1 ISR6)

Create region specific shared workspaces for Asia, Japan, Europe and USA. (Available beginning in Version 23.1 ISR6)

Single click action to assign default roles and access to all users in an organization. (Available beginning in Version 23.1 ISR6)

Cloud compatibility with CIS has been incorporated (Available beginning in Version 23.1 ISR6). Import and reuse existing CIS database configuration files in cloud workspaces.

Bulk upload of files directly from the File Manager UI with drag and drop functionality. Publish dialog remembers the last published workspace and the publish button is available within the component dialog box.

Predictive Analytics including part forecasting (lead time, inventory change, price change, market availability), the ability to set lookback and forecast duration to view historical data, dynamic synchronization with your design, the ability to launch LiveBOM on a local design, and duplicate and unassigned reference designator handling has been added. (Available beginning in Version 23.1 ISR6)

Initial release of EDM 24.1 to support SPB 24.1, 23.1 and 22.1.

Added a project state filter in the project dashboard to replace active projects only filter, allowing filtering of baselined or inactive projects.

Added the ability to assign BOM Templates to the designated BOM folder in a Project Template.

Added a title block mapping option for the last check in date only, excluding the time.

Support has been added for installing, loading, and saving EDM’s PCB settings (allegro.ilinit and edm.il) using the Allegro_PCBENV variable.

Initial release of 24.1. Consolidated CIP web server 24.1 to a single version that supports CIP 24.1, 23.1 and 22.1 client plugins.

Added Design Parts Sync feature to run against an OrCAD Capture design that was created using CIP parts. Users can review all parts placed on the schematic design and ensure they are up to date with respect to the CIP database. This feature requires the CIP client and OrCAD Capture.

Added the ability to open a part in CIP from a schematic design page. This feature requires the CIP client and OrCAD Capture.

Added integration to Ultra Librarian’s Virtual Librarian Service website to help engineering teams create their own exclusive part libraries fast and accurately, allowing engineers to focus on innovation. This feature requires that you are logged into an Ultra Librarian account that has VLS access.

Added SiliconExpert Resilience Rating field and background highlighting to the search details page of the Compliance search. Resilience Rating is returned in the search results if your SE API subscription allows it. Added the SiliconExpert Resilience Rating field to compliance summary charts.

Updated existing SiliconExpert text colors to background highlighting and adjusted the colors to improve visibility of values.

Added last modified and last modified by fields for BOMs and BOM items.

Organized the BOM Export page into sections for BOM Selection, Saved Templates, Additional Fields, and Output Options. BOM Export with automatically hide revision and variant fields unless a Child BOM is detected of the option to Include Top Level is selected. BOM Export will include RefDes and Quantity fields by default.

A manufacturer limit option has been added to set the number of manufacturer parts and associated data that can be included per BOM item. Included parts start from the primary (left most) Manufacturer Part used on a company part. A Sort Order feature has been added to explicitly sort BOM items by part number then refdes (default) or by reference designator.

Added Refdes, Quantity, and Total Quantity to the component Where Used tab.

Added a New Part Default setting under administrator configuration to default new part form to temporary or formal part.

Added Role Permissions to hide/show the System Capture configuration tab and to allow a user to use the Compliance Search.

Added an All Components option to the CIS Database Search to search all component views but exclude BOMs and Reuse Modules. CIS Database Search will automatically attempt to convert the values of selected parametric fields to float/number type when a numeric comparison Operator (<,<=, >, >=) is selected.

Other actions are prevented when saving updates to view field order. Added busy/activity bar on more pages to indicate page activity and prevent undesired UI updates.

Added new CIS .DBC Files for compatibility with CIP 7.8 database, including a new file to display only Key Risk Data for compliance fields.