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OrCAD
Original authorOrCAD Systems Corporation
DeveloperCadence Design Systems
Initial release1985
Stable release
17.4 - 22.1 / October 20, 2022[1]
Written inC/C++
Operating systemMicrosoft Windows (originally DOS)
TypeElectronic design automation
LicenseProprietary
Websitewww.orcad.com

OrCAD Systems Corporation was a software company that made OrCAD, a proprietary software tool suite used primarily for electronic design automation (EDA). The software is used mainly by electronic design engineers and electronic technicians to create electronic schematics, and perform mixed-signal simulation and electronic prints for manufacturing printed circuit boards (PCBs). OrCAD was acquired by Cadence Design Systems in 1999 and was integrated with Cadence Allegro in 2005.

Company

[edit]

Founded in 1985 by John Durbetaki, Ken, and Keith Seymour as "OrCAD Systems Corporation" in Hillsboro, Oregon, the company became a supplier of desktop electronic design automation (EDA) software. The name OrCAD is a portmanteau, reflecting the company and its software's origins: Oregon + CAD. In 1984 Durbetaki began designing an expansion chassis for the IBM Personal Computer. Durbetaki, who had left Intel Corp. after five years as an engineer and project manager, decided, along with brothers Keith and Ken Seymour, to start his own company to develop add-on instrumentation for the PC.[2] Durbetaki began creating his schematic capture tool for his use in the PC expansion chassis project; but essentially shelved the hardware project entirely in favor of developing low-cost, PC-based CAD software. The company's first product was SDT (Schematic Design Tools) for DOS, which shipped first in late 1985.

In 1986, OrCAD hired Peter LoCascio to develop sales, and co-founder Ken Seymour left the company. The flagship SDT product was soon followed with a digital simulator, VST (Verification and Simulation Tools), and printed circuit board (PCB) layout tools.[3]

Over time, OrCAD's product line broadened to include Microsoft Windows-based software products to assist electronics designers in developing field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), including complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs). In 1991, Durbetaki, then CEO and head of R&D, left the company. He was succeeded as CEO by Michael Bosworth.

In June 1995, OrCAD acquired Massteck Ltd.,[4][5] a small company that offered a printed circuit board layout tool and a sophisticated autorouter,[6] and Intelligent Systems Japan, KK, OrCAD's distributor in Japan. In 1996, OrCAD made a public offering.[7][8]

In late 1997 and early 1998, OrCAD and MicroSim Corporation merged, a business combination that ultimately proved to be disappointing. MicroSim has been a supplier of PC-based analog and mixed-signal simulation software for designing printed circuit board systems (PSpice).[9][10]

On 16 July 1999, the company and its products were acquired by a former competitor Cadence Design Systems.[11][12][13]

OrCAD Layout has been replaced by PCB Designer, sometimes called Allegro PCB Designer. The latest iteration of OrCAD CIS schematic capture software has the ability to maintain a database of available integrated circuits. This database may be updated by the user by downloading packages from component manufacturers, such as Analog Devices[14] and others. Another announcement was that STMicroelectronics will offer OrCAD PSpice models for all the power and logic semiconductors.[15] Intel offers reference PCBs designed with Cadence PCB Tools in the OrCAD Capture format for embedded and personal computers.

Products

[edit]

OrCAD is a suite of products for PCB Design and analysis that includes a schematic editor (Capture), an analog/mixed-signal circuit simulator (PSpice), and a PCB board layout solution (PCB Designer Professional).

OrCAD Capture

[edit]

OrCAD Capture is a schematic capture application and part of the OrCAD circuit design suite.[16]

Unlike NI Multisim, Capture does not contain in-built simulation features, but exports netlist data to the simulator, OrCAD EE. Capture can also export a hardware description of the circuit schematic to Verilog or VHDL, and netlists to circuit board designers such as OrCAD Layout, Allegro, and others.[17]

Capture includes a component information system (CIS), that links component package footprint data or simulation behavior data, with the circuit symbol in the schematic.[17]

Capture includes a Tcl/Tk scripting functionality that allows users to write scripts, that allow customization and automation. Scripts may automate any task performed via the GUI.[17]

The OrCAD Capture Marketplace enables customers to share and sell add-ons and design resources. Such add-ons can customize the design environment and add features and capabilities.[17]

Capture can interface with any database that complies with Microsoft's ODBC standard, etc. Data in an MRP, ERP, or PDM system can be directly accessed for use during the component decision-making process.

OrCAD PSpice

[edit]

OrCAD EE PSpice is a SPICE circuit simulator application for the simulation and verification of analog and mixed-signal circuits.[18] PSpice is an acronym for Personal Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis.

OrCAD EE typically runs simulations for circuits defined in OrCAD Capture, and can optionally integrate with MATLAB/Simulink, using the Simulink to PSpice Interface (SLPS).[19] OrCAD Capture and PSpice Designer[20] together provide a complete circuit simulation and verification solution with schematic entry, native analog, mixed-signal, and analysis engines.

PSpice was a modified version of the academically developed SPICE and was commercialized by MicroSim in 1984. MicroSim was purchased by OrCAD a decade later in 1998.

OrCAD PSpice Designer is available in two options: PSpice Designer and PSpice Designer Plus.

OrCAD PSpice Designer includes OrCAD Capture and OrCAD PSpice solution. An upgrade option to PSpice Designer Plus provides the PSpice Advanced Analysis[21] simulation engine for functional simulation and improvement in design yield and reliability.

The PSpice Advanced Analysis simulation capabilities cover various analyses- Sensitivity, Monte Carlo, Smoke (Stress), Optimizer, and Parametric Plotter providing a depth understanding of circuit performance beyond basic validation.

The OrCAD PSpice Simulink — PSpice Integration(SLPS)[21] provides co-simulation and helps verify system-level behavior.

A circuit to be analyzed using PSpice is described by a circuit description file, which is processed by PSpice and executed as a simulation. PSpice creates an output file to store the simulation results, and such results are also graphically displayed within the OrCAD EE interface.

OrCAD EE is an upgraded version of the PSpice simulator, and includes automatic circuit optimization and support for waveform recording, viewing, analysis, curve-fitting, and post-processing.[18][22] OrCAD EE contains an extensive library of models for physical components, including around 33,000 analog and mixed-signal devices and mathematical functions.[18] OrCAD EE also includes a model editor, support for parameterized models, auto-convergence and checkpoint restart, several internal solvers, and a magnetic part editor.

History

[edit]

SPICE was first developed at the University of California, Berkeley, in the early 1970s. Subsequently, an improved version of SPICE 2 was available in the mid-1970s, especially to support computer-aided design.

PSpice was released in January 1984 and was the first version of U.C. Berkeley SPICE available on an IBM Personal Computer. PSpice later included a waveform viewer and analyzer program called Probe. Subsequent versions improved on performance and moved to DEC/VAX minicomputers, Sun workstations, Apple Macintosh, and Microsoft Windows. Version 3.06 was released in 1988, and had a "Student Version" available that allowed a maximum of up to ten transistors to be inserted. PSpice — even the student version — increases the students' abilities to understand the behavior of electronic components and circuits.[23][24]

Analyses

[edit]
Main article: PSpice circuit file

The type of simulation performed by PSpice depends on the source specifications and control statements. PSpice supports the following types of analyses:

  • DC Analysis — for circuits with time–invariant sources, e.g., steady-state DC sources. It calculates all nodal voltages and branch currents over a range of values. Supported types include Linear sweep, Logarithmic sweep, and Sweep over a List of values.
  • Transient Analysis — for circuits with time-variant sources, e.g., sinusoidal sources/switched DC sources. It calculates all nodal voltages and branch currents over a time interval and their instantaneous values are the outputs.
  • AC Analysis — for small-signal analysis of circuits with sources of varying frequencies. It calculates the magnitudes and phase angles of all nodal voltages and branch currents over a range of frequencies.

The operating temperature of analysis can be set to any desired value, and nodal parameters are assumed to be measured at a nominal temperature, by default 27 °C.

PSpice User Community

[edit]

An open Web-based platform dedicated to PSpice SPICE circuit simulation discussions. It provides access to resources for all things related to the PSpice circuit simulator. Users can find datasheets, application notes, tutorials, videos, and also information about regional PSpice training events and webinars. The PSpice Web portal provides an extensive model library of more than 33,000 PSpice models, which are also easily available with the PSpice Lite Download.

PSpice Lite version, which can be used by students comes with full software functionality, limited only by size and complexity.

OrCAD PCB Designer

[edit]

OrCAD PCB Designer is a printed circuit board designer application, and part of the OrCAD circuit design suite.[25] PCB Designer includes various automation features for PCB design, board-level analysis and design rule checks (DRC).

The PCB design may be accomplished by manually tracing PCB tracks, or using the Auto-Router provided. Such designs may include curved PCB tracks, geometric shapes, and ground planes.[26]

PCB Designer integrates with OrCAD Capture, using the component information system (CIS) to store information about a certain circuit symbol and its matching PCB footprint.[17][25]

PCB Designer file formats references

[edit]

As of 2019 the following format files are used:

File extension Description
.brd PCB board file
.mdd Place replicate module file
.dra and .psm Package symbol
.dra and .bsm Mechanical symbol
.dra and .osm Format symbol
.dra and .ssm Shape symbol
.dra and .fsm Flash symbol
.pad Padstack (vias)
pstxchip.dat and pstxnet.dat and pstxprt.dat Netlist files
pstdedb.cdsz Netlist If you use constraint manager in the front end
.dsn Schematic file
.opj Schematic project file but can be re-created so you may not need this
.olb Schematic library file.

OrCAD Library Builder

[edit]

IPC-7351 specification-compliant symbol and footprints library designer software. It also supports automatic generation of the STEP from footprint data.[27]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

OrCAD

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
OrCAD is a suite for (EDA), primarily used by electrical engineers and PCB designers to perform , circuit , PCB layout, and in a unified environment. Originally developed as a DOS-based design tool in 1985 by John Durbetaki, Ken Seymour, and Keith Seymour in a in , it revolutionized accessible PCB design for small teams and has since evolved into a comprehensive platform supporting analog/mixed-signal via PSpice and advanced collaboration features. Key milestones in OrCAD's development include its adaptation to Windows in 1992 for graphical interfaces, the acquisition of auto-routing technology from Massteck in 1995, and the acquisition of MicroSim in 1998 that integrated PSpice simulation capabilities. That next year, OrCAD Systems Corporation was acquired by , leading to deeper integration with Cadence's Allegro tools for handling complex, high-speed designs in applications like smartphones and IoT devices. In 2023, Cadence released OrCAD X, the current iteration with major updates in 2024 (version 24.1) and 2025 (version 25.1), which incorporates AI-driven automation, cloud-based data management, real-time component sourcing from over 1.6 billion parts across 3,600 suppliers, and seamless ECAD/MCAD co-design to address modern production challenges from concept to manufacturing. As of November 2025, OrCAD remains a staple for small- to medium-sized enterprises, offering modules like Capture for schematics, PSpice for , and PCB Editor for layout, with ongoing updates enhancing performance and productivity.

History

Founding and Early Development

OrCAD Systems Corporation was founded in 1985 in , by John Durbetaki, Ken Seymour, and Keith Seymour, initially operating out of a basement as a low-cost alternative to the expensive (EDA) tools dominated by mainframe-based systems at the time. The company's name derives from "Oregon CAD," reflecting its origins in the state and focus on for electronics. Early efforts centered on software tailored for PCs running DOS, with the debut product, Schematic Design Tools (SDT), shipping in late 1985 to enable accessible circuit diagramming without reliance on costly proprietary hardware. Throughout the late and early , OrCAD expanded its offerings to address growing demands in PCB design, introducing tools like Verification and Tools (VST) for digital simulation alongside the evolving SDT lineup, such as version 3.2.1 in 1989. A pivotal shift occurred in 1992 with adaptation to , incorporating a point-and-click interface that broadened usability for engineers transitioning from DOS environments. By 1994, the company released its PCB Layout Tool version 2.22, marking entry into board routing capabilities and supporting the rise of . In 1995, OrCAD acquired auto-routing technology from Massteck, expanded operations to , and went public on , fueling further innovation. A significant milestone came in 1998 when OrCAD acquired MicroSim Corporation for approximately $26 million in stock, integrating PSpice simulation capabilities into its suite and adding about 80 employees to the workforce. By then, the company had grown to over 150 employees, emphasizing affordability to empower small engineering teams, hobbyists, and independent inventors who previously lacked access to professional-grade EDA software. This focus on cost-effective, PC-based tools positioned OrCAD as a democratizing force in the industry during its independent years.

Acquisition by Cadence and Integration

In 1999, acquired OrCAD Inc. for $121 million in a cash , transitioning the company from an independent provider of (EDA) tools to an integral component of Cadence's broader portfolio focused on and PCB design solutions. This acquisition enabled OrCAD's tools to leverage Cadence's resources for enhanced development and market expansion, while preserving its reputation for accessible, mid-market EDA software. By 2005, OrCAD underwent significant integration with Cadence's Allegro platform, which replaced the legacy OrCAD Layout tool with OrCAD PCB Designer to support advanced high-speed PCB design capabilities, including improved constraint management and features derived from Allegro's enterprise-grade technology. This merger streamlined workflows across Cadence's EDA ecosystem, allowing OrCAD users to access more robust layout and routing tools without fully migrating to the higher-end Allegro suite. Key post-acquisition developments included the release of OrCAD 10.0 in 2001, which introduced an upgraded Windows-based , enhanced , and better integration for and layout processes, marking a shift toward more intuitive, productivity-focused design environments. In the 2020s, OrCAD evolved further with the introduction of the OrCAD X platform in 2023, incorporating AI-driven automation for placement and routing, alongside cloud-based support for scalable design collaboration and . As of November 2025, recent advancements highlight OrCAD X 25.1, released in October 2025, which builds on prior versions with enhanced cloud-native collaboration features for real-time team sharing of designs and libraries, advanced design integrity validation, and integration of analysis from Sigrity X Aurora, along with performance improvements in algorithms and interactive placement to accelerate high-density board development. This release follows the September 2024 launch of OrCAD X 24.1 and coincides with OrCAD's 40th anniversary celebrations, underscoring its enduring role in democratizing PCB design tools. Under , OrCAD has operated as a distinct brand, evolving to balance enterprise scalability—through integrations like AI and —with its original emphasis on affordability and ease of use for smaller teams and individual engineers. This strategic positioning has allowed OrCAD to expand its user base while contributing to Cadence's overall dominance in the EDA market.

Products

OrCAD Capture

OrCAD Capture serves as the core schematic entry tool within the OrCAD , enabling engineers to create, edit, and validate hierarchical electronic designs by placing components, defining connections via nets, and generating netlists for downstream processes. It supports complex, multi-level that organize designs into reusable blocks, facilitating efficient part placement and connectivity management for both analog and digital circuits. Key features include dynamic electrical rule checking (ERC), which performs real-time validation to detect issues like unconnected pins or improper power/ground assignments during design entry. The tool offers centralized part library management, providing access to extensive verified symbol libraries for consistent component usage across projects. It also supports placement of entities and IEEE-standard symbols, alongside graphics and text annotations to enhance schematic documentation and clarity. The workflow in OrCAD Capture emphasizes multi-sheet hierarchical editing, allowing designers to build designs across multiple pages while maintaining logical structure and navigation aids for large projects. It generates bills of materials (BOMs) automatically from placed components, integrating real-time data on availability and compliance. Forward and backward annotation ensures seamless updates between schematics and PCB layouts, propagating changes bidirectionally without manual intervention. Schematics created here can be handed off directly for simulation in OrCAD PSpice. OrCAD Capture originated as a DOS-based application in the 1980s, transitioning to a native Windows interface starting with version 7 in the mid-1990s to leverage graphical user environments. The OrCAD X Capture iteration (released in 2023) includes syncing for collaborative design access and . Subsequent updates, such as version 24.1 (2024), enhanced BOM forecasting and for component management. A distinctive feature is its integration with the Component Information System (CIS), which connects to external databases like Ultra Librarian for real-time access to verified part data, symbols, and footprints, ensuring reliability and .

OrCAD PSpice

OrCAD PSpice serves as the core analog and mixed-signal simulation engine within the OrCAD ecosystem, enabling engineers to analyze circuit behavior through virtual prototyping. Its origins trace back to 1984, when MicroSim Corporation developed PSpice as a PC-based enhancement of the simulator, originally created at the , for analysis. In 1998, OrCAD acquired MicroSim, integrating PSpice into its design suite and expanding its reach for broader electronic design applications. Key capabilities of OrCAD PSpice include seamless integration with OrCAD Capture, where schematic designs generate netlists for direct import and simulation, streamlining the workflow from design entry to analysis. It supports a wide range of primitives, such as analog components like transistors and operational amplifiers, alongside digital elements including TTL logic and basic gates, facilitating mixed-signal simulations that combine both domains. The built-in PSpice tool provides robust viewing and post-processing features, allowing users to visualize voltage, current, and other signals over time, perform measurements, and debug circuit performance interactively. OrCAD PSpice draws from an extensive model library containing over 33,000 parametrized models of vendor-specific parts, including those from and , enabling accurate simulations of real-world components without custom modeling. Over time, the tool evolved to incorporate full mixed-signal simulation in the 1990s, enhancing its utility for complex designs involving both analog and digital interactions. In the 2020s, the OrCAD X release (2023) introduced cloud-based simulation capabilities, allowing remote access and collaboration while maintaining high-fidelity analysis. Updates in version 24.1 (2024) added advanced analysis tools for improved accuracy in mixed-signal simulations. A primary for OrCAD PSpice is virtual prototyping, where engineers verify circuit functionality and identify issues early, prior to physical PCB layout, reducing development costs and time. Its intuitive interface and integration make it particularly accessible for non-experts, such as students and entry-level designers, while offering advanced precision for professionals in industries like and consumer devices.

OrCAD PCB Designer

OrCAD PCB Designer, now known as OrCAD X PCB Editor, serves as the primary tool within the OrCAD suite for translating schematic designs into physical printed circuit boards (PCBs). It facilitates the import of netlists and component data directly from OrCAD Capture, enabling seamless forward annotation and bi-directional synchronization between schematic and layout environments. This process supports automated component placement, including pin and gate swapping to optimize board real estate, followed by constraint-driven routing that enforces electrical, physical, and spacing rules defined in the design constraints manager. Key features of OrCAD PCB Designer emphasize efficiency in layout and verification. It includes both interactive for manual precision and an autorouter with rip-up and retry algorithms to iteratively resolve congested areas. (DRC) runs in real-time to flag violations, while integrated panelization tools allow multiple boards to be arrayed for high-volume . An embedded 3D viewer enables mechanical validation, such as clearance checks against enclosures, and supports collaboration with mechanical CAD systems like . Additionally, symbols and footprints can be imported from OrCAD Library Builder to populate the design. Enhancements in OrCAD X (2023) incorporate AI-driven hints for faster convergence on complex traces and real-time (DFM) feedback to preempt fabrication issues. Version 25.1 (2025) integrated Sigrity X Aurora features for signal integrity analysis directly in the PCB layout. The tool demonstrates strong scalability, accommodating designs from simple two-layer boards to high-density interconnects exceeding 128 layers, including support for rigid-flex and multi-zone stackups with bend lines for flexible circuits. This versatility suits applications ranging from to automotive and systems, where it handles dense component counts and high-speed signals without performance degradation. OrCAD PCB Designer evolved from the earlier OrCAD Layout tool, which was replaced around 2005 through integration with Cadence's Allegro PCB technology, providing a feature-reduced yet robust version of Allegro's advanced capabilities tailored for mid-market users. This merger enhanced sophistication and constraint management while maintaining compatibility with legacy designs. OrCAD X builds on this foundation with cloud-hybrid workflows and expanded AI features for modern collaborative environments. Core file formats include .brd for the primary board database containing layout geometry, components, and ; .dra for mechanical drawings and padstack definitions; and .mnl for manufacturing netlists and outputs. It ensures backward compatibility with older .max formats from OrCAD Layout via built-in translators, allowing legacy projects to be migrated without data loss. Additional export options like Gerber, ODB++, and IPC-2581 facilitate handover to fabrication houses.

OrCAD Library Builder

OrCAD Library Builder is an automated tool designed to streamline the development of libraries for use in OrCAD Capture and OrCAD PCB Designer by extracting data directly from component datasheets. It addresses the challenges of manual library creation, which is often time-consuming and error-prone, especially for complex parts, by automating the generation of symbols, PCB footprints, and associated models. This enables design teams to build validated libraries more efficiently, supporting the entire workflow from entry to PCB layout. Key features include advanced PDF datasheet parsing, which intelligently extracts pin tables, BGA maps, SOIC diagrams, and other specifications to minimize errors. The tool generates hierarchical schematic symbols with automated pin assignment, drag-and-drop placement, and fracturing for large devices, ensuring compliance with design standards. For footprints, it creates IPC-7351 compliant land patterns using template-based generators that support custom packages such as BGA, QFN, SOIC, and DIP, with options for associative editing and extensive pad shapes (e.g., D-shape, oblong, rectangular). Additionally, it automates the building of 3D STEP models dynamically linked to footprints, facilitating ECAD/MCAD collaboration and validation against industry standards through built-in error checking for symbols, footprints, and pin-to-pad mappings. The typical workflow begins with importing component data from PDFs or other sources, followed by generating symbols and assigning pin mappings via an intuitive GUI. Users then define footprints using IPC-driven calculators and templates, validate the components for consistency, and export the results in formats such as .olb for symbols and .pad for footprints. Advanced supports for multiple parts, integration with the Component Information Portal (CIP) to incorporate vendor data and link models to a centralized database, and logging of changes to maintain revision history. By reducing manual processes, OrCAD Library Builder cuts library creation time by up to 80%, as demonstrated by examples like generating a 64-pin QFP , , and 3D model in under four minutes. It minimizes errors through automated verification, promotes consistency via customizable templates aligned with corporate standards, and enhances overall design productivity in OrCAD X environments.

Capabilities and Ecosystem

Simulation and Analysis Features

The OrCAD suite, powered by the PSpice simulation engine, supports a range of core analyses essential for verifying analog, mixed-signal, and digital circuit behavior. DC bias analysis determines the steady-state operating points of voltages and currents in a circuit under conditions. AC sweep analysis evaluates frequency-domain responses, such as gain and phase, to assess filter characteristics and . Transient analysis simulates time-domain responses to input stimuli, capturing dynamic behaviors like switching transients and settling times. analysis computes total output noise as the root-mean-square sum of contributions from all noise sources, aiding in optimization. quantifies how variations in component parameters impact circuit performance metrics, identifying critical elements for design refinement. For digital components, OrCAD PSpice employs event-driven to model logic gates and flip-flops with high , supporting mixed analog-digital designs. This approach processes only events that change signal states, enabling accurate timing verification without full analog resolution for digital sections. Worst-case timing extends this by evaluating setup and hold times under extreme conditions, such as maximum delays or minimum pulse widths, to ensure reliable operation across process variations. Advanced features in OrCAD X enhance reliability through statistical and optimization methods. analysis performs by running multiple simulations with randomized component variations drawn from statistical distributions, predicting yield and performance distributions. Parametric sweeps automate variations in parameters like values or frequencies, with cloud-based parallel processing accelerating multivariate runs such as sweeps. analysis conducts by monitoring voltages, currents, power dissipation, and temperatures against component limits, flagging potential overstress conditions to prevent failures. The optimizer iteratively adjusts component values to meet user-defined goals, such as minimizing power while achieving target gain. OrCAD X integrates seamlessly with Sigrity X for pre-layout (SI) analysis, enabling impedance profiling and checks directly in the design environment to mitigate reflections and in high-speed nets. Power integrity (PI) checks via Sigrity X evaluate voltage ripple and droop on power distribution networks, ensuring stable supply delivery. Thermal analysis links incorporate component thermal models into PSpice simulations, identifying hotspots by electrical and thermal behaviors. At its core, PSpice relies on the SPICE kernel for circuit solving, employing modified nodal analysis to formulate and solve the system of equations governing circuit behavior. The fundamental equation is the matrix form of Kirchhoff's laws: G⋅V=IG \cdot V = I where GG is the conductance matrix incorporating admittances of circuit elements, VV is the vector of node voltages, and II is the vector of independent current sources; nonlinear devices are handled via Newton-Raphson iteration. This approach applies to all analyses, from DC bias (solving the linearized steady-state) to transient (time-stepping integration). Recent enhancements in OrCAD X (2024 onward) include parallelized cloud simulations for faster parametric and runs, reducing computation time for complex designs. Integrated tools support predictive reliability assessments, such as estimating (MTBF) using statistical models to forecast potential weak points early in the design cycle.

Design Collaboration and File Formats

OrCAD X OnCloud facilitates team collaboration by offering cloud-based storage, shared workspaces, and real-time synchronization for multi-user editing of designs and libraries. This platform eliminates traditional challenges through built-in revision history and access to previous design iterations, enabling distributed teams to work concurrently without data conflicts. Additionally, OrCAD X Live BOM integrates directly with data sources to provide real-time insights into component availability, pricing, and lifecycle status, streamlining and reducing risks during the design phase. The OrCAD suite employs standardized file formats to manage projects and ensure data integrity across tools. The .dsn file serves as the primary container for schematic designs, encompassing symbols, netlists, and connectivity information, while the .opj file acts as a project organizer that links schematics, layouts, and simulation profiles. For manufacturing handoff, OrCAD supports exports to widely adopted formats such as Gerber for layer-specific raster data, ODB++ for comprehensive board assemblies including drills and placements, and IPC-2581 for intelligent XML-based data exchange that preserves connectivity and stack-up details. Imports from other EDA tools, including Altium Designer and Autodesk Eagle, are handled via integrated translators that convert schematics and PCB databases, promoting seamless migration without proprietary lock-in. Interoperability extends to mechanical design environments through ECAD-MCAD bridging, where OrCAD X enables bidirectional data transfer with tools like via 3D exports format and robust exchange interfaces for enclosure integration and form factor validation. The suite's , based on the , allows users to automate custom workflows, extend functionality, and integrate with external systems for tailored collaboration processes. PCB-specific formats like .brd for board layouts are referenced within the project to maintain consistency during schematic-to-layout transitions. Security features in OrCAD X OnCloud include enterprise-grade encryption, role-based access controls, and comprehensive audit trails to protect sensitive design data during collaborative sessions. Versioning is enhanced with structured library management, including templates and historical tracking, while the OrCAD X 24.1 release introduces in Live BOM for viewing component trend data and forecasting disruptions based on market history. These capabilities ensure traceability and proactive decision-making in team environments. OrCAD adheres to industry standards to promote reliability and compatibility, utilizing IPC-7351 guidelines for footprint land patterns and specifications for packages to guarantee manufacturability. By emphasizing open export formats like Gerber and IPC-2581, the suite avoids and supports broad with fabrication and assembly partners.

User Community and Support

OrCAD maintains a substantial global user base, with over 40,000 companies worldwide relying on its tools for tasks. This community spans academia, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), and hobbyists, largely facilitated by the 30-day free trial and the OrCAD X Academic Program, which provide access to professional-grade capabilities on a time-limited basis. The software's longevity since has cultivated a diverse , particularly appealing to educational institutions and independent designers seeking professional-grade capabilities on a . Support resources for OrCAD users are extensive and multifaceted, including official Community forums dedicated to OrCAD X, where engineers exchange technical insights, troubleshoot issues, and share best practices. Complementary training is available through EMA Design Automation, offering self-paced online courses, videos, and labs covering , PCB layout, and advanced features like constraint management. Additionally, hosts numerous official tutorials from Cadence and EMA, providing step-by-step guidance on topics such as library management and simulation setup. Cadence further engages users via regular webinars, including the 2025 series on OrCAD X updates like version 25.1 enhancements for collaboration and analysis integration. In educational contexts, OrCAD is deeply integrated into curricula, bolstered by the free OrCAD X Academic Program, which provides six-month renewable licenses for students, educators, and research clubs. This initiative enables hands-on learning in schematic design and , with PSpice particularly valued for student projects involving circuit analysis. Many universities, such as and UC Davis, incorporate OrCAD into teaching and research, restricting its use to non-commercial academic purposes. The third-party ecosystem enhances OrCAD's versatility through vendor partnerships, such as ' provision of PSpice-compatible models derived from their TINA-TI simulator, allowing seamless integration of TI components into OrCAD simulations. Extensions are readily available via the EMA Store's OrCAD Apps, a curated collection of plugins for custom workflows like rigid-flex design and manufacturing preparation. For design migration, built-in translators support importing from tools like , streamlining transitions for users switching platforms. Cadence's support model emphasizes global accessibility, featuring 24/7 online services through the Cadence Online Support portal, which includes a comprehensive of articles, technical documentation, and software updates. Users can submit service requests for direct assistance from application engineers, while EMA provides supplementary technical support with a solution-focused tailored to OrCAD implementations. Community-driven resources, such as SnapMagic's free library of millions of OrCAD-compatible symbols, footprints, and 3D models, further empower users to access shared component data efficiently.

References

  1. https://www.cadence.com/en_US/home/tools/pcb-design-and-analysis/orcad.html
  2. https://semiengineering.com/entities/orcad/
  3. https://resources.pcb.cadence.com/blog/40-years-of-orcad-from-basement-beginnings-to-pcb-legend
  4. https://www5.cadence.com/pspice-for-ti-faqs
  5. https://semiengineering.com/entities/microsim-corp/
  6. https://www.eetimes.com/cadence-to-acquire-orcad-for-121-million/
  7. https://www.nytimes.com/1999/06/16/business/company-news-cadence-design-and-orcad-agree-to-a-121-million-deal.html
  8. https://www.eetimes.com/cadence-folds-orcad-into-its-pcb-business/
  9. https://www.cadence.com/en_US/home/company/newsroom/press-releases/pr/2023/cadence-unveils-next-generation-ai-driven-orcad-x-delivering-up.html
  10. https://community.cadence.com/cadence_blogs_8/b/pcb/posts/cadence-orcad-x-and-allegro-x-25-1-is-now-available
  11. https://resources.pcb.cadence.com/blog/whats-new-in-orcadx
  12. https://resources.pcb.cadence.com/blog/what-s-new-in-orcad-x-24-1-faq
  13. https://resources.pcb.cadence.com/i/973629/1
  14. https://www.ema-eda.com/products/cadence-orcad/orcad-capture-and-orcad-capture-cis
  15. https://www.seas.upenn.edu/~jan/spice/PSpice_CaptureGuideOrCAD.pdf
  16. https://www.artedas.eu/OrCAD/capture.php
  17. http://www.bitsavers.org/pdf/orcad/MN-01-5090_OrCAD_Capture_for_Windows_7.10_Users_Guide_Jun97.pdf
  18. https://community.cadence.com/cadence_blogs_8/b/breakfast-bytes/posts/pspice-ti
  19. https://home.olemiss.edu/~atef/engr360/tutorial/qgspice.html
  20. https://resources.pcb.cadence.com/technical-papers/pspice-datasheet
  21. https://www.cadence.com/en_US/home/tools/pcb-design-and-analysis/analog-mixed-signal-simulation/pspice.html
  22. https://www.cadence.com/en_US/home/resources/datasheets/orcad-x-pcb-design-platform-ds.html
  23. https://resources.pcb.cadence.com/blog/2024-pcb-layout-tools-in-orcad-x
  24. https://resources.pcb.cadence.com/blog/advanced-pcb-design-techniques-orcad-x-routing-and-placement-cadence
  25. https://www.ema-eda.com/ema-resources/videos/sneak-peek-of-sigrity-x-aurora-features-in-orcad-x-25-1/
  26. https://resources.pcb.cadence.com/blog/jbj-orcad-journey-pcb-design-1995-2025
  27. https://resources.pcb.cadence.com/blog/2024-pcb-design-file-formats
  28. https://www.ema-eda.com/products/cadence-orcad/orcad-library-builder
  29. https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/orcad-library-builder-overview-presentation/38702095
  30. https://www.parallel-systems.co.uk/orcadlibrarybuilder/
  31. https://resources.pcb.cadence.com/blog/2024-orcad-x-circuit-simulation-with-pspice
  32. https://resources.pcb.cadence.com/blog/2025-how-to-simulate-pcb-design
  33. https://resources.pcb.cadence.com/i/1180526-pspice-user-guide/501
  34. https://resources.pcb.cadence.com/i/973656/1
  35. https://resources.pcb.cadence.com/pspice-application-notes/pspice-digital-worst-case-timing-simulation
  36. https://resources.pcb.cadence.com/blog/2025-advanced-pspice-features-for-circuit-analysis
  37. https://resources.pcb.cadence.com/vidyard-all-players-12/pspice-feature-parallelized-sweep-analysis
  38. https://www.cadence.com/en_US/home/tools/sigrity-x.html
  39. https://resources.pcb.cadence.com/blog/pspice-simulation-2
  40. https://resources.pcb.cadence.com/blog/2024-mtbf-and-reliability-standards-in-pcb-design-cadence
  41. https://resources.pcb.cadence.com/blog/2024-bom-management-tools-and-orcad-x-live-bom-insights
  42. https://resources.pcb.cadence.com/migration-guides-2/migration-guide-migrating-from-altium-to-orcad
  43. https://community.cadence.com/cadence_technology_forums/pcb-design/f/allegro-x-scripting-skill/58594/introduction-to-skill
  44. https://resources.pcb.cadence.com/blog/2025-pcb-supply-chain-management
  45. https://www.cadence.com/en_US/home/explore/what-is-schematic.html
  46. https://www.cadence.com/en_US/home/explore/what-is-pcb-layout.html
  47. https://www.ema-eda.com/orcad-trial/
  48. https://www.cadence.com/en_US/home/tools/pcb-design-and-analysis/orcad/academic.html
  49. https://community.cadence.com/cadence_technology_forums/orcadx/f
  50. https://www.ema-eda.com/learning/training-overview/
  51. https://www.cadence.com/en_US/home/company/events/webinars/cadenceconnect--what-s-new-in-orcad-x-25-1.html
  52. https://www.imperial.ac.uk/admin-services/ict/self-service/computers-printing/devices-and-software/get-software/get-software-for-staff/orcad/
  53. https://hackaday.com/2020/09/20/ti-and-cadence-make-pspice-free/
  54. https://www.ema-eda.com/store/orcad-apps/
  55. https://www.cadence.com/en_US/home/support/cadence-online-support.html
  56. https://www.snapeda.com/orcad/
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