OrCAD X Free Viewer FAQ

Cadence PCB Solutions

Find answers to our frequently asked questions about the OrCAD X Free Viewer

General

What can I do with the OrCAD X Free Viewer?

With the OrCAD X Free Viewer you can share and view design data from OrCAD X Capture CIS, PCB Editor, and Advanced Package Designer easily on your Windows platform without a license. Files can be accessed in read-only format.

How do I download the OrCAD X Free Viewer?

You can download the OrCAD X Free Viewer from this link. Once you fill out and submit the form to download the viewer, you should receive an email with a link to download and install the viewer.

What applications are available in my OrCAD X Free Viewer download?

In your OrCAD X Free Viewer download you’ll have access to open and view designs within a read-only version of OrCAD X Capture CIS, PCB Designer, and Advanced Package Designer.

What type of files can I open with Capture CIS?

With Capture CIS you can open a project (.opj), schematic design (.dsn), or library (.olb).

What type of files can I open with PCB Editor?

With PCB Editor you can open a board file (.brd), design partition (.dpf), module definition (.mdd), or symbol drawing (.dra).

What type of files can I open with Advanced Package Designer?

With Advanced Package Designer you can open a package design (.mcm/.sip), module definition (.mdd), symbol drawing (.dra), or package partition (.dpm).

How do I access the Capture CIS Viewer?

Once installed, you can access the Capture CIS Viewer either through your Windows start menu or the Cadence folder on your C drive. From the start menu, select All Apps > Cadence PCB Viewers 24.1 > Capture Viewer 24.1. From the Cadence folder navigate to your C drive, click on Cadence > PCBViewers_24.1 > tools > bin > Capture.exe.

How do I access the PCB Editor Viewer?

Once installed, you can access the PCB Editor Viewer either through your Windows start menu or the Cadence folder on your C drive. From the start menu, select All Apps > Cadence PCB Viewers 24.1 > PCB Editor Viewer 24.1. From the Cadence folder navigate to your C drive, click on Cadence > PCBViewers_24.1 > tools > bin > allegro_free_viewer.exe.

How do I access the Advanced Package Designer Viewer?

Once installed, you can access the PCB Editor Viewer either through your Windows start menu or the Cadence folder on your C drive. From the start menu, select All Apps > Cadence PCB Viewers 24.1 > Allegro X APD Viewer 24.1. The APD Viewer does not have its own executable in the Cadence folder, however the target path is different. From the Cadence folder navigate to your C drive, find Cadence > PCBViewers_24.1 > tools > bin > allegro_free_viewer.exe, right click on it and change the target to say: C:\Cadence\SPB_24.1\tools\bin\allegro_free_viewer.exe -apd. If you want to launch the PCB Editor Viewer, then -apd must be removed from the target path.