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What’s New in OrCAD X

Discover the latest features and enhancements within OrCAD X, enabling individuals and small teams to design fast, correct, and connected.

25.1 Update

The OrCAD X 25.1 release delivers a significant step forward in how design teams collaborate and validate design integrity. Built with usability at its core, the update introduces simpler ways for engineers to review, share feedback, and work together directly within their design environment. Enhanced integration with Sigrity X analysis ensures that performance and reliability considerations are addressed earlier in the process, reducing costly iterations. With expanded cloud accessibility and more flexible licensing options, this release makes it easier for organizations to scale and adapt their design workflows. Altogether, OrCAD X 25.1 strengthens the connection between collaboration, usability, and analysis, helping teams bring complex designs to market faster and with greater confidence. To learn more, read our OrCAD X PCB Design Platform datasheet or explore our OrCAD X Videos.

OrCAD X Packaging
  • OrCAD X Capture (POX050) now includes on-premises CIS (Component Information System)
  • PSpice Designer and PSpice Designer plus includes OrCAD X OnCloud access for seamless collaboration across design teams

OrCAD X Licensing
  • Single User License (SUL) can be utilized on multiple machines with a single entitlement
    • The user can install SUL on up to 5 machines
    • Allows the user to run OrCAD X on any one machine at a time

OrCAD X OnCloud
  • Schematic and PCB layout web browser viewers with review and markup
  • Share the design with anyone who has access to OrCAD X Cloud
Ability to create footprints from templates using the Footprint Wizard
OrCAD X Schematic
  • Enhanced find and replace
  • Save and load design template
  • Design review and markup
    • Assign comments and markup directly in the schematic for design review and collaboration
  • Schematic enables Allegro X AI capabilities
    • Schematic netlist now passes attributes to drive AI placement
Ability to create footprints from templates using the Footprint Wizard Ability to create footprints from templates using the Footprint Wizard
PSpice
  • Accelerate your design cycle time and reduce TAT –with efficient What-If Analysis
    • New Model Stepping feature  explores design variance and selects the most suitable component for your design by sweeping models in single analysis run and compares the results.
  • Automotive transient sources
    • ISO 16750-2 transient sources for 12V and 24V systems
    • CI 210 - Source to test AC Immunity from Continuous Disturbances for 12V and 24V
  • GaN MOSFETs included in library - 6 new devices supporting up to 650V, 60 Amp
  • Advanced modeling capabilities
    • Model nonlinear behavior for Resistor, Capacitor and Inductor using mathematical equations
    • Model varying Inductance and Capacitance to match real-life behavior
    • Smooth Step function – A computationally efficient Step Function
    • Advanced built-in libraries of Memristors
    • Support for additional mathematical and logical functions:

Functions/Comments

Description

BUF(X)

1 if x > 0.5, else 0

DNLIM(LOWERLIMIT,X,SOFTNESS)

Similar to max(x,A) but with a continuous 1st derivative transition width Δ:

HYPOT(X,Y), LENGTH(X,Y)

Square root of sum of squares of x and y

INT(X), TRUNC(X)

Convert x to integer

INV(X)

0 if x > 0.5, else 1

NRAND(X,S)

Random number between 0 and 1 depending on the integer value of x.

RANDOM(X,S), ZRANDOM(X,S)

Similar to rand(), but smoothly transitions between values.

ROUND(X)

Nearest integer to x

STP(X)

Unit step, i.e., 1 if x > 0, else 0

UPLIM(X,UPPERLIMIT,SOFTNESS)

Similar to min(x,A) but with a continuous 1st derivative transition width Δ:

URAMP(X)

x if x > 0, else 0

WHITE(X,S)

Random number between -0.5 and 0.5 smoothly transitions between values even more smoothly than random().

  • Measurement enhancement - Use the measurement command to evaluate complex measurement expressions
OrCAD X Layout
  • TrueType font support
  • Property panel support for edit pad
  • Import pin delay
  • Auto define differential pairs
  • Make/export a library from the PCB
  • Sigrity X Aurora integration
    • Access to all Aurora analysis workflows – IR drop, impedance, crosstalk, reflection, return path, and decap placement
Ability to create footprints from templates using the Footprint Wizard Ability to create footprints from templates using the Footprint Wizard Ability to create footprints from templates using the Footprint Wizard
OrCAD X Live DOC
  • Support for assembly notes and instructions
  • Custom global variables for title block and assembly notes variables
  • Improvements to balloon leaders – auto increment of numeric reference and support for different balloon shapes (square, circle, triangle)

24.1 Update

The OrCAD X 24.1 update focuses on usability, integrated analyses, and automation, which includes areas such as BOM forecasting and predictive analytics, data management, PCB layout, routing improvements, and signal integrity.

Data Management
  • Enhancements to Live BOM provide insight into your supply chain so you can make data-driven decisions. While updates to the Workspaces allow you to securely and efficiently manage your components, libraires, and grant proper workspace access.
    • Workspaces – Security, Access Control and Data Residency (23.1 ISR6)
      • Security – Multifactor authentication provides an additional layer of security to prevent unauthorized access to your account.
      • Access Control – Provides both an internal workspace for organizational access and an external workspace to include users outside your organization.
      • Data Residency – Create region specific shared workspaces for Asia, Japan, Europe, and the USA.
      • Usability enhancement – Single click action to assign default roles and access to all users in an organization.
    • Cloud compatibility with CIS (23.1 ISR6)
    • Import and reuse existing CIS Database Configuration (.dbc) files
    • File manager
      • Bulk upload files directly from the File Manager UI – drag and drop functionality
      • RMB options within the project hierarchy panel
      • Publish dialog remembers the last published workspace
      • Publish button is available within the component dialog
    • Predictive analytics in Live BOM (was available starting 23.1 ISR6):
      • Part Forecasting
        • Lead time
        • Inventory change
        • Price range
        • Market availability
      • Set lookback and forecast duration
        • View historical data
      • Dynamic synchronization with your design and ability to launch Live BOM on local disk design
      • Duplicate and unassigned refdes handling

PCB Layout
  • Routing improvements, usability enhancements, and personalization within OrCAD X Presto PCB Editor include:
    • Scalpel cut for traces – slice through existing routes to make it easier to move or edit routed designs or reuse circuitry
    Scalpel cut for traces
    • Enhanced display and navigation – accessible from the floating visibility toolbar
      • Ultra shadow mode – Used to make selected objects stand out against all other objects, making it easy to navigate nets
      • Net colors on/off – Enable or disable all custom net colors with a single click, making it easy to navigate traces and shapes based on their layer color or assigned net color.
    • Docked constraint panel with support for basic and advanced rules, making the industry’s most powerful constraint system even easier to use
    • Ability to create footprints from templates using the Footprint Wizard
    Ability to create footprints from templates using the Footprint Wizard
    • Best in class move command
      • Move command allows you to –
        • Rip-up or slide etch
        • Relative move or absolute location
        • Dynamic HUD showing the origin and new location
        • User entry of XY location
        • DFA spacing guides and control
        • Alignment guides and control
        • Temporary relative grid
      • Move using keyboard arrow keys or WASD
        • Moves one grid point
        • Or Shift + Arrow gives you ten grid points
        • Support for + and – within the property panel and search table
      • Dock command windows
        • All command windows can now be docked as a panel and summoned to the cursor
      • Impedance control within the Cross Section Editor allows you to set layer-based impedance constraints
      • Shape drawing
        • Heads up display
          • Length
          • Angle
          • Radius
          • Parallel segments
          • Vertex snapping
        • Change line/arc mode using shortcuts
      • Place associated decaps with parent IC in a single action
      • User controlled right mouse button menus and shortcuts
        • Configure shortcut keys and right mouse button menu for all your favorite commands for a more personalized environment
      • Browser PCB viewer and markup (available starting 24.1 ISR1 and 23.1 ISR8)

Analysis and Simulation
  • Fine-tune your designs for optimal performance and signal integrity with the industry leading in-design analysis workflows and topology exploration and extraction tools from Sigrity® X. Access the following capabilities right within your PCB design environment:
    • Impedance and coupling analysis (was available starting 23.1 ISR5)
    Impedance and coupling analysis
    • TopXP integration for single ended and differential pair high speed simulation

23.1 Update

The OrCAD X 23.1 update expands upon ease of use, simplicity, and data intelligence in areas of  BOM optimization, fabrication and assembly documentation, PCB 3D, PCB Layout, SPICE analysis, and data management.

Data Management

Tighter integration of Live BOM into the OrCAD X Capture CIS environment, including:

  • ASME 2 level alphanumeric revision scheme support
  • Live BOM Updates
    • Connect OnPrem CIS DB with Live BOM
    • Customizable property columns
    • Inclusion of supply chain lead time
    • Cross probe from Live BOM to schematic
Cross probe from Live BOM to schematic

Ease of Use

Improved PCB object visibility control in both 2D & 3D within OrCAD X Presto & PCB Editor, including:

OrCAD X Presto PCB Editor

  • Stipple patterns
  • User-defined PCB views (save and recall visibility display)
  • Edit and update footprint (control what’s being updated in the PCB design after footprint edit)
    • Edit pin locations in the search table, enabling mass editing
    • Pad preview in search
    • DXF import in footprint
    • Paste special preserve location
    • Archive/remove DR/MU to share design with external users/partners

Ease of Use

Ease of Use

Ease of Use

Ease of Use

OrCAD X 3D in Presto & PCB Editor

  • Cutting planes
  • Material colors
  • Transparency control for all 3D objects
  • 3D DRC display options
  • Measure in 3D

Measure in 3D

Collaboration

OrCAD X Live DOC PCB fabrication & assembly documentation improvements, including:

  • Alternate units in dimensions
  • User-controlled text in dimensions
  • Panning and zooming aligned with the OrCAD X layout
  • ISO and ASME page sizes
  • Export PDF location

Collaboration

Collaboration

Collaboration

Analysis and Simulation

Get accelerated PSpice analysis with multicore parallel simulation supporting Monte Carlo, Temperature, and Parametric sweep, as well as analysis enhancements including noise contributor control, ISO transient sources for automotive applications, and audio simulation. Complete analysis enhancements include:

  • ISO transient sources for automotive applications
    • ISO 7637-2: Electrical disturbances from conduction and coupling
    • ISO 16750-2: Environmental conditions and related testing
  • PSpice performance improvement with parallel simulation on desktop
    • Sweep types supported for parallel simulation
      • Parametric sweep, Temperature sweep, Monte Carlo analysis
  • Control noise contributors in noise analysis
  • Perform audio simulation – Use .wav as input or export as output
  • PSpice simulation persona - a simplified way to globally apply simulator options

PSpice simulation persona

PSpice simulation persona

To learn more about OrCAD X, click here to read the datasheet.

About the Author

Cadence PCB Solutions is a passionate writer and expert in the field of PCB design and electronic engineering. With years of experience in developing innovative solutions for complex circuit designs, Cadence PCB Solutions specializes in breaking down technical concepts into clear, actionable insights for engineers, hobbyists, and industry professionals alike.