What’s New in OrCAD X 24.1 FAQ

Live BOM and the CIS part manager serve two different purposes - CIS allows you to specify and manage all your part meta data in a component database, like SQL, and apply the part data upon selection and application of the schematic symbol to the design. Whereas Live BOM provides the ability to validate the CIS/component metadata against the latest inventory, market availability, pricing, and lead time trends supplied by Sourcengine.

There is no extra licensing required. Live BOM gets its supply chain information from Sourcengine and Datalynq, which are integrated within Live BOM.

Cadence is partnered with Sourcengine and Datalynq, where they have access to over 3700 distributors and manufacturers across over 1 billion parts, this is where the data is sourced from and available within Live BOM.

Yes, Capture CIS data can be verified through Live BOM, but you cannot populate your CIS database using Live BOM information yet, this functionality is coming in the future.

Yes, it can be. All you need is the Manufacturer and Manufacturer Part Number from the corporate database. Configure these properties to be available on schematic instance and Live BOM will fetch the supply chain details.

Yes, Live BOM requires an active OrCAD X OnCloud subscription.

Not at this time, but there is a separate OrCAD X interface into Silcon Expert provided by our channel partner, EMA. More information can be found at the following link: Silicon Expert Partner

The new constraints panel in OrCAD X Presto PCB Editor will be released in 24.1 ISR1 next month (November 2024).

Yes, all supported constraint sets appear in the docked panel. All advanced constraints may not be supported yet.

The footprint generator is available in the current 24.1 release.

Yes, these new move options are available in the Presto Footprint Editor as well.

Yes, you can place components with the grid feature on or off.

Yes, the impedance analysis uses the materials, layer thickness, and dielectric constraints specified in the cross-section editor.

The footprint generator is powered by the same technology used in Allegro Library Creator.

The footprint wizard does not create a STEP model but does create a 3D extrusion representation of the part.

Yes, delay takes into account the total signal length, including via length.

There is not an unroute all command – with a design fully in view, users can choose the Delete function, and then in the Find filter select only Clines. Cline Segs and Vias and window the entire design. Everything deleted will return to nets.

The mask size is a fixed parameter and varies based on the selection of IPC A, B, or C.

Pinswap definition is stored in the device file. To learn more you can login into Cadence Online support and search for the following article: Allegro Pin Swap Setup Leveraging Device Files.

Currently the new move command with the X,Y location only works on component move. There are plans to add it to creating and editing any drawn shape.

Shadow mode is not yet supported in the PCB viewer but will be in a future release.

To be able to use the in-design analysis feature in OrCAD X, you are still required to install Sigrity X, it is a separate install.

All three tiers of OrCAD X licenses – Standard, Professional and Professional Plus contain the Presto PCB Editor application.

Currently you would need two separate licenses, as Presto is not yet available in Allegro X, however this will change in the 25.1 release (October 2025).

To access the Presto PCB Editor, you need an OrCAD X Professional license, not an OrCAD Professional. The OrCAD X platform is available in release 23.1 and higher.

The footprint generator is only available in OrCAD X Professional and higher. Check with your local Cadence Channel Partner for a breakdown of what features are available in Standard versus Professional.

These are two different licenses that give you access to specific tools; you can contact your local Cadence Channel Partner if you’re looking to upgrade to the X platform.

Unfortunately, Presto is not yet available in Allegro X but is scheduled to be introduced in the Allegro X 25.1 release (October 2025). So, if you currently want to access OrCAD X Presto PCB Editor for your layout needs, you will need an OrCAD X license.

Live BOM is only included in the OrCAD X Professional license.

Yes, the recommended upgrade would be OrCAD X Designer Plus.

Yes, Allegro X Design Entry CIS includes Live BOM.

Unfortunately not, the single license reflects the package, either standard or professional, so when either schematic or PCB editor is invoked the package license is consumed.

Yes, it should be as 17.4 is a very old (~5 Yr+) release. There are several enhancements and fixes that are available in the latest 24.1 release.

OrCAD X Professional includes both PCB Editor and the new Presto PCB layout editor.

Yes, EE Designer Plus is functionally the equivalent of OrCAD X Designer Plus.

For every major (23.1, 24.1, etc...) new release a new license is required. If you’re on maintenance the new license is issued to you at no cost.

Live BOM and workspaces were available, starting with the 23.1 OrCAD X release. Please contact your local sales rep, and they will be able to provide you with the license and links to the latest download and installer.

Projmgr and Concept HDL are still included in the installation. Please open a support ticket, and an Application Engineer should be able to assist you in finding them. They should be in the tools/bin folder. However, please note that the end of life of DE-HDL has been announced and 24.1 is the last release it will appear in. DE-HDL, aka Concept, has been replaced by a new solution called System Capture. System Capture fully supports the import of DE-HDL designs and leverages the existing libraries.

Yes, OrCAD X Professional supports basic PSpice capabilities.

Yes, MCADX is our interface within Cadence, and Circuitworks is Dassault Systèmes SOLIDWORKS exchange interface.

Presto PCB Editor is not yet available in Allegro X - that will change in 25.1 (October 2025).

OrCAD X has a very good integration into Creo. There is nothing special that needs to be done other than the exchange of IDX, which maintains the change and object log.

The current version of Allegro X is 24.1, so you are referring to a really old version. A lot has changed between version 14 and 24.1, in both OrCAD X and Allegro X, not just the graphical interface, but features, functionality, performance and new applications.

That depends on your design requirements and software capabilities needed. Allegro X is our enterprise solution and has way more features and functionalities that aren’t available in OrCAD X.

Unison is the executable name, which is why you are seeing it. Presto PCB is currently available in OrCAD X. In 25.1 (October 2025), Presto will be introduced in Allegro X and will exist in a unified cockpit within the System Capture application.

OrCAD X and Allegro X are our two product lines that contain a comprehensive PCB Design suite, and depending upon the license you purchase, the applications available to you will either be OrCAD X or Allegro X-based applications, and the features and functionality sets will be different.

Yes, Allegro X is our enterprise solution, so it contains many more features than OrCAD X.

It is currently under consideration; however, you can currently purchase Sigirty X if you’re interested in DC analysis.

We recommend filing a support case. If you provide us with the design, we can help determine what the issue is.

Yes, OrCAD X Capture supports TCL scripting and the PCB Editor supports SKILL which allows you to easily build forms, add automation, or manipulate object data in neither environment.

OrCAD X contains a robust MCAD exchange interface, allowing you to bidirectionally transfer the PCB information to and from Solidworks. If you’re simply trying to export the STEP of the PCB, you can open up the 3D view from within Presto and select the menu option to Export STEP.

Unfortunately, OrCAD X does not support Linux.

You can create a windows shortcut to the Specctra executable - C:\Cadence\SPB_24.1\tools\bin\spectra.exe

Version 24.1 was released on September 20, 2024 and available on the same day within the Download Manager.