What’s New in OrCAD X 25.1 FAQ

October 27, 2025

Cadence PCB Solutions

Here are some comprehensive answers to all the questions asked in our recent webinar.

Schematic Capture | PCB Layout | Web Viewer| Licensing | General

Schematic Capture

Does the markup feature require a cloud license, or is this stored in the design directory? Also, do comments and shared information features work in an internet deprived (offline) network?

The markup feature only requires a cloud license if you want to collaborate and view comments in real-time. Otherwise, if you are working in offline mode, comments can be saved and stored as part of the design database as well.

Does the new find and replace enable the following: 1 - Enable linking Component Information System (CIS) database parts to all parts in the results window? 2 - Provide a comparison of multiple parts against the selected CIS part? (Currently only a single part can be compared in CIS) 3 - Full boolean (AND/OR/NOT/contains/etc.) search functionality?

Find and replace is targeted for schematic authoring. This is not meant for database differencing.

Can the comment label in Capture be edited to give it a more meaningful label or title?

Labels are auto generated based on usernames and they are not customizable as of yet.

How to find the average value and RMS value of a particular waveform?

Within the PSpice waveform viewer, go to the toolbar menu and click on Trace > Add Traces. On the left-hand side of the Add Traces dialog, you’ll see a section that says functions and macros. You can use those functions, such as average, RMS, cos, log, etc., and specify the corresponding waveform to get the results for your waveform.

Does the new find/replace function in the schematic work with CIS component libraries (ex: replace all parts in find results with new CIS database part)?

The find and replace feature is only targeted towards schematic editing and authoring. It’s not meant for library databases. This is not about replacing a part in schematic with another part. It will update the attributes of parts etc already present on schematic.

Is it possible to export a report with all the comments to a component?

You can export all comments, not just for a given object.

Is Component Information System (CIS) combined with OrCAD X Capture?

Yes, it is.

Is it possible to print the review markup notes in schematic smart PDF output?

It is not available at the moment; this is something that would be available in future releases.

Do you lose markup capability if you do not have active maintenance?

No, you do not.

Is OrCAD X connected to the Pulse server?

No, the Pulse server is part of the Allegro X Design Platform data management solution.

Do you have to save project files in the cloud to use the review and markup tools? Or can that still be used with project files only stored in EDM server?

You can use markup on local design files without using the cloud. The markups will be stored as part.

Does the replace feature work for multiple pages or individual pages?

It works for all elements within the design.

How do you setup the model sweep in OrCAD X Capture?

To configure a model sweep in PSpice, place a text element with the PSpice directive followed by the .modelstep command and the list of models to be swept:
@PSpice:
.modelstep model-A model-B model-C
In this setup, the first model in the list (e.g., model-A) serves as the base. All instances of this model in the schematic will be considered for sweeping.

Is it possible to add a new PSpice symbol to an existing design in 25.1?

Yes, a user can add both a previous version as well as new PSpice symbol to 25.1 schematic.

PCB Layout

Does copy/paste for layout have smarter 'pasting' than the current place replicate apply functionality? Ex: Does it still choke on a couple parts being different in a large circuit, or does it handle differences more elegantly? Can templates be saved for applying later, similar to CircuitSpace functionality?

Copy layout allows copying of the entire layout or sections and allows you to do layer mapping in the pasted design.

Is the true text only on PCB Layout (Presto) or on PCB Editor also?

Both PCB Layout (Presto) and PCB Layout Expert (Classic Allegro PCB Editor).

For the layout copy, can you swap up the layers if you have no vias or only through hole vias?

No, swapping layers happens only after you import the design in.

If both designs have a different layer stackup, then will copy/paste work?

Yes, it should. You will have to map the layers of your source stackup to the destination stackup.

How do you set up the current/voltage sourcing and current consumption for parts, for IR voltage drop analyses and similar?

You can do this within the analysis workflow panel under analysis setup. There are 3 different setup modes to choose from: VRMs and Sinks, PowerTree File and Workspace File. For VRMs and Sinks, simply select your power net, the voltage and component by reference designator.

For PCB Layout and Layout Expert, have there been improvements to automatic silkscreen placement and assembly drawing generation?

Not at this moment.

The copy/paste layout command isn’t in the 25.1 base release. Is this coming in a hotfix?

Yes, the tentative target for the copy/paste layout command is 25.1 ISR2.

Do the fonts become stored in the database?

Yes, they are stored in the database.

How does the named font style work? Ex: Will newly placed parts inherit the 'default' style specified for silkscreens?

Yes, once you specify a font as default, the newly placed parts will inherit the set style.

Is there any way to reduce the padding in the search panel? For instance, there's room for maybe 20 results at that font size, but only 8 are visible due to so much white-space.

No there is not.

Can I define pads with multiple vias in them by hole center to center instead of air gap?

Yes, you can do that.

Does defining differential pair properties in the board layout push those properties back into the schematic constraints?

Yes it does.

Once a padstack is edited in the layout, how can we tell if the footprint is different than the library?

To tell if the footprint in your design is different than in your library, you would need to upgrade to Allegro X with data management.

Are there any enhancements in viewing or importing artwork/Gerbers? Can you do a batch import?

No to both.

Web Viewer

Why is the schematic on the web not reflecting the schematic on the desktop? Example: it’s not showing the new resistor that was added.

This is because the updated version of the schematic has not been saved and shared yet.

What license do I need for the web viewer, and is it required to have a cloud connection?

Yes, the web viewer requires a cloud connection. POX50/100/200/300 users can share the design with others so that it can be accessed by all – only by invite.

Can the web viewer be used for services, or is it only for the users with a license?

Anyone can access the design through the browser if you've shared the design link with them.

Licensing

Do I need to request a new license file for OrCAD X 25.1 from a Cadence Channel Partner or does the existing file upgrade automatically?

Please reach out to your sales representative or local Cadence Channel partner for your 25.1 licenses.

Are the Sigrity X Aurora integrations included with an OrCAD X Professional license, or is that an add-on?

The impedance and coupling in design analyses are included out-of-the-box with OrCAD X Professional and above. The rest of the analysis workflows require a Sigrity X Aurora license.

If we are currently using version 24.1, how do we update our software to version 25.1?

If you're on maintenance, please contact your sales representative or your local reseller.

If I have a seat of POX50, do I have access to CIS?

No, you need to either purchase the option or upgrade to OrCAD X Professional.

Do we need a separate license to use version 25.1? And does the latest version of the OrCAD X platform come with traditional PCB Designer?

Yes, you will need a 25.1 license, and it comes with the traditional PCB Designer as well.

When I launch PCB designer in 25.1, it’s fetching a Sigrity X Aurora PCB Analysis license.

Sigrity X Aurora is now integrated in OrCAD X PCB layout. If you are having licensing issues, please reach out to your sales representative or local Cadence Channel Partner.

Can you please list all the licenses we need to purchase to access all the SI/PI analysis features?

Coupling and impedance are included with OrCAD X Professional. All the additional analysis capabilities you will need a Sigrity X Aurora license. Please reach out to your sales representative or local Cadence Channel partner for help or more information.

Can IR drop run on the basic PCB Editor license, or would I need a different license?

To run IR drop within OrCAD X PCB Layout you will need a Sigrity X Aurora license.

General

Is the new PCB Layout interface available in Allegro X 25.1? What about the new features and updates shown in the webinar?

Yes, the new PCB Layout interface is available in Allegro X 25.1. Everything you saw in the webinar is available in Allegro X, except for the browser-based viewers - these are not yet available in Allegro X but will be coming soon. Please refer to the Allegro X 25.1 release notes for more information.

IR drop, impedance, crosstalk, and return path are already integrated in 24.1. What is the difference in 25.1?

The analysis workflows were introduced in a 24.1 ISR for backwards compatibility. The integration is a 25.1 release item - so there is no difference.

Which of these new features can be used within on-site environment, vs. which requires cloud environment? Is cloud environment suitable for ITAR and/or CUI data?

All features can be used within an on-site environment, except for web viewing. If you are looking for ITAR compliance, please use the Allegro X Design Platform.

Does position reset elegantly handle components rotated 90 degrees?

No, position reset is applicable only for object properties.

What’s the difference between OrCAD Capture 17.4 vs 25.1?

The differences are too long to list. You can find the READ ME for each release via Cadence online support, or for updates since the release of OrCAD X 23.1, you can visit this link here.

If you change pins in a design, can those changes automatically be pushed back into the library? And would it be revision controlled?

No, changes are not automatically pushed, but it’s easy enough to apply the changes to the pad library.

Is OrCAD X schematic capture compatible with Allegro X Classic PCB Editor? Is it back-annotation compatible?

Yes, OrCAD X schematic capture is compatible with Allegro X Classic PCB Editor. It is back-annotation compatible as well.

Were the features demonstrated in the webinar only available in OrCAD X PCB Layout (Presto) or in Classic PCB Editor too?

The bulk of the features are also available in PCB Layout Expert (Classic PCB Editor).

Can you import Altium Libraries into OrCAD X 25.1?

Yes, you can import Altium libraries into OrCAD X 25.1.

Do any of the new OrCAD X Capture features (markup) break the backward compatibility with old versions of Capture?

No, they do not.