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OrCAD X PCB Design Platform

OrCAD X PCB Design Platform

Design Fast, Correct, Connected

Discover the power, agility, and performance of the Cadence OrCAD X Platform, a comprehensive and AI-enabled PCB design software built for the fast-paced, quick-turn needs of small to medium-sized businesses.
Designed for efficiency and ease of use, OrCAD X integrates trusted industry technology with powerful automation, enabling engineering teams to swiftly transform concepts into dependable prototypes and production-ready designs. Ideal for individuals, startups, or expanding design teams, OrCAD X provides flexible and scalable tools that seamlessly fit your workflow, streamline development, and support every stage of your project - from initial concept to manufacturing - delivering the speed and accuracy your work requires.
OrCAD X provides an affordable solution for engineers seeking powerful PCB design tools. Moreover, it offers flexibility with the option to choose between a TBL license or a perpetual license.

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What Sets OrCAD X Apart?

Experience the OrCAD X Advantage

Unmatched Performance

Move faster on large, complex boards.

  • Faster load times for large designs
  • Scales for dense routing and complex boards
  • 64 Bit multithreaded architecture

Real-Time Design

Fix issues while you work, not at the end.

  • Live DRC / constraints while routing
  • In-Design analysis without breaking flow
  • Automated documentation as your design progresses

Easy-to-Use Integrated

Modern workflow with fewer handoffs and errors.

  • Modern UX and fast onboarding
  • Capture / Layout / Build workflows stay connected
  • Connect with PLM and other systems

PCB Design Built for Speed and Accuracy

OrCAD X is built to accelerate your PCB design process from schematic capture through PCB layout and simulation to seamless error-free manufacture.

OrCAD X Capture

OrCAD X Capture is the industry-standard tool for fast, accurate schematic entry; designed for clarity, reuse, and clean handoff to layout.

Create Schematics Faster +

Clear, Multi-page, Hierarchical Design Entry

Built for fast design entry with:

  • Multi-page, hierarchical design support
  • Generate BOM and PDF documentation quickly
  • Compare versions and track changes

One Flow from Schematic to PCB +

Unified Logical and Physical Design

Always know what changed with seamless sync of data between the schematic and PCB.

  • Unified capture-to-layout workflow
  • Eliminate translation errors across tools
  • Real-time updates when designs change

Fix and Optimize Early +

Design Right, From the Start

Easily define and validate your design intent with real-time design rules checks, constraint definition, and integrated simulation.

  • Apply constraints and key rules early
  • Identify issues before layout begins
  • Shorten review cycles and iterations

Libraries Ready to Use +

Integrated Symbols, Footprints, and 3D Models

Start with access to millions of CAD models from the beginning.

  • Integrated symbols, footprints, and 3D models
  • Improve consistency across projects
  • Spend less time building libraries
OrCAD X Capture

OrCAD X Layout

High-performance PCB layout with real-time constraints, automation, and 3D visibility.

Powerful Route Engine +

Interactive, Efficient Routing

Route with real-time guidance:

  • Define constraints once and reuse them
  • Catch violations while you route
  • Reduce late-stage cleanup and reruns

Instant Design Feedback +

Design Right, From the Start

Don't wait until the end of the project to find all the issues you need to fix and change. Get instant feedback as you design with on-canvas guidance and notifications, so you can solve issues before they have a chance to become an ECO.

Validate in 3D +

Realistic 3D Design and Analysis

Check fit early and often:

  • Visualize clearances and collisions in 3D
  • Align ECAD / MCAD intent sooner
  • Reduce mechanical surprises late in the cycle

Built to Handle Complex Designs +

Designed to Scale With You

Support modern PCB complexity:

  • Handle dense routing and advanced requirements
  • Support flex / rigid-flex design needs
  • Meet high-speed and RF design constraints
OrCAD X Layout

In-Design Analysis

Verify decisions earlier with integrated analysis ensuring issues are found before they become rework.

Verify Upfront +

Validate Performance Sooner

Ensure design accuracy as you work:

  • Run checks during the design process
  • Identify electrical risks earlier
  • Reduce downstream debug and redesign

Actionable Insights +

Make Informed Design Decisions Early

Make better tradeoffs faster:

  • Confirm key decisions with analysis
  • Avoid rework caused by guesswork
  • Improve confidence before manufacturing

Analyze In-Design +

Simulate Without Breaking Momentum

Make simulation a natural part of the design process:

  • Keep verification tied to the design
  • Reduce tool switching and context loss
  • Speed decisions with results in context

SI, PI, Thermal, and SPICE +

Comprehensive Analysis for All Your Design Needs

Leverage a full suite of analysis engines and explore all aspects of your design from analog mixed-signal, signal integrity, power integrity, and even thermal effects. Mix and match engines easily to meet your design requirements and move to production with confidence.

In-Design Analysis

LiveDoc and DesignTrue DFM

Prevent manufacturability issues during design to improve first-pass success and reduce respins.

Design for Manufacturability (DFM) +

Build with Manufacturing in Mind

Design for Manufacturing Upfront:

  • Identify DFM issues earlier in the process
  • Fix problems before generating outputs
  • Reduce respins and fab / assy delays

Effortless MCAD Integration +

Streamlined ECAD / MCAD Collaboration

Ensure fit and function by seamlessly synchronizing your design with mechanical before you build.

  • Track changes between ECAD and MCAD
  • Update and sync early
  • Support for all major MCAD systems

Manufacturing-Ready Outputs +

Single-Click File Generation and Packaging

Generating the correct files and providing accurate and clear documentation is critical for design success. With OrCAD X, ensure a smooth manufacturing process without manual effort by automatically generating your design documentation and manufacturing output files.

Real-Time Manufacturing Documentation +

Template-Based Fabrication and Assembly Drawings

Automate and enhance your documentation process with a real-time templated approach to artwork and drawings.

  • Real-time updates to documentation as your design changes
  • Leverage templates for reuse and automation
  • Save time and prevent errors in your documentation
DFM

OrCAD X Data Management

Collaborate across teams with flexible data and library management. Choose cloud-hosted or self-hosted to match governance needs.

Library and File Management +

On-Premise or Cloud Data Management That Scales

Effortlessly manage your libraries with access to OrCAD CIS library management either on premise or in the Cadence cloud. Enable your teams to seamlessly share, manage, and leverage a single source of truth for your part libraries.

Easily manage files, design revisions, and complete design version history at your fingertips.

Collaborate Across Teams +

Enable Cross-Functional Design

Design together effectively:

  • Share design context for faster decisions
  • Support review and markup workflows
  • Reduce miscommunication across teams

Component Sourcing and Supply Chain +

Identify and Correct Supply Chain Issues Upfront

Ensure your products will breeze through manufacturing and be able to stand the test of time with built-in supply chain insights.

  • Component sourcing and risk data available upfront
  • Identify crosses and alternatives to ensure resiliency
  • Track changes across designs and BOMs

Enterprise Integration +

Integrated Connection to PLM

Your design is often part of a whole and as such will need to be managed in a company PLM system or similar. Easily synchronize your design data with PLM and surface contextual data such as corporate-approved part numbers directly in your CAD tool to ensure a smooth transition to production.

Data Management

What's New

Latest Release 25.1

OrCAD X is consistently being improved with major new features added every year.

Enhanced Constraint Panel

Enhanced Constraint Panel

A new constraints panel simplifies the process of assigning and visualizing constraints directly from the PCB canvas to streamline constraint management.

True-Type Fonts

True-Type Fonts

You now have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of fonts that reflect personal or corporate branding while also improving the visual clarity and consistency of design documentation.

Enhanced In-Design Analysis

Enhanced In-Design Analysis

Access all the Sigrity X IDA solvers natively within your PCB canvas for in-design SI / PI / EMI analysis.

Explore the comprehensive version history overview of OrCAD X and other solutions, kept up to date by our partner EMA Design Automation.

Built to Scale

Choose the OrCAD X PCB suite that best fits your design needs today with the ability to seamlessly scale tomorrow for increased capability when you require it. All OrCAD X suites include:

  • On-Prem or Cloud Data Hosting Options
  • Access to Live Local Support
  • Perpetual and Time Based Licensing
Schematic Entry

OrCAD X Capture

The Industries Most Used Schematic Entry Solution

Best For

  • Engineers who only need schematic entry (front-end design)
  • Teams that outsource PCB layout or hand off layout to another designer
Recommended if: you create schematics and don't need PCB layout in-house.
Core PCB

OrCAD X Standard

Front-to-Back PCB Design Platform for First Pass Success

Best For

  • Individuals and small teams needing a complete PCB design flow
  • Designers looking for a cost-effective professional PCB platform
Recommended if: you need full PCB design but don’t need advanced team workflows or high-speed / flex features.
Advanced PCB

OrCAD X Professional

Highly Automated PCB Design Suite for Fast, Accurate, Repeatable Design

Best For

  • Teams focused on maximizing productivity with reuse and automation
  • Designers who need real-time feedback for layout and manufacturability (DFM)
Recommended if: you're designing flex boards, need collaboration, shared libraries, and high-speed / high-power / RF / simulation capabilities.
Explore All Features

Need Help choosing?

Are you looking for ultimate innovation and maximum efficiency? Then OrCAD X Professional Plus could be the ideal solution for you. It contains all the features of OrCAD X Professional, enhanced with the best in SPICE and mixed signal analysis capabilities, making it perfect for both teams and individual users.

Contact us and we will be happy to answer your questions or please have a look in the detailed feature comparison of Cadence.

Frequently Asked Questions About OrCAD X

OrCAD X is the next generation of OrCAD and as such is built on and contains all that is OrCAD today and expands on it with new user experiences and functionality geared to help designers tackle the next generation of design challenges with confidence. OrCAD X gives you access to all the tools you have with OrCAD now so that you can leverage what works best for you and make decisions on which capability and UX to use when for yourself. The goal is to provide you with truly game changing technology, but we do not want to assume on your ability or timelines for adopting these new tools.

You can visit EMA release historyto get more details about the capabilities being added in this release. OrCAD X is on an annual major release Cadence with patch releases pushed out throughout the year.

OrCAD users who are active on maintenance are able to seamlessly upgrade to OrCAD X! Please contact us and we will come back to you to get the process started.

Yes! Unlike other vendors that require you to all have the same tier software regardless of your individual license and functionality needs OrCAD X allows you full freedom to select the combination of products and licenses you need all while maintaining full file and library compatibility for maximum collaboration and reuse. This also extends to Allegro X allowing for a wholistic design environment across your entire organization.

Yes! OrCAD X comes with importers for popular CAD formatsmaking it easy to transition your designs and libraries should you choose to. We also offer migration servicesif you are looking for a white glove approach to your transition.

No. Cloud use is not required and is entirely optional. If you workflows or security requirements do not allow usage of an external cloud environment you can leverage OrCAD X without any cloud connection at all. If you are able and do want to leverage the cloud to help speed up workflows and collaboration, you can learn more about the cloud solutions here.

Yes! Since OrCAD is fully compatible and scalable to Allegro and OrCAD X is fully compatible with OrCAD, you can seamlessly share designs and data with counterparts using the Allegro / Allegro X platform.

Yes! You can request a free 30 day trialor contact us and we’d be happy to get you setup.

OrCAD X supports Windows 10 and Windows 11. If you are looking for Linux support, Allegro X offers both Windows and Linux support. Recommended hardware:

  • Processor: Intel® Core™ i7 4.30 GHz or AMD Ryzen™ 7 4.30 GHz (4 cores minimum; faster processors preferred)
  • Memory: 16 GB RAM
  • Storage: 50 GB free disk space (SSD recommended)
  • Display: 1920 x 1200 resolution with true color (32-bit color minimum)
  • Graphics Card: Dedicated card supporting OpenGL with at least 2 GB memory (DX11 support required for 3D Canvas)
  • Monitors: Dual monitors (recommended for physical design)
  • Internet: Broadband connection for certain services
  • Mouse: Three-button Microsoft-compatible mouse

Yes. We offer multiple license types to help best match your needs. License options for OrCAD X can broken down in the following categories:

  • Perpetual / Floating: Shared license that can be accessed by any user (1 user per license concurrently). License is valid for 99 years with the option to purchase support annually for technical support and product updates.
  • Time-Based / Floating: Shared license that can be accessed by any user (1 user per license concurrently). License is valid for a specified period (usually 1-3 years) with support and product updates included during the term the license is active.
  • Time-Based / Single-User: Named user license that can be installed and accessed on up to 5 computers. License is authorized for use by specific user.
* Additional options are available for users wanting to share license access across regions (WAN)

While OrCAD X is designed to be intuitive and easy to use from the start, we offer a full set of training courses to help users get to up to speed quickly and effectively. From on-site instructor-led courses to free on-demand training we have what you need to make sure you are getting the most out of your software investment.
Here you can find the overview of upcoming trainings.

Looking For ...

Installation Guide

Migration Guides

Walkthrough

Application Notes

Free XJTAG DFT App

Free OrCAD Viewer

IPC Free Viewer

Ready to Get started With OrCAD X?

Explore the OrCAD X advantage first-hand! Get started directly - with a click on the button, you will be redirected to the Cadence Shop. Login or create a new account and you can download the software.

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