Anyone do a simple 2 layer flex design in Presto yet? Super buggy it seems.

Well I found out my issue for one thing.  If anyone is wondering how to do add certain flex layers in the stackup like they have in the videos...  You're not alone :)  I found the solution to that one.  I needed to create a file called "masklayersitefile.xml" and have my env point to it.  

I'm still running into odd issues though with certain things.  I'd love to see a flex Orcad X example with just a simple flex design with an edge connector.  I've done a ton of those in Altium and it's a struggle in this tool.

Here's what gemini says about  masklayersitefile.xml:

You are on the right track. The masklayersitefile.xml is a key component for customizing your Orcad X environment, especially for advanced stack-ups like rigid-flex that require specialized mask layers. Its absence is likely the reason you are not seeing the "other" category with flex-specific layers.

What is masklayersitefile.xml?

The masklayersitefile.xml is a user-defined or site-defined file that allows you to create a custom library of mask layers. Orcad X does not ship with this file by default because the types of specialized mask layers can be highly specific to a company's manufacturing processes or design needs.

By creating this file, you can define layers such as:

• Coverlay (Top/Bottom)
• Stiffener
• Adhesive
• Epoxy Ink / Conductive Ink
• Peelable Mask
• Custom Silkscreen layers

Once defined, these layers will appear in the "Add Layers" window under the "Site-defined mask layers" dropdown menu, making them easily accessible for any design.

How to Create and Edit the File in Orcad X

You don't need to write the XML code from scratch. Orcad X provides a built-in editor to create and manage this file.

1. Open the Cross-Section Editor: In the PCB Editor, go to Setup > Cross-section.
2. Access the Site File Editor: In the Cross-Section Editor window, click on the menu Edit > Site File....
3. Create New Layers:
   • If the masklayersitefile.xml doesn't exist, Orcad will notify you that it couldn't find the file in the configured paths and will open a blank editor.
   • In the "Mask Layer Subclass Site File Editor" window, click the Add button.
   • Define your custom layer by filling in the details (e.g., Name: COVERLAY_TOP, Mask Layer Type: COVERLAY).
   • Repeat this process for all the custom layers you need (e.g., STIFFENER, ADHESIVE_FLEX).
4. Save the File:
   • Click Save As....
   • Name the file masklayersitefile.xml.
   • Crucially, save it to a location that Orcad X knows to check.

Where to Store masklayersitefile.xml

For Orcad X to find and load your custom mask layers for all your projects, you must place the file in a directory defined by the materialpath variable.

1. Find or Set Your Material Path:
   • In the main PCB Editor window, go to Setup > User Preferences....
   • In the "User Preferences Editor," navigate to Paths > Config.
   • Look for the materialpath variable. This is where Orcad looks for material and mask layer files. It often points to a location like .../share/pcb/text.
2. Save the File:
   • Save your masklayersitefile.xml directly into one of the directories listed in the materialpath.
   • If you want to create a central library for your entire team, this path can point to a shared network drive.

Once the file is saved in the correct location, close and reopen the Cross-Section Editor. When you go to "Add Layers," your custom-defined layers should now be available under the "Site-defined mask layers" option, giving you the flexibility you need for your rigid-flex stack-ups.

I also found a weird bug that you sort of need to set up all your stackup and layers before doing anything in your design or things don't quite seem to work.  Or if you have... you need to delete out your flex layer stuff and then re add them in and voila... everything starts working.  

Everything now seems to work for me with flex designs.  Took a few days to figure it all out and it would be great if Cadence could release some simple example boards with proper stackups, masklayersitefiles, etc for people to look at and use.

Well I've successfully made a few Flex designs and once you get past the buggy stackup stuff, the tool works very well :)  

Orcad should really update the stackup stuff to have all this in there out of the gate.  It's 2025 and doing flex designs is pretty standard.