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Will the next Presto update contain the features of the Orcad legacy pcb tool?

DG202504226528

I'm at a loss in Presto.  It's like 1/10 the tool that the legacy one is it seems.  Did I just waste all my time learning Presto when you can't even seem to do a whole design without having to load up the legacy tool all the time to do simple things?  

I'd like to know what will be updated in Presto.  Does anyone have a list?  Should I just ditch Presto and learn the legacy tool properly?   Trying to do a proper design with blind and buried vias, BGAs, 10-12 layers is virtually impossible with Presto.  Tool crashes at least 2x a day.  Can't even sync with the schematic most times and need to use the legacy even for that Disappointed

Anyone have a list of new features coming down the road???

Also... to anyone that uses the legacy tool.  How does it compare to the Allegro tool?  I come from a background of using Expedition for 10 years and Altium designer for 15.

Just wondering what I should waste my time on learning... thanks all.

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  • kevcon
    0

    After a brief stint I ditched Presto and went back to Legacy, the number of things that I just could not do drove me insane. The one thing that absolutely sent me over the edge was having to select the Design Outline to move the origin. Still scratching my head over that one.

  • JuanCR
    0 in reply to kevcon

    Both tools serve their purpose and you're right: there are a number of features from Allegro X PCB Editor that you'll only find in it because it is the higher tier tool. I guess the best way to approach it (and replying to OP) would be to go to each of the product's home pages, read their features and see which one adapts more to your requirements.

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  • JuanCR
    0 in reply to kevcon

    Both tools serve their purpose and you're right: there are a number of features from Allegro X PCB Editor that you'll only find in it because it is the higher tier tool. I guess the best way to approach it (and replying to OP) would be to go to each of the product's home pages, read their features and see which one adapts more to your requirements.

Children
  • DG202504226528
    0 in reply to JuanCR

    But why?  Why do we need both tools to just do stuff like other pcb tools can do with just one unified UI.  It's super weird.  

  • kevcon
    0 in reply to JuanCR

    For me Presto will never be my goto tool unless some serious shortfalls are fixed. 

    There are only a few things I like about it, while there are for more that I don't like about it.

  • NM202410311849
    0 in reply to JuanCR

    This doesn't really answer the question though. While it's easy to accept the lack of features compared to Allegro, that doesn't explain the complete lack of feature parity between OrCAD X PCB Editor and OrCAD X Presto (the purchase of an OrCAD X License gives access to both).

    Even ignoring bugs in presto, it makes no sense for end users to dedicate time to learn a half baked product that will just force us to go back to the legacy tool (which seems unsupported in terms of major updates) when features are just straight up missing. 

    I get making an effort to improve the UI and interoperability, but those changes mean nothing when the biggest update in 2 years has been the ability to use custom fonts

  • DG202504226528
    0 in reply to NM202410311849

    Yeah, I come from using Expedition for 10 years, then Altium designer for close to 20 years and going to Orcad 6 months ago has been quite the roller coaster.  I'm kicking myself for having wasted a ton of time learning Presto when I should have just stuck with the legacy tool instead.  I'm knee deep into an HDI design and had to start learning the legacy tool last week so that I can finish this job.  

    The legacy tool is super powerful, but cryptic :)  ChatGTP has been a godsend for figuring it out and getting and ENV file and shortcuts to bring out the true power of the tool.  

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