OrCAD X Presto PCB - Recent Threads

Connecting mechanical pins to a ground plane

ddchar — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 13:45:01 GMT

My board design contains a couple of instances of an SMA connector. The Capture part defines only the center signal pin. The footprint has this pin and four mechanical pins. The mechanical pins also provide the signal return connection and should be connected to the ground plane. What is the best way to make these connections? Do I need to edit the Capture part and add the ground pins or is there a way to associate these with the ground plane in Presto? Thanks.

Running Signal Integrity Analysis in OrCAD X Presto Made Easy

vidhyaparameswari — Mon, 25 May 2026 07:45:34 GMT

Looking to run Signal Integrity (SI) analysis directly at the layout level in OrCAD X Presto? You can easily do this using the built-in Analysis Workflows powered by Sigrity technology.

OrCAD X Presto provides multiple SI analyses such as Impedance, IR Drop, Crosstalk, Reflection, Return Path, and Decap Placement—all accessible within the layout environment.

To get started, navigate to Electrical Analysis → Analysis Workflows and select the required workflow from the drop-down list. Before running any analysis, make sure to complete the setup using the Design Setup Workflow.

These workflows allow you to analyze either the full design or selected nets, view results as graphical overlays along with tables, identify issues like high coupling or impedance discontinuities, and directly fix and validate them on the design canvas.

Please note that access to Aurora In-Design Analysis requires an Aurora license, and these workflows are not available in OrCAD X Standard.

Once the setup is complete, you can run the required analysis based on your design needs and start optimizing your layout efficiently.

OrCAD X PCB Professional crashes when working with differential pairs (no error message)

SR202603101547 — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 08:51:40 GMT

Hi,

I’m encountering a recurring issue with OrCAD X PCB Professional where the application crashes without any error message while working with differential pairs.

Description of the issue:

The crash happens during differential pair operations such as:
- Routing
- Slide/drag (tuning or adjusting)
The application simply closes instantly (no warning, no crash dialog, no log that I can see)

Environment:

Tool: OrCAD X PCB Professional
Version: 24.1-2024-S007
OS: Windows 11

Additional details:

Happens consistently when working with differential pairs
Not related to a specific net or design (occurs across multiple projects), some closes frequently and some less
Single-ended routing seems stable
No visible error messages or logs generated

What I’ve tried:

Restarting the tool and PC
Testing with different designs
Database check (no errors in log)

Questions:

Is there a known issue or patch for this?

Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Cross-Probe Between OrCAD X Presto Canvas and Constraint Manager

vidhyaparameswari — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 09:37:27 GMT

If you're working with OrCAD X Presto and want to cross-probe between the canvas and Constraint Manager, here's a step-by-step guide to help you achieve this:

Step 1: Enable Auto xProbe in OrCAD X Presto Canvas

Open your OrCAD X Presto canvas and enable the Auto xProbe option at the bottom left of the canvas.

Step 2: Enable Application Select in Constraint Manager

Open Constraint Manager, go to View, then View Options, and Workbooks, and enable the Application Select option, then close the form.

Step 3: Cross-Probe Between OrCAD X Presto Canvas and Constraint Manager

Once both options are enabled, you can now cross-probe between the OrCAD X Presto canvas and Constraint Manager window. Ensure that Nets in Selection Filter is enabled to highlight the net between the two windows.

By following these simple steps, you can easily cross-probe between the OrCAD X Presto canvas and Constraint Manager. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask!

Will Presto ever have the same legacy gerber tool like the legacy PCB editor? The new one is garbage.

DG202504226528 — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 15:51:43 GMT

Do people actually use the newish gerber tool? It's annoying to constantly go back and forth from the legacy pcb tool to presto constantly. When will Presto get some of those good tools?

Or at least make the new tool so we can manually edit every layer separately and be able to remove stuff like "PDF", the IPC-D-356, etc from it. I want to break my keyboard every time I look at it ;) haha..

When is the next update? Be great to have a tool that doesn't crash constantly 🙂

thanks

Real-Time DFA Removed in 24.1 and On

JM20241029170 — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 20:10:32 GMT

Howdy y'all,

I wanted to open a discussion on this. The OrCAD X Presto tutorial at OrCAD X How To Series - Part 5 - DFA and Package to Package Spacing shows the ability to have real-time DFA feedback through white circles. This is incredibly important to prevent users from having to constantly move and check DFA errors back and forth...which has plagued me for years. Without this, placing components takes forever! How do y'all approach this?

I found that it appears Cadence bumped the feature up from the base version to Allegro Designer starting with 24.1. This is outrageous for such a basic feature IMO.

Manila Letters over Menus in Presto

JM20241029170 — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 16:52:35 GMT

When using Presto 25.1.01, all the menus have manila letters on the starting letter of each menu item...it is incredibly annoying and I can't seem to get rid of them.

Exporting Soldermask Color in STEP Files - A Feature Many Miss but Everyone Needs

Gowtham P — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 17:49:40 GMT

Many PCB designers still export STEP models that appear grey because the soldermask color settings are often overlooked. Some users know the option exists, while many others are completely unaware that 3DX in OrCAD X Presto support exporting soldermask color. This becomes especially important because PCB requirements commonly specify soldermask colors such as green, blue, red, or black, depending on branding, usability, or customer standards.

Why Soldermask Color Export Matters?

Helps to visualize the final PCB more accurately during reviews.
Provides mechanical teams a clearer representation for enclosure fit, LED visibility, and overall contrast.
Ensures compliance when PCB builds must use specific soldermask colors like green, blue, red, or black.
Ensures consistency across ECAD to MCAD workflows when not all team members know this option exists.

How to Include Soldermask Color in STEP Export in OrCAD X Presto?

Open the board file in OrCAD X Presto: Go to Visibility Pane > Display Tab
Switch to General > 3D Mode

3. Select your desired soldermask color in Material Colors > Solder Mask.

4. Go to 3D Export pane through File > 3D Export Open 3D Export Options

5. Enable soldermask layer export.

6. Click Export

Your STEP file will now include the selected soldermask color.

Have you been exporting your STEP files with soldermask color enabled, or did you just discover this option now? Share your comments!

OrCAD X Presto – Tip of the Week: In-Canvas Padstack Editing via Property Panel

Gowtham P — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 15:04:54 GMT

Editing a component padstack by opening Padstack Editor every time?

There’s now a faster way.
Starting in 25.1 release, OrCAD X Presto allows in‑canvas padstack editing directly from the Property Panel.

Workflow:

1. Select the target pad/pads on the design canvas

2. In the Property Panel, use Pad Edit to unlock the pad for modification.

3. Scroll down to access editable parameters: Copper pad, Paste mask pad, Solder mask pad

4. The panel also provides Top View and Side View so you can verify the geometry without leaving the layout.

5. When done, toggle Pad Edit back to lock the padstack and commit the changes. Status window will report the update.

This is useful for quick local edits, footprint corrections, or validating pad geometry without having to open the Padstack Editor separately.

Search Panel missing in OrCAD X Presto after floating - Need help with UI reset

HY202510149941 — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 01:23:33 GMT

Hello,

I am reporting a UI bug in OrCAD X Presto where the Search Panel has disappeared and become completely inaccessible.

Problem: After using the Search Panel as a floating window, it vanished. It is now unresponsive to keyboard shortcuts, menu toggles, and even a full software reinstallation. It appears the UI layout data is corrupted and persisting in the local configuration files.

Request:

Please provide instructions on how to hard-reset the UI layout to factory defaults.
Which local configuration files or registry paths should be manually cleared to perform a "clean" reinstall that wipes previous UI states?

Best regards,

How to create polygon shapes at any angle in OrCAD X Presto

JuanCR — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 17:30:13 GMT

Have you ever found yourself in the situation where you're drawing a polygon shape in OrCAD X Presto and realize that you can draw only a few specific angle? In case you didn't know, there is a way to enable odd-angle or draw polygon shapes at any angle. Keep reading to learn how.

You can add the shapes in OrCAD X Presto by clicking on "add shape" icon in toolbar. Select the "Polygon" tab in the dialog box that appears and start adding polygon shape.

Polygon offers three different options of shapes as line, Tangent arc, and perpendicular arc. Heads up Display feature has been included in OrCAD X Presto for Length, Angle, Radius, Parallel Segments and Vertex snapping.

You can press the Shift key to enable the 'any angle' functionality while drawing polygons. By default, only 0-, 45-, and 90-degree angles are enabled.

Before pressing shift:

After pressing shift:

LiveDoc Document randomly disappear when switch license

Kevcsc — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 22:59:19 GMT

Hello, I am currently using OrCAD X Presto 24.1. For LiveDoc, I created a custom template for the fabrication and assembly files, which requires a Professional License to apply. Although I successfully generated a LiveDoc document using the Professional License, I noticed that when I switch to a Standard License, the LiveDoc document is sometimes deleted unexpectedly. This has happened multiple times, and I’m wondering if this is a known issue and is there a fix for it.

Required Orcad cadence 17.2 full user guide and installation guide

SS20251103976 — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 04:41:17 GMT

Hi,

I am requesting the complete OrCAD Cadence 17.2 user guide along with a detailed installation manual. Kindly provide the documents at the earliest.

True type Fonts in Orcad X Presto.

vidhyaparameswari — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 10:54:43 GMT

Hey everyone,

We're excited to remind you that starting from version 25.1, you can now utilize TrueType fonts in Presto to add a professional touch to your designs.

To get started, simply click the Add Text icon found in the floating toolbar. A window will pop up, allowing you to choose a font type and set your desired font height. Take this opportunity to define your class and subclass as needed.

You can also customize and save your font style preferences for future use. Just head to Setup > Design Parameters Editor, select Text, give your style a name, and choose your preferred font type and height. You can even specify the format to make it your own.

Your new style will be readily available in the drop-down menu, making it easy to reuse and streamline your design process.

Give it a try and let us know what you think!"

Can LiveDoc export a PDF in color? I can't find any settings for it. My LiveDoc export contains blue and black for colors, but all the rest of the colors aren't coming through.

DG202504226528 — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 13:34:46 GMT

Made an assembly drawing in LiveDoc and trying to add red X outs like I used to do with Altium and it's not coming through with color. My template has some blue in it and that comes through. Any place for extra settings for Livedoc? Not sure why some colors are coming through while 90% of the others don't.

thanks.

When is the next hotfix for 25 coming out? Presto and the legacy tool are super buggy since 25... even more so :(

DG202504226528 — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 21:22:44 GMT

Where having all sorts of issues over here with 25 and you can't even re open the design in 24 after opening it in 25 :(

Also when will we be able to actually do a full pcb in Presto???? I'm getting tired of going back and forth between both tools.

Is Allegro like this? I had a co worker wondering if we should just update to Allegro from Orcad cause of all the weird things with Orcad. What's the price difference for people? I'm thinking Altium would be cheaper and much easier going forward.

Issue Opening Multiple PCBs in Presto

NK202501143854 — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 14:14:06 GMT

Hello,

I find it strange that I can’t open two PCB files at the same time in Presto. I don’t understand why a separate license is required for each PCB (usually one person doesn’t develop two PCBs simultaneously!). Being able to open two PCBs at once would be very useful for documentation, version comparison, and so on.

Pick and Place (Body center) not existe in OrCAD X Presto

NK202501143854 — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 08:43:28 GMT

Hello,

The "Export Placement Body Center" function does not exist in OrCAD X Presto.
Each time, I have to open PCB Editor to export the Body Center.

For your information, the Pik and Place Body Center is the most requested format by EMS providers.

Thank you,
Nizar

How can we measure with Presto besides the weird way it measures now?

DG202504226528 — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 14:12:09 GMT

Anyone know how to measure anything from like edge to edge, edge of pad, edge of line, end of line, etc... like regular normal stuff like in other pcb tools?

Thanks!

Can we get subclasses in PRESTO??? PLEASE

DG202504226528 — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 15:01:33 GMT

If I draw a line on the silkscreen layer... it puts it on the board silk subclass. I can't turn this subclass on and off in Presto. I can only turn on and off the component silk subclass.

Is this for real? Do I need to go into the legacy tool to turn on my subclasses and then go back to Presto?

Anyone know how to turn on subclasses that don't seem to be there in Presto? Why has presto been out for like 2-3 years and we still don't have basic color stuff????

Thanks

OrCAD X Presto – Tip of the Week: How to Bulk Import Pin Delay Values for High-Pin-Count Components?

Gowtham P — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 14:05:25 GMT

Assigning pin delay values manually for high-pin-count components like BGAs?

That’s no longer necessary!

Starting with SPB 25.1, OrCAD X Presto lets you import pin delay values in bulk using a .txt or .csv file.

How to Use?

Go to File > Import > Pin Delay in Presto
Select your pin delay file (.txt or .csv)
Review and adjust values in the import form (sample image below)

The Pin Delay Import form validates REFDES and PIN combinations, highlights mismatches, and lets you skip rows if needed.

Once done, Click Import .

Your Pin delay file should contain Pin delay data for one component instance:

Here is a sample pindelay file:

This feature is a huge time-saver for designs involving complex components.

Try it out and share your experience or tips below!

Does Presto have an ENV file for setting up shortcuts, etc like the legacy tool?

DG202504226528 — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 11:42:28 GMT

Is this a thing in Presto? If not, can we add it in the future?

So.... Is Presto still going to be dead in the waters after the 25 update????

DG202504226528 — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 17:34:23 GMT

https://resources.pcb.cadence.com/orcad-x-pcb-design-resources/whats-new-in-orcadx

Is this it?

TrueType font support
Property panel support for edit pad
Import pin delay
Auto define differential pairs
Make/export a library from the PCB
Sigrity X Aurora integration

If this is it, then 😞

Any real features added? Anything from the legacy tool ported to Presto to make it just usable?

It should not take hours to figure out how to rotate text 45 degrees :(

DG202504226528 — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 13:29:18 GMT

Even chatgtp can't figure it out. I can't even do it in the legacy tool. Why is everything stuck at 90???? Another super simple thing that would be solved in two seconds in any other tool.

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

DG202504226528 — Fri, 19 Sep 2025 16:25:07 GMT

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 😞

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.