Allegro X Capture CIS - Recent Threads

OrCAD Capture annotation issues for a heterogenous part in a hierarchical design

SF202503203610 — Sat, 13 Jun 2026 03:26:16 GMT

I have a hierarchical block that is used 64 times. Within that block I have a quad opamp that was pulled from the included OrCAD library. The reference designators are U?A, U?B, U?C, U?D. When I annotate this block, (Update Selection is selected). I do not get the annotation that I desire. I want

Instance 1: U1A, U1B, U1C, U1D

Instance 2: U2A, U2B, U2C, U2D

....

Instance 64: U64A, U64B, U64C, U64D

but what I am getting is

Instance 1: U1A, U2B, U2A, U2C

Instance 2: U1B, U3A, U2D, U3B

etc

I have tried using Update Occurrence, Update Instances:, Annotate as per PM Ordering, Annotate as per page ordering in the title blocks, Preserver Designator, and Auto-package Heterogeneous Part Using First Match, and they seem to have no effect. I have tried "Advanced Annotation" but it just opens and locks up. The only button that works is the X to close the window. I even changed the reference designator for this part to UQ?A, UQ?B, UQ?C, UQ?D so that there would be no conflicts with any other "U" parts, and the output was pretty much the same. I have OrCAD X Capture 23.1, but I have noticed this behavior in previous versions of OrCAD.

I'm beginning to think the only solution to this is to annotate it, then go in and manually change all 256 reference designators (4x64).

Debug the missing Part Number

IshaS — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 05:26:34 GMT

In OrCAD X Capture CIS, the Part Number column appears blank in Live BOM and Part Manager for existing components, even though the value exists in the database. The workspace is set to Local.

What is the most likely root cause?

A. The database is not connected properly, so Live BOM cannot fetch any properties for existing parts.
B. In the CIS configuration, the part_number field is mapped to a different OrCAD property name (for example, PART_NUMBER_NEW) than the property name used by the existing schematic parts.
C. Live BOM does not support displaying Part Number information when the workspace is set to Local.
D. The existing parts in the design must be re-placed from the CIS database before Live BOM can display the Part Number field.

Try the scenario and share observations.

Happy Learning !!

Standardizing Design Settings in OrCAD X Capture CIS

Jeet — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 13:41:35 GMT

Starting with version 25.1, you can save and reuse Design Template settings to maintain consistency across projects. Design Template allows you to define default settings for new schematic designs, including fonts for various schematic objects, title block information, page size, grid references, and more.

To save and reuse Design Template settings, follow the given steps-

Navigate to Options > Design Template.
Customize the settings as required, including fonts, page size, title block, grid references, and other parameters.
Once customization is complete, click Save. A dialog box will prompt you to save the configuration as a .dtp file at your preferred location.
To apply the saved settings later, click Load in the Design Template dialog box and select the saved .dtp file from the desired location.

This feature allows designers to reuse design properties across new schematic designs, eliminating the need for redundant redefinition. Additionally, it enables seamless sharing of template files among teams and ensures consistent formatting in designs.

Exclude description while update part status

LogicNet — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 16:54:15 GMT

In Part Manager, when I run Update Part Status, Capture reports property mismatches between the schematic part and CIS. If I click Yes to update, all mapped properties get updated.
In my case, I want most properties to stay in sync with CIS, but the Description in the schematic is intentionally different. Once l accept the mismatch dialog, there doesn't seem to be any way to prevent Description from being updated.
Is there any option to exclude Description from Update Part Status, or remove it from the mismatch comparison? Or is this simply how Part Manager is designed?

How to close the preview when print a pdf in orcad 17.4

JW202606018116 — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 02:55:59 GMT

Hi,

There are some questions wtih my orcad 17.4.

When I print a pdf(Adobe pdf or microsoft to pdf),it always came a print preview progress.And may cost 1minutes to 2minutes.

How can I do with it.

Seeing true Values in CIS explorer ,

Mhawley1 — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 12:51:54 GMT

I have a problem where in CIS explorer you put in a value a part and it finds parts based on characters and not the real value .

For example, if I type in 10uF in the value field it finds 10uF capacitors and also 110uF capacitors. Note the Compare field is = not contains . it still behaves the same way .

Has anyone else witnessed this and got around it ?

Join us on Wednesday June 10, 2026 for a live “Ask Me Anything” Dedicated Expert Session: OrCAD Capture

Renu Vibha — Thu, 28 May 2026 10:52:47 GMT

Got questions on OrCAD Capture? Curious about what’s new, insights to resolve day to day workflow challenges? This is your chance to get answers—directly from the expert.

Join us here (AllegroX Capture /or Allegro TCL) , on June 10, 2026 at 7:30-8:30PM IST for a live session, moderated by Cadence Expert, where you can interact, learn, and elevate your design skills.

What’s in it for you?

Get expert answers to your day-to-day design challenges
Learn from practical use cases and peer discussions
Engage in a dynamic session designed for maximum value and insights

Key Topics:

Creating & Managing Variants (Part Manager)
CIS Explorer (Place Database Part, Link Database Part & more)

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and grow with the community.

Bring your questions
Share your experiences
Be part of the energy

Let’s make this an engaging, insightful, and impactful session together!

Managing Cross-Probe Results Efficiently in OrCAD X Capture CIS

IshaS — Wed, 20 May 2026 20:25:51 GMT

OrCAD X Capture CIS introduces the XProbe Results window to improve cross-probing usability.

When performing cross-probing between schematic and layout, instead of opening multiple schematic pages, the results are now consolidated into a dedicated XProbe Results window. This allows you to view, track, and manage all probed objects (components, nets, pins) in one place, reducing design clutter.

Open schematic in OrCAD X Capture CIS and board in Allegro X PCB Editor
Ensure designs are synchronized
Cross-probe any component/net/pin from schematic or layout
View results in the XProbe Results window

This makes cross-probing between Capture CIS and Allegro PCB Editor much more efficient and controlled.

Try this and share insights if you find this helpful.

Happy Learning!!

Increase default pin spacing when creating parts from spreadsheet

LogicNet — Thu, 07 May 2026 18:53:06 GMT

I've been using New Part from spreadsheet in Capture CIS to generate new library symbols, and overall the workflow is working well.
One thing I'm trying to adjust is the default spacing between pins in the generated symbols. Right now the imported parts are created with pins placed fairly close together, and for larger symbols or multi-pin devices the symbols become a little difficult to read during schematic review. Is there a way to increase the default pin spacing during symbol generation itself so newly created parts follow a more readable layout automatically instead of manually repositioning pins afterward?

When creating netlist files in other formats, OrCAD Capture 25.1 pops up an error prompt.

Zhifeng Jin — Sun, 03 May 2026 10:25:24 GMT

Hi guys, I sometimes design schematics with OrCAD Capture and do PCB layout with P*DS Layout. Recently,

I’ve found that OrCAD Capture 25.1 throws an error when generating netlist files in other formats.

When I select Create Netlist → Other, the error pops up.

ERROR(ORNET-1143): 无法打开网表格式文件：C:\Cadence\SPB_25.1\tools\capture\网络形式\oraccel64.dll。

Language preference in capture

edahub — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 12:59:05 GMT

I have upgraded to 25.1 version of OrcadX recently and observed that we can choose local language from preferences. Are there list of languages that OrcadX currently supports?

Keep Your Schematic Consistent in OrCAD X Capture CIS

IshaS — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 05:32:20 GMT

Making schematic readability faster and syncing the mismatched fonts, colors, or reference styles on the same part type.

This quick tip shows how to standardize display attributes (font, color, visibility) for parts across the entire design in OrCAD X Capture CIS

Example: You’ve placed multiple capacitors, but:

Some references look bold, others don’t
Values appear in different colors or fonts

You want all capacitors to look identical, across all pages.

Steps to Standardize Display Attributes

Right‑click a capacitor (e.g., C1) that already looks the way you want.
Select Find Similar from the context menu.

In Find Properties, locate Part Reference and Value Right‑click each property → Copy to Replace. In Replace Properties, set Part Reference, Value etc.

Click Replace to apply the display attributes of the reference capacitor to all matching capacitors in the design.

Explore the interesting feature to use in designs.

Happy Learning!!

Orcad 22 netlist gives errant rat in Allegro

bustercrabby — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 18:09:33 GMT

This has never happened before so I'm confused.

I have two symbols in my schematic that each have a pin called PAD. Both are 'Power' pins. Both have no connects attached and show up as 'Is No Connect' in the pin properties window.

After recreating the netlist and importing it into Allegro, there is a rat showing a connection between the two pins that are not supposed to be connected. Any thoughts on why this is happening? I think it is on the Orcad Netlist side as opposed to the Allegro side.

Thanks for any help you can give,

bustercrabby

How to put "™︎" into place text

JW20260422356 — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 03:33:52 GMT

I would like to put the ™ to the place text , but I copy it and past from notepad. and it always can't show normal as excepted even change any others Font type.

Is any other setting need to change ?

Thanks!

Default shortcut keys are not working

Siri — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 18:38:50 GMT

1. Close Capture if already Running.
2. Open and Edit in Notepad (or another text editor) the file located at C:Cadence/SPB_23.1/tools/bin/orCEFSettings.ini
3. Add following line in this file :

lang=en-US

4. Save the file.
5. Run Capture.

Also I have renamed cdssetup folder and the issue still persists.

Can anyone let me know what could be the reason.

Pdf export issue

Shashank — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 12:37:15 GMT

I am trying to export to pdf but the exported pdf is in postscript file format

Displaying functional pin names on canvas in Allegro 17.4

AK202604165532 — Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:26:23 GMT

Hello,

Is it possible in Allegro 17.4 to display the functional Pin Names (from the library/symbol) on the canvas, similar to how the "Display net names (OpenGL only)" feature works? Ideally, I would like to see these names while routing or have them displayed on a specific subclass.

For context, my schematic is designed in OrCAD Capture using a CIS library.

If this feature isn't available natively, is it possible to implement this functionality using a SKILL script? If anyone has a script or a workaround for this, I would greatly appreciate your help.

Best regards, Alex!

issue while placing heterogenous part

Shashank — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 08:24:10 GMT

I have created a heterogeneous library having 2 packages and when trying to place before it used be like if i place section A and then it used to attach section B but now only the section is getting placed . Its not getting incremented after placing one

How can I change part properties in a library using tcl commands?

RT202604073158 — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 22:02:15 GMT

I am trying to automate a conversion of a long list of passive part numbers into parts in a library. I am already able to take a part that has appropriate symbol and set of properties and copy it into the library. I need to, for example, take a copied-in template of a 100 Ohm resistor and update the part number, value, footprint, etc. in the library permanently to make a similar 1 kOhm resistor. I just can't seem to figure out exactly how to access the properties and change them.

OrCAD Bom import to Custom Excel spread sheet

SA202508298514 — Mon, 06 Apr 2026 18:39:45 GMT

I need help with how to import OrCAD Bom to custom Excel template

see attached template. I tried it did not work

Thanks

Sam

community.cadence.com/.../Template-xlsx.xlsx

The default color function option for text in the OrCAD Capture 25.1 Symbol Editor does not work.

Zhifeng Jin — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 16:06:15 GMT

I usually globally modify the display color of all relevant text in the schematic through the text color settings in Options – Preferences, and this works perfectly fine.

However, the problem I’m having is that when creating a part symbol, if I accidentally select the text in the Part Symbol Editor and change its color from the default color to another color,

I can no longer select the default color at the top of the dropdown list.

As a result, when this part is placed in the final schematic, the text on the part does not match the color I have set in Options – Preferences.

However, in earlier versions of OrCAD Capture such as 16.6 or 17.2, the text color in the Symbol Editor could be changed back from other colors to the default color (where the default color follows the setting in Options – Preferences), and this

function worked properly.

But starting from version 17.4, it has become erratic. No one has cared about this issue for years, and I have been reporting it for a long time with no response at all.

Formal Bug Report for Cadence OrCAD Capture (Versions 17.4 / 25.1)

Subject: Critical Bug: Cannot Revert Text to Default Color in Part Symbol Editor (Broken Since 17.4, Works Correctly in 16.6/17.2)

1. Issue Summary

In OrCAD Capture versions 17.4 and 25.1, a critical regression breaks the core text color default behavior in the Part Symbol Editor:

Once a text object in a part symbol is manually changed from its default color to a custom color, it is impossible to revert it back to the default color (the top option in the color dropdown list becomes unselectable).
This breaks the global schematic color consistency workflow, as text on placed parts no longer follows the Options – Preferences global color settings.
This function worked correctly and reliably in all legacy versions (16.6, 17.2, and earlier).

2. Environment & Versions

表格

Component	Details
Affected Versions	OrCAD Capture 17.4, OrCAD Capture 25.1 (2025 release)
Working Versions	OrCAD Capture 16.6, 17.2
Affected Module	Part Symbol Editor (for schematic library part creation)
OS Environment	Windows 10/11 (64-bit)

3. Step-by-Step Reproduction

Normal Global Color Workflow (Schematic Editor):
- Open OrCAD Capture, navigate to Options → Preferences → Colors.
- Modify the global text color setting (e.g., change "Schematic Text" from black to blue).
- Verify that all schematic text (including text on placed parts) correctly follows this global setting. This function works as expected.
Bug Reproduction (Part Symbol Editor):
1. Open the Part Symbol Editor to create a new schematic part.
2. Add a text object (e.g., part reference U?, part value IC, or custom label) to the symbol. The text defaults to the Default Color (bound to global Options – Preferences settings).
3. Select the text object, open the color dropdown list, and change its color from Default Color to a custom color (e.g., red).
4. Attempt to revert the text back to Default Color by re-selecting the top Default Color option in the dropdown. The option is unresponsive and cannot be selected.
5. Save the part and place it in a schematic. The text on the part retains its custom red color and does not follow the global Options – Preferences text color setting, breaking schematic color consistency.

4. Expected Behavior (Legacy Versions 16.6/17.2)

In all versions prior to 17.4, the Default Color option in the Symbol Editor's color dropdown is always selectable, even after changing to a custom color.
Selecting Default Color correctly resets the text object to follow the global Options – Preferences color setting, ensuring schematic-wide color consistency.
This is a core, mission-critical feature for maintaining uniform schematic documentation in large-scale PCB design projects.

5. Actual Behavior (Versions 17.4/25.1)

The Default Color option becomes permanently unselectable after a text object is changed to a custom color.
Text objects in part symbols are permanently locked to their custom color, and no longer follow global color settings.
This forces users to manually re-color every text object on every part in a library, or delete and re-add text objects to reset the default, which is extremely time-consuming and error-prone for large libraries.

6. Business Impact & Severity

This is a high-severity, showstopper bug for professional PCB design teams:

Productivity Loss: Engineers spend hours manually correcting part text colors to maintain schematic standards, instead of focusing on design work.
Documentation Risk: Inconsistent text colors across schematics create confusion, increase review time, and raise the risk of human error in design validation.
Library Maintenance Overhead: Legacy libraries created in 17.4/25.1 are now incompatible with global color workflows, requiring full rework to fix.
User Frustration: This regression has been reported by multiple users for over 5 years (since 17.4's release) with no official acknowledgment, fix, or response from Cadence support.

7. Requested Resolution

Urgent Fix: Restore the legacy behavior in the Part Symbol Editor, ensuring the Default Color option is always selectable and correctly resets text objects to follow global Options – Preferences settings.
Backport Fix: Release the fix for all affected versions (17.4 and 25.1) to ensure compatibility with existing enterprise deployments.
Official Acknowledgment: Provide a public response to this long-standing user-reported issue, to confirm awareness and a timeline for resolution.
Workaround Documentation: Publish an official temporary workaround for users to batch-reset text color properties in existing part libraries, until a full fix is released.

Issue with auto RefDes assignment in a hierarchical design.

OT202512144850 — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 07:44:48 GMT

Hi Team,

I'm designing a simple hierarchical design with 6 schematics inside of it, issue is that when i'm copy pasting any component inside the schematic, it is taking already assigned reference designator to it, this is found when i did netlist generation.

I have already enabled Automatically reference placed parts. Please help me to solve this issue.

Issue creating PDF from CAPTURE

BaldEngineer — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 06:17:49 GMT

Hi all

I recently started having this issue of not able to generate proper PDF using the Version 25.1.

The problem is that before exporting PDF, I select the design and go to View> Variant View Mode to set the components as DoNotMount

which i do not want to display in the PDF. When i do so, the PDF exported is no longer Smart PDF. It means

if i right click on a component, its properties are not displayed.

Plus i get 2 extra pages at the end of PDF every time i save it as PDF. And the last page shows this error message:

This behavior is not seen when i don't use View> Variant View Mode and display the pdf as is.

This is the settings i have in Export Window:

I have already tried changing the Driver name from OrCADPS_25.1 to 24.1/17.4 etc.

Also downloaded the latest version of Ghostscript(10.07.0).

Unicode Chinese Characters in Access Parts Database not Transferring to BOM Report

SimpleFix — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 13:20:13 GMT

Hello. Our parts database is in MS Access and contains fields that have UTF-8 Unicode Chinese characters. These Chinese characters are displaying correctly in MS Access. In OrCAD, these characters display has question marks. Annoying, but not a deal breaker. However, when running a CIS Standard Bill of Materials report, the output in Excel also has question marks in place of the Chinese characters, even for fields which are not transferred from the design, but transferred directly from the database. Is there a way to get the Chinese characters to correctly display in the BOM report?

Thanks.

OrCAD 22.1 S007

How to add a virtual pin to a symbol without transferring to layout/matching to the footprint

eddoh — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 18:39:20 GMT

Hi everybody.
I am adding a pin to a Capture symbol in order to feed a stimulus during simulation - the pin is obviously virtual and must not be matched to any pin of the footprint.
(Just to explain, I am using a stimuls to simulate the action of a switch in the PSPICE model)

Is there a way to flag that pin in the symbol so that it does not create net errors for mismatch to the footprint?

I have looked around but found no solution so far.

Thanks

Eddo.