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).

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.

RE: Standardizing Design Settings in OrCAD X Capture CIS

excellon1 — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 19:28:50 GMT

Hi ULF

Good idea on the font type. Just a FYI on this. At one time Orcad used to ship their own Orcad font for use in capture. It was in v16.3 or earlier.
Perhaps you may have that install somewhere.

Anyway, there is a fairly good difference between the number 0 and the letter o. The letter o is like a square with rounded off corners, it is also slightly bigger by a good margin than the number 0. Very easy to see the difference if printed or on the screen. the number 0 looks like ()

do a search of the cadence folder for *.ttf to see if you have it. On windows I think you can just double click to install it to the Windows\Fonts folder or it could be copied manually too,

I cant seem to post a pic of it here, but it does looks nice.

Best regards.

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 !!

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!

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

JR202606119023 — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 15:07:06 GMT

Helo mohit ,I am facing that issue in all the board designs .

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

JR202606119023 — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 15:05:20 GMT

Hello Mohit, I am using "24.1-2024 S008 [1/12/2026] Windows SPB 64-bit Edition" i am unable to upload a snapshot.

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

MohitS — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 09:28:43 GMT

Hello

Thanks for your active participation in the session. I would request you to let your peers know about our interactive and engaging community forum. Apart from capture we have many other product buckets which they can explore to ask any query they have and connect with other designers too

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

MohitS — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 09:24:59 GMT

Hello,

Can you please let me know which version and hotfix you are using. Also can you share a snapshot of the same?

Are you facing this issue with a specific board design or the issue is with other designs too?

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

KS202606109251 — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 08:28:11 GMT

thank you . Yes we have some scenario where we face some issues. I will share.

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

JR202606119023 — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 08:06:47 GMT

Hello,The top and bottom layers should be external, while other signals should be internal layers. Why isn't this showing up in the Physical constraints, or do I need to enable something in the cross-section?

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

JR202606119023 — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 07:11:35 GMT

Hello,

I am using Allegro X PCB Venture in that The top and bottom layers should be external, while other signals should be internal layers. Why isn't this showing up in the Physical constraints, or do I need to enable something in the cross-section?

Thanks

RE: Standardizing Design Settings in OrCAD X Capture CIS

Ulf K — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 15:28:30 GMT

This is a nice feature. May I humbly suggest that Cadence would consider including the font "Andale Mono" (Or Andale dot) in future releases. This font makes it easy to distinguish between captal O and the number 0 as the zero is displayed with a dot in its center. Some versions of zero uses a 0 with a forward slash / in it but that letter is the next to last letter in the Danish alphabet.

My 5 eurocents.

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

BC202603263145 — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 15:09:45 GMT

Thanks!

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

MohitS — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 15:09:20 GMT

Thank you everyone for the great questions and engagement today. In case you have additional queries please feel free to post on the respective forums.

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

MohitS — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 15:07:48 GMT

In case you are driving constraints from schematic to layout you should define the constraints at early stage of schematic creatin. It is mandatory to have the constraints defined before the netlisting. Constraints can also be defined at PCB editor level and then can be imported back to schematic.

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

KS202606109251 — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 15:05:09 GMT

Thank you for the responses…. I am a student… that’s why so many questions …. This was a very good opportunity to interact.

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

KS202606109251 — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:56:01 GMT

Thank you …. One last question…. How early should we define electrical and physical constraints in OrCad Capture using Constraint Manager?

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

MohitS — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:55:16 GMT

Hello,
There could be many challenges with respect to net connectivity across hierarchical levels. These include port mismatches, global nets issues, missing hierarchical pins. Are there some specific scenarios where you face any difficulty or challenge while working with a hierarchical design?

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

CF202606104231 — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:53:20 GMT

thank you, it helps

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

MohitS — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:50:47 GMT

Hello,

Thanks for your query

In case you want to add a custom property to your CIS BOM report, you have to add it through BOM configuration window. To add custom properties you need to go to Reports>CIS BOM and BOM window will open up. Under the selected properties field type in the custom property name and add it to the output format window. Once added the property will transfer to your BOM

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

KS202606109251 — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:50:16 GMT

Thank you ..

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

MohitS — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:47:26 GMT

Hierarchical schematics improve scalability by enabling modular design, reuse, and structured signal management, making large designs easier to maintain, debug, and collaborate on—whereas flat schematics become harder to manage as complexity increases.

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

KS202606109251 — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:43:26 GMT

What challenges should we watch for she managing net connectivity across hierarchical levels?

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

MohitS — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 14:42:50 GMT

Hello,

Capture supports all the databases which are ODBC compliant. If a database can be configured with ODBC, capture will support that. Let me know in case you have any additional queries on this