Allegro X PCB Editor - Recent Threads

Join us on Wednesday, Sep 9th 2026 for our next LIVE Ask me Anything Session on 'Allegro X PCB Editor Libraries: Creation and Management”

Renu Vibha — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 05:53:57 GMT

Our next session offers a blend of theoretical insights and practical applications, tailored to enhance your understanding of cutting-edge design principles. As always, each session is moderated by Cadence Engineer providing valuable knowledge and actionable techniques.

Do join us here on Wednesday, Sep 9th 2026 for the session at 8:30-9:30PM IST

Topic- 'Allegro X PCB Editor Libraries: Creation and Management”

Bring your questions. Share your experiences. Be part of the conversation

How to install Allegro Free Physical Viewer 16.6？

EL202608245635 — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 16:41:28 GMT

I want to install "Allegro Free Physical Viewer 16.6" to view an old .brd file with old version(16.6), but it is not available on the Cadence website.

Could a moderator please provide me with the download?

DFF Backdrill to Pad

PCB6453 — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 20:01:45 GMT

Hello All,

I'm setting up my DFF constraints for backdrills on vias. The value that I have for Backdrill to antipad is 10 mils. I'm unsure of what value I need to put in for Backdrill to pad if I want the whole pad removed.

Thanks!

De assign netname for multiple pins at same time in allegro

Sriranga — Sat, 22 Aug 2026 08:14:15 GMT

We can assign the netname to the multiple pins at a same time by using following option( file- import- logic) in PCB editor.

As like that I need to de-assign the multiple pins from different nets.Is there any default option?

For dense board if need to de assign the netname for multiple pins, currently i am deleting entire nets and then I import the netlist...this process give lot of reworks. If anyone have solution for this please give your guidance.

How to Change the Color of Embedded Component RefDes in Quick View (Placement Layer) in Allegro X PCB Editor?

Electro Node — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 18:28:30 GMT

Hello Everyone,

I am using the Quickviews feature in the Visibility pane of Allegro X PCB Editor to quickly display placement information such as component reference designators, pins, and package boundaries during component placement.
The Placement: TOP and Placement: BOTTOM Quickviews work well for viewing RefDes information without enabling additional subclasses. However, I have noticed that the Reference Designators (RefDes) of Embedded Components appear with a specific default color when displayed through Quickviews.
Is there a way to change the display color of Embedded Component RefDes shown through the Quickviews option?

Regards,

Dileep

NC Drill Holes Appear Offset from Gerber Artwork

Electro Node — Fri, 14 Aug 2026 16:27:43 GMT

Hello Folks,

I have completed my PCB design and am at the stage of sending the manufacturing data to the fabricator. Before releasing the data, I wanted to verify the generated Gerber and NC Drill files myself.

While reviewing the outputs in a Gerber viewer, I noticed that the drill holes appear offset from the artwork data, which does not look correct. The board database itself seems fine, but the generated output files show a mismatch between the drill locations and the Gerber artwork.

What could be causing this offset, and how can it be corrected before sending the manufacturing package?

Thanks,

Creating Manufacturing Outputs Made Easy

Renu Vibha — Thu, 13 Aug 2026 05:43:09 GMT

Are you confident in generating accurate Film Control Records and Gerber files for your PCB designs?

This video demonstrates the creation of artwork film control records and gerber files from within the Allegro X PCB Editor

How to create Film Control Records and Gerber Files from within the Allegro X PCB Editor

Request for Allegro Board File to ASCII Conversion Guidance

PK202511125928 — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 08:59:06 GMT

Hi Team,

I need to convert an Allegro PCB board file (.brd) into an ASCII format (.alg/ASCII dump) for further processing and review.

Could you please advise on the recommended procedure or share the appropriate utility/tool and command to perform this conversion? If there are any version-specific requirements or scripts that need to be used, please let me know.

What is Preventing Designers from Improving Decoupling?

John T — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 18:16:25 GMT

We see many designs every day but most do not follow the performance recommendations when it comes to power and ground via placement for decoupling capacitors.

Why ?

What is preventing you from pushing your designs to perform at their electrical best:
1. Is it costs?
2. Is it due to manufacturing or fabrication?
3. Is it speed for design completion or DRC management?

The highest level recommendation is to place grounding and power vias inside the capacitor pads

Let’s share some industry experience if anyone has overcome these hurdles or have suggestions or reasons for the approach.

Appreciating any thoughts or comments below.

mounting IC in 45deg

Steik — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 10:46:11 GMT

Hi, I tried to mount a IC in 45 degrees, and that resulted in a landslide of pin to pin spacing DRC.

if I set the ic in 45deg iI get this error:

Constraint Type: NET SPACING CONSTRAINTS

  Constraint value: 0.2 MM

  Actual value:     0.1999 MM

if I measure the Air Gap = 0.1999952 mm

if I set the IC to 90deg I get no errors, and Air gat measures to 0.2mm so a difference in 4,8nm

Can't Orcad do math?

Can this be fixed?

Allegro PCB on a Mac with ARM processor

GM303 — Fri, 07 Aug 2026 13:45:18 GMT

I’ve been using the tools on a Mac through a Parallels virtual machine with a USB dongle for many many years. My Intel-based Mac is getting old, and I now need to move to a Mac with an Apple silicon processor.

Has anyone here faced the same issue and found a working solution?

Yes, I know that Cadence does not officially support running these tools on Apple computers.

Unable to generate report for User defined properties

Siri — Thu, 06 Aug 2026 11:54:35 GMT

Hello,

While generating the custom report, the user-defined properties are not included in the generated report. These properties are visible in the Show Element but they do not appear in the report output.

Thanks

Join us for a Syscap-Pulse Live AMA Session on Aug 5th at 7:30-8:30PM IST

Renu Vibha — Wed, 05 Aug 2026 14:00:13 GMT

Explore the latest capabilities in System Capture and engage directly with Cadence experts on:

🔹 Team Design
🔹 LiveBOM
🔹 Unified Search

Whether you're looking to improve collaboration, streamline BOM management, or find information faster, this session is for you.

Join the conversation, here on Wednesday, Aug 5^th at 7:30-8:30PM IST

Bring your questions. Leave with answers.

Timing Vision -Timing Modes ?

BC202603263145 — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 11:55:11 GMT

Hi,

What are these different modes in Route-Timing Vision refer to?

Downrev Issue

Siri — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 11:24:43 GMT

Hello,

While downconverting from 25.1 to 23.1 below issue appears, I tried to delete all the text but still the issue persists

Kindly let me know if you have any script to run to resolve the issue

Thanks

Join us for our next LIVE Ask me Anything Session on Constraint Manager : Your Questions, Expert Answers

Renu Vibha — Thu, 30 Jul 2026 06:28:37 GMT

Struggling with constraints? Looking to optimize your PCB design workflow?

LIVE Constraint Manager Ask Me Anything Session is your opportunity to connect with Cadence experts to get answers, tips, and best practices for real-world design challenges.

Topics

🔹 Electrical Constraints
🔹 Physical Constraints
🔹 Spacing Constraints

Join us here on Wednesday , Aug 12th 2026 at 3:30-4:30PM IST.

Ask questions. Learn proven techniques. Gain practical insights.

Bring your questions. Share your experiences. Be part of the conversation

Your access to On-Demand Webinar : From Wall to Rail – Turning Rules of Thumb into Proof

Renu Vibha — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 05:53:46 GMT

Rules of thumb don't pass safety reviews; proof does.

This webinar demonstrates constraint-driven flyback design in Cadence’s Allegro X Design Platform and PSpice.

See how to verify hot-loop geometry, isolation spacing, and startup behavior before you build hardware.

For more details , check From Wall to Rail – Turning Rules of Thumb into Proof | Cadence

Easy GUI for shortcut key creation in Allegro X

AB202510225018 — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 14:25:22 GMT

Hello everyone,

I was curious if there is a GUI for setting shortcut keys. I am unsure how to do exact functions via the command line. How to remove the funckey after setting it exedra. It seems like it would be easy for Cadence to have a GUI for setting shortcut keys like they do in the Capture program but I haven't seen anything online about it.

My main goal is to setup a quick key to toggle selections on the Design Object Find Filter. Example: go from only having symbols selected, to only having text selected.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Scheduled nets - how to quickly remove?

avant — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 13:21:56 GMT

Is there a quick way to unschedule nets other than one at a time?

Allegro Designer 17.2.

Unable to export ODB++

KK202607082958 — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 12:19:36 GMT

Hello,

Vesion 23.1

while exporting ODB++ for a particular board below errors appear.

Performed dbdoctor and the brd file doesn;t have any special characters, kindly let me know what could be the issue

Thanks

script file to convert .max file to .brd

Siri — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 05:33:12 GMT

Hello,

Could you please let us know if there is any available script or utility to convert an 15.7 .MAX design file to the .BRD format?

Thanks

Donut Pad

MM202607263411 — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 01:59:53 GMT

Hello,

I'm a bit confused bout the difference between donut pad and plated thru pin. And why does some donut pads has paste mask. Can you help me with clear these?

Thank you!

Automated GND Via Shield/Fence Generation for RF trace

AE202604037127 — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 00:27:55 GMT

What tools/options are available in Allegro PCB Editor (or other Cadence products) to automatically place a fence of vias around a complex RF etch shape?

I have tried to use the "Place -> Via Array" to place a fence around the Allegro Analog RF "MLIN" and "MCURVE" objects, but only the "surround" via array mode works with these objects, the "single side" and "both side" options do not work as they would with a "CLINE" object. The resulting Via array is generally messy and requires a lot of hand cleanup.

Additionally, the Via array only allows for a fixed via spacing, so a 2-row staggered pattern becomes shifted for arrays placed on a curved edge. Ideally the second row of vias would use a dynamic spacing so that each via was centered between the vias in the first row. Is this possible with existing cadence tools?

What is the best way to perform Final Review of PCBs if AI Driven Designs are coming?

John T — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 11:21:49 GMT

AI assisted designs are definitely coming. So we can expect to spend a lot more time reviewing designs due to higher/faster output.

Should we use AI to review AI driven designs? Or must a human have the final say?

So what tools or procedures are you currently following for design review:

An independent engineer reviews the board using the .brd file in PCB Editor?
An external format is exported for independent review using a Freeviewer or CAD viewer; manual notes sent back to the designer?
An external format is exported for review using a specific design review tool?
Design is self-reviewed using PCB Editor alone; failures are fully controlled using Constraint Management.
Other?

You can simply answer by entering a number option from the above or include any reasoning for your answer if you prefer. Alternatives for discussion and opinions are very welcome!

What's Your Fastest Way to Unfix Fixed Objects in Allegro PCB Editor?

Electro Node — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 14:44:44 GMT

Hello All,

This is a very simple one. We've all experienced it. After fixing dozens of components and traces to protect completed work, a major design change requires moving large sections of the board. Manually unfixing everything can be time consuming and frustrating. How do you handle this situation in Allegro PCB Editor? Do you use a favorite shortcut, command, or SKILL script to speed up the process? Please share your tips and best practices with me so I can save a lot of time.

Thanks!