Allegro X System Capture (EE Cockpit) - Recent Threads

I'm new to Decoupling analysis. How can I select and place Decoupling caps for IC in ASC?

Smith ecad — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 14:19:01 GMT

Overview of DECAPS placement in System capture

SysCap – Tip of the Week: Allegro System Capture in Offline Mode

DesignTech — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 10:07:35 GMT

With SPB 23.1, Allegro System Capture offers an offline mode functionality to work without being connected to the Pulse server. It also benefits the schematic engineer to work seamlessly when there is weak or no internet connection (local license should be available). Through this functionality, System Capture lets you disconnect from the Pulse server and work with preexisting parts that are available in the design cache.

You can do several operations if System Capture is in offline mode. A few of these are:

Allows editing of any assigned page or block
Allows connectivity change to the existing parts
Allows adding new parts from the cache library
Allows PDF generation and schematic checking (Audit)
Allows using the existing parts (addition, find and replace)
Allows copying project as…
Allows saving, closing, and opening the design

Team DesignTech
Cadence Design Systems

RE: SysCap – Tip of the Week: Allegro System Capture in Offline Mode

EL202607302852 — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 04:35:42 GMT

Great feature! Offline mode makes it much easier to continue schematic work without interruptions when the internet connection is unavailable.

RE: Opening project done in Cadence 16.6 with Free version 25.1

VA202606266120 — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 19:56:22 GMT

Good day @Zhifeng Jin. Thank you for your answer. I have been trying to open it with the system capture viewer (which comes with the free trial version), but in this version there is no possibility for "Project from Existing Design". I have suscribe for a free trial of the system capture (for Allegro X free trial request (Allegro X Free Trial | Cadence)), but havng gotten any reply yet. I will wait for this and come back.

Opening project done in Cadence 16.6 with Free version 25.1

VA202606266120 — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 19:48:53 GMT

Good day, one question please. I am new to Cadence, and I want to open a project done with Cadence version 16.6. I have downloaded the free tryal (version 25.1), but I am not able to open it. When I try to open the .cpm file from Allegro X system capture viewer, it says that the .cpm file is not an Allegro system capture project. Also, I have been able to open the PCB file (.brd), but not an schematic files. Is it possible to open this project from version 25.1?
I see a vhdl file, and some .map, .csv, .csd, .csb, csa, which I understand are the schematic files.

Thanks a lot in advance,

best regards.

RE: Opening project done in Cadence 16.6 with Free version 25.1

VA202606266120 — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 19:49:36 GMT

Hello @Elecguy . Yes, I tryed dbdoctor, from which I could see the PCB board, but not the Schematic. As I have seen/read, its because the version in which it was created.

RE: How to I map capture olb libraries in system capture without the use of default capture.ini?

rg13 — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 10:26:47 GMT

You can have CDS_SITE setup and can place capture.ini there inside cdssetup folder. Also, you need to have certain directive inside site.cpm inside projmgr folder. You can refer following article on Cadence ASK portal:

Article (20491218) Title: How to configure Allegro Design Entry CIS (OrCAD Capture CIS) libraries with Allegro System Capture
URL: https://ask.cadence.com/ASK/article-viewer?id=a1O3w000009xxGVEAY&pageName=article-viewer

Also, I would suggest you use batch file which has CDS_SITE variable set to launch System Capture.

How to I map capture olb libraries in system capture without the use of default capture.ini?

Smith ecad — Wed, 22 Jul 2026 06:00:43 GMT

Hi, our team uses both capture cis and system capture issue is when we work on capture cis the capture.inin gets reset. We want method to have both tool map libraries different places and not same file.

RE: Opening project done in Cadence 16.6 with Free version 25.1

rg13 — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 04:27:03 GMT

Absolutely correct!

This is the way which user should use to open/translate/migrate DEHDL schematic (.cpm) to Allegro X System Capture v25.1.

File > New > Project from Existing Design.

RE: Opening project done in Cadence 16.6 with Free version 25.1

rg13 — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 04:25:43 GMT

No, its not the way to open 16.6 dehdl schematic to 25.1 Syscap.

RE: Opening project done in Cadence 16.6 with Free version 25.1

Zhifeng Jin — Sat, 18 Jul 2026 14:09:00 GMT

Regarding the 16.6 project with the .cpm extension you mentioned, I believe it is a schematic project file created via Concept-HDL. Concept-HDL is no longer supported in the latest SPB25.1 release; Cadence has replaced it with System Capture instead.

You may follow these steps for migration: launch System Capture, navigate to File > New > Project from Existing Design. In the pop-up dialog box, set the Source Project path to the directory of your .cpm project, then click Create upon completion. System Capture will automatically import your original .cpm project into the new environment.

RE: Opening project done in Cadence 16.6 with Free version 25.1

JCTEYSSIER0 — Fri, 17 Jul 2026 07:26:11 GMT

Look like 16.6 project use concepthdl schematic. I am pretty sure it is not supported anymore by 25.1, Cadence "push" a new schematic tool instead (a mix of capture and concept).

I guess you have to convert it. SInce i do not heve yet switch to 25.1 i can not help you further; maybe someone here...

RE: Opening project done in Cadence 16.6 with Free version 25.1

Elecguy — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 23:45:57 GMT

When you say you downloaded a free trial of 25.1, does it include a tool called "dbdoctor"? if it does, you just need to open it (Windows Start > Search for dbdoctor) and give your 16.6 file as an input. The output will be able to open in 25.1

If it doesn't, because maybe you have the Free Viewer (and this doesn't come with dbdoctor), then you'll have to ask someone else for help or contact Cadence Support. They should really include dbdoctor in the Free Viewer.

Seamlessly Transfer User-Defined Properties from System Capture to Allegro PCB Editor

Akshay khosla — Tue, 14 Jul 2026 12:59:11 GMT

Here's a quick tip!

Allegro X System Capture provides the flexibility to transfer custom user-defined properties directly to Allegro PCB Editor, enabling seamless design data continuity between schematic and layout. Simply define the property using the appropriate comp_inst_prop directive and export with the "Transfer User Defined Properties" option enabled.

[emoticon:599cc6d89e2145289084ee73d7cb364b] Add the desired custom property to the component in System Capture and close the system capture.

For example: Added TEST_PROP property

[emoticon:599cc6d89e2145289084ee73d7cb364b] Define it using the comp_inst_prop directive in the project (.cpm) or site.cpm file.

[emoticon:599cc6d89e2145289084ee73d7cb364b] Reopen the project and use File → Export → Export to Layout with Transfer User Defined Properties enabled.

Once exported, your custom property will be available in Allegro PCB Editor

When creating a new blank project in SysCap, the default parameter settings for the electrical grid and display electrical grid within the software's grid options are unreasonable.

Zhifeng Jin — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 18:09:51 GMT

For a long time, all mainstream schematic design software on the market follow a unified industry specification: the default pin-to-pin spacing for component symbols is set to 0.1 inch. I fully appreciate that SysCap complies with this standard, as it maintains consistent visual styling for schematics drawn by different engineers.

However, I fail to understand the reasoning behind SysCap’s default grid settings of 0.05 for Electrical Grid and 5 for Display Electrical Grid. With this configuration, the visible display electrical grid (5) on the canvas does not align with the standard 0.1-inch pin pitch of components. Furthermore, the overly fine 0.05-inch electrical snap grid frequently causes pin misalignment, resulting in disorganized and unkempt schematics. This default setup delivers a very poor experience for engineers who prioritize clean, standardized drawings. When multiple schematics created with these default grid settings are merged into a single project, engineers have to spend substantial extra working hours manually realigning all components and wires to the standard grid.

Given the above issues, I recommend Cadence adjust SysCap’s default grid environment configuration to a pin-to-pin spacing of 0.1 inch, an Electrical Grid of 0.1 inch, and a Display Electrical Grid of 1. Drawing with this set of parameters will drastically simplify component and wire alignment while producing schematics with a clean, orderly visual appearance. I sincerely ask your team to evaluate this optimization proposal. Thank you!

In addition, SysCap has been released for nearly seven years, yet it has long lacked an option to switch schematic sheet sizes between imperial and metric units. For instance, it is quite cumbersome if I need to change the schematic sheet size to A3 or A2. You might mention that this can be achieved by modifying environment variables, but I would argue that this approach is outdated. Would not an intuitive dedicated setting greatly improve user experience? Therefore, I sincerely request the addition of a built-in toggle to switch schematic sheet sizes between metric and imperial units in future software releases.

RE: When creating a new blank project in SysCap, the default parameter settings for the electrical grid and display electrical grid within the software's grid options are unreasonable.

Zhifeng Jin — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 16:36:01 GMT

Hi rg13,

your reply addresses the site-level global configurations deployed in large enterprises. The usage scenario I am reporting here involves no site-level configurations enabled, with only user-level configurations in effect. In this case, all grid parameters are fully controlled via the grid settings within the software UI. This is why I argue that the original default values for Electrical Grid and Display Grid are poorly configured.

RE: When creating a new blank project in SysCap, the default parameter settings for the electrical grid and display electrical grid within the software's grid options are unreasonable.

rg13 — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 11:10:27 GMT

Thanks for sharing all your observations!

Whatever grid unit is set at site level, it will take that into consideration and will not allow user to change the unit from inside the tool.

RE: Unable to connect wires to a symbol which has pins inside the symbol boundaries in system capture

WallEE — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 10:11:06 GMT

Wiring of such schematic symbols is currently supported through a cpm directive.

Close the project and exit System Capture.
Open the <project>.cpm file in a text editor, say, Notepad++.
In the CANVAS section, add the directive IGNORE_SYMBOL_BLOCKAGE_IN_WIRING 'true'.

START_CANVAS
IGNORE_SYMBOL_BLOCKAGE_IN_WIRING 'true'
END_CANVAS

Save the .cpm file.
Launch System Capture and open the design.

You should be able to connect wires to such symbols now

Unable to connect wires to a symbol which has pins inside the symbol boundaries in system capture

Smith ecad — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 09:03:57 GMT

I m trying to connect wires for a symbol which has a pin inside the symbol boundary. It says A design element already present. How to solve this and connect?

How to convert my system capture project to OrCAD Capture / Allegro Design entry CIS

RohitRohan — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 16:06:09 GMT

Hai Community,

I have a project which is designed in the Allegro System capture but now want to continue that project into the OrCAD Capture / Allegro Design Entry CIS.

How can I Convert my system capture project to the OrCAD Capture / Allegro Design Entry CIS.

Can anyone share me the procedure / steps to perform for the conversion.

Regards,

Rohit Rohan

RE: How to convert my system capture project to OrCAD Capture / Allegro Design entry CIS

Zhifeng Jin — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 17:29:44 GMT

In the latest SysCap 25.1 S030 release, you can directly select Save As OrCAD Capture Design (*.dsn) from the File menu.

RE: SysCap – Tip of the Week: Allegro System Capture in Offline Mode

TP202606164843 — Tue, 16 Jun 2026 14:18:35 GMT

For engineers who frequently work in remote or spotty-connectivity locations, Allegro System Capture's offline mode is a very useful enhancement. The ability to continue editing schematics and accessing cached parts without the Pulse server is a true workflow saver.

RE: How do we map special symbols like power and ground in system capture?

WallEE — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 11:34:49 GMT

In Allegro System Capture, you can control most of the customizations through the CPM directives specified at the site/project level. If you need to configure the "Special Symbols" section to add/delete components like power symbols, flag bodies, and so on, the following steps should help:

Navigate to your $CDS_SITE/cdssetup/projmgr/ and open the site.cpm file in a text editor.

Note: If you do not have a site-level customization, you can do the changes at the project level by modifying the project CPM file.
In the site.cpm file, locate the section START_CANVAS/END_CANVAS and add the following directive:

POWER_SYMBOLS '<NAME>!<VOLTAGE>:<LIBRARY>:<SYM NAME>:<SYM VERSION>'

Example: POWER_SYMBOLS '+1_5V!1.5V:standard:p1_5v:sym_1'
Save the site.cpm file and launch Allegro System Capture.
In the "Special Symbols" section, you should now see the configured power symbol.

How do we map special symbols like power and ground in system capture?

Smith ecad — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 09:53:02 GMT

I have multiple power symbols which I want to use in my design but in the special symbols section I could only see cadence symbols.

How do I add my symbols to use it in my schematic.

Simplify Schematic Management with Function Overlays in System Capture

Akshay khosla — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 12:44:19 GMT

System Capture introduces Function Overlays, a powerful way to group components and nets directly on the schematic using graphical shapes.

With Function Overlays, you can define functional regions, assign common attributes (both standard and user-defined), and visually highlight sections for better clarity.

Simply draw an overlay, configure its properties, and all components or nets within it automatically inherit those attributes. Additionally, overlapping overlays allow objects to receive combined properties—making it ideal for complex, multi-domain designs.

This feature significantly improves design organization, readability, and efficiency, reducing the need for manual property assignments for individual components.

To add an overlay in your design, from the floating toolbar, click on Add Functional Overlay option and select the desired shape.

After selecting a shape, the Function Overlay Dialog box is open as shown below. You can define the Overlay Name and add Component and Net properties to be added to the components under this group. You can also toggle the formatting button to highlight the nets / components in the overlay.

Once you have defined the overlay, you can select the components and nets inside it to see that the properties are added to them as defined in the function overlay dialog box.

You can also enable the Function overlay view in the project tree from the Project toggle view.