Technical Overview

PADS Layout

Features

PADS Layout is a robust PCB editing environment for the efficient design and routing of complex PCBs.

Included with every seat of PADS Layout is the following core functionality. Customers who purchase maintenance contracts will ALSO receive ten hours of free, online training.

• Library editor:
  • Wizard-driven
  • Fast, accurate land-pattern generation
  • Tools for RF component creation – NEW!
• MCAD integration (DXF Link)
  • Import / export of Autodesk DXF files
• Automatic import from DxDesigner or PADS Logic
• Netlist import, for reading in:
  • Component attributes
  • Design rules
  • Net constraints
  • OrCAD Capture files
• Component placement:
  • Easy, precise, dynamic
  • Manual or automatic*
  • Allows group placement & rotation
  • Radial array placement (e.g., for DUT boards)
• Routing:
  • Fast, efficient, automatic routing
  • Shape-based, any-angle
  • High completion rates
  • Minimal post-route rework
  • Interactive and High Speed Routing also available
• Split & mixed-plane definition:
  • Custom thermal pads
  • Cutout support
  • Embedded planes & routes
  • Connectivity checks
• Design for Fabrication (DFF) audit
• Automation:
  • OLE (object linking & embedding)
  • Visual Basic engine with automated script wizard
  • Enables easy customization & advanced integration
• Bidirectional cross-probing:
  • Between schematic & layout
  • Between PADS Layout and other OLE-compliant tools, such as Excel
• Autodimensioning
  • Tools for automatic documentation of the PCB form factor
  • Includes leader break, radius/diameter/angle dimensions
  • User-defined tolerances
• Assembly variants
  • Names & plots assembly variances
  • Graphic previews of variance drawings prior to running CAM plots
• CAM output
  • Gerber, NC drill, etc.
• Scalability:
  • PADS Layout can be enhanced with additional functionality as your design needs change

* Not available in PADS Suites.