Start with OrCAD and Cadence Allegro

Create a through-hole pad footprint in Cadence Allegro by defining a 1.2 mm circular drill, then an oblong 2.0 × 1.6 mm pad with 2.2 × 1.8 mm mask openings.

Create an SMD resistor footprint in OrCAD and Cadence Allegro by defining a 0.9 × 1.2 mm path, setting a paste mask opening of 1.1 × 1.4 mm, and saving.

Create the smd pad for the led by defining the pad path, setting a 0.7 by 0.7 pot size, and a 0.9 by 0.9 mask layer.

Create a circular via in the VRA with a 0.3 mm drill offset and 0.26 mm diameter across nine layers, then copy to the mask layer and save.

Create a 1x2 header footprint in Cadence Allegro using the package symbol wizard, set the local library path, define geometry, and attach a 3d model.

Create a 0603 LED footprint in OrCAD Cadence Allegro by selecting a starting template, setting pad spacing from the datasheet, and adding a 3D model aligned to pin 1.

Create an 0805 resistor footprint in OrCAD and Cadence Allegro, using datasheet spacing, silkscreen clearance, origin and grid adjustments, and add a 3D model.

Assign footprints to schematic symbols by updating the symbol library, saving changes, and refreshing the library cache; then annotate and reset reference designators for a clean, unique schematic design.

Fix warnings in OrCAD and Cadence Allegro by updating project and library paths to resolve missing footprint errors, then run DRC to confirm no errors or warnings.

Start a new PCB, import components from the schematic, then set design parameters and canvas size, place a rectangle outline, and configure the grid to 0.5 mm.

Place components on the board using manual selection, move, rotate with left and right clicks, and adjust rotation settings and grid to 0.1 by 0.1 for precise PCB layout.

Learn to configure PCB design rules in OrCAD and Cadence Allegro using constraint manager, setting minimum track width and spacing to 0.3 mm, selecting vias, and validating layer thickness.

Route PCB traces in Cadence Allegro by drawing tracks, setting widths, and using edit modes, then connect a bottom ground plane with rectangle tools.

Learn to propagate schematic changes into a Cadence OrCAD Allegro layout, update the layout, rotate and mirror parts, place components and vias, and adjust the ground plane and line weight.

Update PCB footprints by fixing the footprint mask and lead dimensions in Cadence Allegro, adjust assembly and top layers, then save and refresh the design to reflect changes.

Finish the silkscreen on the board by adjusting colors, hiding boundary layers, rotating reference designators on the assembly drawing, and creating top and bottom silk views for manufacturing.

Learn to run DRC on the PCB in OrCAD and Cadence Allegro, enable and analyze design rules, identify spacing and shorts, and locate exact error locations with clicks.

Generate Gerber files for manufacturing by configuring all layers—top, bottom, screen, outline—and include assembly outputs in pdf, then review the results using the free We All Made viewer.

Generate an nc drill file in OrCAD and Cadence Allegro, then import drill data to verify board outline, drill positions, and sizes using English units and project parameters.

Export assembly drawings from your project to generate top and bottom layers, then save as pdaf for printing. Enable double layer and use plot options to print for home manufacturing.

Export the pick and place file from the project, then open the generated file to view component locations, rotations, and top or bottom layer assignments.

Print the schematic using extended preferences to set a light theme, hide the grid, then print to pdf via file print setup and save the schematic in the project directory.

Generate a bill of materials in OrCAD and Cadence Allegro by adding manufacturer parameters to symbols, creating a bill of materials table, naming the manufacturer column, and exporting to Excel.