Starting with OrCAD and Cadence Allegro PCB

Name: Starting with OrCAD and Cadence Allegro PCB
Rating: 4.4 (779 reviews)

Design a simple board within 1 hour. A step-by-step tutorial.

Created byRobert Feranec

Last updated 11/2019

English

What you'll learn

After this course, you will understand the essentials of working with OrCAD and Cadence Allegro PCB.

Course content

4 sections • 34 lectures • 1h 3m total length

Introduction1:03
Introduce OrCAD and Cadence Allegro PCB, show how the two tools connect in a waterfall design flow, and outline the steps to create a simple PCB.
What you will learn during this course1:32
Learn to create schematic symbols and simple libraries. Design footprints and a board layout, then connect components and generate Gerber files for manufacturing.
Starting a new project1:22
Begin a new OrCAD and Cadence Allegro PCB project by naming the project, choosing its location, and creating a library inside the project directory.
Create resistor - Schematic symbol2:00
Create a resistor schematic symbol by using the library, placing lines and name fields, and adjusting display options to hide pin numbers for clean grid-aligned schematics.
Create LED - Schematic symbol2:35
Learn to create a LED schematic symbol in OrCAD and Cadence Allegro by drawing the diode triangle, setting pin names and numbers, and verifying proper alignment.
Create connector - Schematic symbol0:42
Learn how to create a connector schematic symbol in OrCAD and Cadence Allegro PCB, navigate the library, and save your work as you build accurate schematics.
Create through hole pin - Padstack Editor2:19
Create through-hole pins using the padstack editor in OrCAD and Cadence Allegro PCB, define top and bottom hole sizes, and save the pad inside the project.
Create smd pin - Padstack Editor1:32
Create an smd pin with the padstack editor, define a rectangular pin with no hole, and adjust the size and the mask layer for all assembly components.
Create VIA - Padstack Editor1:08
Create vias using the padstack editor in OrCAD and Cadence Allegro PCB, manage solder mask and paste mask layers, and use right-click actions to configure sets.
Create resistor - Footprint1:55
Explore creating a resistor footprint in Cadence Allegro PCB by opening Start All Programs, browsing to the project, and naming the footprint to match schematic symbols.
Create LED - Footprint1:20
Create an LED footprint using OrCAD and Cadence Allegro PCB, following the initial blueprint that remains identical to the register for now, with planned later changes.
Create connector - Footprint1:20
Explore how to create a connector footprint in OrCAD and Cadence Allegro PCB while engaging in critique, recognition, and support discussions that shape design decisions.
Assign footprints to schematic symbols1:04
Assign footprints to schematic symbols by editing package properties and naming each footprint. Apply these changes to the project to ensure all footprints align with the schematic symbols.
Drawing schematic3:14
Begin drawing the schematic in OrCAD and Cadence Allegro PCB by placing components from the library and rotating symbols. Zoom, pan, and wire connections to complete the schematic.
Annotating schematic1:10
Learn how to annotate schematics in OrCAD to manage reference designators, handle incremental references, and inspect the schematic by right-clicking the project.
Updating symbol and synchronizing schematic2:22
Update a library symbol and synchronize the changes across all schematics using the LCD as an example, then update the cache and apply the new symbols everywhere.

Generating netlist1:02
Generate the netlist to transfer schematic data to the PCB and begin the project setup. Create the project directory and review the net information and settings for the board design.
Creating a new PCB and doing placement3:32
Create a new PCB, zoom in and out to view the layout, and manually place components, then move and rotate them with left and right clicks to finalize placement.
Creating board outline0:53
Create the board outline in OrCAD and Cadence Allegro PCB, then zoom and position components with right-click. Learn to select all and move components using the left mouse button.
Setting up PCB rules2:33
Set up basic PCB rules in OrCAD and Cadence Allegro by modifying default rules and point values. Learn to adjust via specifications and explore parameter variations to customize design rules.
Doing PCB layout1:42
Learn to lay out a PCB by drawing tracks on a selected layer, adjusting the line width, placing vias, and drawing ground polygons.
Adjusting polygon shape, adding text, changing grid, moving elements4:11
Learn to adjust polygon shapes, add edges, and move elements in OrCAD and Cadence Allegro PCB, and place and edit text on specific layers with grid control.
Moving tracks, placing components on the bottom side of PCB1:08
Use the move command to relocate tracks and place components on the bottom side of the PCB in OrCAD and Cadence Allegro PCB, including right-click actions to switch sides.
Working with layers, setting up views, single layer mode5:28
Learn to manage layers in Cadence OrCAD, toggle visibility, set up views, and use single layer mode to focus on top or bottom layers for documentation.
Making change in a pad /VIA and synchronizing it with design and footprints1:44
Learn how to modify pads and vias, update footprints, and synchronize these changes with your existing design in OrCAD Cadence Allegro PCB.
Updating resistor footprint3:24
Update resistor footprint by applying new footprints, redrawing the seals, and editing the PCB library with OrCAD and Cadence Allegro PCB.
Updating LED footprint2:41
Update and refine an LED footprint in OrCAD and Cadence Allegro pcb by adjusting display geometry, marking live nets, and improving screen visibility with color and tool settings.
Updating PCB with new footprints1:03
Update the pcb by applying new footprints to the board file, display the full layout with components and wires, include the cutout and tilt screen, and prepare manufacturing documentation.

Checking status of PCB (Net connection, Polygons, DRC, ....)0:41
Verify net connections, updated polygons, and DRC, ensure status indicators are green before generating manufacturing documentation.
Generating gerber files3:18
Generate and verify gerber files to send to a board house for pcb fabrication, selecting and viewing layer films to ensure accurate, complete fabrication of the board.
Generating NC drill file1:09
Export the nc drill file, named the real file, which contains hole positions and hole sizes for the pcb; verify the export and review the file.
Printing selected layers0:59
Learn how to print selected PCB layers in OrCAD and Cadence Allegro, enabling clear presentations of specific layers such as the top layer.
Generating BOM and printing schematic1:12
Generate the BOM from your schematic using project tools build materials, and quickly place the schematic by selecting the project file.

Requirements

You will need OrCAD and Cadence Allegro software. If you are a college / university student, ask Cadence for a student license. In many countries the student license is free.

Description

Learning a basic board design is essential for everyone who would like to work in electronics or who would like to design electronic boards or products. Learning board design in the right software can open you door into many companies, help you to get a well paid job and can be used to design very complex and advanced boards.

Design a simple board in OrCAD and Allegro PCB

- Draw a schematic
- Route PCB
- Generate the essential files for PCB manufacturer

Cadence software is very powerful

During this course you will learn the basics of using Cadence software. OrCAD and Allegro are professional software used to design the most advanced electronics boards. This software is used in the biggest companies. Learning OrCAD and Allegro is useful for everyone planning or already working in electronics.

Contents and Overview

You will create a simple LED circuit. The course videos are step-by-step and even if you are new in electronics or you have never used OrCAD or Allegro before, by repeating these steps, you will design your board. By the end of this course, you will learn all the most essential information to be able to start using and discovering Cadence by yourself.

Within 1 hour you will learn how to:

- Draw schematic
- Create and update schematic symbols
- Create and update footprints
- Place components into your PCB
- Route simple PCB
- Print from PCB and schematic
- Create Bill of Material (BOM)
- Generate Gerbers and Drill file

For everyone who would like to learn how to start with OrCad and Cadence Allegro PCB.

Enjoy this course :)

Who this course is for:

College / University students: During this course you will learn the essentials of working in Cadence software. OrCAD and Allegro are used in the biggest companies which are designing electronic boards or products. Knowing how to work with this software can give you an advantage when applying for a job. As a college / university student, you may be able to get a free license of OrCAD and Cadence Allegro.
Junior / Senior hardware design engineers: During this course you will go through process of designing a simple board. It gives you a quick view through the whole work flow and explains the most essential parts of design process in OrCAD and Allegro. This course can be very useful when you are starting with Cadence or when you are moving to Cadence from a different CAD system.

Starting with OrCAD and Cadence Allegro PCB

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Drawing Schematic and Creating libraries16 lectures • 27min

PCB Placement and Layout12 lectures • 29min

Generating Manufacturing Outputs5 lectures • 7min

Thank you1 lecture • 1min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: