OrCAD

OrCAD is a suite of software programs from Cadence for electronic design engineers and electronic technicians, used to create electronic schematics and the board layouts needed to manufacture printed circuit boards. OrCAD contains lots of advanced features that are simple to use but greatly enhance the power of the programs and your ability to create reliable schematics.

OrCAD Capture is the first program, which is basically a schematic capture program. OrCAD Capture does not simulate the functioning of the electronics itself, but rather it passes the design data to other programs. This ensures that you have reliable data that can be simulated repeatedly and laid out so that you can make sure everything is completely functional. The Component Information System (CIS) in OrCAD Capture CIS even allows you to link component package data and simulation behavior data with the circuit symbol in the schematic.

You can add more functionality to OrCAD Capture through the OrCAD Capture Marketplace. This marketplace allows users to share add-ons and design resources. The start page also gives access to thousands of interactive reference designs with orderable component information, powered by SiliconExpert.

OrCAD is an entire suite of software products to address all of your electronic designing needs.

The OrCAD Suite also comes with PSpice, which is a SPICE circuit simulator. This allows you to simulate and verify both analog and mixed-signal circuits. Running this alongside OrCAD Capture will enable you to run a complete circuit simulation and verification with schematic entry, native analog, mixed-signal, and analysis engines.

Finally, the suite includes OrCAD PCB Designer, and in the current OrCAD X generation board layout is done in the OrCAD X Presto environment. This program allows you to either manually route PCB tracks or use the auto-router. Either way, it helps you get a functioning PCB. It will analyze your boards for you and run design rule checks.

Overall this is a mature software suite that electronic design engineers and technicians use for professional schematic and PCB work. The current OrCAD X release requires 64-bit Windows 10 or Windows 11. You can download a free 30-day trial with full functionality before buying. OrCAD X is sold in Standard, Professional and Professional Plus tiers through Cadence and its channel partners, with pricing that varies by region.