Your entire PCB flow in one tool, from schematic to 3D layout and simulation.
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A library the design process can rely on.
PCB designFrom schematic to layout with full control.
Simulation & analysisFind the errors before the prototype does.
Thermal Simulation and AnalysisHeat accounted for from copper to enclosure.
CFD meshing & simulationThermal and flow analysis for robust designs.
RF and Antenna DesignAt high frequencies, the copper matters.
Wireless Communication & IoTRange is decided by the final millimetres.
System-Level DesignThermal and mechanical aspects calculated in time.
PLMThe current version, in one place.
Data CenterCooling determines the capacity.
Cloud ServicesComputing power when the calculation is too large.
Your entire PCB flow in one tool, from schematic to 3D layout and simulation.
Try for free for 30 daysSpecialists who work in the tools themselves.
Nordcad Customer PortalCases, licences, and downloads gathered in one place.
Software DevelopmentIntegrations and solutions that eliminate intermediate work.
MigrationFrom your legacy PCB tool to OrCAD X.
Cadence KnowledgeCadence's knowledge base with articles and guides.
Your entire PCB flow in one tool, from schematic to 3D layout and simulation.
Try for free for 30 daysYour entire PCB flow in one tool, from schematic to 3D layout and simulation.
Try for free for 30 days OrCAD X
OrCAD X combines schematic design, layout, simulation, and documentation into a single package. It is the platform for teams that design their own PCBs from start to finish, without having to switch tools along the way.
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The challenge
The solution
PORTFOLIO
Two of them are used every day. The rest are what enable the PCB to make it all the way to production without a single change.
Schematic · Components and Constraints
Schematic, hierarchy, and component selection. The starting point for simulation, layout, and BOM.
Layout · Routing and Physics
Placement and routing with the rules active throughout the process, so that errors are detected as routing proceeds.
Simulation · the circuit
The circuit verified before it becomes copper. Also available as a standalone solution.
Component Data · Database Connection
The connection between the schematic and your component database. Keep track of which components can be used and their specifications.
Constraints · cross-
Constraints defined in one place, applicable in both the schematic and the layout, and reusable in the next project.
THE FULL SUITE
HOW IT CONNECTS
Components, connections, and constraints are entered once. The layout, simulation, and BOM all retrieve their data from the same source, ensuring that there are no conflicting versions of the data.
What is specified in the schematic also applies when routing. That's the difference between knowing a rule and being reminded of it while you work.
Documentation, BOM, and DFM checks belong in the same workflow rather than in a tool that someone has to remember to open at the end.
LICENSES
All three levels are based on the same foundation. The difference lies in how far the layout, analysis, and collaboration should be able to go. These are the differences that typically determine the choice.
| Feature | Standard | Professional | Professional Plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schematic with hierarchy, variants, and online DRC | |||
| Constraint Management in Schematic and LayoutThe same rules apply in Capture and Presto. | |||
| CIS and unified part search (Ultra Librarian, SnapMagic, SamacSys) | |||
| PSpice mixed-signal with 35,000 models | |||
| Differential pairs, pin delay, and Z-axis delay | |||
| Native 3D, collision detection, and ECAD/MCAD co-designData exchange with SOLIDWORKS, CATIA, Siemens NX, Fusion, and Creo. | |||
| DesignTrue DFM with 100+ checksDFA, DFF, and DFT checks in the design. | |||
| LiveDOC, ODB++, and IPC-2581 | |||
| Review, Comments, and Markup | |||
| LiveBOM and Component Supply ForecastPrice, inventory, and lead time directly in the design. | |||
| Timing and length tuningEssential for DDR, PCIe, USB, and other high-speed interfaces. | |||
| Impedance and Coupling Analysis in the Design | |||
| Electrical rules: reflection, timing, and crosstalk | |||
| Rigid-flex with flex controller | |||
| BGA fanout, via arrays, back drilling, and HDI via stacks | |||
| Spectra Autorouter and IPC Footprint Wizard | |||
| Shared workspaces and user managementIn Standard, you can participate, but not create. | |||
| Multiple designers in the same layoutIn Standard, you can participate but not create. | |||
| Electrical Overstress (EOS) Analysis in PSpice | |||
| Sensitivity, analog optimization, and MATLAB Simulink |
PURCHASE OR RENT
CUSTOMERS
Nordic development teams working in OrCAD with Nordcad by their side.
OrCAD's flexibility and tailored solutions fit companies of all sizes. Nordcad's support is invaluable and provides prompt assistance.
I have been working with so many different PCB tools for over 17 years, and I am convinced that Nordcad support is the best and quick. It was very easy for me to get up to the mark with the needed quality and speed.
RESOURCES
Webinars, articles, and guides on schematics, layout, and simulation.
Ready?
A brief conversation is usually enough to determine whether OrCAD X meets your needs and which version is right for you. No sales pitch. No pressure. Just an open discussion about the PCBs you’re designing today.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
OrCAD X is the all-in-one package for a team that designs the PCB from start to finish on its own. Allegro X is built for larger-scale projects: multiple PCBs in the same system, multiple people working on the same design at the same time, and high-speed designs where requirements must be managed as constraints. We’ll review your designs before recommending one solution over the other.
OrCAD X is available in Standard, Professional, and Professional Plus editions. The Standard edition includes schematic, layout, simulation, and manufacturing data. The Professional edition adds high-speed, signal integrity, rigid-flex, and LiveBOM. The Professional Plus edition adds advanced PSpice analysis. The table above shows the differences, and we’d be happy to walk you through them based on your designs.
In most cases, yes. The process depends on your current CAD environment and the volume of libraries to migrate. This is among the first aspects we evaluate, as it is often where teams seek clarity.
Yes. Both platforms share underlying Cadence technology, allowing data to transition seamlessly. Choosing OrCAD X does not lock you out of Allegro X in the future.
Yes. OrCAD X can be rented by the week, month, quarter, half-year, or year, and can also be purchased. Many start with a short-term rental when a project requires an extra designer, and continue from there if it makes sense.
Contact us
A brief dialogue is often enough to clarify if Nordcad is the right choice for you. No pitch. No pressure.
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