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Difference Between OrCAD PCB and Allegro Versions?

Printed From: PCB Libraries Forum
Category: PCB Footprint Expert
Forum Name: Questions & Answers
Forum Description: issues and technical support
URL: https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=782
Printed Date: 08 Nov 2024 at 12:53am


Topic: Difference Between OrCAD PCB and Allegro Versions?
Posted By: kwgilpin
Subject: Difference Between OrCAD PCB and Allegro Versions?
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2013 at 4:59pm
Hi Tom et al.,
 
What's the difference between the OrCAD PCB and Allegro output options? 
 
I'm a relatively new OrCAD PCB user, but I thought that the footprint and padstack file formats were identical.  After all, OrCAD PCB appears to be a featured-restricted version of Allegro.
 
My apologies if this question has been answered elsewhere, but my searches didn't turn up anything relevant.
 
Thanks,
Kyle


Replies:
Posted By: Tom H
Date Posted: 05 Jan 2013 at 6:04pm
Kyle,
 

The calls to allegro.exe use OrCAD PCB. However, full Allegro has the skill option and the option to output files in lower case.

 

But when just doing vanilla parts without Skill, Allegro users could feasibly buy the less expensive OrCAD PCB translator and manually edit and add the proper command-line switches to the batch file you generate, and then run it.

 

So basically, Allegro users can purchase the OrCAD PCB translator but manually edit the .SCR file for every library part. It's a workaround if you can't afford the Allegro option.

 

In the near future we plan to add several commands that use Skill and these will not be available in the OrCAD PCB translator.


Posted By: rdl86626
Date Posted: 07 Jan 2013 at 8:23am
Thanks-good to know.

Posted By: lalexman
Date Posted: 07 Nov 2013 at 1:40pm
I just purchased Orcad PCB Designer which does not support the SKILL command line.

I am not quite sure of the disadvantages I have with the Orcad Translator since I cannot use the Allegro translator with this version of PCB Designer.
I am not that familiar with the software yet and did not quite understand the second  to the last post. Will I not be able to create all the footprints with the orcad version ?
 
Thanks!

Posted By: chrisa_pcb
Date Posted: 07 Nov 2013 at 2:00pm
There aren't much of any. The main distinguishing feature is the ability to output skill files. If using the scripting output, however, you should be able to create the exact same footprints in OrCAD PCB that you would have in Allegro.

Posted By: kwgilpin
Date Posted: 07 Nov 2013 at 2:01pm
I also use OrCad PCB Designer (Professional).  Switching from Eagle, it was quite a learning process, but that's another topic.

With respect to Library Expert, the distinction you need to be aware of is the diference between the OrCAD Layout and OrCAD PCB plug-ins.  OrCAD Layout used to be Cadence's low-budget layout option.  It is no longer available from Cadence, but I know people who still use it.  OrCAD Layout has been replaced with OrCAD PCB, which is just a feature-limited version of Allegro. 

In your case, assuming you have the OrCAD PCB plug-in for Library Expert, you'll be fine.  This is what I have, and I have not found it lacking in any way whatsoever.

Posted By: lalexman
Date Posted: 07 Nov 2013 at 2:04pm
Thanks for the responses. Yes it is Orcad PCB Designer. I am learning it right now. Yes it will take a while.


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