OrCAD® Migration Journey

Thousands of former OrCAD users have already chosen to change their PCB design toolset to Altium Designer. Most of whom were concerned that the outdated user interface and need for numerous applications were affecting their productivity.

We talked with many of those former users who now enjoy the Windows® friendly, single unified design environment in Altium Designer. With their help, we've created the following modules that show you how Altium tools can alleviate the headaches you experience with OrCAD today.

Meet Your Instructor

Mark Forbes

Start your Journey

Module 1

Windows-Friendly, Unified Design Environment

The Altium Designer user interface is Windows-friendly, allowing many windows features and hotkeys to be used. Want to copy part of your design? Highlight and press C. The unified design environment means you have one, single user interface with all the tools residing there... no need to open multiple applications. Within the UI, you navigate to tools and views using tabs — very familiar and very efficient.

AD is much more Windows friendly. Cut and paste works like it should, double click opens a file like it should.

Scott Elsberry, Data Systems Design

Module 2

It’s Easy to Know What to Buy

Many former OrCAD users expressed that they had trouble understanding what to buy from the a la carte catalog. With Altium Designer, it’s easy: Altium Designer comes with all the tools you need. Buying it is as easy as using it!

“OrCAD is difficult to purchase. It’s piecemeal...I couldn’t understand what to order. Altium Designer is one integrated environment, so we knew exactly what we were getting.”

Ryan Kari, Magcanica, Inc.

Module 3

Structured, Simple Manufacturing Release Tools

If you make an error assembling your manufacturing documentation in OrCAD, you have to repeat the entire process. Altium Designer features a built-in manufacturing release toolset that structures your important documentation. If you make an error, you simply correct the error and release with one click.

OUTJOB is really nice. It takes time to set up, but you only do it once and then it becomes a single button push that produces consistent output every time. It can take an hour to output manufacturing files in Cadence.

Isaac Ralston, Monsoon Solutions

Module 4

Simple, Efficient Parts Placement

Instead of placing parts one-at-a-time, Altium Designer features the ability to group components and bring them onto the board. This can save a lot of time when laying out particular circuits that you want to stay in proximity, or for bringing in support circuitry as a group.

Placement features in AD are much more handy. For example, you can select a group of parts and place. It’s pretty slick in AD. You don’t see that in Cadence.

Cathy Barrett Monsoon Solutions

Module 5

Rich Library and Parts Management

There’s simply nothing to compare to Altium Designer’s powerful Library Management, Parts Search, and ActiveBOM tools. Library management makes using components simple and understandable. The Parts Search tool lets you find parts status in real-time — check price, availability, and lifecycle advisories all from within Altium Designer. ActiveBOM automates the BOM assembly task, making quick and error-free BOMs.

In OrCAD, library management is an arduous exercise.

Tim Etchells, Mirabalis Medical Inc.

Module 6

Simple Footprint Creation

Creating footprints turns out to be a pain in the neck in OrCAD. Altium Designer simplifies the process, letting you create component footprints quickly, easily, and accurately.

I dreaded creating components with OrCAD.

Jeff Kleck, Pacific Star Communications, Inc.

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In that case, why do you need an evaluation license?

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Copyright © 2021 Altium Limited

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