Jim Martens
Frequently asked questions about PADS Professional

Frequently asked questions about PADS Professional

October 2, 2023
You asked and we answered! Here are the frequently asked questions about PADS Professional. What is PADS PCB design software?...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
What’s new in PADS Professional VX.2.14

What’s new in PADS Professional VX.2.14

September 19, 2023
PADS Professional is the best-in-class PCB design and analysis software for individuals and small workgroups. The PADS Professional desktop is...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Take a deeper dive into how to create supply chain resilience for small and medium PCB design teams

Take a deeper dive into how to create supply chain resilience for small and medium PCB design teams

June 21, 2023
We recently held a webinar for small and medium sized PCB design teams on how to create supply chain resilience....
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
PADS Professional Premium DFM: harnessing DFM for a better and faster NPI

PADS Professional Premium DFM: harnessing DFM for a better and faster NPI

June 7, 2023
PADS Professional Premium DFM is a new solution that brings world-class, comprehensive Design for Manufacture (DFM) analysis directly into your...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Creating supply chain resilience for small and medium PCB design teams

Creating supply chain resilience for small and medium PCB design teams

May 16, 2023
PCB supply chain disruptions Disruptions in the PCB supply chain have caused problems for product development teams within most companies....
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
What’s new in PADS Professional release VX.2.13

What’s new in PADS Professional release VX.2.13

March 15, 2023
The new VX.2.13 release of PADS Professional has improvements for the following features in PADS Professional layout. Enhancements to the...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
FPGA/PCB co-design with PADS Professional Premium

FPGA/PCB co-design with PADS Professional Premium

February 9, 2023
As the complexity of today’s designs continue to increase, more electronic product designers are turning to Field Programmable Gate Arrays...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Meeting RF design challenges with PADS Professional Premium

Meeting RF design challenges with PADS Professional Premium

January 25, 2023
The demand for electronics with gigahertz wireless technology, as well as IoT consumer devices have both increased dramatically. This has...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Considerations for rigid-flex design

Considerations for rigid-flex design

January 11, 2023
Rigid-flex design introduces several challenges that many of today’s design tools cannot handle. These could include: The best way to...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
MCAD Collaboration with PADS Professional Premium

MCAD Collaboration with PADS Professional Premium

December 22, 2022
One of the trends emerging over the past several years is packing more and more functionality onto ever decreasing substrates....
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Routing automation

Routing automation

December 9, 2022
One of the most critical and time-consuming part of the PCB design cycle is interconnecting the design. Typically, this is...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
The core of PCB design: physical layout

The core of PCB design: physical layout

November 23, 2022
Studies have shown that a majority of design time is spent on placement and routing. That said, over the past...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
The importance of collaboration and version management in PCB design

The importance of collaboration and version management in PCB design

November 9, 2022
Companies that design electronic products often experience problems with team collaboration during the design process, making collaboration and version management...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Variant management in the PCB design process

Variant management in the PCB design process

October 28, 2022
It’s typical for today’s electronic products to have different producible versions or variants. This is because a product may need...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Board verification using simulation

Board verification using simulation

October 12, 2022
Lack of signal integrity (SI) validation is one of the key reasons board designs fail in the field. That’s why...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
What’s new in PADS Professional release VX.2.12

What’s new in PADS Professional release VX.2.12

September 19, 2022
The new VX.2.12 release of PADS Professional has improvements across the following areas: Array placement MCAD collaborator Physical reuse Improved...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Make informed decisions with real-time electronic component sourcing data

Make informed decisions with real-time electronic component sourcing data

September 16, 2022
An integral part of a PCB design engineer’s job is part selection. A lot of research and consideration goes into...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Electronic part selection and library creation made simple

Electronic part selection and library creation made simple

August 11, 2022
Not long ago, a PCB engineer would download a components datasheet and start building library elements in their PCB design...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
What a PCB designer needs today for schematic definition

What a PCB designer needs today for schematic definition

July 18, 2022
What’s really needed in a PCB design tool for schematic definition?  When I started out as an engineer, it was...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Import Eagle Designs into PADS Today!

Import Eagle Designs into PADS Today!

October 10, 2018
Eagle™ design tools have been popular for simple designs and in the Maker community for years. This has created a...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
PCB Technology Leadership Award Winner: Murrelektronic

PCB Technology Leadership Award Winner: Murrelektronic

November 21, 2017
Congratulations to Murrelektronik in Germany and the design team of Matthias Haak and Simon De Serra for their winning design...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
PCB Technology Leadership Award Winner: SIENNA ECAD

PCB Technology Leadership Award Winner: SIENNA ECAD

November 9, 2017
I’d like to congratulate the two Technology Leadership Award winners who used the PADS design flow on their boards. This...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
PADS User2User meetings have begun!

PADS User2User meetings have begun!

September 19, 2017
I see it all the time – design engineers and designers who are way too busy to explore all the...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
DDR – Increased Performance, Increased Design Challenges

DDR – Increased Performance, Increased Design Challenges

June 19, 2017
If it weren’t for DDR SDRAM, many of today’s products would not be as feature-rich as they are, including servers,...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Getting from Here to There in Electronic Product Design

Getting from Here to There in Electronic Product Design

April 26, 2017
Electronic product creation – what does it mean to you? When I ask this question to many design professionals, the...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Finding the Problems that Simulation Can’t

Finding the Problems that Simulation Can’t

March 16, 2017
To deal with today’s high-speed technologies, many design engineers deploy a design process that includes simulation, but what they’re finding...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Calling all OrCAD Users!

Calling all OrCAD Users!

January 16, 2017
I’ve been working in this industry for a long time, and I know one thing for a fact: people–especially engineers–don’t...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Don’t Let DC Drop Keep Your Products Off the Market

Don’t Let DC Drop Keep Your Products Off the Market

November 8, 2016
It might sound strange to compare movies and TVs to electronics design but, if you think about it, the path...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
DDR Designs for Today and Tomorrow

DDR Designs for Today and Tomorrow

October 17, 2016
It used to be that only specialized products had high-resolution displays or network connectivity. Today, even your thermostat and the...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
What’s new in PADS VX.2? Find out at the PADS World Tour.

What’s new in PADS VX.2? Find out at the PADS World Tour.

October 11, 2016
The PADS 2016 World Tour is in full swing! For me, it’s been great getting to talk to design professionals...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
You’re Invited! The PADS World Tour starts Sept. 15

You’re Invited! The PADS World Tour starts Sept. 15

September 20, 2016
As an engineer, your job is to get your job done – to overcome the specific design challenge you’re facing,...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
The PADS Product Creation Platform

The PADS Product Creation Platform

May 11, 2016
Within companies, engineers and designers may have different titles: Design Engineer, PCB Engineer, Design Specialist, etc.  But ultimately, what is...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
PCB West 2015 Recap

PCB West 2015 Recap

September 25, 2015
It is always great to attend PCB West and see the many PADS customers I’ve known for years! Although most...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Designer Schematic and Layout Now Available

Designer Schematic and Layout Now Available

November 6, 2014
Did you hear the news? On Tuesday, Digi-Key announced the availability of Designer Schematic and Designer Layout. These are professional...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
PADS VX Roundtable

PADS VX Roundtable

September 10, 2014
Thanks to everyone for attending the PADS VX Roundtable webinar!  If you have not viewed it, it is now available...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
PADS VX Draws Crowds from Around the World

PADS VX Draws Crowds from Around the World

June 6, 2014
Mike Griesbach, the PADS Product Line Director, and I had the pleasure of traveling the globe conducting a worldwide seminar...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Redefining Productivity: Faster, Smarter, PADS!

Redefining Productivity: Faster, Smarter, PADS!

March 6, 2014
PADS’ next release is almost here, and it’s much more than just new features and functionality! I’ll be hosting a...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Big Things Coming With PADS!

Big Things Coming With PADS!

February 12, 2014
I’m frequently asked what’s happening with PADS? The answer – lots! At the end of the month we’ll be announcing...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
New Year’s Resolutions

New Year’s Resolutions

January 22, 2014
Happy New Year to all!  Have you made any New Year resolutions?  I’m sure you have the same old standard...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
PADS Tips and Tricks – Move Component by Any Pin

PADS Tips and Tricks – Move Component by Any Pin

December 30, 2013
Designers often time need to move a component to a specific XY location – referencing a pin other than pin...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Do Your Designs Have Many Constraints?

Do Your Designs Have Many Constraints?

November 25, 2013
John McMillan just delivered the latest in the PADS “Dig Deeper” webinar series, and it’s available on demand here. The...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Start Smarter with Powerful Layout and Routing in PADS

Start Smarter with Powerful Layout and Routing in PADS

October 31, 2013
Thanks to everyone that attended the live PADS webinar last week!  This webinar had great interaction with us, asking many...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Custom Scripts to Increase Productivity

Custom Scripts to Increase Productivity

October 14, 2013
Many engineers and designers, no matter what tool they use, take advantage of custom scripts to help them accomplish a...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Increase Designer Productivity with PDR

Increase Designer Productivity with PDR

October 4, 2013
I hosted the webinar “Improve Product Quality and Designer Productivity with Physical Design Reuse” yesterday, and the emails I have...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
PCB West and Tradeshows

PCB West and Tradeshows

September 25, 2013
PCB West is this week in Santa Clara, historically the big tradeshow for electronic design professionals in Silicon Valley.  Are...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
PADS Fall Webinar Series

PADS Fall Webinar Series

September 19, 2013
Our fall webinar series is getting ready to kickoff.  In this series, we’re going to “dig deeper” into the PADS...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Start Smarter With PADS Webinar Q and A – Part 4 of 4

Start Smarter With PADS Webinar Q and A – Part 4 of 4

August 30, 2013
Today will be the last posting of answers from the Start Smarter with PADS webinar.  If you view the (on-demand...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Start Smarter With PADS Webinar Q and A – Part 3

Start Smarter With PADS Webinar Q and A – Part 3

August 16, 2013
Hello.  Sorry for the lag from the last blog answering questions from the Start Smarter webinar.  Between vacation with my...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Start Smarter With PADS Webinar Q and A – Part 2

Start Smarter With PADS Webinar Q and A – Part 2

July 24, 2013
Today I’ll answer more questions from the Start Smarter webinar.  There were many questions about PADS configurations, so I’ll address...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Start Smarter with PADS Webinar Q and A – Part 1

Start Smarter with PADS Webinar Q and A – Part 1

July 18, 2013
Hello everyone! So many people attended our recent “Start Smarter” webinar, asking so many great questions on different topics, that...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Start Smarter with PADS Webinar

Start Smarter with PADS Webinar

July 1, 2013
I’d like to thank all those that attended my “Start Smarter with PADS” webinar last Thursday.  You set records here...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Why Partner with PADS and Mentor Graphics?

Why Partner with PADS and Mentor Graphics?

June 20, 2013
When you purchase new EDA tools, you shouldn’t look at it as just an acquisition of a new product.  You...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
New PADS Website and Webinar

New PADS Website and Webinar

June 11, 2013
Please take a look at the new PADS website.  There is some cool, new stuff here: Virtual Labs, Online Chat,...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Selective Autorouting to Increase Productivity

Selective Autorouting to Increase Productivity

June 5, 2013
Autorouting is a nasty word to many designers.  Many would not be caught dead doing anything other than interactively routing...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
What’s New with PADS?

What’s New with PADS?

June 3, 2013
Lots of good things coming – very soon!  Check this video snippet out! Jim
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Powerful Design Creation with the PADS ES Suite

Powerful Design Creation with the PADS ES Suite

May 24, 2013
Simple schematic capture is not enough anymore.  You need a tool that won’t get in your way as you are...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
PADS Tips and Tricks: Building a PCB Decal with Polar Patterns

PADS Tips and Tricks: Building a PCB Decal with Polar Patterns

May 13, 2013
Many connectors and other components require decals/footprints that have their pins laid out in a polar pattern.  In many CAD...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Interactive Routing in the PADS ES Suite

Interactive Routing in the PADS ES Suite

May 9, 2013
When designing a PCB, most of your time may be spent interactively routing. PADS has always been known for having...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Do Your Designs Require Simulation and Analysis?

Do Your Designs Require Simulation and Analysis?

April 24, 2013
Are you doing any simulation today, specifically for signal integrity issues?  Many design professionals believe that simulaiton is only needed...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
PADS Tips and Tricks: Printing a Color Image of a Decal

PADS Tips and Tricks: Printing a Color Image of a Decal

April 10, 2013
Have you ever wanted to, or had the requirement to print a color image of a Decal?  This can be...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
PADS Tips and Tricks: Creating Split Planes and Manipulating Thermal and Antipads

PADS Tips and Tricks: Creating Split Planes and Manipulating Thermal and Antipads

March 13, 2013
Today’s Tip and Trick comes from Bill Tkachuk in customer support. PADS Layout has very powerful split plane functionality.  Along...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
DxDesigner With PADS Layout

DxDesigner With PADS Layout

January 25, 2013
I’ve spoken with several customers recently who have, or are in the process of transitioning from PADS Logic to the...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
PADS Tips and Tricks – Assigning a Shortcut Key to a Macro

PADS Tips and Tricks – Assigning a Shortcut Key to a Macro

January 25, 2013
Have you written a macro and want to execute it quickly and easily with a custom defined shortcut key?  That’s...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
PADS Tips and Tricks – Changing Trace Width While Routing

PADS Tips and Tricks – Changing Trace Width While Routing

January 3, 2013
This Tip is Shared by Yan Killy, Technical Marketing Engineer There are technology and fabrication reasons why designers on occasion need...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
PADS Logic Isn’t Going Away

PADS Logic Isn’t Going Away

November 21, 2012
Do you need to do more with your schematic? Are you frustrated with PADS Logic? It’s time to take a...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Is it Time to “Bring the Power” to your Front-End Design?

Is it Time to “Bring the Power” to your Front-End Design?

October 26, 2012
I’ve visited with many customers over the past couple of months at seminars, user group meetings and other venues.  One...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
PADS Announces New PCB YouTube Video Channel

PADS Announces New PCB YouTube Video Channel

October 23, 2012
Mentor Graphics PCB is proud to announce the launch of our new dedicated PADS YouTube channel located at www.youtube.com/PADSPCBDesign. Explore...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
PADS Tips and Tricks: Object Snapping

PADS Tips and Tricks: Object Snapping

August 21, 2012
With PADS 9.4.1, the user was given new controls during the creation and editing of drafting shapes.  You can now...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Are You Sure Your Manufacturing Outputs Are Good?

Are You Sure Your Manufacturing Outputs Are Good?

July 30, 2012
I’ve been presenting at a bunch of seminars throughout the world over the past few months.  One of the presentations...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
PADS Tips and Tricks: Modeless Commands

PADS Tips and Tricks: Modeless Commands

July 24, 2012
PADS – deservedly so – has the reputation of a powerful, easy to use tool.  The menus and dialog boxes...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
PADS Tips and Tricks: Placement Report for Pick and Place

PADS Tips and Tricks: Placement Report for Pick and Place

June 14, 2012
It’s easy to output a file from PADS Layout for use during manufacturing by the pick and place machines.  Customers...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
PADS Tips and Tricks: Pin Swapping

PADS Tips and Tricks: Pin Swapping

May 15, 2012
This tip comes from Bill Tkachuk in CSD. Do you want to do pin swapping in a PADS Logic/PADS Layout...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
PADS Tips and Tricks: Via Shielding

PADS Tips and Tricks: Via Shielding

April 23, 2012
Here’s another Tip from Yan Killy, Technical Marketing Engineer: It is a common practice to use vias to shielding high...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
PADS Tips and Tricks: Sense Lines

PADS Tips and Tricks: Sense Lines

March 30, 2012
This weeks tip comes from Yan Killy, technical marketing engineer: Many times you need to route high current traces. Almost...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
PADS Tips and Tricks – Downloading New License File

PADS Tips and Tricks – Downloading New License File

March 22, 2012
This weeks Tip comes from Andrew Audova in the environmental support group: What do you do when you launch PADS...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
PADS Tips and Tricks: Differential Pairs

PADS Tips and Tricks: Differential Pairs

March 15, 2012
Today’s tip is from Bill Tkachuk in CSD.  It’s a great way to speed the definition and rule assignment for...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Great Things in Small Packages

Great Things in Small Packages

March 14, 2012
I visit many customers throughout the year, and read press releases from many of them.  I’ve seen some of the...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
PADS Tips and Tricks – Installation and Licensing

PADS Tips and Tricks – Installation and Licensing

March 9, 2012
Hello, With the release of PADS 9.4, many of you are getting ready to move to this new release.  With...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
PADS 9.4 Released with Unique Technology

PADS 9.4 Released with Unique Technology

March 8, 2012
PADS 9.4 was released earlier this week – take a look at the press release here: http://www.mentor.com/company/news/mentor-release-pads-dfm-high-speed-interactive-routing The new features...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
PADS Tips and Tricks – Cross Probing

PADS Tips and Tricks – Cross Probing

March 2, 2012
This weeks tip comes from Yan Killy, Technical Marketing Engineering, talking about cross probing between your schematic and PADS Layout...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
2012 U2U Meetings

2012 U2U Meetings

February 29, 2012
Mentor is getting ready to kickoff this year’s regional USER2USER meetings – I hope you can find time to attend,...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
PADS Tips and Tricks – Mounting Holes

PADS Tips and Tricks – Mounting Holes

February 24, 2012
Hello, I am starting a new regular topic to this blog – PADS Tips & Tricks.  These will be quick...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Is The Job Market Getting Better?

Is The Job Market Getting Better?

February 20, 2012
The past few months I’ve visited several customers, and they have all had similar comments – their businesses are looking...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Fabrication and Assembly Analysis?

Fabrication and Assembly Analysis?

February 8, 2012
Do it right the first time – we all first heard this from our parents as kids, and throughout our...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Gerber to ODB++ – Have You Made the Move?

Gerber to ODB++ – Have You Made the Move?

January 25, 2012
We’ve all used Gerber, NC drill, and Excel files for years (decades really) to output our fabrication and assembly data...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
The Right Tools for Your Desktop

The Right Tools for Your Desktop

September 24, 2010
We have all been in this industry long enough to experience the rapid changes in technology. I started design in...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
User Groups – Get Involved!

User Groups – Get Involved!

March 3, 2010
For those of us involved in the EDA industry, we’re all familiar with user group meetings. It’s a time to...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Desktop PCB and Technology

Desktop PCB and Technology

October 26, 2009
Mentor Graphics’ Technology Leadership Awards were recently announced. These awards recognize engineers and designers who use innovative methods and design...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
With A Little Help From My Friends

With A Little Help From My Friends

October 6, 2009
If you have been listening to your radio the past month, you’ve probably noticed the Beatles “overload” thanks to their...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Design Reviews in a Virtual World

Design Reviews in a Virtual World

September 15, 2009
I was re-collecting with a colleague of my days back in design, and the design reviews we had. I can...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Right Tool for the Job!

Right Tool for the Job!

September 3, 2009
Do you have kids?  Have they (or in my case, their friends) walk right through your screen door?  So started...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Go Right to the Top: “Ask Andy”

Go Right to the Top: “Ask Andy”

July 27, 2009
As users of EDA tools, when you have questions, you probably go to one of two sources:  customer support or...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
“Desktop” versus “Enterprise”. Which is for you?

“Desktop” versus “Enterprise”. Which is for you?

June 24, 2009
Questions to ask yourself: Are you part of a large electronics company with your design team spread all over the...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
Observations from the Road

Observations from the Road

June 16, 2009
I just completed a 2 week trip through the PacRim as part of the PADS 9.0 rollout.  This included stops...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
You Are Special!!!!!

You Are Special!!!!!

June 11, 2009
No, this is not from an episode of Barney the Dinosaur. There is a question being posited to the PCB...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ
A Passage to India: Questions & Answers for the Introduction to PADS 9.0 Webinar

A Passage to India: Questions & Answers for the Introduction to PADS 9.0 Webinar

June 8, 2009
To all of you who attended our Introduction to PADS 9.0 Webinar, I want to thank you. The attendance to...
By Jim Martens
< 1 MIN READ