PCB Libraries Forum : Difference Between OrCAD PCB and Allegro Versions? https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/ Fri, 26 Jun 2026 11:56:51 +0000 Thu, 07 Nov 2013 14:04:31 +0000 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Web Wiz Forums 12.07 360 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/RSS_post_feed.asp?TID=782 <![CDATA[PCB Libraries Forum]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/forum_images/PCBLForumLogo.gif https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/ <![CDATA[Difference Between OrCAD PCB and Allegro Versions? : Thanks for the responses. Yes...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/difference-between-orcad-pcb-and-allegro-versions_topic782_post4592.html#4592 Author: lalexman
Subject: 782
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. ]]> Thu, 07 Nov 2013 14:04:31 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/difference-between-orcad-pcb-and-allegro-versions_topic782_post4592.html#4592 <![CDATA[Difference Between OrCAD PCB and Allegro Versions? : I also use OrCad PCB Designer...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/difference-between-orcad-pcb-and-allegro-versions_topic782_post4591.html#4591 Author: kwgilpin
Subject: 782
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.
]]> Thu, 07 Nov 2013 14:01:50 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/difference-between-orcad-pcb-and-allegro-versions_topic782_post4591.html#4591 <![CDATA[Difference Between OrCAD PCB and Allegro Versions? : There aren&#039;t much of any....]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/difference-between-orcad-pcb-and-allegro-versions_topic782_post4590.html#4590 Author: chrisa_pcb
Subject: 782
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.]]> Thu, 07 Nov 2013 14:00:27 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/difference-between-orcad-pcb-and-allegro-versions_topic782_post4590.html#4590 <![CDATA[Difference Between OrCAD PCB and Allegro Versions? : I just purchased Orcad PCB Designer...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/difference-between-orcad-pcb-and-allegro-versions_topic782_post4589.html#4589 Author: lalexman
Subject: 782
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!
]]> Thu, 07 Nov 2013 13:40:24 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/difference-between-orcad-pcb-and-allegro-versions_topic782_post4589.html#4589 <![CDATA[Difference Between OrCAD PCB and Allegro Versions? : Thanks-good to know. ]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/difference-between-orcad-pcb-and-allegro-versions_topic782_post2779.html#2779 Author: rdl86626
Subject: 782
Posted: 07 Jan 2013 at 8:23am

Thanks-good to know.]]> Mon, 07 Jan 2013 08:23:48 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/difference-between-orcad-pcb-and-allegro-versions_topic782_post2779.html#2779 <![CDATA[Difference Between OrCAD PCB and Allegro Versions? : Kyle,The calls to allegro.exe...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/difference-between-orcad-pcb-and-allegro-versions_topic782_post2772.html#2772 Author: Tom H
Subject: 782
Posted: 05 Jan 2013 at 6:04pm

Kyle,
 

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

 

But when just doing vanilla partswithout Skill, Allegro users could feasibly buy the less expensive OrCAD PCB translator and manually edit and add the propercommand-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.

]]> Sat, 05 Jan 2013 18:04:15 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/difference-between-orcad-pcb-and-allegro-versions_topic782_post2772.html#2772 <![CDATA[Difference Between OrCAD PCB and Allegro Versions? : Hi Tom et al., What&#039;s...]]> https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/difference-between-orcad-pcb-and-allegro-versions_topic782_post2771.html#2771 Author: kwgilpin
Subject: 782
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
]]> Sat, 05 Jan 2013 16:59:49 +0000 https://www.PCBLibraries.com/forum/difference-between-orcad-pcb-and-allegro-versions_topic782_post2771.html#2771