Simplify PCB Library Management
An Easier Way to Create, Manage, And Standardize Your PCB Design Libraries
Overview
PCB libraries are the foundation of every design, providing accurate, accessible, and up-to-date component data. Poorly maintained libraries, however, can lead to incorrect parts, mismatched versions or missing information, and wasted time spent searching for components. These errors slow you down, resulting in costly design iterations and missed deadlines. Maintaining consistency and accuracy across projects is non-negotiable.
OrCAD X redefines PCB library management by putting control, organization, and scalability in your hands. Whether you’re working alone or with a global team, it’s easy to ensure that everyone is working from the same trusted data. With flexible options like traditional file-based libraries (Local), database libraries (Component Information System (CIS)), and Cloud library mode, OrCAD X adapts to your needs while helping you avoid the pitfalls of disorganized libraries.
Why Choose OrCAD X for Library Authoring and Management?
Enhanced Collaboration
Shared libraries and support for multiple projects and team collaboration, improving workflow efficiency.
Seamless Scalability
Adapt to a growing team or project demands and complexity, with library modes that offer the flexibility to transition from a local library to a fully managed library system.
Time Savings
Accelerate the design process by quickly accessing pre-built parts instead of recreating them for every project with access to in-built component providers.
Traceability and Change Management
Version control makes it easy to track library updates or changes, providing a clear history of who made modifications and when along with access to revert to previous iterations if necessary.
Standardization and Reusability
Create and maintain consistency across designs with a centralized library of verified components for schematic symbols, footprints, and 3D models, thereby reducing errors and ensuring proper part attribution.
Create Your Own PCB Library and Plan for Scalability
This step-by-step tutorial walks you through building your own PCB component library in OrCAD X using the Component Explorer. Learn how you can plan for scalability by creating a library that grows with your needs.
Key Features that Simplify PCB Library Creation and Management
- Unified Component Explorer: Third-party part search integration and a part authoring environment inclusive of managing part properties like company part numbers, part descriptions, PCB layout footprints, technical parameters, and more.
- Seamless CIS Integration: Available on both on-prem and cloud, easily import and reuse existing Component Information System (CIS) Database Configuration (DBC) files from within the Component Explorer.
- Intuitive Component Editor: Simplify tasks like adding, editing, or validating electrical and mechanical components with an easy-to-use interface.
- Cloud Workspaces: Personal and shared workspaces with multi-factor authentication and role-based access control that allows team members easily collaborate to create, edit and share libraries from anywhere.
- Revision History: Complete version history, providing full audit and traceability, ensuring all team members have access to the latest components through a centralized database.
- Component Lifecycle: Get real-time insights on a component’s status right within your design environment – whether active, not recommended (NRND), end-of-life (EOL), or obsolete, helping reduce rework or project delays.
Choosing the Right Library Mode Based on Your Needs
Whether you need full control and security, centralized consistency and traceability, or real-time collaboration, we’ve got three different library modes to support various types of team sizes and industries. Note that, Cloud Workspace includes the same benefits of the CIS Database Library using ODBC. See our recommendation below:
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