Orcad 16.6 Tutorial
Mastering PCB Design: The Ultimate OrCAD 16.6 Tutorial for Beginners
OrCAD 16.6 remains one of the most widely used versions of Cadence’s industry-standard PCB design suite. Despite newer versions being available, 16.6 is revered for its stability, moderate system requirements, and the vast library of compatible models. Whether you are an electrical engineering student, a hobbyist transitioning to professional tools, or a professional revisiting legacy projects, this OrCAD 16.6 tutorial will walk you through the entire workflow—from schematic capture to generating Gerber files.
). Place components logically—keep high-speed signals short and group related parts together. orcad 16.6 tutorial
Step 6.1: Artwork Parameters
Manufacture > Artwork.- In the "Film Control" tab: Right-click >
Add. Name itTOP. - Define subclasses:
TOP(pin/via/trace),TOP/SOLDERMASK,TOP/SILKSCREEN. - Repeat for
BOTTOM.
By following this workflow, you have successfully navigated the core functions of OrCAD 16.6 Capture. You have set up a project, built a logical circuit, and prepared the data for physical manufacturing. Mastering PCB Design: The Ultimate OrCAD 16
: These platforms allow you to download pre-made symbols and footprints. Mouser ECAD Models : Using the Samacsys Library Loader , you can search for a manufacturer part number on Manufacture > Artwork
. Ensure your parts in Capture have the exact footprint name matching these files. 4. Manufacturing Output
This tutorial has provided a basic overview of using OrCAD 16.6 to design a simple PCB. From creating a schematic to outputting the design, this tutorial has covered the essential steps involved in designing a PCB using OrCAD 16.6.
- Select Process entire design to include all pages.
- Zoom into the 7805 pins.
- Select Route > Connect (Shortcut:
F2). - Click on the input pin of the regulator. A rubber-band line (rat) appears.
- Click to place vias (if multi-layer) or click to change direction (45-degree corners are best).
- Finish routing all connections:
