New to PADS, Questions

[Evan.Cornell]

I am a long-time OrCAD user, for both schematic and layout. I recently have had to learn Mentor Graphics PADS Standard Plus (currently on PADS VX2.4, but have up-to-date maintenance, so can upgrade if needed), and have a couple of questions.

1. In OrCAD, they have Dynamic Shapes, which auto-update around non-connected objects. Does PADS have something similar with its' Copper or Copper Pour shapes?

2. If I have a ground plane dynamic shape in Orcad, I can very easily route from GND pin of capacitor, drop a via, and the routing stops. I had tried to make a ground plane with PADS, but when I route from capacitor ground pin and drop a via, it just keeps trying to route to the next closest GND point. Is there a way to make this behave like OrCAD?

Thanks!

[Scutarius]

I will be working with PADS, I have some experience with Altium and EAGLE, It is interesting that nobody could answer your question.

Do you have any manual? I found this old one

ftp://ftp.freecalypso.org/CAD/PADS/pdfdocs/padslayout_ref.pdf

[Evan.Cornell]

So, after now working with PADS for awhile, I can answer my own questions.

1. Copper pour is the correct thing to most closely replicate OrCAD dynamic shapes. However, you have to manually repour the shape, it doesn't automatically repour like in OrCAD. A drag..

2. You have to drop stitching vias in front of the component pad that needs to get connected to the plane. Again, a drag compared to OrCAD.

I can get around in PADS now, but vastly prefer OrCAD.

EDIT: I also took advantage of the PADS online training that they made free for awhile around lockdown time, which helped quite a lot.

[nigelwright7557]

1. Copper pour is the correct thing to most closely replicate OrCAD dynamic shapes. However, you have to manually repour the shape, it doesn't automatically repour like in OrCAD. A drag..

I dont understand why it doesnt auto redraw the copper pour.
Its pretty simple, draw the pour first then draw pads/tracks with gap around them if not connected to the pour. Simples.
PCBCAD720 does it and its £4 !

[Evan.Cornell]

I dont understand why it doesnt auto redraw the copper pour.
Its pretty simple, draw the pour first then draw pads/tracks with gap around them if not connected to the pour. Simples.
PCBCAD720 does it and its £4 !

After some months on PADS now, I've been confirmed in my appreciation for OrCAD.