Switching Sides - adding a new career path into alternate PCB packages

[envisionelec]

I've been using Altium for about 15 years but have figured out that, in my geographical area (Midwest US), Cadence and Mentor are the preferred packages used by most companies. I'd like to get training on them, but just can't afford to buy a $15k package for myself for training. How do you think I can "break into" a new package without starting as a junior level PCB designer with a new firm?

[Pseudobyte]

I mean, if you are a good layout guy, you are a good layout guy.

A tool is a thing you can learn on the job. The same principals apply. Want a job lemme know where abouts you live in a pm if interested.

I also understand where you are coming from being a layout guy in the midwest who knows Altium. It seems like all the big boys use Cadence. GE, Northrop Grumman, motorolla, the list keeps going...

I fortunately have the benefit of working for a company that provides me with both Altium and Cadence Allegro.

Allegro is by far a way more powerful tool than Altium. The learning curve is very steep though.

[nctnico]

I've been using Altium for about 15 years but have figured out that, in my geographical area (Midwest US), Cadence and Mentor are the preferred packages used by most companies. I'd like to get training on them, but just can't afford to buy a $15k package for myself for training. How do you think I can "break into" a new package without starting as a junior level PCB designer with a new firm?

Well, the basic Cadence (Orcad / PCB Designer aka Allegro) doesn't cost $15k. A few $k should get you going with at least the schematics package and entry level PCB package. The biggest investment will be time to get proficient with both the schematics and PCB layout.

I mean, if you are a good layout guy, you are a good layout guy.

A tool is a thing you can learn on the job. The same principals apply. Want a job lemme know where abouts you live in a pm if interested.

Allegro is by far a way more powerful tool than Altium. The learning curve is very steep though.

Agreed on the learning curve of Allegro. If I'd need to hire someone with or without experience with Allegro I'd hire the person with experience because it takes a couple of hundred hours to get to a base level.

[I wanted a rude username]

This might be a bit "outside the box", but have you considered software piracy?    Cadence Allegro 17.40 is certainly available, and learning the software on your own time shows initiative.

[Berni]

Id say this is a good case for resorting to piracy. Won't say how or where, but it is out there if you look hard enough.

Its not like you would be hurting Cadence or Mentor by doing this since there is no way someone would pay multiple grand for a license just to get familiar with the software so that they can look more useful on the next job interview with a company that uses it (Where they might have to buy extra licenses as a result so they get there money anyway)

But yeah having a lot of layout experience with one tool, it shouldn't be too hard to switch. Just go layout a decently sized hobby board in it and make an attempt to use as much of the tools fancy functionality as possible on purpose.

[envisionelec]

This might be a bit "outside the box", but have you considered software piracy?    Cadence Allegro 17.40 is certainly available, and learning the software on your own time shows initiative.

 I *may* have learned Altium this way...then got a job doing it and didn't really think about how I got here, in the first place.

[Berni]

This might be a bit "outside the box", but have you considered software piracy?    Cadence Allegro 17.40 is certainly available, and learning the software on your own time shows initiative.

I *may* have learned Altium this way...then got a job doing it and didn't really think about how I got here, in the first place.

Kinda did that too with Altium.

Tho the reason for getting it was because i wanted something a bit better than Eagle for my personal projects way back, so Altium seamed to be popular and went for it. Later on found out that a lot of companies here like to use Altium too, so it made for some nice bonus points at an interview.

[CadenceAE]

You can get a free version of OrCAD with the work from home program

https://www.ema-eda.com/ema-work-home-program

OrCAD is the same as Allegro PCB without all the high-end features like team design, RF PCB, and embedded 3D EM field solver

but for your purposes of learning the tool, it will get you started.   
for learning how to use it.  There are good, low cost, training available on udamy
https://www.udemy.com/course/pcbdesign-orcadlite172/

 

[electrolust]

The WFH license is only 30 days. Right now you can get OrCAD Standard for $750. I just bought this myself after using the trial for a few days. https://store.ema-eda.com/

EMA has training on youtube. It's not extensive, but it's enough to get a feel for the software and then easy enough to translate your previous experience to OrCAD. I mean, for me, I feel I learned 90% of capture in 1 day, and the rest I'll never "learn" anyway, ie I'll have to learn it again each time I need some rare/advanced feature. For PCB it's going to take me a lot longer as even PCB standard is a lot more detailed and advanced than what I'm used to.

For training, https://academy.fedevel.com/courses/online-learn-orcad-and-allegro-essentials looks promising at $199. I haven't gone through that one yet but I plan to. You can see a couple of his courses on youtube to get a sense of his style.