New schematic capture
Electronic schematics can be developed from design requirements, block diagrams, engineering notes, reference designs and customer direction.
Cadence OrCAD Design Expertise
Cadence OrCAD PCB Design Services and Schematic Capture
U.S.-based OrCAD schematic capture and PCB design support for new electronic designs, hierarchical schematics, component libraries, design revisions, documentation and PCB-layout handoff.
Native OrCAD Design Support
OrCAD schematic development from initial planning through PCB implementation
911EDA uses Cadence OrCAD for professional schematic capture, hierarchical design, component-library development, revisions and electronic-design documentation. For platform-independent schematic development support, review our schematic capture services.
Projects can begin with a block diagram, marked-up schematic, legacy design, engineering notes, component list or partially completed OrCAD project. The available information is reviewed to identify the required schematic structure, component data, library work, design changes and expected deliverables.
OrCAD assignments can include complete new schematics, targeted engineering changes, documentation cleanup, obsolete-component updates and additional design capacity for an internal engineering team.
Projects requiring physical board placement and routing can continue through our PCB layout services. Complex Cadence PCB routing and native board-file support are also available through our Cadence Allegro PCB design services .
Broader schematic, library, layout and manufacturing-release assignments are described on our PCB design services page.
OrCAD Design Capabilities
OrCAD services matched to schematic and component-data requirements
Work can cover a complete schematic-development assignment or a defined portion of an existing OrCAD project.
Hierarchical schematic design
Complex circuits can be organized into functional sheets and reusable hierarchical blocks with defined interfaces, ports, buses and signal flow.
Symbols and component libraries
Schematic symbols, pin definitions, component properties, library structures and symbol-to-footprint associations can be created or corrected.
OrCAD design revisions
Existing schematics can be updated for circuit changes, obsolete parts, product revisions, engineering corrections and PCB-layout modifications.
Legacy-project review
Existing OrCAD projects and libraries can be reviewed to determine their condition, consistency and suitability for continued development.
PCB layout preparation
Approved schematics can be checked for annotation, component properties, footprint associations, connectivity and transfer into the selected PCB layout environment.
Professional Schematic Capture
Organized schematics that communicate design intent clearly
A schematic is more than a collection of connected components. It is the primary technical record of circuit function, interfaces, component selection, connectivity and design intent.
Complex designs benefit from a clear hierarchy, consistent net naming, logical signal flow, defined power structures and organized functional partitioning. These elements help engineering teams review the design and reduce confusion during PCB layout, testing and future revisions.
Schematic work can include page organization, design hierarchy, annotation, buses, ports, power symbols, component properties, cross references and project-specific documentation.
For additional information about new schematics, revisions, hierarchical design, library development and PCB layout handoff, review our schematic capture services. Customers planning a broader design assignment can review our complete PCB design services.
Supported schematic requirements
- New electronic schematics
- Hierarchical project structures
- Multi-sheet designs
- Functional circuit partitioning
- Power-tree documentation
- Analog circuit sections
- Digital processing circuits
- Memory and peripheral interfaces
- Communication interfaces
- Connector and I/O definitions
- Bus and net-label organization
- Component annotation
- Cross-reference support
- Design-note preparation
- Legacy schematic cleanup
- Engineering-change implementation
OrCAD Design Workflow
A structured workflow from design planning to PCB layout handoff
OrCAD projects can coordinate system planning, hierarchical schematic capture, component-library development, design review and preparation for physical PCB implementation.
Libraries and Component Data
Component information coordinated with the schematic and PCB design
Reliable electronic-design data depends on more than the graphical appearance of a schematic symbol. Pin numbers, electrical pin types, package assignments, manufacturer data and project properties must align with the intended component.
OrCAD library work can include new symbol creation, correction of existing symbols, component-property updates, library organization and association of schematic components with applicable PCB footprints.
Component and library requirements are reviewed within the context of the complete project so changes remain coordinated with the schematic, bill of materials and PCB implementation.
Library support may include
- Schematic-symbol creation
- Pin-number verification
- Electrical pin-type definition
- Multi-part component symbols
- Power-pin handling
- Component-property setup
- Part-number data
- Description and value fields
- Package assignments
- Symbol-to-footprint association
- Library cleanup
- Duplicate-component review
- Obsolete-part updates
- Library consolidation
- Project-library preparation
- BOM-data coordination
OrCAD Design Revisions
Existing schematics can be updated without rebuilding the complete project
OrCAD projects can be revised for targeted engineering changes, product improvements, component substitutions, circuit corrections and updates required by the PCB layout.
Available source files, libraries, documentation and marked-up changes are reviewed before work begins. This helps identify missing data, inconsistent libraries and dependencies that may affect the revision.
- Engineering change orders
- Obsolete-component replacements
- Alternate-part implementation
- Circuit corrections
- Connector and interface changes
- Power-circuit revisions
- Annotation updates
- Net-name corrections
- Library corrections
- Footprint-assignment updates
- Documentation cleanup
- Legacy-project modernization
Project Workflow
A clear approach to Cadence OrCAD design projects
The exact workflow depends on the project’s starting point, but most OrCAD assignments follow a similar progression.
Project information review
Available schematics, block diagrams, design notes, component data, libraries, PCB files, requirements and expected deliverables are reviewed.
Scope and schematic planning
The required work, design hierarchy, page structure, circuit blocks, component-library needs, milestones and deliverables are documented.
Library and component preparation
Required symbols, component properties, footprint associations and project libraries are created, corrected or verified.
Schematic capture or revision
Circuit sections are developed or updated using organized hierarchy, clear signal flow, consistent net naming and project-specific documentation.
Design review and verification
Connectivity, annotation, component data, hierarchy, project properties and applicable design checks are reviewed before approval.
Native-file delivery and PCB handoff
The approved OrCAD source files and agreed documentation are prepared for delivery or transfer into the applicable PCB layout process.
OrCAD Project Inputs
Files and information that help define the assignment
The information required depends on whether the assignment is a new schematic, an existing-design revision, library development or preparation for PCB layout.
- Existing OrCAD project files
- PDF schematics
- Marked-up schematic changes
- System block diagrams
- Engineering requirements
- Component lists
- Bill of materials
- Component datasheets
- Existing component libraries
- PCB footprint libraries
- Mechanical drawings
- Interface definitions
- Power requirements
- PCB-layout requirements
- Expected deliverables
- Target schedule
Additional guidance is available in our article explaining what files are needed for a PCB design quote .
Project Deliverables
Native OrCAD files and agreed design documentation
Deliverables are established during project review so the customer receives the source data and documentation needed to maintain the design and continue PCB development.
Applicable native OrCAD project, schematic and library files are delivered with the completed assignment rather than being withheld after release.
Deliverables may include
- Native OrCAD project files
- Native schematic files
- OrCAD symbol libraries
- Project-specific libraries
- Component-property data
- PDF schematic package
- Design-review files
- Bill of materials support
- Netlist or design-transfer data
- Annotation information
- Cross-reference reports
- Component reports
- Revision documentation
- PCB footprint associations
- Release notes
- Other agreed outputs
OrCAD PCB Design FAQ
Common questions about OrCAD design services
Project scope depends on the starting information, schematic complexity, library condition, required changes and expected deliverables.
Can 911EDA create a new schematic in Cadence OrCAD?
Yes. New OrCAD schematics can be created from engineering requirements, block diagrams, component information, reference documentation and customer direction.
Can 911EDA revise an existing OrCAD schematic?
Yes. Existing OrCAD projects can be updated for engineering changes, obsolete components, circuit revisions, product updates, documentation corrections or PCB-layout changes.
Can you work with older or incomplete OrCAD projects?
Available source files, libraries and documentation can be reviewed to determine their condition and what additional work may be required. Missing libraries or inconsistent design data may require correction or reconstruction.
Can 911EDA create OrCAD symbols and libraries?
Yes. OrCAD schematic symbols, pin definitions, component properties, project libraries and symbol-to-footprint associations can be created, reviewed or corrected.
Can an OrCAD schematic be transferred into Cadence Allegro?
Yes. An approved OrCAD schematic can be prepared for PCB implementation, including component-property review, annotation, footprint association, design checks and handoff into the applicable Cadence PCB layout environment. Review our Cadence Allegro PCB design services for more information about physical PCB layout.
Are native OrCAD files included with the project?
Yes. Applicable native OrCAD project, schematic and library files are delivered with the completed project along with the agreed documentation and PCB-design outputs.
Can an OrCAD project be quoted before every file is final?
A preliminary review may be possible with partial information. Quote accuracy improves when the design requirements, available schematics, component information, libraries, expected deliverables and schedule are clearly identified.
Can 911EDA support ITAR-controlled OrCAD projects?
All design work is performed in the United States by U.S. citizens. Do not send export-controlled technical data through the public quote form. Contact 911EDA first to arrange an approved project-transfer method.
Need Cadence OrCAD design support?
Submit the available schematics, OrCAD files, component data, design requirements, expected deliverables and target schedule for review.