OrCAD X Presto PCB Editor Shortcut Keys

Key Takeaways

• Users can find the OrCAD X shortcut keys menu in the Preferences window under the Edit dropdown in the top toolbar.

• Most shortcuts can be custom-assigned, while some are protected.

• Future OrCAD X Presto updates will add customization to other commonly used features.

OrCAD X shortcut keys assist designers ergonomically while increasing efficiency.

Power users love a good shortcut: it greatly simplifies workflows and often replaces repetitive and imprecise mouse movements with quick keyboard commands. Once familiar with the basics of a toolset, designers can save time navigating toolbars and drop downs and quickly moving between commands more efficiently. In the past, it was prudent for designers to learn which commands were available as shortcuts to avoid constantly referencing shortcut sheets. With OrCAD X, shortcut keys are easy to configure for workflow optimization, unlocking even greater customization options that fit any designer’s needs.

A List of OrCAD X Shortcut Use Cases

A Quick Guide to OrCAD X Shortcut Keys

Shortcut keys greatly reduce the time designers have to spend searching out and selecting the most common layout commands, which increases efficiency and accelerates board design. Shortcuts in OrCAD X are even easier as they are easily accessible from the main toolbar. It’s possible to quickly edit the most commonly used features while viewing board files or performing layout, and the original keyboard shortcuts are quickly revertible for familiarity.  One of the new features of OrCAD X Presto is the ability to customize preset keyboard shortcuts, overriding their original functionality. Designers can dissociate any command from a keyboard shortcut and revert shortcuts to their original input, too:

1. Choose “Edit” then “Preferences” from the OrCAD X Presto Professional window when viewing a board file.

2. Select “Shortcut (Hotkeys)”. A list of context-dependent commands appears, indicating the command and corresponding design environment.

3. Double-click the appropriate cell under “shortcut” to override the current shortcut. The user can then input any valid key or key combination as a replacement. Note that keys, key combinations, and other shortcuts are unavailable unless replaced first. Altered shortcut commands will gain a bold font.

4. After updating the shortcut, a reset icon will also be visible in a highlighted cell; designers can use this to revert the shortcut to its original input.

5. Designers can also remove shortcut keys if they do not wish to have the command available, i.e., preventing accidental inputs. Note that some default mouse functionality and keyboard shortcuts are protected and cannot be removed or altered; the protected keyboard shortcuts have an italicized font.

6. Finally, users must confirm their selection in the bottom right corner of the “Shortcut (Hotkeys)” panel for changes to occur.

It may seem a little confusing to describe future shortcuts as unassigned and non-editable – these commands are existing features toggleable in the design environment view. A future update of OrCAD X Presto will roll out keyboard shortcuts for features like cross-probing the netlist and the 3D viewer.

Some OrCAD X Presto PCB Editor features will receive keyboard shortcuts in a future update.

Users can consult the manual and documentation for the appropriate location of the feature. For example, designers can find the 3D viewer options within the Visibility pane under the Display tab. These toggle buttons allow users to view/hide associated component 3D bodies, among other functions. Some features, like the Auto xProbe, are always visible regardless of the Tab view in the OrCAD X Presto window. The latter is in the bottom-left corner of the window.

Users will want to familiarize themselves with the location of design features.

OrCAD X Is Powering the Future of Board Design

OrCAD X shortcut keys massively reduce the time designers spend searching through menus to focus on the core issues of design: placement, routing, and other board elements that power the PCB literally and figuratively. A proper layout needs additional simulation and MCAD integration features, and OrCAD X delivers:  designers have all-inclusive options for every aspect of board design. Cadence’s best-in-class PCB Design and Analysis Software ensures DFM boards develop quickly and encounter few production issues while maximizing performance. Interested? Download the new OrCAD X platform and see the workflow optimizations that await your next layout.