PCB Library Management With OrCAD X Capture Workspaces

Key Takeaways

• Library management ensures the integrity of each new file introduced into the library; verification is critical to saving time later in the workflow on corrective action.

• Restricting file access to a single user at a time (once in the library) avoids issues with simultaneous editing.

• OrCAD X Capture Workspaces gives administrators control over library access and privileges that keep workflows running smoothly without endangering file integrity.

The OrCAD X Capture Component Explorer tab shows all PCB footprint library entries with folder organization.

The importance of proper file management for PCB design cannot be understated. Even single-user design teams benefit significantly from having organized projects and libraries, which increase efficiency, and prevent duplication of work. For larger organizations, file management is a critical factor in project success: restricting access to files (both in terms of general availability and exclusive editing sessions) helps to prevent design errors that can be difficult to catch until issues arise during production. PCB library management tools like one within OrCAD X Capture allow users to establish and maintain file integrity, even for large team sizes.

Pre-Library File Design At-a-Glance

The Importance of PCB Library Management

PCB design starts at the schematic: no matter how complex or simple the layout, incorrect footprints or schematic symbols produce issues ranging in severity from design revisions to board scrapping. Therefore, designers must be confident in the accuracy of their project files, beginning with the management of the footprints and schematic symbols..

Schematic symbols capture the logic of a design, and most components will use standard symbols. On the other hand, footprints represent the physical portion of the PCB design, and accuracy is crucial.  Footprint creation has two general methodologies:

• Designers can rely on footprints from the manufacturer or trusted third-party partners.

• Designers can create and verify footprints using measurements from the manufacturer’s datasheets.

OrCAD X users can build footprints or search through third-party libraries.

From here, footprints require verification. Footprints from manufacturers and trusted third-party partners should adhere to a “trust but verify” mentality. Manually designed footprints might take more time upfront in creation, but the final verification needs remain the same. Footprints that necessitate correction should return to the initial designer, while those that pass verification enter the shared library. The library's purpose is to minimize redundancy in footprint design: a verified footprint will remain accurate in the future for the manufacturer’s part number (MPN) or, more broadly, in the case of standard packaging.

Active library management will also oversee the checkout and return of footprints to and from the shared library. This control prevents conflicts and potential overwrites by only allowing one user to edit at any time. By controlling access to the correct and verified component footprints and following the history of those who can edit in the event of an error, addressing the library's upkeep is much more practical.

OrCAD X Workspaces: Easy Setup and Use

OrCAD X Capture workspaces is a cloud-based solution that allows team members to interact anywhere with flexible remote collaboration with four predefined settings for assigning access privileges: Users are view only, Librarians can only edit library files,  Designers can only edit project and design files, while Administrators can add and remove members, set member privileges, and perform all edits within the workspace.  Workspace content, privileges, and members are exclusive to each instance; OrCAD X Capture users can easily switch between workspaces they are members of within the same session without concern for workflow interruptions.

OrCAD X Professional supports up to ten unique workspaces.

Setting up a workspace is straightforward:

1. Create and save design and library files within the local workspace (“My Workspace”).
2. Create a shared Workspace and manage team members and privileges.
3. Publish the design and library files to the shared workspace.

Edit and publish functionality ensures exclusive access to a design file during checkout/check-in and protects the integrity of the library while restricting access to a single user. Version history provides a record of file access with revision rollback capabilities. 

OrCAD X Workspaces Improve Design Team Workflow

PCB library management is a critical and well-known aspect of project success. Proper file and library management supports the initial production and any downstream revisions, making it an undeniably valuable investment for any design team. OrCAD X users can improve their approach further with additional Cadence PCB Design and Analysis Software. Interested in seeing workspaces first-hand? Try the new OrCAD X free trial. 

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