Altium has released the 2002 version of its P-CAD PCB design software with up to sixty new and enhanced features to simplify printed circuit board design.
The new Design Manager feature presents spreadsheet-like component and net views that are integrated into the PCB layout environment, allowing greater control over key design elements by allowing users to view and manage design data more easily.
P-CAD 2002 also includes the Visual Placement Area (VPA) interactive rules-based placement tool that, when a component is being placed, analyses design constraints and displays overlays representing the legal regions of the board in which a component may be placed.
The software also introduces the ability to display an individual net’s traces, connections and objects in their own unique colours, enabling designers to see individual nets in the context of the board.
Other notable features include support for Valor’s ODB++ file format, support for True Type fonts in Gerber and ODB++, component clearance rule checking, and a number of user interface improvements to ease usability issues.
“P-CAD 2002 incorporates significant enhancements that address board complexity issues by concentrating on improving ease of use and offering a greater depth of control, specifically in the board layout stage,” Altium joint ceo Nick Martin said.