Mentor Graphics Pads Version History Exclusive

PADS 9.4 was a significantly enhanced release that added unique Design-for-Manufacturing (DFM) analysis functionality to the PCB design space. It allowed designers to perform over 100 fabrication and assembly checks directly within PADS Layout, based on Valor DFM technology. The release also introduced associated nets functionality for DDRx interconnect design, reducing design time significantly.

The era of the "PowerPCB" transition to the modern name. mentor graphics pads version history

Siemens made a strategic decision: is no longer the same codebase as Standard. It now shares the database and routing engine of Xpedition (Siemens' $50k+ tool), but with the PADS licensing model. PADS 9

| Version | Release Year | Key Innovation | Operating System | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | 1996 | First Windows GUI | Win 95/NT | | PADS 2005 | 2004 | Dedicated Shape-based Router | Win 2000/XP | | PADS 9.5 | 2012 | Legacy stable UI; Last 32-bit version | Win 7 (32/64) | | PADS VX.0 | 2015 | Ribbon UI; xDX Designer | Win 7/10 (64-bit only) | | PADS VX.2.10 | 2021 | Rigid-flex design | Win 10 | | PADS Pro VX.2.15 | 2024 | Xpedition backend; Cloud/Teamcenter | Win 11 / Server 2022 | The era of the "PowerPCB" transition to the modern name