Mentor Graphics Pads | Version History [portable]

The Evolution of Mentor Graphics PADS: A Comprehensive Version History

Mentor Graphics PADS is a popular printed circuit board (PCB) design software that has been widely used in the electronics industry for decades. The software has undergone significant changes and improvements over the years, with each new version offering enhanced features, capabilities, and performance. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the Mentor Graphics PADS version history, highlighting the key developments, milestones, and innovations that have shaped the software into what it is today.

Early Years: PADS 1.0 to 3.0 (1980s-1990s)

The first version of PADS, version 1.0, was released in the early 1980s by PADS, a company founded by three engineers in the United States. The software was initially designed for MS-DOS and provided basic PCB design capabilities, including schematic capture, component placement, and routing. Over the next few years, PADS released several updates, including version 2.0, which introduced support for hierarchical designs and version 3.0, which added capabilities for high-speed design and simulation.

Acquisition by Mentor Graphics (1997)

In 1997, Mentor Graphics acquired PADS, and the software became an integral part of the company's portfolio of design tools. Under Mentor Graphics, PADS continued to evolve and improve, with a focus on integrating the software with other Mentor Graphics tools and platforms.

PADS 4.0 to 5.0 ( Late 1990s-Early 2000s)

The late 1990s and early 2000s saw the release of PADS 4.0 and 5.0, which introduced significant enhancements to the software. Version 4.0 featured improved performance, enhanced user interface, and support for larger designs. Version 5.0, released in 2001, added support for System-On-Chip (SoC) designs, high-speed design, and signal integrity analysis.

PADS 6.0 to 8.0 (Mid 2000s-Late 2000s)

The mid 2000s to late 2000s saw the release of PADS 6.0, 7.0, and 8.0, which continued to build on the software's capabilities. Version 6.0 introduced support for advanced high-speed design, including automatic tuning and optimization. Version 7.0, released in 2006, added support for design for manufacturability (DFM) and design for assembly (DFA). Version 8.0, released in 2008, featured improved collaboration capabilities and support for 64-bit operating systems.

PADS 9.0 to 10.0 (Early 2010s)

The early 2010s saw the release of PADS 9.0 and 10.0, which marked significant milestones in the software's evolution. Version 9.0, released in 2010, introduced a new user interface, improved performance, and enhanced support for high-speed design. Version 10.0, released in 2012, added support for 3D design, advanced simulation, and integration with other Mentor Graphics tools.

PADS OrCAD and PADS Xtreme (2015-Present)

In 2015, Mentor Graphics released PADS OrCAD, a comprehensive PCB design solution that integrated PADS with the OrCAD schematic capture and simulation tools. This release marked a significant shift towards a more integrated design flow. Later, in 2017, Mentor Graphics released PADS Xtreme, a next-generation PCB design platform that featured a modern user interface, improved performance, and enhanced capabilities for high-speed design, simulation, and collaboration.

Key Features and Enhancements

Throughout its version history, Mentor Graphics PADS has introduced a wide range of features and enhancements, including:

Conclusion

The Mentor Graphics PADS version history reflects the software's evolution over several decades, from its early beginnings as a basic PCB design tool to its current status as a comprehensive PCB design platform. Throughout its history, PADS has consistently delivered innovative features, improved performance, and enhanced capabilities, making it a popular choice among electronics designers and manufacturers. As the electronics industry continues to advance, it is likely that PADS will continue to evolve and adapt, providing designers with the tools and capabilities they need to create complex, high-performance designs.

References

FAQs

PADS (Personal Automated Design System) has evolved over more than 30 years from a desktop-focused PCB design tool into a high-end platform integrated into the Siemens EDA ecosystem. Originally created by Gene Marsh, it underwent significant shifts in ownership—moving from Innoveda to Mentor Graphics in 2001, and eventually to Siemens in 2017. Early Era & Expansion (1980s – 2000s)

Foundation: Developed as a lower-cost alternative to enterprise-level software, PADS quickly became a staple for independent engineers.

Key Transitions: The product's stability fluctuated during the Innoveda years before Mentor Graphics' acquisition provided a more robust corporate backing.

PADS 2007: Introduced high-speed analysis, RF/microwave circuitry implementation, and early Design for Fabrication (DFF) checking. The PADS 9.x Series

This era focused on modernizing the user interface (DxDesigner) and enhancing integration with analysis tools.

PADS 9.4 (2012): Added support for new 2D line styles in drafting and routing.

PADS 9.5 (2012): A major update that introduced virtual pins for branch point definition, full DDRx routing support, and a simplified Chinese interface. It also integrated the HyperLynx 8.2 suite for 3D field solving and thermal analysis. The VX Era & Rebranding (2015 – Present)

In 2015, Mentor Graphics restructured the brand into three distinct tiers based on complexity: mentor graphics pads version history

The version history of PADS, developed by Mentor Graphics Siemens EDA

), spans over 30 years and transitions from a standalone desktop PCB design tool to a sophisticated suite integrated with high-end enterprise technology. Siemens Blog Network Origins and Early Acquisitions Early 1990s

: Originally a popular tool for independent engineers and small service bureaus like 1997–2000

: The PADS organization underwent major corporate shifts, acquiring in 1997 and in 1998, before being sold to Mentor Graphics , bringing PADS into its flagship portfolio. PCB Libraries The PADS 2000 Series (2004–2009)

During this era, Mentor Graphics standardized the GUI and improved intra-tool integration.

: Introduced a new Project Explorer for PADS Logic and Layout, GUI standardization, and the Mentor Standard Installer (MSI).

: Added features for RF design, such as via matrixing and DXF-in import. It also improved high-speed routing and introduced Design for Fabrication (DFF) analysis. PADS 9.x (approx. 2009–2013)

: Continued the "classic" PADS flow, widely used by small teams for its ease of use on Windows environments. PCB Libraries The VX Era and Tiered Solutions (2014–Present)

In 2015, Mentor revamped the PADS brand into three distinct tiers to cater to different engineering needs: Siemens Blog Network Mentor Graphics PADS2007

PADS (Personal Automated Design System) is a widely-used PCB design software suite that has evolved over four decades through multiple corporate ownerships. Originally a DOS-based tool, it is now part of the Siemens EDA portfolio. Early Era (1985–2000)

PADS Software Inc. (1985–1990s): Founded by Gene Marsh, the software first launched in 1985 for DOS, priced at $495 per seat. It gained popularity as an affordable desktop alternative to expensive workstation-based CAD systems.

Acquisitions & Innoveda (2000): The company was briefly sold to Japanese manufacturer Kyoden before being merged into Innoveda (a venture between Viewlogic and other capital) in 2000. Mentor Graphics Era (2001–2017)

Mentor Graphics acquired Innoveda in 2001, integrating PADS into its larger electronic design automation (EDA) ecosystem.

PADS 2005/2007: Focused on integrating Mentor's advanced technologies, such as the DxDesigner schematic tool and HyperLynx for signal integrity analysis.

PADS 9.x Series: A long-standing version series (e.g., 9.0 to 9.5) that modernized the installation process and improved database formats while maintaining core traditional PADS workflows.

PADS VX (2014–Present): Introduced a major architectural shift. Mentor rebranded the tiers into PADS Standard, Standard Plus, and PADS Professional.

Standard/Standard Plus: Maintain the traditional PADS user interface (UI) and logic.

Professional: Built on Mentor's high-end Xpedition technology, featuring a different UI and advanced capabilities like the "Sketch Router". Siemens EDA Era (2017–Present)

Siemens acquired Mentor Graphics for $4.5 billion in 2017. Recent releases under the Siemens brand include:

Mentor Graphics PADS Version History: A Comprehensive Overview

Mentor Graphics PADS is a popular printed circuit board (PCB) design software used by engineers and designers to create and manufacture PCBs. The software has a rich history dating back to the 1980s, with numerous versions released over the years. In this post, we'll take a journey through the major milestones in the version history of Mentor Graphics PADS.

Early Years (1980s)

The first version of PADS, version 1.0, was released in 1985 by PADS, a company founded by John Davis and others. At that time, the software was a simple, text-based PCB design tool.

Acquisition by Mentor Graphics (1997)

In 1997, Mentor Graphics acquired PADS, and the software became a part of the Mentor Graphics portfolio. This marked a significant turning point for PADS, as it gained access to Mentor Graphics' resources and expertise.

Major Releases (1998-2005)

The following are some of the notable releases of PADS during this period: The Evolution of Mentor Graphics PADS: A Comprehensive

Xtreme and PADS Plus (2005-2010)

In 2005, Mentor Graphics released PADS Xtreme, a major upgrade that introduced a new architecture and user interface. PADS Xtreme was followed by PADS Plus, which added advanced features such as:

PADS VX (2011-2015)

The PADS VX series was a major milestone in the evolution of PADS. The following are some of the notable releases:

PADS Professional (2016-Present)

In 2016, Mentor Graphics released PADS Professional, a comprehensive PCB design solution that combined the best features of PADS and Mentor Graphics' other design tools.

Conclusion

The version history of Mentor Graphics PADS is a testament to the software's evolution and growth over the years. From its humble beginnings as a simple text-based tool to its current status as a comprehensive PCB design solution, PADS has remained a popular choice among engineers and designers. Today, PADS Professional continues to be a leading PCB design software, used by companies around the world to create innovative products.

References

PADS (originally Personal Automated Design System) has a long history, transitioning through several corporate owners from its 1986 debut to its current status under Siemens EDA. Key Eras in PADS Evolution

Early Era (1986–2000): Developed by PADS Software, Inc. It became a staple for desktop PCB design. In 2000, it was briefly sold to Innoveda before Mentor Graphics acquired Innoveda in 2001.

Mentor Classic Era (2001–2014): During this time, Mentor released major versions like PADS 2005, 2007, and 9.x. These versions introduced tools like PADS Logic and PADS Router.

The VX Era (2014–Present): Mentor transitioned to the VX (Virtual Extensible) platform. Following Siemens' acquisition of Mentor Graphics in 2017, the software was rebranded as Siemens EDA. Summary of Major Releases Mentor Graphics PADS 9.3 Tutorial - Introduction Part 1

The version history of Mentor Graphics PADS (now part of Siemens EDA) reflects its evolution from a standalone PCB tool to a multi-tiered design ecosystem.

The software is currently split into two main "flows": PADS Standard/Plus (the "classic" logic/layout environment) and PADS Professional (based on high-end Xpedition technology). 🕒 Notable Version Milestones 1985: First release on DOS for $495.

PADS 2005 / 2007: The era of the "PowerPCB" transition to the modern name.

PADS 9.x (2009–2014): Widely considered the "golden age" for stability; version 9.5 remains in use by many legacy teams.

PADS VX (2014–Present): Introduced the VX (VersalX) platform to align with Xpedition’s database structure.

PADS VX.2.17 (October 2025): The most recent major version as of current support documentation. 🛠️ Version Release Highlights (Recent History) PADS Standard vs. PADS Professional - EEVblog

PADS (Printed Automated Design System) has evolved from a simple DOS-based tool into a sophisticated suite of electronic design automation (EDA) software. Now part of Siemens EDA (formerly Mentor Graphics), its version history reflects the shift from manual board layout to high-speed, multi-layer, and AI-driven design. The Early Era: 1985–1997

Originally created by Gene Marsh, PADS launched in 1985 as a DOS-based software priced at $495 per seat.

PADS-PCB (1985–1990s): Early versions focused on basic 2D layout for double-sided or 4-layer boards.

Transition to Windows: As operating systems evolved, PADS moved away from its DOS roots to support the graphical user interfaces of Windows, becoming a staple for small design bureaus. Acquisition and the Innoveda Years: 1997–2001

This period was marked by rapid corporate shifts and significant technology acquisitions.

1997–1998: PADS acquired HyperLynx for signal integrity and ACT for simulation.

2000: The company was sold to Innoveda, a joint venture between Kyoden and Viewlogic.

PADS 5.0 (1998): This version consolidated many of the newly acquired tools into a more cohesive layout and routing environment. The Mentor Graphics Era: 2001–2017 High-speed design : Support for high-speed design, including

Mentor Graphics acquired Innoveda in 2001, bringing PADS into one of the "big three" EDA portfolios.

The history of PADS PCB design software spans over four decades, evolving from a DOS-based tool into a sophisticated suite now under the Siemens EDA PCB Libraries Origins and Early Years (1980s–1990s)

: PADS was first released by Gene Marsh and his son as a DOS-based operating system tool, originally priced at approximately $495 per seat.

: The software's headquarters were established in Marlborough, MA, eventually growing to a staff of 120 with widespread distribution in the USA. Acquisitions

: PADS was briefly owned by the Japanese manufacturer Kyoden before being acquired by in early 2000. PCB Libraries Mentor Graphics Era (2002–2016)

Mentor Graphics acquired Innoveda in 2002, integrating PADS into its broad Electronic Design Automation (EDA) portfolio. : Introduced GUI standardization, the Project Explorer

for Logic and Layout, and integrated OrCAD schematic/library import. : Added features for Design Variants and integrated HyperLynx Analog simulation as a DxDesigner add-in. PADS 9.x Series 9.4 (2012) : Added support for new 2D line styles and enhanced library support 9.5 (2012)

: Modernized the installation process and updated database/ASCII formats for Layout and Router The VX Release and Siemens Acquisition (2014–Present) What’s new in PADS VX.2.12 - Siemens

In 2017, Mentor Graphics was acquired by Siemens, and PADS has since become part of the Siemens EDA (Electronic Design Automation) portfolio.

Today, PADS continues to evolve with new features and capabilities, including:

The current version of PADS is PADS Professional 2022, which includes various enhancements and new features, such as improved collaboration, enhanced design automation, and support for latest industry standards.

Version Feature Comparison Table (1996–2024)

| Version | Release Year | Key Innovation | Operating System | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | PowerPCB 1.0 | 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 |

Version VX.0 – VX.2

Mentor Graphics changed the versioning nomenclature to "VX" (Visual Experience) to denote a major architectural update in the graphics engine.

The history of PADS (Personal Automated Design System) is a decades-long journey that mirrors the evolution of the entire electronic design automation (EDA) industry. From its origins as a budget-friendly DOS application to its current status as a sophisticated suite under Siemens, PADS has remained a staple for independent engineers and small-to-medium design teams. 1. The Early Era: PADS-PCB and the DOS Roots (1985–1990s)

PADS was originally created by Gene Marsh and his son in the mid-1980s.

1985 Release: The first version, PADS-PCB, debuted for DOS. At just $495 per seat, it democratized PCB design, which was previously locked behind expensive, proprietary Unix workstations.

Market Growth: Headquartered in Marlborough, MA, the company grew rapidly, becoming a primary competitor to early leaders like PCAD and Calay Systems.

2. Corporate Transitions: Innoveda and Acquisition (1990s–2002)

The late 90s saw PADS bolster its technical capabilities through strategic acquisitions before undergoing significant corporate changes.

Expansion (1997–1998): PADS acquired HyperLynx in 1997, integrating what would become the industry-standard tool for signal integrity. In 1998, they added ACT (Advanced CAM Technologies) to improve manufacturing output.

Ownership Shifts: In 2000, the company was sold to Innoveda, a joint venture involving ViewLogic. This period is often remembered by longtime users for a perceived stall in product innovation. 3. The Mentor Graphics Era (2002–2017)

In 2002, Mentor Graphics acquired Innoveda for $160 million, officially bringing PADS into its portfolio.

PADS 2005 & 2007: Mentor introduced "Flow" bundles, integrating Logic, Layout, and Router into a cohesive Windows-based environment.

The "9.x" Series: Versions like PADS 9.3 and 9.5 were major milestones, widely used for years. These versions solidified the classic workflow of using PADS Logic for schematics and PADS Layout for the board.

PADS Professional (2015): To compete with high-end tools like Altium, Mentor launched PADS Professional. This was a radical shift, as it was built on the high-end Xpedition technology rather than the legacy PADS code. 4. Siemens and the VX Series (2017–Present)

Following Siemens' $4.5 billion acquisition of Mentor Graphics in 2017, the software was rebranded under Siemens EDA. History of PADS - PCB Libraries Forum

2. The Windows Transition (late 1990s) – PowerPCB & PowerLogic

Introduction: The People’s PCB Tool

For over three decades, the world of Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design has been dominated by a few key players: Cadence Allegro, Altium Designer, Zuken, and the subject of our deep dive—PADS (Personal Automated Design Systems). While high-end tools handled the aerospace and supercomputer markets, PADS carved out a unique legacy. It was the tool for the everyman: the small consultancy, the automotive supplier, the embedded systems engineer, and the hardware startup.

Originally created by Innoveda, later acquired by Mentor Graphics (a Siemens business since 2017), PADS has undergone one of the most dramatic evolutionary arcs in EDA history. This article traces the lineage of PADS, from its command-line roots to its modern, cloud-connected environment.

PADS Professional (2021)