OrCAD PCB Editor is a relatively new printed circuit board (PCB) design application that has replaced OrCAD Layout. The purpose of this book is to provide new users of the software with a basic introduction to OrCAD PCB Editor and the design of PCBs.

OrCAD PCB Editor is based on Allegro PCB Editor, so this book will be useful to new Allegro PCB Editor users as well. Allegro PCB Editor is a powerful, full-featured design tool. While OrCAD PCB Editor has inherited many of those features, it does not possess all of the tools and features. Consequently most of the basic tools and features are described here, but only a few of the more-advanced tools are covered, as outlined later.

Chapter 1 introduces the reader to the basics of PCB design. The chapter begins by introducing the concepts of computer-aided engineering, computer-aided design, and computer-aided manufacturing. The chapter then explains how these tools are used to design and manufacture multilayer PCBs. Many 3-D pictures are used to show the construction of PCBs. Topics such as PCB cores and layer stack-up, apertures, D codes, photolithography, layer registration, plated through holes, and Gerber files are explained.

Chapter 2 leads new users of the software through a very simple design example. The purpose of the example is to paint a "big picture" of the design flow process. The example begins with a blank schematic page and ends with the Gerber files. The circuit is ridiculously simple, so that it is not a distraction...