Mentor Graphics Pads Version History -
Following Siemens’ acquisition of Mentor Graphics (completed 2017), the first Siemens‑branded releases arrived in 2021, focusing on cloud collaboration and mechanical‑electrical co‑design.
| Version | Year | Siemens‑Era Features | |-------------|----------|----------------------------| | PADS Professional 1.0 | 2021 | Re‑branded from VX.2.11. Integrated Valor NPI (New Product Introduction) for DFM checks. | | PADS Professional 2.0 | 2022 | Xpedition‑like cage‑slot editor for backplanes. Real‑time BOM management via Siemens’ Capital platform. | | PADS Professional 3.0 | 2023 | Cloud Library Sync – share components across multiple users. 4K display scaling improvements. | | PADS Professional 3.1 | 2024 | Native USB‑C connector routing patterns. Automated fanout templates for BGAs (0.5mm pitch and below). | | PADS Professional 4.0 | Expected 2025 | (Roadmap hints at AI‑assisted placement and thermal simulation via Simcenter) |
Note: The classic “PADS Standard” still exists for smaller boards (up to 16 layers). “PADS Professional” now shares the same database engine as Xpedition Enterprise. mentor graphics pads version history
Following the acquisition, the most significant shift in the tool's history occurred: the migration from DOS to Microsoft Windows.
PADS started as a low-cost, PC-based PCB design tool in the 1980s, competing with high-end Unix workstations. Over 40+ years, it evolved from a simple layout tool into a scalable suite (PADS Professional, PADS Standard, PADS Standard Plus) under Mentor Graphics (now Siemens EDA). Its version history reflects the shift from DOS to Windows, the integration of simulation, and the move toward cloud/collaboration. Note: The classic “PADS Standard” still exists for
As of late 2024, the latest production version is VX.2.15.
Key Features in VX.2.15:
For over three decades, PADS (Personal Automated Design Systems) has been one of the most popular PCB design tool suites for layout engineers, small-to-medium businesses, and educational institutions. Originally developed by Mentor Graphics (now part of Siemens EDA since 2017), PADS has evolved from a DOS-based schematic capture tool into a powerful, constraint-driven layout environment.
Below is a comprehensive version history, highlighting major releases, architectural shifts, and feature milestones. Following the acquisition, the most significant shift in
A landmark release focused on design reuse.