Orcad Competitive Upgrade - Hot deal happening now! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mstevens
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2019, 01:28:25 am
content: For those of you who own a competing product, EMA Design is currently running a competitive upgrade special to Orcad Pro. I got a VERY good deal; I don't dare mention the price. You should callFred at 585-334-6001 x124and tell himMelvinsent you. He is eager to sell!!Wow, I can't believe the deal I got and the process was very simple. Anyone interested in an Orcad Pro license should call tomorrow. I have been on the fence for at least 1.5 years now and I finally got a deal I could not refuse. And no, I am not getting any kickbacks!! Just trying to pass along info so you all don't miss out if you were considering purchasing a seat of Orcad Pro.Now I will get a chance to see how it really stacks up against Altium Designer.

author: mars01
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2019, 07:32:25 pm
content: QuoteWhy don't you dare? Please share it here otherwise your post is just a seller's cry for help ...

author: HalFET
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2019, 08:43:27 pm
content: Quote from: mstevens on March 14, 2019, 01:28:25 amIt's still OrCAD though, they'd have to pay me to use it, and quite a lot at that as well...

author: AndyC_772
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2019, 08:47:47 pm
content: Is this an offer that's specifically limited to customers in the USA?

author: kaz911
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2019, 09:45:02 pm
content: Quote from: AndyC_772 on March 14, 2019, 08:47:47 pmLimited time offer. Valid in North America Only.yes they do that every year in the US - but not for the rest of the world.

author: kaz911
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2019, 10:00:39 pm
content: I asked and pressured them last year and they would not budge as it would harm the EU distributors.But maybe one should try again. Started with Orcad.. Might as well end with it *G*

author: mstevens
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2019, 10:02:35 pm
content: Quote from: mars01 on March 14, 2019, 07:32:25 pmI think as with all the vendors now if you have negotiating skills you may be able to get it for less that advertised. I think I got a REALLY good deal. Give him a call.

author: mstevens
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2019, 10:07:12 pm
content: Quote from: HalFET on March 14, 2019, 08:43:27 pmAs I understand it OrCAD is an industry standard. It got that way by being around a VERY long time. Subsequently it probably definitely suffers from legacy everything (UI/workflow/code/etc); but I am sure that if one wants to work in industry doing PCB design, knowing OrCAD may be a plus on the resume. And I think this is about a inexpensive as I would ever be able to have a license. If its not for you, then its not.

author: mstevens
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2019, 10:08:11 pm
content: Quote from: blueskull on March 14, 2019, 09:41:13 pmI think so but a call to Fred my confirm that for you.

author: mstevens
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2019, 10:14:10 pm
content: Quote from: kaz911 on March 14, 2019, 09:45:02 pmThis is a deal that they have been running now for a while. It is a different deal from the competitive upgrade to which I am referring. The price on the deal to which I am referring must be good as Fred told me today that their licensing department has been overwhelmed with this promotion over the last few days. If you are considering a seat of Orcad Pro, I reiterate that now might be the best time to buy. Call Fred at Fred P: 585-334-6001 x124 and tell him Melvin sent you. I think if you do this he might be expecting that I told you all what I paid and you might get the same KILLER deal I got. I state again, I don't get any kickbacks. I just hate when I miss a good deal so I am taking the time to let everyone know about it.

author: mstevens
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2019, 10:18:16 pm
content: Quote from: blueskull on March 14, 2019, 09:54:50 pmThat sucks!! Altium really pisses me off at times. But I am a long time Altium user; I've had my license(s) since Protel 99. This is one of the reasons I at least wanted to give OrCAD a try.

author: ebclr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 14, 2019, 11:28:21 pm
content: USS 485 sounds reasonable

author: mstevens
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2019, 12:05:15 am
content: Quote from: ebclr on March 14, 2019, 11:28:21 pmI think it is more than reasonable for the Standard version; I purchased that deal but found that there are some features missing that were only in the Pro version. So I opted to spend a little more and get the Pro version which has all the bells and whistles.

author: RomDump
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2019, 01:57:48 am
content: Quote from: mstevens on March 14, 2019, 01:28:25 amThis is not true. You got a deal in order to get more people to call in and upgrade to Orcad Professional. I just went through this with another board member and my sales rep wouldn't match the deal he got. The deal he got was upgrade to professional for $1800(US). For me it was $3850 (US). I would say Orcad Standard is pretty useless feature wise but I am stuck with it now.

author: mstevens
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2019, 03:42:16 am
content: Quote from: RomDump on March 15, 2019, 01:57:48 amWhat you have just done is effectively called me liar. I state again, I don't get any by letting you all know about this deal. Perhaps instead of insulting people you should work on your negotiating skills. I got a good deal. A key for me to continue to get good deals is to not disclose my negotiated price. I will say that I have been negotiating with this rep for 1.5 years now so perhaps my deal was just a result of my tenacity and persistence. I only tell people to use my name because I am hoping Fred will put people in the same ballpark figure that I got.It make me look like a moron if I say you can get a deal then you all go contact him and have to pay full price! Perhaps could not get a deal because you don't own a competing product; which is what this promo is all about.Please don't call me a liar. Fred did not ask me for any referral until after my transaction had been completed; any I would have expected no less from a GOOD salesperson. Having done sales for a good portion of my life, I appreciate a salesperson who can see my side of the sale and work with me to help me get the product which I'm trying to obtain. Further I saw in another thread here where someone got a pro license for like $1200 or so, I was pissed that I had shelled out $430 for the limited Standard version and they would not let me get the Pro version for that price. I told Fred I was pissed about this; and he has given me several quotes that just still did not get me un-pissed. Fred called me on Monday with a deal that I could not refuse.To helped others that may want an Orcas Pro seat, I posted! Fred had no expectation that I would send him referrals; he was merely trying to make a sale considering the following factors: "I lost out on the first $1200 deal (in essence I think I got shafted by EMA Design)", "I own an AD license and really have no need for Orcad", and the "Orcad Pro purchase is really just a toy for me (I don't make money with it or Altium)".I don't understand why you would even make the post you made. I am no liar.

author: mstevens
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2019, 04:11:08 am
content: Quote from: RomDump on March 15, 2019, 01:57:48 amPerhaps you should have just called Fred like I pointed out. You know when vendors are cutting deals, They try to get the most money they can get out of you. Further, some sales reps will sell for lower; because they would rather have a bigger volume of sales. Some reps just want to sell for retail so they get the most commission per sale. At any rate your statement here proves my initial point; it seems that the person to whom you refer got a greater than 50% discount. If you knew people could get that kind of a discount on such a large dollar item would you not spread the word?

author: HalFET
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2019, 12:37:59 pm
content: Quote from: mstevens on March 14, 2019, 10:07:12 pmOh, no worries, I've used it, hence my distaste for it. Between the non-existent documentation, horrible licensing policies, the massive amounts of bugs and the fact that it's three different pieces of software tied together in a haphazard way it only has one redeeming factor: It's still better than Cadence Virtuoso. That one has a watchdog timer enforced crash system built right into it I suspect. But if you're out collecting industry standard software for PCB design, there are a couple of "industry standards" like this. Mentor Graphics Xpedition comes to mind for capture and layout work, for pre-manufacturing UCAM is quite common, and if you want to do RF work you'll want that sweet sweet ADS license. Which is to say, something being industry standard is not a good reason to buy it over something else.But the main reason why I'm posting in this thread: I honestly wouldn't waste money on OrCAD if Altium is a viable option. Though I suspect Cadence and Mentor Graphics might be feeling Autodesk breathing down their neck at this point, so they might actually put some effort into it again.

author: mstevens
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2019, 02:17:38 pm
content: Quote from: HalFET on March 15, 2019, 12:37:59 pmI agree!! I believe Altium is the best alternative. I only made this post because I know that everyone has preferences and biases; and for those who think Cadence software is the way to go well this deal should be for them. I personally purchased it so that I would have some real personal experience with it; and it was worth it for the deal I got.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2019, 03:12:35 pm
content: Quote from: HalFET on March 15, 2019, 12:37:59 pmI don't think this is very useful comment here because everyone has personal preferences. I feel exactly the opposite when it comes to Altium. I have used Altium but found it very convoluted. A couple of months I bought the latest Orcad PCB designer package (17.2) and I managed to create a good PCB design (4 layers with some fine pitch SMT) without any training. I have had both Altium and Orcad demonstrated to me. In the end both packages have their strong and weak points.

author: mstevens
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2019, 08:55:51 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on March 15, 2019, 03:12:35 pmWhat was your experience/background? I only know PCB design a little. Now that I have had the time to try OrCAD, I can say for me Altium is easier to use of the two. I would definitely go to AD for PCB design. What did you find easier about Orcad?

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 15, 2019, 09:15:53 pm
content: Quote from: mstevens on March 15, 2019, 08:55:51 pmFirst of all I have used Orcad STD (DOS) and Capture (Windows) for over 25 years at various companies. In the Netherlands Orcad has a strong user base. Previously I have used Orcad Layout to create PCB designs but that has been discontinued for several years now.I think Altium has more eye candy where Orcad is more geared towards functionality. I think the biggest differentiator between the two packages is that Orcad has a signal integrity simulation package included. For me a big plus of Orcad is that the PCB package runs on Linux natively. So far I have managed to get going by using on-line resources like instruction videos and fora.Ultimately there is not much difference between the packages. One of my customers choose Altium because they wanted to exchange designs with other companies which happen to use Altium. Without that the choice could have just as easely swung the other way because Orcad is cheaper.At one employer I have used Altium but I needed the manual on my lap to get started on a schematic. Nothing was intuitive to me. It is also slow. And there is one thing I really hate about Altium; the default font for the pin names and labels: 'Times'. Who uses that as a default? It becomes completely unreadable when printed small (like you'd do with a schematic). It can be changed but most designers don't bother.

author: mstevens
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2019, 12:22:58 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on March 15, 2019, 09:15:53 pmI guess I need to keep an open mind then because although I have absolutely no Professional pcb design experience, I have owned an Altium license since about 1999. My first impression are the exact opposite. I find Altium VERY intuitive and Orcad no so. I really can't do anything with this package. I need to go through some training/tutorials. This thing is not at all intuitive. Further, to do Supplier part lookup and import is a VERY easy in AD which is a big plus for AD over any package but I can't even seem to find a tutorial on how to set it up in Orcad. There is no setup required for this feature in Altium Designer.Supplier part parameter import is, IMHO an absolute necessity. It is a shame it is not seamless in ALL pcb packages. And to pay as much as one has to for Orcad and it not be seamless should almost be a crime.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2019, 01:03:38 am
content: I have my own component database which is tied into Orcad's CIS component. You don't want random components (symbols, footprints) in your design.Being able to put something together quickly may seem like an advantage but in the long run you'll want to create your own symbols and footprints for consistency and readability. For example: what is often missing on connector footprints is the outline of the mating connector and/or the direction in which the wires or mating connector are plugged into a connector.

author: mstevens
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2019, 02:52:36 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on March 16, 2019, 01:03:38 amYes I get that but to get in all the parameters for the component say like the attached is as simple as looking up the component in a supplier search window then clicking import; at least for AD 18 and prior. I think in v19 it is as easy as searching and then placing the component. But the first involves manually creating the footprint and schematic symbol. Once the sch symbol is created the just import all those parameters. Is something like this even possible in Orcad? If it is it is elusive.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2019, 12:02:27 pm
content: The Orcad CIS component management system can get data from several suppliers. I have never tried it though.

author: HalFET
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2019, 01:34:31 pm
content: Quote from: nctnico on March 15, 2019, 09:15:53 pmAnd this is the part that makes people biased. I've drawn PCB designs (multi-layer flex) in AutoCAD, and for me that's perfectly ok because I've been an AutoCAD user for about 15 years now. I'll probably do it quicker in AutoCAD than many folks in . But that doesn't make it good advice for other people.Quote from: nctnico on March 15, 2019, 09:15:53 pmI'd say Altium is more intuitive to the beginning user. I managed to get a PCB design out of Altium without reading the manual, for OrCAD I vividly remember needing an actual book to get a PCB out of it.Quote from: nctnico on March 15, 2019, 09:15:53 pmhttps://www.altium.com/video-altium-presents-signal-integrityhttps://techdocs.altium.com/display/ASIAE/Signal+Integrity+AnalysisQuote from: nctnico on March 15, 2019, 09:15:53 pmI consider this the main disadvantage of Cadence and Mentor Graphics software, I have to use an operating system that doesn't "just work". On Linux I always find myself fighting the OS more than working on the actual task. There's always a hardware interfacing issue, the driver is never quite working without glitches, multi-screen support is lacking, ... Windows has its flaws *cough* Windows Update *cough* but when I turn on my computer in the morning when arriving at the office I can say with some certainty that it's going to start up and that I'll be able to get started.Quote from: nctnico on March 15, 2019, 09:15:53 pmUsability and bugs are major differentiators, Cadence lost all credit on that metric.Quote from: nctnico on March 15, 2019, 09:15:53 pmYes, Altium costs more, but licensing of OrCAD ain't always that convenient either. Like I'm fairly certain the way we used our Altium license would have been entirely illegal if we had used OrCAD instead at my last job.Quote from: nctnico on March 15, 2019, 09:15:53 pmI'll grant you that you do have to change the fonts, but there are ways to do that quite quickly. But I found myself going to a library and needing a physical book to get OrCAD to work about a decade ago. Sure, they improved slightly in the meanwhile, but it's honestly not intuitive at all. OrCAD somehow manages to be less intuitively usable than CATIA, which is an impressive feat of software engineering.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2019, 01:53:03 pm
content: It is interesting to read that your Linux and Orcad problems are my Windows and Altium problems(and let's leave it at that right here right now). I'm not judging or disagreeing; I value the different perspectives.Other than that it seems it depends greatly on your past experiences and personal taste which package (Orcad or Altium) works better for you. I hope we can agree that the functionalities and capabilities are largely the same. I can't really comment on differences in productivity.

author: asmi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2019, 04:33:53 pm
content: Quote from: HalFET on March 17, 2019, 01:34:31 pmLOL you got it backwards. Orcad is yet to crash once on me in 1.5 years of me using it, while Altium is well known for crashes and bugs. Check the Altium subforum to get all the proof you needQuote from: HalFET on March 17, 2019, 01:34:31 pmOrcad Professional is waaay cheaper than Altium yet it contains pretty much all you even need to make modern boards. And yes - unlike Altium, with Orcad you get SI tools that are actually usable

author: mstevens
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2019, 07:31:15 pm
content: Quote from: HalFET on March 17, 2019, 01:34:31 pmCandence obfuscates the real cost of its packages by breaking them into pieces. Everything that Altium can do is in Altium. With OrCAD if you want spice simulation you have to purchase PSpice. Want advanced spice simulation you must by PSpice Advanced Analysis (AA). Want this or that... Well that and this are other packages to purchase. Everything that Altium does, you get when you purchase a license of Altium Designer. That is vey nice and not deceptive.Quote from: HalFET on March 17, 2019, 01:34:31 pmYeah... A good manual, tutorial, and/or training OR ALL of the above is needed for me to work OrCAD. Nothing seems intuitive, right down to the move commands.Is it true than one cannot open two projects in OrCAD, and copy things from one project to another?Thanks

author: RomDump
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2019, 09:51:32 pm
content: Quote from: mstevens on March 15, 2019, 03:42:16 amSorry if I offended you but I think there was a misunderstanding. I was just saying unknown to you is that EMA gives deals to certain individuals to generate more future sales at different prices.I can confirm what you stated is true about the promotional deal they are currently giving. It doesn't apply to me as I don't have a competing product that I can use to trade up to Orcad Professional.Sorry if I caused any distress to you.

author: mstevens
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2019, 09:57:25 pm
content: Quote from: RomDump on March 17, 2019, 09:51:32 pmThanks. Sorry, I am a little over sensitive when I feel people are misrepresent me; it has been done to me far too many times in the past; so I apologize about blowing up like that.

author: RomDump
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2019, 10:08:28 pm
content: Quote from: mstevens on March 17, 2019, 07:31:15 pmIf you want a crash course and not spend a bundle tryKirsch Mackey Udemy Orcad Course.Pretty much the same content that EMA training course. Kirsch Mackey also has a Youtube channel and a Website that has more advance tips.

author: HalFET
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2019, 01:58:52 pm
content: Quote from: asmi on March 17, 2019, 04:33:53 pmLast time I used OrCAD (which has now been more than three years luckily) it didn't directly crash on me, other Cadence software took care of that bit. But that's the beauty of it, it only managed to output entirely bugged gerber files after it was running for more than a few days. Took a while until we figured that one out.Quote from: asmi on March 17, 2019, 04:33:53 pmIt's way cheaper in some circumstances, in others Altium's licensing policy is far more lenient. I recommend you read the license agreement very well if you're a small company. If you want to run it by the book you might need more than one license.And I never worked with more than one design at a time with Cadence software, so no idea about that mstevens. But this is honestly my main issue with any Cadence software, there's no decent built-in tutorial. If I open up the Altium documentation I know I'm going to find an up-to-date explanation on how to do something, in the case of Cadence you might find an entry from 1992 for some DOS version of the software. Just ask for a trial license and check if it's right for you before you buy it, and read the small letters in the license agreement.

author: mstevens
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2019, 11:30:27 pm
content: I meant to mention that I got OrCAD Pro with CIS and CIP for a base price then added PSpice for just a little more. Not only did I get an AMAZING price but I also got a PERPETUAL license.

author: kaz911
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2019, 09:33:11 am
content: Salespeople are salespeople.... They will promise they world and deliver a lot of hot vapor.

author: tszaboo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2019, 12:04:46 pm
content: TBH, i find this bullshit really unacceptable for a professional tool:I've used it for a year, then I told my manager that we are buying altium. Seriously, this is a software, where I had to go and do a google search and download a guide on how to place a via.Quote from: blueskull on March 19, 2019, 11:40:02 amYeah. If you can spend that much on a software, you can afford a Windows workstation for it with ECC ram and professional grapics card. Most people complaining are running a cracked license on a pc that is below the minimum system requirements.

author: mstevens
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2019, 12:53:31 pm
content: Quote from: blueskull on March 19, 2019, 11:40:02 amAltium Designer 18 and later are written using C#; so it is true 64-bit. Delphi is no longer used.

author: ehughes
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2019, 12:51:36 am
content: QuoteSorry, bullshit click-bait alert. "I don't dare mention the price" are trigger words meaning someone is full of shit or getting an offer to spam in exchange for a better deal. If you are truly in the no bullshit zone then just say the real price.

author: mstevens
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2019, 01:14:13 pm
content: Quote from: ehughes on March 20, 2019, 12:51:36 amYou call BS. I call you an idiot! Someone in this thread already confirm that the deal exists! Either you want to purchase or you don't. If you want to and don't because you want the price I got but are scared to call and negotiate then it is your loss.For those reading this, the deal is legit. It is my belief that companies need to make money to stay in business. At the price I purchased, I don't think EMA Designs/Cadence made money. I would not subject a salesperson to a flood of people off whom they could make no money.ehughes don't say someone is BS unless you have the proof to back up your assertion. Have you any proof that my claim is BS? No you don't, you can't have any; because I have an invoice to prove my claim. So, I know you don't have any proof to justify your assertion. You're an idiot!Folks if you want a good deal on a seat of Orcad,call Fred 585-334-6001 x124, and tell him Melvin sent you. Tell him you know that he can give you a good deal because "Melvin said you gave him an unbelievable deal!" …On this pagehttps://www.ema-eda.com/products/cadence-orcad/orcad-pcb-designer-suite/pricingplus I got the OrCAD PCB Designer Professional with PSpice - New Perpetual License with CIS and CIP options added. Not only did I get an incredible price, but I got great terms as well; that is why I posted this. You don't have to tell Fred I sent you; but know this if Fred knows I sent you he will know that there is a possibility that I told you what I paid so he is less likely to pull the salesman BS on you and try to get more out of you. That does happen with salespeopleUltimately I posted because I wanted to help those who might NEED or WANT a seat.Further, for example say I decided to do PCB design as a services employing 4 designers all using AD. I think I would not be inconceivable that the company may get a request to modify some legacy OrCAD or PADS design. Well If I could get a $10k Orcad license for say $1k and it were perpetual, I would buy two licenses and shelve them in the even that we may get such a request in the future.I tell my wife all the time I get tools when I can get a deal on them, not when I need them. You always pay more when you NEED a tool. Example I bought a Kreg Foreman off Ebay, Brand new, from a factory outlet. I realized it was a deal. I picked it up for $320. ...I searched the other night for one and the cheapest I could find a new one was for about $450. I did ot need it at the time I purchased it but I have used it several times within a year after purchase. This is just my modus operandi.My initial post was not intended as SPAM, official advertisement, or to offend anyone or to get anyone to switch.

author: rsjsouza
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2019, 01:58:54 pm
content: I have been receiving this promo for a while now but I couldn't yet justify spending that kind of money with a hobby. Especially since I have access to these tools at my work.Regarding this whole price discussion, I can tell from experience that pricing of goods (especially in B2B transactions) is highly dependent on who you talk to.My experience with both Altium and OrCAD are very similar to others, with a slight edge for me for Altium. Back in the days of heavy keyboard (or no mouse at all) use, OrCAD was king. A few years later I could tell that others were catching up, until I found and fell in love with Protel, with many successful designs back then. My attempts to get back to OrCAD were not as successful, but I am truly reconsidering it nowadays given that versions post Altium 12 have become so convoluted for my taste.