Mentor Graphics Pads Version History

Faster and more efficient layout techniques.

Recently, the PADS ecosystem has entered a state of flux, with major implications for Standard and Standard Plus users.

Mentor Graphics PADS (now part of Siemens EDA) stands as one of the most enduring and widely used Printed Circuit Board (PCB) design software suites in the electronics industry. Originally developed by CADAM and later refined by PADS Software Inc. before its acquisition by Mentor Graphics in 2000, PADS bridged the gap between high-end enterprise solutions and basic hobbyist tools. mentor graphics pads version history

Mentor Graphics PADS is a renowned electronic design automation (EDA) software used for designing and manufacturing printed circuit boards (PCBs). Since its inception, PADS has been a go-to solution for engineers and designers seeking to create high-quality, reliable PCBs. Over the years, the software has undergone significant transformations, with each new version bringing improved features, enhanced performance, and increased functionality. In this article, we'll take a journey through the version history of Mentor Graphics PADS, highlighting key milestones, new features, and the impact on the industry.

If you have a legacy design file, here is how to date it: Faster and more efficient layout techniques

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 in 2001, and eventually to Siemens in 2017. Early Era & Expansion (1980s – 2000s)

Introduced advanced database capacities, allowing engineers to design larger boards with higher pin counts. It featured improved gridless routing capabilities. Originally developed by CADAM and later refined by

Streamlined reuse of circuit blocks 4.2.4.

Released in 2015 and 2017, respectively, PADS 9.0 and 9.1 introduced several significant enhancements, including:

Siemens has been clear: "PADS Professional" is the future. The legacy "PADS Standard" (the old Mentor codebase) is in maintenance mode. Expect version in 2025 to focus on:

This era marked the native integration of HyperLynx technology directly into the PADS flow, enabling mainstream engineers to run pre- and post-layout signal integrity (SI) simulations without exporting files to external platforms. PADS 9.3, 9.4, & 9.5 (2011–2012)