PADS2004

PADS2004 by Mentor Graphics is a Windows-based electronic design automation (EDA) solution for creating printed circuit boards. Tailored for individual engineers and small to mid-size teams, it brings schematic capture, constraint-driven PCB layout, routing, and manufacturing preparation together in a streamlined workflow.

Key capabilities:

• Schematic capture with hierarchy, netlist management, and cross-probing between schematic and layout
• PCB layout with interactive and auto-routing, copper pours/planes, and rule-driven design rule checks
• High-speed design support, including differential pairs, length tuning, and constraint management (feature availability may vary by configuration)
• Integration with Mentor Graphics HyperLynx tools for signal integrity analysis
• Centralized library and part management with customizable symbols, footprints, and attributes
• Fabrication and assembly outputs, including Gerber, ODB++, NC drill, IPC-D-356, pick-and-place data, and bill of materials
• Basic DFM checks and CAM preparation to help ensure manufacturability

Typical users include electronics engineers and PCB designers working on single- and multilayer boards for consumer, industrial, and embedded systems who need a practical, cost-effective toolchain without sacrificing professional results.

PADS2004 is developed by Mentor Graphics. The most popular version of this product among our users is 2004.7. The name of the program executable file is powerpcb.exe.