Mentor Graphics Pads Version History [portable] 90%

PADS (Personal Automated Design System) is a widely-used PCB design software suite that has evolved over four decades through multiple corporate ownerships. Originally a DOS-based tool, it is now part of the Siemens EDA portfolio. Early Era (1985–2000)

PADS 5.0 (1998): This version consolidated many of the newly acquired tools into a more cohesive layout and routing environment. The Mentor Graphics Era: 2001–2017

Mentor Graphics acquired Innoveda in 2002 for approximately $160 million, officially bringing PADS into its portfolio. mentor graphics pads version history

PADS VX.2.17 (October 2025): The most recent major version as of current support documentation. 🛠️ Version Release Highlights (Recent History) PADS Standard vs. PADS Professional - EEVblog

Feature Evolution Summary Table

| Era | Version | Key New Feature | |------|---------|------------------| | DOS | PADS-PCB (1985) | First PC-based layout | | Win 3.1 | PADS 4.0 (1996) | GUI, DRC | | Win 95/98 | PADS 2004 (2004) | OLE, differential pairs, 3D viewer | | XP/Vista | PADS 2005–2007 | BlazeRouter, variants | | Windows 7 | PADS 9.x (2010–2014) | Real-time DRC, basic rigid-flex | | Windows 10 | PADS VX.0 (2015) | Unified project file, 3D PDF | | Windows 10 | PADS VX.2 (2017) | Rigid-flex, Teamcenter | | Windows 10/11 | PADS Pro (2021) | Xpedition core, sketch routing, advanced constraints | | Windows 11 | PADS 2023–2024 | Cloud tools, ODB++ direct | PADS (Personal Automated Design System) is a widely-used

2000: The company was sold to Innoveda, a joint venture between Kyoden and Viewlogic.

PADS was originally created by Gene Marsh and his son in the mid-1980s. PADS Professional - EEVblog Feature Evolution Summary Table

PADS 2004/2005/2007: These releases focused on improving the core PADS Layout, Logic, and Router tools.