Board-level schematic

Using a schematic capture tool, such as OrCAD Capture,you can create a Layout-compatible netlist that includes preset design rules to guide logical placement and routing. This gives you the ability to specify critical design rules at the schematic level, such as component locations, net spacing criteria, component group information, net widths, and routing layers, and bring them into Layout in a netlist. If the schematic netlist changes, you can reload it. Layout’s AutoECO (automatic engineering change order) utility updates the board without harming finished work.

Component placement

Whether you choose to use Layout’s manual placement tools, or the interactive and autoplacement utilities (available in Layout Plus only), you have ultimate control of the component placement process. You can place components individually or in groups. During autoplacement, Layout’s shove capability moves components out of your way automatically while adhering to design rule check (DRC) guidelines. You can autoplace components individually, by area, or you can autoplace the entire board.