PADS started as a low-cost, PC-based PCB design tool in the 1980s, competing with high-end Unix workstations. Over 40+ years, it evolved from a simple layout tool into a scalable suite (PADS Professional, PADS Standard, PADS Standard Plus) under Mentor Graphics (now Siemens EDA). Its version history reflects the shift from DOS to Windows, the integration of simulation, and the move toward cloud/collaboration.
Below is a concise, chronological summary of notable PADS releases, major features, and platform changes from Mentor Graphics (now part of Siemens EDA). This is a high-level overview — for detailed patch notes or build numbers, consult official release documentation.
PADS 6.x – 7.x (mid–late 2000s)
PADS 8.x – 9.x (late 2000s – early 2010s)
PADS VX (around 2012)
PADS 9.5 / VX.2 updates (2013–2016)
PADS Professional / PADS Standard (mid–2010s)
Late 2010s — Mentor becomes Siemens EDA
PADS Professional 2020s (2019–2022)
Recent years (2023–2026)
If you want a complete, version-by-version changelog or links to specific release notes (build numbers, exact dates, bug fixes), say which product variant and time range you need (e.g., "PADS Professional 9.5–2022"), and I will fetch more precise details.
The history of PADS (Personal Automated Design System) is a decades-long journey that mirrors the evolution of the entire electronic design automation (EDA) industry. From its origins as a budget-friendly DOS application to its current status as a sophisticated suite under Siemens, PADS has remained a staple for independent engineers and small-to-medium design teams. 1. The Early Era: PADS-PCB and the DOS Roots (1985–1990s)
PADS was originally created by Gene Marsh and his son in the mid-1980s.
1985 Release: The first version, PADS-PCB, debuted for DOS. At just $495 per seat, it democratized PCB design, which was previously locked behind expensive, proprietary Unix workstations.
Market Growth: Headquartered in Marlborough, MA, the company grew rapidly, becoming a primary competitor to early leaders like PCAD and Calay Systems.
2. Corporate Transitions: Innoveda and Acquisition (1990s–2002)
The late 90s saw PADS bolster its technical capabilities through strategic acquisitions before undergoing significant corporate changes. mentor graphics pads version history
Expansion (1997–1998): PADS acquired HyperLynx in 1997, integrating what would become the industry-standard tool for signal integrity. In 1998, they added ACT (Advanced CAM Technologies) to improve manufacturing output.
Ownership Shifts: In 2000, the company was sold to Innoveda, a joint venture involving ViewLogic. This period is often remembered by longtime users for a perceived stall in product innovation. 3. The Mentor Graphics Era (2002–2017)
In 2002, Mentor Graphics acquired Innoveda for $160 million, officially bringing PADS into its portfolio.
PADS 2005 & 2007: Mentor introduced "Flow" bundles, integrating Logic, Layout, and Router into a cohesive Windows-based environment.
The "9.x" Series: Versions like PADS 9.3 and 9.5 were major milestones, widely used for years. These versions solidified the classic workflow of using PADS Logic for schematics and PADS Layout for the board.
PADS Professional (2015): To compete with high-end tools like Altium, Mentor launched PADS Professional. This was a radical shift, as it was built on the high-end Xpedition technology rather than the legacy PADS code. 4. Siemens and the VX Series (2017–Present)
Following Siemens' $4.5 billion acquisition of Mentor Graphics in 2017, the software was rebranded under Siemens EDA. History of PADS - PCB Libraries Forum
PADS (Personal Automated Design System) is a long-standing PCB design software suite that has evolved through several corporate ownerships, including PADS Software, Innoveda, Mentor Graphics, and currently Siemens EDA. Ownership History & Major Milestones PADS started as a low-cost, PC-based PCB design
The software’s journey is marked by key acquisitions that integrated advanced simulation and layout technologies: 1986: Founded by Gene Marsh as PADS Software.
1990s: Expanded capabilities by acquiring HyperLynx (1997) for signal integrity and ACT (1998).
2000: Acquired by Innoveda, a joint venture between Viewlogic and Kyoden.
2002: Mentor Graphics acquired Innoveda, bringing PADS into its high-end EDA portfolio.
2017: Siemens completed its acquisition of Mentor Graphics, rebranding the division as Siemens EDA. Key Version Releases
Versions of PADS generally fall into three distinct eras of numbering and architecture: History of PADS - PCB Libraries Forum
Mentor shifted to a "dot" release format (9.0, 9.1, 9.2, 9.3, 9.4, 9.5). This was the most stable era of the software.