Ditto Karl, I've been using Cadence both with schematic capture and board layout for about 6 years, and wouldn't have it any other way (unless the companies I've worked for could find a better tool, or wanted a cheaper SCAM!). I've watched what PADS has done, and they're coming on strong (BUT, Cadence hasn't been complacent!), and if I EVER had to go with Mentor it would be with Panteon (Intercept Technologies). Good luck, Khaled :) Mitch Morey Sr PCB Designer NSI Communications (was ComStream Corp) San Diego CA >>> "Karl J. Bates" <[log in to unmask]> 05/07/98 06:03am >>> My experience with Mentor has mostly been with quick turn (2 weeks or less) PCB's. 25 % of these PCB's had analog and digital mixes, the rest were Digital. I have done a few RF designs, none on Mentor. It seems like every design that I have done with Mentor, I needed to make compromises in my design integrity to get the PCB out on time. When I was using Cadence I could quickly make modifications, slight trace and via moves and areafill cuts without worrying about losing the trace entirely. I think this is because Mentor software is Guide (ratsnest) based. The Cadence software is more forgiving in interactive layout, and designs can be done much quicker (design reuse is much easier also). I spend 85% of my time in layout and that's where Cadence has it's strength. Mentor claims to have all these great add-ons that will make your life just wonderful. My experience is that you need 5 programmers for every layout guy to customize the software (Mentor) just to make it work. I buy a software package so I won't have to program and customize it. Just my 3 cents worth.. Karl ################################################################ DesignerCouncil E-Mail Forum provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8c ################################################################ To subscribe/unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the body: To subscribe: SUBSCRIBE DesignerCouncil <your full name> To unsubscribe: SIGNOFF DesignerCouncil ################################################################ Please visit IPC web site (http://jefry.ipc.org/forum.htm) for additional information. For the technical support contact Dmitriy Sklyar at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.311 ################################################################ ################################################################ DesignerCouncil E-Mail Forum provided as a free service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8c ################################################################ To subscribe/unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the body: To subscribe: SUBSCRIBE DesignerCouncil <your full name> To unsubscribe: SIGNOFF DesignerCouncil ################################################################ Please visit IPC web site (http://jefry.ipc.org/forum.htm) for additional information. For the technical support contact Dmitriy Sklyar at [log in to unmask] or 847-509-9700 ext.311 ################################################################