Mentor Graphics Pads Version History -

For nearly four decades, PADS has remained a cornerstone of printed circuit board (PCB) design, evolving from a simple DOS-based tool into a sophisticated suite of electronic design automation (EDA) solutions. Now part of Siemens EDA (formerly Mentor Graphics), the PADS version history reflects the industry's shift from manual drafting to high-speed, automated, and cloud-integrated design. The Early Era: 1985 – 1997

In 2014, Mentor Graphics overhauled the product line, introducing the "VX" (Vertical Experience) platform and tiering the software into Standard, Standard Plus, and Professional. mentor graphics pads version history

During the early 1990s, PADS expanded its capabilities with PADS Logic (for schematic capture) and PADS Layout. By 1991, the software had become a standard for service bureaus. For nearly four decades, PADS has remained a

Released to modernize the installation and database structure, PADS 9.4 updated ASCII formats for Layout and Router while maintaining library compatibility. The Modern VX Era: 2014 – Present During the early 1990s, PADS expanded its capabilities