Once selected, it's easy to instantiate the desired component directly onto the schematic. Direct links in the spreadsheet open component datasheets, putting detailed part info at your fingertips. To review and select a part, view all candidate parts and their properties in component management spreadsheet. After each search, PADS will display the number of candidates that meet the specified criteria. Narrow the search by entering other parameters (e.g., tri-state output) to filter the results. To find a unique component, simply enter a search criterion (e.g., an 8-bit register) and PADS will display all the available parts that meet the specific criteria. You can use PADS component management in several ways. Additionally, databases are kept in sync and up-to-date, thus avoiding costly redesigns and quality problems that otherwise might be undetected until late in the design cycle. PADS easily integrates with corporate component and MRP databases through industry-standard ODBC (Open Database Connectivity), enabling geographically dispersed design teams to access central component information. With PADS component management, you have access to all component information from a single spreadsheet, without concern for data redundancy, multiple libraries, or time-consuming tool overhead. Constraint-driven, correct by construction.
It comes in three trim levels (Standard, Standard Plus and Professional), and is considered as a high end commercial grade software package. PADS is a PCB design package developed by Mentor Graphics.