Introduction
Welcome to the PADS Pro Essentials QuickStart Guide! This guide is designed to help you get up and running quickly and efficiently. Depending on your role, please follow the instructions in the relevant section:
Enterprise Cloud Account (ECA) Administrator (Section-1): If your name and email were entered as the ECA Administrator during the purchase process, you are responsible for configuring account settings and assigning licenses. Please refer to the ECA Administrator section below.
Product User (Section-2): If you need to access and install PADS Pro, please refer to the Product User section below.
ECA Admin and Product User (Sections 1 & 2): If you have both administrative responsibilities (e.g., assigning licenses) and will be an end-user of the software, please follow the instructions in both the ECA Administrator and Product User sections below.
Section-1: ECA Administrator
As an Enterprise Cloud Account (ECA) administrator, you are responsible for setting up your team which includes configuring PADS Pro Essentials in Xcelerator Admin Console and assigning one or more user licenses. You can also assign other ECA admins (recommended).
If you have already configured your Enterprise Cloud Account you can skip ahead to step 3 to assign user licenses
Configure your product
The first time you log in to the Admin Console you will be prompted to configure your product. Product configuration includes selecting the region where you want to store your data, defining the ECA administrator, and tier selection.
Storage region options are United States (N. Virginia), Europe (Frankfurt), and Asia Pacific (Japan). Note: Once you select your ECA’s storage region it can’t be changed.
Tier will default to Essentials and cannot be changed.
Watch this video to see how to configure your product. https://support.sw.siemens.com/en-US/product/277413068/knowledge-base/KB000156488_EN_US
After configuring your product, you can enable additional account-level access protections:
Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) for an additional level of security when accessing software for your ECA. Learn how to enable or disable MFA.
Single Sign On (SSO) to log in through your preferred Identity Providers, enhancing security and user management .
You can then take these steps to provide your users with access to licenses & software
Assign PADS Pro Essentials licenses to users in the Admin Console. Learn how to assign users to your products.
PADS Pro Essentials is a complete PCB design solution that integrates desktop performance with cloud-connected power. By assigning a PADS Pro Essentials license, you are providing access to the following applications:
Application Name | Type | Description |
PADS Pro Essentials | Desktop | Desktop design tools used for creating schematics, layouts and managing libraries. |
Cloud | Browser based cloud application for managing your PADS Pro Essential projects and collaborating with your team members. | |
Cloud | Componet search engine for curated PADS Pro Essentials library symbols and footprints | |
Cloud | Browser based cloud application for simulation and analysis of analog, digital, mixed-signal, electro-mechanical, and electro-thermal circuits. | |
Cloud | Browser based cloud application for checking PCB designs for manufacturability (DFM). |
Each user assigned a PADS Pro Essentials license will receive an email with a link to the Adoption Guide where they will follow instructions on how to get their software up and running quickly.
ECA Administrator QuickStart is complete
Section-2: Product User
If you have already been assigned a PADS Pro Essentials license and completed the installation process, you can skip the QuickStart Guide and jump ahead to the Product Introduction Guide
As a user of PADS Pro Essentials, the QuickStart Guide will show you how to obtain licenses and gain access to your product’s applications.
Access licenses & software
Once your Enterprise Cloud Account (ECA) administrator assigns you a PADS Pro Essentials license, you’ll receive an email with steps to access the software.
Install PADS Pro Essentials using Siemens Software Center.
After installing Siemens Software Center you will be asked to log in with your Siemens credentials. Siemens Software Center will list the products you are entitled to use with a simple one-click command to download and install PADS Pro.
Follow the guided steps provided in the installation process.
After the PADS Pro Essentials installation is finished you can launch PADS Pro Designer or PADS Pro Layout.
PADS Pro Essential is a complete PCB design solution that integrates desktop performance with cloud-connected power. A PADS Pro Essentials license gives you access to the following applications:
Application Name | Type | Description |
PADS Pro Essentials | Desktop | Desktop design tools used for creating schematics, layouts and managing libraries. |
Cloud | Browser based cloud application for managing your PADS Pro Essential projects and collaborating with your team members. | |
Cloud | Component search engine for curated PADS Pro Essentials library symbols and footprints | |
Cloud | Browser based cloud application for simulation and analysis of analog, digital, mixed-signal, electro-mechanical, and electro-thermal circuits. | |
Cloud | Browser based cloud application for checking PCB designs for manufacturability. |
Additional resources you will find helpful:
Helpful Support, Community, and Learning Resources
Visit Support Center for help articles, documentation, and more regarding PADS Pro Essentials.
Support Center Access. If you do not have an account, Register for Support Center to ensure you can view knowledge articles and documentation or contact Technical Support.
Visit our PADS Pro Essentials Community to connect with other customers and Siemens experts.
Visit Siemens Xcelerator Academy for access to free on-demand PADS Professional Essentials training (to be posted April-2025 end).
Product User QuickStart is complete