ALcad

Use the dedicated ALcad schematic, PCB, 3D and SI/PI workspaces inside Digital Design Studio.

In the Windows app, ALcad saves circuit (.alcad-circuit.json), solid (.alcad-solid.json) and netlist (.cir) documents in the project's alcad/documents folder and, after sign-in, runs supported DC, RLC and digital circuit calculations on this PC. PCB Layout and 3D Assembly project editing and fabrication export are not available in the Windows app. Cloud stored CAD files do not require personal VM startup. Existing active writers still require their authorized snapshot/stop before conflicting stored-file edits. Unavailable CAD, mesh, manufacturing or server operations remain unavailable.

Overview

ALcad provides dedicated circuit, PCB, 3D and process workspaces inside Digital Design Studio. Open the workspace menu at the top left and select the ALcad work surface for the task. Each surface keeps its own document and result model.

Open ALcad from Digital Design Studio

  1. Open the intended local or Cloud project.

  2. Choose the workspace menu and select Schematic, PCB Layout, 3D CAD, 3D Assembly, SI / PI Analysis, or Wafer Process & Fab.

  3. Confirm the project name and available file/analysis commands before editing.

  4. Use the same menu to return to RTL; use Flow Navigator for ISA functions.

Choose a work surface

Surface

Work and guide

Digital Schematic

Inspect an imported DDS compiler graph, hierarchy, nets and captured source; the imported graph is read-only.

Circuit authoring

Create independent analog or digital diagrams and use available analyses: Circuits.

PCB Layout

Check the selected host’s CAD connection and available commands. A saved file or visible tab does not establish board editing or fabrication export. Windows PCB project editing and Cloud fabrication export remain unavailable. PCB and export

3D CAD / 3D Assembly

3D CAD — author a solid document. 3D Assembly — inspect component envelopes of a saved PCB project (not available in the Windows app). See 3D guide.

SI / PI Analysis

Inspect compatible imported PX reports, field maps and their original result metadata.

Wafer Process & Fab

Edit layer/process models and equipment/lot schedules: Process guide.

Hierarchy and Properties

Select an object on the canvas or in Hierarchy to inspect it in Properties. Object reference, name, layer, position and available editing fields come from the current document. A read-only imported object exposes inspection rather than an editing form. Fit view helps locate a valid design that is outside the current camera.

Files and host support

Native CAD projects, editable circuit JSON, solid JSON, imported DDS graphs and process inputs are distinct documents. Changing a workspace does not convert one into another. Download a portable authoring file when you need to preserve a browser draft.

Native file operations use the selected host's supported backend. The Cloud stored-file path separates ordinary CAD file work from managed server execution. Legacy active runtimes retain the stopped-writer fence: preserve their current work until an authorized snapshot/stop completes. Neither stored-file access nor pool availability enables native manufacturing or mesh exports on an unsupported host. See: PCB and export

Settings and updates

Open the gear or Ctrl+, for settings. Appearance, grid, labels and connections change the view; display grid spacing does not establish physical snapping or electrical connectivity. Import settings into a draft, review them, then apply. Export applied settings separately from project data.

Get the integrated application from Downloads. The current desktop package and Cloud can expose different capabilities; a feature described for a supported local backend is not enabled by opening its Cloud tab. Diagnostics explains how to report an unavailable or failed action.

Choose the circuit analysis mode

  1. Choose Circuit samples and open DC voltage divider, or create your own circuit. Confirm the selected project before editing.

  2. For the basic resistor/source calculation, use the offered DC mode. For a supported nonlinear circuit or AC/transient/noise analysis, choose Circuit analysis = SPICE · schematic.

  3. Open Properties → SPICE analysis, choose Analysis type and review the required inputs before Apply analysis settings and the explicit run action.

  4. If the host reports that the engine is unavailable, keep the editable circuit document. Opening a sample or selecting SPICE is not a completed calculation.