Geoffrey Sylvester, CAD Design Software President and CEO: “Our core philosophy is rooted in the understanding that we, as designers, know what is needed out there. We’re not just creating another software program; we’re creating a tool that we, as designers, wanted and needed”

CAD Design Software (CDS) is a pioneering force in the Electronic Design Automation (EDA) segment, providing innovative circuit design software solutions that cater to the unique demands of the design technology industry. Founded in 1995 by designers and engineers who understood the challenges of circuit board design firsthand, CDS was built out of a necessity within its own design bureau. Over the past 25+ years, the company has consistently delivered high-value, customizable software that accelerates the design process and reduces time-to-market, all while maintaining a low cost of entry. Central to CDS’s offerings is the Electronics Packaging Designer (EPD), an intelligent design engine that utilizes the AutoCAD^® platform as its base graphics engine, enhanced with LISP and ARX routines. This powerful tool is tailored to meet the specific needs of various technologies and industries, enabling faster and more accurate designs than what is possible with traditional “Design Automation” tools. EPD provides an optimal environment for all types of designs and layouts, making it an indispensable asset for designers who require both flexibility and precision.

One of CDS’s key strengths is its commitment to interoperability and process optimization. Recognizing that companies have significant investments in their existing tools and processes, CDS focuses on enhancing and automating these systems rather than replacing them. This approach not only reduces design time but also improves productivity and cost efficiency. CDS’s solutions seamlessly integrate with other EDA tools, ensuring that users can achieve high-value outcomes without the need to overhaul their existing systems. In partnership with leading manufacturers and through alliances such as the one with Cadence Design Systems, CDS continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in circuit board design and IC Packaging. Whether you require a complete EDA layout and Design for Manufacturing (DFM) solution or need to add custom automation to your current tools, CDS provides the expertise and technology to meet your needs.

Built by designers for designers, CDS’s software empowers users to create advanced and complex designs with unparalleled flexibility and efficiency.

In conversation with Geoffrey Sylvester, President and CEO of CAD Design Software

Q. What was the motivation behind starting CAD Design Software?

Our primary motivation was to create a design software platform crafted by designers, for designers. We are all designers at our company, and we were unknowingly designing the software from our own needs and experiences. We were deeply involved in circuit board design and schematics, and it became clear that the tools available were not meeting our standards. It was born out of necessity. At that time, we were providing CAD Design Services, but the software we developed turned out to be highly successful. Our customers began showing interest in purchasing it, which led us to officially start CAD Design Software. Our tagline reflects this origin: “EDA Software Built by Designers for Designers”

Q. Can you briefly explain the services you offer?

We offer software specifically for EDA designers and anyone who needs a flexible design tool with robust drafting and layout capabilities. Our platform is highly adaptable, allowing for the design of any shaped objects. Additionally, we aim to help clients design better programs by offering a very open construction platform. This means we can easily update, customize, and develop software programs or enhance existing ones to meet the evolving needs of various industries. In essence, our services include not only providing a top-tier design program but also offering customized solutions to fit specific needs.

Q. Your emphasis on building software out of necessity within your own design process is fascinating. How has this unique perspective influenced the core philosophy and approach to CAD Design Software?

Our core philosophy is rooted in the understanding that we, as designers, know what is needed out there. We’re not just creating another software program; we’re creating a tool that we, as designers, wanted and needed. There’s always a demand for a better, faster, and more accurate program, and we believe that our unique perspective allows us to create software that truly meets those needs. Our approach is to make sure that our users know we are designers who understand their requirements. What they are looking for is something we’ve already integrated into our software.

Q. The Electronics Packaging Designer (EPD) is highlighted as a core design engine tailored for specific technologies and industries. Can you elaborate on the key features and advantages of EPD compared to other design automation tools?

Certainly. We call it the Electronics Packaging Designer (EPD), and it’s our core system. One of the key features of EPD is the intelligent environment it offers for design. It’s highly flexible because it uses the AutoCAD core graphics engine, which allows designers to work with any shape net, any shape part, and place them within any boundary. The core engine is what enables designers to make unique shapes, parts, and components intelligent, meaning they can be part of a net, clearance checked, and exported to various formats like Gerber or GDS. The core engine maintains the integrity of the design, which is essential for ensuring that everything functions correctly once the design is exported and put into use.

Q. Partnerships with leading technology companies are crucial for improving design outcomes and ROI. How does your company foster and maintain these partnerships, and what benefits do they bring to the end users?

Our partnerships are key to offering customers flexibility and enhancing their design process. Many designers and engineers out there are already using existing EDA programs, but they can be faced with design challenges or certain limitations. By partnering with EDA and simulation companies, we can ensure that our products integrate seamlessly with their platforms. This means our customers can continue using our tools but also transfer their work to other platforms for simulations or further design steps to keep the design momentum going. Maintaining these partnerships allows for cross-platform compatibility, which speeds up the design process and, in turn, improves ROI. These partnerships are mutually beneficial because they keep our customers happy and productive, which is the ultimate goal for both us and our partners.

Q. Flexibility is a key aspect highlighted in your software solution. How does your company ensure adaptability to various design needs and scenarios, especially in the rapidly evolving semiconductor industry?

We work closely with top-tier silicon and semiconductor companies, which are among our existing customers. They provide us with valuable insights into the ever-changing and updating design types. This feedback is crucial because it allows us to keep our software relevant and cutting-edge. If a new design need arises, we have the flexibility to update our platform to accommodate these changes. This adaptability is one of our strengths; our software can evolve alongside the industry because we maintain strong relationships with these companies. We’re always in contact with them, ensuring our platform remains on the cutting edge of technology and design.

Q. Could you provide insights into the translation and conversion tools offered by your company and how they facilitate seamless communication between different design platforms and formats?

Certainly. Our translation tools are comprehensive. We currently support translations for about 15 different Gerber languages and GDS stream files. Additionally, we can export designs to platforms like Cadence Design Systems, which is a significant partnership for us since Cadence is a major player in the EDA software market. Our software can seamlessly export data to Cadence’s platform and then re-import it, which is one of our top integrations. We achieve this through our APD exporter and DSN importer. Moreover, we offer data translation to industry leading bond-wiring machines such as Palomar Technologies and Hesse Mechatronics formats. These tools are crucial for bond-wire placement and reference which can be quickly and easily designed in our CAD environment as compared to using built-in data systems for these machines. This ensures that our design language can be used across various platforms without compatibility issues.

Q. Do you have any new services ready to be launched?

While we don’t have any new services per se, we are working on a significant new release of our software. This upcoming release will introduce new features and functionalities that we’ve been developing over the past year. One of the most exciting aspects of this release is the integration of the Autodesk AutoCAD OEM graphics engine from Tech Soft 3D, which will further enhance the modernity and sophistication of our design platform. We’re always aiming to stay on the cutting edge, and this release is a testament to that commitment.

Q. What does the future hold for CAD Design Software and its customers? Are there exciting things on the way?

The future is bright for our company. We’ve been in business since 1994 and we have weathered many changes in the EDA software landscape, including the consolidation of companies. Despite these shifts, we’ve built and maintained a large, loyal customer base while continuing to attract new clients. Our focus remains on providing the best software possible, and we’re not going anywhere. Some of the exciting things we’re working on include further collaboration with leading bond-wiring companies, which will allow our users to quickly create bond-wire exports using our software. These enhancements are already available, and we’re excited about the ongoing developments that will continue to benefit our customers.

Meet the leader behind the success of CAD Design Software

Geoffrey Sylvester, President and CEO of CAD Design Software, co-founded the company in 1994, bringing with him two decades of experience as a graphic designer, electronics engineer, and draftsman. Throughout his tenure, Geoffrey has held various pivotal roles, including sales manager and software director, where he oversaw the company’s technological advancements. His leadership has been instrumental in guiding CAD Design Software from its inception to its current success, leveraging his deep industry expertise to drive innovation and growth. Geoffrey’s commitment and vision have been key to the company’s enduring journey and continued impact in the industry.

“One of the key features of EPD is the intelligent environment it offers for design. It’s highly flexible because it uses the AutoCAD core graphics engine, which allows designers to work with any shape net, any shape part, and place them within any boundary”