Mentor Graphics began changing the versioning nomenclature to "VX" to align with their other product lines (like Xpedition). This era focused on "Hyper-Lynx integration," bringing simulation closer to the layout environment.
In 1999, PADS Software merged with (formerly Summit Design). This era was short but crucial.
Under Siemens, the product line split into two distinct streams, which is the current versioning structure: mentor graphics pads version history
Below is a summary of major version milestones, focusing on the Mentor Graphics era (1995–2017) and its transition to Siemens.
PADS expanded its capabilities by acquiring HyperLynx (1997) for signal integrity and ACT (1998). This era was short but crucial
This period saw the stabilization of the 9.x codebase and the introduction of the tier (built on the Xpedition Enterprise flow).
In 2001, acquired Innoveda for $160 million, bringing PADS into its extensive EDA ecosystem. This period saw the stabilization of the 9
The turning point in the software's history came in 1998. , a giant in the EDA industry, acquired PADS Software, Inc. At the time, Mentor was known for high-end, enterprise-grade tools like Board Station. The acquisition was a strategic move to capture the mid-range market—engineers who needed professional power without the enterprise price tag.