Layer Mapping and XML Control Files in IC Mode

Layer mapping files specify the mapping of layers when importing or exporting data with Electronics Desktop. The imported or exported layer name or number is mapped to a layer in the layout. Layers mapped are those imported or exported.

Opening a layer mapping file from an import or export window sets the window controls with the contained mapping information.
The Layout Editor supports two formats of layer mapping files: .layermap and .tech.
The .tech format allows additional layer information to be supplied when importing (examples of the additional layer information follow).
If all conductive layers have thickness, a design's three dimensional connectivity are used to generate nets.

Layer mapping files are supported with AutoCAD and GDSII import, which also allows for the use of a control file. IC Mode supports layermaps and XML control files.

For advanced rules on importing GDSII designs, see GDS Translation Using XML Control Files (IC Mode).
For information on via layers in GDSII control files, see Via Grouping and Snapping in XML Control Files (IC Mode).
For more information on control files, see Layout and ODB++ Control File.

.layermap File Format

No comment character
Each layer information entry is specified by a line that contains:

<import layer> — Name of the DXF layer or number of the GDSII layer

<destination layer> — Name of the layout layer in Electronics Desktop (i.e., the name to map the imported layer to)

Example .layermap file for DXF import

S12 signal12

TR trace

S3 signal3

Examples .layermap file for GDSII import

12 signal12

35 trace

3 signal3

This example file creates two layers from stream 74: "ap" and "Cu_PPI”:

74 0 ap

74 10 Cu_PPI

This example maps items from stream 73 and 74 to the layer "ap":

73 10 ap

74 0 ap

.tech File Format

A forward slash, “/”, is the comment character.
Units may be specified with a “UNITS <string>” entry that precedes the layer information t entries, where “<string>” is any of the allowed desktop length units; the default is “nm”.
Each layer information entry is specified by a line that contains the following:

<import layer> — Name of the DXF layer or number of the GDSII layer

<destination layer> — Name of the layout layer in Electronics Desktop (i.e., the name to map the imported layer to)

<layer color> — A color string choice on the following list via the Layer Colors link.

<layer elevation> — Double

<layer height> — Double

Example .tech file for DXF import

UNITS um

/ ----------------------------------------------------------------

/ import# destination Color Elevation Thickness

/ ----------------------------------------------------------------

S12 signal12 blue 1100 530

TR trace red 6620 530

S3 signal3 yellow 8150 2000

Example .tech file for GDSII import

UNITS um

/ ----------------------------------------------------------------

/ import# destination Color Elevation Thickness

/ ----------------------------------------------------------------

12 signal12 blue 1100 530

35 trace red 6620 530

3 signal3 yellow 8150 2000

Click following Layer Colors link to display a listing of the supported color types and their corresponding RGB values: Layout Editor Layer Colors

Control File Support

Control file support is provided by adding a new GDSDataType attribute that corresponds to the Data Type in the layer stackup section. Note that while multiple-stream data-attributes can be combined into a single layer, all other elements should be identical or one is chosen at random.

The following layer stackup results in vias being constructed between the "new" and "old" layers. Note the GDSIIVia = "true" geometries are removed on the design, but they must still specify TargetLayer = "via" in order to do the initial translation.

<Layer Color="#008000" FillMaterial="FR4_epoxy" GDSDataType="0" TargetLayer="new" GDSIIVia="false" Material="copper" Name="30"

Thickness="10" Type="conductor"/>

<Layer Color="#008000" FillMaterial="FR4_epoxy" GDSDataType="0" TargetLayer="new" GDSIIVia="false" Material="copper" Name="31"

Thickness="10" Type="conductor"/>

<Layer Color="#bd00bd" FillMaterial="FR4_epoxy" GDSDataType="0" TargetLayer="via" GDSIIVia="true" Material="copper" Name="32"