Importing and Exporting Layout Components

All entities that make up an active design can be packaged, exported, imported, edited, and shared as a single layout component, either encrypted or unencrypted. This includes entire layout components as well as individual parts (e.g., such as pins, vias, or primitives) on a layer that forms a chip or RLC. Once a layout component is created, it can be exported and shared with one of two encryption levels. If multiple layout components are selected for export as part of a layout component group, users can choose to expose specific layout components from the group while maintaining full encryption for the overall design. These exposed layout components will remain visible upon import, enhancing usability and interoperability while preserving encryption capabilities.

Export and, if applicable, encrypt a layout component by completing these steps.

1. From the Layout Editor, select the layout component.
2. From the Layout menu, select Export > Layout Component to open an explorer window.

   

3. Navigate to a selected directory. Then enter a File name for the layout component and, if applicable, choose Layout Component file (*.aedbcomp) from the Save as type drop-down menu (selected by default).

   

4. Click Save and the layout component will be saved in the selected directory in a folder named <filename>.aedbcomp.

5. The explorer window closes and the Create Layout Component window opens. From the Info tab, enter metadata into the appropriate fields. The layout component's file name is shown in the Name field.

   

6. Click the Encryption tab.

   

7. If no encryption is necessary, remove the check from the Encrypt Component box and skip to step 13. Otherwise, choose from the following:

   • Encrypted technology — geometry will remain visible, but stackup and material information is encrypted. The layout component may be editable. Click Set Password to open the Set Passwords window, and proceed to step 8.

   • Fully encrypted — all data, except port locations, is hidden under a blackbox stencil. The layout component will remain uneditable. Click Set Password to open the Set Passwords window, and proceed to step 8.

   • Check the Replace Material and Layer Names box and all material and layer names will be obfuscated (e.g., Dialetric_1 will be renamed Layer1 and the material column will be hidden from view).

     Note:

     If there is a check in the Encrypt Component box, the Set Passwords window will open if users attempt to leave the Encryption tab. Attempting to bypass the window will produce a

     Warning: Please input password. dialog box. This is true even if no encryption is selected. To leave the Encryption tab, uncheck the Encrypt Component box.

     

8. Click OK to open the Set Passwords window.

   

9. From the Allow Component Use area, choose from the following:

• With User Password — the layout component can be exported as an .aedbcomp file and reopened in the Ansys Electronics Desktop (AEDT)^TM electronics systems design platform or other compatible software with the correct password.

• With Internal Key — the layout component can be exported as an .aedbcomp file and reopened in (and only in) the Ansys Electronics Desktop (AEDT)^TM electronics systems design platform without a password.

10. Enter and re-enter a password in the selected fields in the Allow Component Use area.

11. If future layout component editing is required, choose from the following in the Allow Component Edit area:

    • Never — once the Set Passwords window is closed, the layout component will no longer be editable.

    • Always — if future layout component editing is selected, and no further security is appropriate.

    • With User Password — if future layout component editing is selected, but some further security is appropriate. Enter and re-enter a password in the selected fields.

      Note:

      Choosing Fully encrypted deactivates the Allow Component Edit area. This level of encryption is a permanent state and the layout component will not be editable after the Create Layout Component window is finally closed.

      

12. Click OK to save, close the Set Passwords window, and return to the Create Layout Component window.

13. Click the Mesh Settings tab.

    

14. To save existing mesh settings with the exported layout component, check the Select mesh settings from box and make a selection from the drop-down menu.

15. If Fully encrypted is selected on the Encryption tab, click the Pin Settings tab.

    

16. From the Pin Settings tab, choose from the following:

    • Use the Type and Layer drop-down menus, as well as manually entering Filter variables to filter the list of available Layout Components selected on the Layout Editor.

    • Components — check boxes adjacent to each layout component part to leave the layout component(s) exposed, despite full encryption. The exposed layout components are shown in preview window.

17. Click OK to export the layout component.

The procedure is complete.