Exporting Layout

t Mappings
We have finished our layout in schematic layout
and we need to ship it out.
We can do this as:
DXF, GDSII, Gerber, or Pads (for Mentors Pads
product)

We need to make an export mapping to do this.

2009 AWR

Controlling Layout Exercise 3

12

MWO Layout

External World
We are here!

Need
Export
Mapping

Circuit

Schematic
View

Schematic Layout
View
Two views of the same circuit!
- includingconnectivity (ratslines)
Need Cell
Faces or
Cell Pins

External World
GDSII

Artwork Cells

DXF
In Lecture 2 we covered how to go
back out this way.
2009 AWR

Dumb Polygons - no notion of

connectivity

Controlling Layout Exercise 3

13

DXF Export File

Lets try it out Go to the LPF file again.

We want File Export Mappings. RC and

Make a New DXF File Export Mapping. Name it a name you like.
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Controlling Layout Exercise 3

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DXF Export File - 2

All shapes in our layout are on
Drawing Layers. File Layer is
the name the exported DXF file
will have for that layer. Write
Layer If checked, that layer
exports.
I drew on Layers 1 and 2 and
Im going to rename what they
are going out.

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Controlling Layout Exercise 3

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DXF File Export - 3

Have them map to M1 and M2
and make them the only 2
layers exporting.
Select your layout. Go to Layout
> Export

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Controlling Layout Exercise 3

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DXF File Export - 4

Export your layout to
a directory that makes
sense.
Im exporting it as
Hierarchical which
means it keeps the
notions of instances of
an Artwork cell.

2009 AWR

Controlling Layout Exercise 3

17

DXF File Export - 5

Check the DXF library by bringing it back in.
Go to the Cell Libraries > RC - Import DXF Library.

We exported it with two layers M1 and M2. When importing, the software
has to make two new drawing layers M1 and M2.

2009 AWR

Controlling Layout

18

GDSII Export
Go to the LPF file again and make a GDSII export file.
Its the same idea we have the
drawing layers. GDS layers are a
number (1 through 256) _ (0
through 9)
The Layer number is the 1
256, and the Data Type is
the 0 9.
The check box is used
to have that layer export.

2009 AWR

Controlling Layout Exercise 3

19

Gerber Export
Make a Gerber Export file as we have made a DXF and GDS.

Gerber is easy. We have the drawing

layers and a checked box means
that layer exports.
But .
All the layers checked go to one Gerber
file. This isnt what we want. The board
vendor wants a different Gerber file for
each checked layer.
So we have a script to do this.

2009 AWR

Controlling Layout Exercise 3

20

Getting the Gerber Script

Go to the Knowledge Base
You can get to it under Help > AWR Web Site >
Knowledge Base
Do a search on Gerber.
Bring up the article: SCRIPT: Export All
Gerber Files

Download the script.

2009 AWR

Controlling Layout Exercise 3

21

Install the Gerber Script

Extract the
zipped script. It
is a .bas file.
Then place the
script in the
folder
Then go to Show Files/Directories under Help

Open up ScriptsUser and

put the script there
ExportGerberFiles_all.bas

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Controlling Layout Exercise 3

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Run the Gerber Script.

We have to restart the software to see the script. First save your project.
After restarting the software, and bringing up your project open up
your layout.
Under Scripts > Global
Scripts find and run
ExportGerberFiles_all.

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Run the Gerber Script - 2

Select your layout and the
Gerber mapping, and hit OK.

It creates a GerberFiles folder

whereever you saved your project.

Inside it are the Gerber files

1 fore each layer.

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Controlling Layout Exercise 3

24

File Export Options

You can change your export options in the
Options > Layout Options > Export/LPF.

There are a lot of options here.

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Controlling Layout Exercise 3

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File Export Options - 2

A couple of the more commonly set options.

Union Layout Shapes Unions all shapes on a given drawing layer.

This must be checked when using negative layers (for putting holes
in ground planes)

MMIC layouts Sometimes the vendor wants everything unioned but

the FET cells because they will replace the cell with their version. You
would flatten everything but the FET cells.

Layout can get confused with 2 artwork cells that have the same name
coming from different libraries. To get around this you can insist
on cell names include the library name, etc.

2009 AWR

Controlling Layout Exercise 3

26