Setting Layout Options

This chapter provides details for setting layout options so that you can create a layout in an environment that is compatible with your design. Layout is shipped with preset options that can be modified on a project- or system-wide basis. Before you begin a layout, be sure that the environment is appropriate for the design, the program options, and the final output required.

Defining Layers

All shapes and text are entered on layers. Layout allows you to define any number of mask layers in a file, and to create any number of mask layer files. Each layer must have a unique name and number. Mask layers usually correspond to the masks used in manufacturing a layout. However, mask layers can be used for a number of other purposes.

Often a single process mask layer is represented by a number of layers in a CAD program. For example, power and ground lines are often placed on the same mask for manufacturing, but on a different mask for CAD layout to distinguish them. Further, simple text notes and annotation can be placed on layers that are not output for manufacturing at all.

The program provides a default set of layer definitions, but you can define and save your own layer sets. (See Saving a Layout Setup.) Using a standard set of layer definitions saves time because you do not have to define the layers each time you create a design. Note that it is important that hierarchically related designs use the same layer definitions. (See Using an Existing Layout Setup.)

Layer definitions are modified through the Layer Editor. To display the Layer Editor, choose Options > Layers or select Edit from the Layout window.

Setting Layer Characteristics Globally

You can set attributes layer-by-layer or you can use Global Attributes Control to set the following attributes on all layers at once:

The buttons in this area of the Layer Editor dialog enable you to change at once the layer protection and visibility status, how shapes are displayed, and the line style used for all layers. This can be easier than making the same change layer-by-layer. It can also be faster to set an attribute the same for all layers, and then individually change that attribute on the few layers that are an exception. If you want to prevent selection on all layers except one or two of them, use Select None, then select the individual layers you want access to, and turn on the Select status for those layers.

Miscellaneous Layer Editor Features

The Default Layer

Every layer set contains a default layer. If you end up with a shape whose layer number does not exist in the current layer set, the attributes of the default layer are assigned to the shape. For example, if you create a shape on a layer and then you delete that layer definition from the Layers list, the shape appears with the characteristics of the default layer. You cannot delete or change the name or number of the default layer, but you can modify all other attributes.

Determining the Layer for an Item

To determine the layer for a specific item:

Changing Layer Priority

Layer priority is determined by a layer's position in the layer list. In the Layout window, layers are drawn from lowest priority (at the top of the list) to highest priority (at the bottom of the list); higher priority layers are drawn on top of lower priority layers.

To change a layer's priority, change the position of that layer in the list:

  1. In the Layers list, choose a layer name or ID.
  2. Click Cut. The name and number are deleted from the Layers list.
  3. Highlight the layer name that will follow the moved layer.
  4. Click Paste to add the layer above the highlighted layer.

To add a layer:

  1. Click New.
  2. The layer list scrolls to the bottom and a new layer is added. The layer number is the next available, sequential number, and a default name appears that includes the layer number.
  3. Rename the layer, if you want, and click Apply.

To delete a layer:

  1. In the Layers list area, select a layer name or ID.
  2. Click Cut. The name and number are deleted from the Layers list.
Note
Do not delete the default layer definitions. The ability to delete is provided to enable you to redefine layer definitions you have created.

Changing the Entry Layer

The name of the current entry layer is displayed in the status panel at the bottom of the window, in the toolbar at the top of the window, and in the Entry Layer dialog. Anything you draw is drawn on the layer you set.

To set the current entry layer, choose one:

Using the Layers Window

The Layers window opens automatically when a Layout window is opened, but can also be accessed by selecting Insert > Entry Layer. The Layers window enables you to choose the design layer for each shape, set the visibility or selectability of any layer, and access the Layer Editor dialog.


To access the Layer Editor dialog, select Layers > Edit Layers... or click the Edit... button near the bottom of the window. See Defining Layers for information on the Layer Editor dialog.

The Options menu enables you to select the following:

The Current entry layer field displays the name, fill pattern, and color of the current design entry layer. In addition, the current design entry layer is highlighted in the Layers list. To choose a current entry layer, click a layer's name or fill pattern from the Layers list.

The Layers list displays the selectability status, visibility status, name, fill pattern, and color for each available layer in the current design. Select the check box in the layer's Sel column to enable editing. To protect a layer from unintentional editing, deselect its Sel check box. Select the check box in the layer's Vis column to display the layer. To hide the layer, deselect its Vis check box.

The four buttons below the Layers list enable you to set the selectability and visibility for all current design layers.

Defining Port Connections (Layer Binding)

Layer Binding enables you to control which layers will make a connection to other layers when pins and shapes overlap. Layer Binding is found under the Advanced tab of the Layer Editor dialog box. For ADS versions before 2004A, only pins could make connections. Starting with ADS 2004A, shapes (polygons, circles, paths, and rectangles) can also make connections between components. Also, components can have area and edge pins in addition to their point pins. Because of this, it is important to have your layer binding specified correctly.

In a design process, interconnects are made on metal layers or by holes in a via layer. To represent this in ADS, the Layer Binding should have values on metal or via layers and other layers should have empty Layer Bindings.

The layer binding field is a list of words separated by spaces. The words typically are layer names, but this is not required. When pins or shapes overlap but are on two different layers, they will connect if a word in the layer binding list of the first layer matches the same word in the layer binding list for the second layer.

A layer binding of "*" will match any word or "*" in another pin's layer binding list. Agilent Technologies recommends that you not use "*" because it can cause layers to be connected when you did not expect a connection. Connections with shapes will ignore the layer binding "*" and treat the Layer Binding as if it were empty.

Examples
Layer Name Layer Binding List
Metal1 Metal1
Metal2 Metal2

Since neither layer has the same word in their layer binding list, they will not connect to each other.

Layer Name Layer Binding List
Metal1 Metal1
Metal2 Metal1

Since both layers have the same word (Metal1 ) in their layer binding list, overlapping pins and shapes on these layers will connect to each other.

Layer Name Layer Binding List
Metal1 Metal1 Metal3
Metal2 Metal2
Metal3 Metal3 Metal1

The pins and shapes on layers Metal1 and Metal3 will connect, but those on the Metal2 layer will not connect.

Layer Name Layer Binding List
Metal1 Metal1
Via1 Via1 Metal1 Metal2
Metal2 Metal2
Via2 Via2 Metal2 Metal3
Metal3 Metal3

This is a typical way to setup metal and via layers. Pins and shapes will connect from Metal1 to Metal2 if they overlay shapes on the Via1 layer. The same situation occurs for pins and shapes on Metal2 and Metal3 layers.

Layer Name Layer Binding List
Metal1 conductors
Metal2 conductors
Metal3 conductors

The three layers have a common word, conductors, in their list and each will connect to the others. Using "conductors" this way enables you to refer to a group of layers that will all connect to each other.

Changing the Visibility and Protected Status of Items

Visible toggles the display of items on the selected layer. To display items on a given layer, enable the Vis option for that layer. By default, visibility is turned on for all layers, making all items visible.

Selected toggles the protection status of items on the selected layer. To protect a layer so that you can prevent items from being selected, disable the Sel option for that layer. This can be useful if you need to edit certain types of items, but not others, in a crowded design. By default, protection is turned off for all layers, making all items available for selection.

Using IGES and GDSII Numbers

These numbers do not have to be unique. The IGES number is used to set the IGES level number. The GDSII layer number is used for both reading and writing GDSII stream files; it must be a number between 0-255.

Using DXF Names

Use these names to map ADS layers to DXF layer names when exporting DXF hierarchical files. ADS layer numbers are mapped to DXF layer names. From the DXF layer name column in the Advanced tab in the layer editor, users can modify layer mappings and the DXF layer names.

Assigning Layers for Transmission Line Components

By default, transmission line components are placed on the cond layer, but you can specify different layers for multi-layer designs.

To assign the layer for transmission line components:

  1. Double-click the appropriate substrate item (to open the Component Parameters dialog box):
    • For microstrip elements, this is the referenced MSUB.
    • For Stripline elements, use SSUB (Stripline Substrate).
    • For Suspended Substrate elements, use SSSUB (Suspended Substrate).
  2. Select any of the following layer parameters to be re-mapped:
  3. Select a different layer from the list of layers at the right and click Apply.
  4. Regenerate the layout. All the microstrip components will be placed on the new layer.

Layer Files and Library Components

Library components rely on certain layers being defined. For example, by default, all top-level metallization for components in microstrip and stripline libraries is placed on layer 1 ( cond ). In general, layers 1-12 should be defined so that the layout libraries function properly. If a layer is missing, the artwork for an element can not be created.

If you remove layer 1 cond, you must change the element's corresponding substrate element to specify a different layer number. For example, if you remove layer 1, artwork for microstrip elements will not be generated unless you change the cond parameter of the MSUB_DEFAULT item referenced by these elements. Also, the packaged parts library uses a number of layers to display part-packaged outlines, leads and other information. If you plan to use this library, be sure to include layer definitions compatible with the defaults.

Layer Files and Design Files

Every design has an associated layer file. When you create a design, the program automatically looks for a layer file called layout.lay. By default, the program looks in the current project directory first. If it does not exist there, it looks for it in the directory HPEESOF_DIR\lib\ <program_name>\defaults.

Note
The variable that defines this search order is LAYERS_PATH. For additional details, refer to LAYERS_PATH.

All text and shapes are entered on layers, and each layer has a number assigned to it. The layer number for each part of a design is stored in the design file, but the attributes comprising the actual layer definition are stored in the layer file. For example, if your design contains a polygon, the program notes the layer number for the polygon in the design file and searches the current layer file for a matching layer number. It can then display the polygon with the appropriate color, fill pattern, etc.

Ensuring Compatible Layer Definitions

Always use the same (or compatible) layer definitions for related designs. This is especially important for designs that are related hierarchically. For example, if you use layer 1 for first layer metallization in one design, you should do the same for all related designs. If designs have incompatible layer numbering, you can change the layer number associated with a shape by moving that shape to the appropriate layer using the Edit > Move > Move to Layer command.

If you have made any changes to the layer definitions but have not yet clicked Apply, you can click Reset (in the Layer Editor dialog box) to return the layer definitions to the state they were in before you started making changes.

Different designs can have different layer sets associated with them by reading in different layer files.

Layer File Format

Each line in a layer file defines a layer. There is no limit to the number of layers that can be defined. The layer names and numbers must be unique. Any layer numbered 0, must have the name default. It can have its other characteristics set to any valid value. By default, when a new design is created, it becomes associated with the schematic.lay and layout.lay layer file found on the path. If none are found, the program uses internal defaults.

In the layer file, information for all the fields for each layer need to be on a separate line, separated by spaces or tabs:

default number = 0 stream = 1 iges = 1 color = 59 fill = 0 line = 0, 0 0 1, "*",
type = 1, dxf = "cond"

layer_name Name of the layer. It must be unique within this file. The name default has special significance and must have layer number 0.

The string can be any length, but should only contain letters, numbers or the underscore.

layer_num This is the layer number. The number associates a layer's attributes (color, name, fill, etc.) with objects stored in the design. For example, stored with a rectangle is the information that it is on mask layer 4. The program searches the layer file by number to determine how to plot the layer.

All layer numbers are integers between 0 and the largest integer (approximately 2 billion). Layer number 0 is reserved for the default layer (see above). Each layer number in the file must be unique.

gds_num This is the number to use as the GDSII stream layer number when translating a layout to GDSII stream format with the GDSII export option.

This is an integer in the range of 0-255.

iges_num This is used as the IGES level number when exporting a layout to IGES format.

color An index into the eecolorRGB.cfg file that determines the color that an object is drawn. It can be any integer in the range of 0, to the number of colors defined in eecolorRGB.cfg.

fill An index into the hpeefill.cfg file that determines the fill pattern used when the layer plot mode is filled or both. It can be any integer in the range of 0, to the number of fill patterns defined in hpeefill.cfg.

Note
The hpeefill.cfg file contains the names of X bitmap files that determine screen fill, and the HPGL fill pattern numbers when plotting to a HPGL hardcopy device.

line_type An integer representing the line style type. The available line styles are:

0 = solid
1 = dot
2 = double dot
3 = short dash
4 = short dot dash
5 = long dash
6 = long dot dash

plot_mode An integer representing how a closed object (circle or polygon) is plotted.

0 = outline
1 = filled
2 = both filled and outline

protect_flag Integer 0 or 1 representing whether a layer is protected or not (nothing can be selected on a protected layer).

0 = not protected
1 = protected

visible_flag The integer 0 or 1 representing whether a layer is visible or not.

0 = not visible (not plotted)
1 = visible

layer_binding Names of the layers a port must be on to connect to a port on this layer. An asterisk (*) = connection to any layer.

layer_type An integer representing the layer type.

1 = Physical
2 = Notes
4 = DRC

DXF_layer_name Name of the DXF layer.

Preferences for Layout

To access Preferences for Layout, select Options > Preferences.

Changing Select Options

To change select options, select Options > Preferences > Select.

Note
To use the selection filters, see Using Selection Filters.

Setting How Polygons are Selected

You can choose one of two select modes for closed shapes (polygons): clicking inside the shape or clicking near the edge of the shape.

  1. Choose the menu command Options > Preferences.
  2. In the Preferences for Layout Dialog Box, choose the Select tab.
  3. In the Select Mode for Polygons, choose the method:
    • By edge enables you to select a polygon by clicking on its outer edge.
    • Inside enables you to select a polygon by clicking anywhere inside the shape.

Setting Color for Selected Items

  1. Choose the menu command Options > Preferences.
  2. In the Preferences for Layout Dialog Box, choose the Select tab.
  3. Click the colored box next to the word Color and select the color from the displayed palette. This sets the color for:
    • the color of the marker that identifies a selected vertex,
    • the box drawn around items identifying them as being selected.

Setting the Size of the Pick Region

The pick region defines how close the pointer must be to an item to select it.

  1. Choose the command Options > Preferences
  2. In the Preferences for Layout Dialog Box, choose the Select tab.
  3. In the Size area, locate the Pick Box field.
  4. Enter the size for the marker, and select the units.
    • Screen pixels specifies sizes in terms of pixels on the screen. For example, if you choose 5 screen pixels, an item must be within 5 pixels of the pointer to be selected.
    • Layout Units specifies sizes in terms of the current units of the window. For example, if you are using inches and choose 0.1 layout units, an item must be within 0.1 inch of the pointer to be selected.

Setting the Size of Vertex Markers

A Vertex marker identifies a selected vertex.

  1. Choose the menu command Options > Preferences.
  2. In the Preferences for Layout Dialog Box, choose the Select tab.
  3. In the Size area, locate the Selected Vertex field.
  4. Enter the size for the marker, and select the units.
    • Screen pixels specifies sizes in terms of pixels on the screen. For example, if you choose 5 screen pixels, the size of the marker is 5 pixels.
    • Layout Units specifies sizes in terms of the current units of the window. For example, if you are using inches and choose 0.1 layout units, the size of the marker is 0.1 inch.

Changing Grid and Snap Settings

To change grid and snap settings, select Options > Preferences > Grid/Snap

You can establish settings for a snap grid and a display grid to assist you in creating a layout. The display grid appears on the screen as a series of vertical and horizontal lines or dots, but does not print. You use it to ensure exact alignment of pins and vertices as well as provide visual clues to spacing.

Setting Grid Visibility and Color

  1. Choose the menu command Options > Preferences.
  2. In the Preferences for Layout Dialog Box, choose the Grid/Snap tab.
  3. In the Display area, choose Major, Minor, or both.
  4. Choose the Type of display (Dots or Lines). You may need to zoom in to see the grid display.
  5. Click the colored rectangle next to the word Color, and choose the color for the grid. Click OK to dismiss the color palette.
  6. Click Apply.

Setting Snap and Grid Spacing

The ability to display a major grid as an increment of the minor grid enables you to better gauge distances and align objects in layout.

  1. Choose the menu command Options > Preferences.
  2. In the Preferences for Layout Dialog Box, choose the Grid/Snap tab.
  3. In the Spacing area, enter Minor Grid display factors for both X and Y.
    The larger the number, the wider the grid spacing.
  4. Click Apply.
    If the display factor you specify makes the grid too dense to display, it is invisible unless you zoom in. To see the grid without zooming, choose a larger display factor.
  5. If the Major Grid requires changing, enter X and Y factors in those fields and click Apply.

Setting Pin/Vertex Snap Distance

Represents how close the cursor must be to a pin of a component or a vertex of a shape before the cursor will snap to it.

A large value makes it easier to place an object on a snap point when you are unsure of the snap point's exact location. A small value makes it easier to select a given snap point that has several other snap points very near it.

  1. Choose the menu command Options > Preferences.
  2. In the Preferences for Layout Dialog Box, choose the Grid/Snap tab. In the Pin/Vertex Snap area, enter a number for the Diameter of the snap region.
  3. Specify the Units.
    • Screen pixels specifies sizes in terms of pixels on the screen. For example, if you choose 15 screen pixels, the diameter of the snap region is 15 pixels.
      Layout Units specifies sizes in terms of the current units of the window. For example, if you are using inches and choose 0.1 layout units, the diameter of the snap region is 0.1 inch.
  4. Click Apply.

Setting Snap Modes

Snap modes control where the program places objects on the page when you insert, move, or stretch them; you can change snap modes when inserting, moving, or stretching an object, or drawing a shape. When snap is enabled, items are pulled to the snap grid. You can restrict or enhance the manner in which the cursor snaps by choosing any combination of snap modes. The following table lists the snap modes that you can set, and their priorities.

Setting Snap Modes
Snap Mode Priority
Pin 1
Vertex
Midpoint
Intersect
Arc/Circle Center		 2
Edge 3
Grid 4

Angle Snapping automatically occurs when only Pin snapping is enabled and you place a part so that the pin at the cursor connects to an existing part. The placed part rotates so that it properly aligns with the connected part.

For example, if you have a microstrip curve at 30° and place a microstrip line so that it connects to it, the microstrip line will snap to 30° so that it properly abuts the curve.

Enable Snap toggles snap mode on and off. You can toggle snap mode on and off from the Options menu itself, and by default, there are snap mode buttons on the toolbar.

Except for pin snap, the pointer defines the point on the inserted object (the selected location).

When you set all snap modes OFF, you can insert objects exactly where you release them on the page. This is sometimes called raw snap mode. Like other snap modes, the raw snap mode also applies when you move or stretch objects.

Pin When a pin on an object you insert, move, or stretch is within the snap distance of a pin on an existing object, the program inserts the object with its pin connected to the pin of the existing object. Pin snapping takes priority over all other snapping modes.

Vertex When the selected location on an object you insert, move, or stretch is within the snap distance of a vertex on an existing object, the program inserts that object with its selected location on the vertex of the existing object. (Vertex refers to a control point or boundary corner on a primitive, or an intersection of construction lines.)

Midpoint When the selected location on an object you insert, move, or stretch is within the snap distance of the midpoint of an existing object, the program inserts that object with its selected location on the midpoint of the existing object.

Intersection When the selected location on an object you insert, move, or stretch is within the snap distance of the intersection of the edges of two existing objects, the program inserts that object with its selected location on the intersection of the existing objects.

Hint

When working with a layout, if you notice a slowdown in the ADS environment, change your layout preferences to turn off the Snap to Intersection option (Options > Preferences > Grid/Snap). Doing so may help improve ADS responsiveness, especially if the layout or its subcircuits contain a large number of polygons.

Arc/Circle Center When the selected location on an object you insert, move, or stretch is within the snap distance of the center of an existing arc or circle, the program inserts that object with its selected location on the midpoint of the existing arc or circle.

Edge When the selected location on an object you insert, move, or stretch is within the snap distance of the edge of an existing object, the program inserts that object with its selected location on the edge of the existing object. After a point snaps to an edge, it is captured by that edge, and will slide along the edge unless you move the pointer out of the snap distance.

Because edge snapping has a priority 3, if the cursor comes to within snap distance of anything with a priority 1 or 2 while sliding along an edge, it will snap the selected location to that.

Grid When the selected location on an object you insert, move, or stretch is within the snap distance of a grid point, the program inserts that object with its selected location on the grid point.

All other snap modes have priority over grid snap mode.

Hint
  • Whenever possible, keep grid snapping on. After data is off grid, it is difficult to get it back on.
  • Use 45- or 90-degree angles to ensure even alignment of data with less probability of small layout gaps due to round-off errors.
  • Keep grid spacing set at increments of a base grid setting. When grid snapping is on, coordinates entered with the mouse are rounded off or snapped to the grid setting.

Selecting Placement Options

To change placement options, select Options > Preferences > Placement.

Single Representation When you place an item in one representation, nothing is automatically placed in the other representation.

Dual Representation When you place an item in one representation and move the pointer into the window for the other representation, the equivalent component is already selected. Position the pointer and click to place it. (If a window for the other representation—containing the same design—is not open, one is opened automatically.)

Always Design Synchronize Causes the program to fully synchronize both representations after each part is placed, ensuring all parts are fully interconnected. This takes more time than the Dual Representation mode and can move or rearrange the layout or the schematic to preserve connectivity.

Toggling Display of the Component Parameter Dialog Box

The Component Parameter Dialog box displays the parameters for a selected component. Double-click a component to view this dialog box.

  1. Choose the menu command Options > Preferences
  2. In the Preferences for Layout dialog box, choose the Placement tab.
  3. Toggle the options for the Component Parameter dialog box.
    • Component Parameter Dialog toggles the display of the Component Parameter dialog box. By default, when you click a component, a dialog box appears that displays the component's parameters. If you disable this feature, the dialog box appears only when you choose the command Edit > Item > Edit Component Parameters, or when you click the Edit Component Parameters button on the toolbar.
    • Show Component Parameter Dialog for components without parameters displays the Item Parameters dialog box even for components that do not have parameters (GROUND, for example). By default it is off and the dialog box does not appear. Double-clicking the component symbol brings up the dialog box so that you can change the item ID.
  4. Click Apply.

Toggling Repeatable Component Placement

By default, a component remains selected for placement until you deactivate it. This enables you to place more than one copy of a component without selecting it each time.

  1. Choose the menu command Options > Preferences.
  2. In the Preferences for Layout dialog box, choose the Placement tab.
  3. Enable/disable the Auto-repeatable component placement option.
  4. Click Apply.

Setting the Size of Ports and Grounds

Use the field in this panel to set the size (in layout units or screen pixels) of ports and grounds.

Changing Options for Pins/Tees

To change pins/tees options, select Options > Preferences > Pin/Tee.

Setting the Size of Connection Markers

  1. Choose the menu command Options > Preferences.
  2. In the Preferences for Layout Dialog Box, choose the Pin/Tee tab.
    There are two types of connection markers:
    • Pin sets the size of the marker that identifies component pins.
    • Tee sets the size of the marker that identifies tee connections between interconnected wires.
  3. Enter the size and select the units.
    • Screen pixels specifies sizes in terms of pixels on the screen. For example, if you choose 5 screen pixels, the size of the marker is 5 pixels.
    • Layout Units specifies sizes in terms of the current units of the window. For example, if you are using inches and choose 0.1 layout units, the size of the marker is 0.1 inch.

Setting the Color of Pin & Tee Connections

  1. Choose the menu command Options > Preferences.
  2. In the Preferences for Layout Dialog Box, choose the Pin/Tee tab.
  3. Use the selections in the Color area to specify the color of the markers that identify connected pins, tee connections between interconnected wires, pin numbers, pin names, node voltages, pin currents, and node names.
    Note
    Unconnected pins appear in the color set for highlighted items (see Changing Display Colors).

Setting Visibility of Connected Pins, Pin Numbers & Names

  1. Choose the menu command Options > Preferences.
  2. In the Preferences for Layout Dialog Box, choose the Pin/Tee tab.
  3. Use the selections in the Visibility area to toggle the visibility status of connected pin markers, pin numbers, and pin names.
    Note
    The Connected Pin selection in the Color area of this panel sets the color for the markers that identify connected pins, pin numbers, and pin names.

Changing Entry/Edit Attributes

To change entry/edit options, choose Options > Preferences > Entry/Edit.

Changing Component Text Attributes
To change text attribute options, select Options > Preferences > Component Text.

Component text is the text associated with components selected from a library or palette. If the designated layer is visible, this text appears automatically when a component is placed in the Layout window.

Setting Component Text Font & Height

Font Use the drop-down list to choose a font. The default is HersheyRomanNarrow.

Height represents the text height with respect to the current units in a window (displayed in the status panel at the bottom of the window).

Setting the Layers for Component Text

When a component is placed in layout, its name and reference designator (ID) are automatically placed with it on the silk screen layers. By default, the name is placed on the layer silk_screen2; the ID is placed on the layer silk_screen.
Name Use the drop-down list to define the layer for component names.
ID Use the drop-down list to define the layer for component IDs.

Changing Typed-in Text Attributes
To change text options, select Options > Preferences > Text.

Changing Display Colors

To change display color options, select Options > Preferences > Display.

Setting the Color of the Drawing Area

  1. Choose the menu command Options > Preferences.
  2. In the Preferences for Layout Dialog Box, choose the Display tab.
  3. In the Color area, click the color box to display a palette from which to choose a color.
    Foreground defines the color of the lines making up polygons, polylines, and arcs.
    Background defines the color of the Layout window background.
    Highlight defines the color used to identify problem items, orphaned items in schematic and layout representation, and unconnected pins.
    Fixed Component defines the color of fixed components.
    Edit In Place Box defines the color of the box around the hierarchical design that is being edited during Edit in Place.
  4. Click Apply.

Setting the Color of Unconnected Pins

  1. Choose the menu command Options > Preferences.
  2. In the Preferences for Layout Dialog Box, choose the Display tab.
  3. In the Color area, click the colored box next to the word Highlight and select the color from the displayed palette.
  4. Click OK to dismiss the palette.
  5. Click Apply. This sets the color for:
    • the marker that identifies an unconnected component pin, and
    • the box that the program uses to highlight an item. This type of highlighting is used when you use choose one of the Layout (Schematic) > Show commands.

Setting DRC Memory Use and Performance

To set preferences for DRC memory usage and performance, refer to Setting DRC Memory Use and Performance in the Design Rule Checker manual.

Changing Miscellaneous Display Options

To change hierarchy display options, select Options > Preferences > Display.

Setting Units/Scale Factors

To change units and scale options, select Options > Preferences > Units/Scale.

Scale factors are used in simulation and in generating artwork for parameterized artwork components.

Scale factors used in the layout should match those you want in the final output.

There are usually no problems associated with translating units that are in the same measurement system (mils to inches, or centimeters to millimeters), but round-off errors can occur when translating between metric and English units.

Changing Layout Units & Resolution

To change layout units and resolution options, choose Options > Preferences > Layout Units.

Layout units are used for any drawn item (such as a polygon, circle, or square).

Note
Set the correct layout units at the beginning of a design. Changing units after a design is complete can result in the loss of information (due to round-off errors). Because of this, if you must change the units of an existing design, you should make a copy of the file before you change the units. Then you can compare the designs after the change to determine if any information was lost.

When you change layout units, only the current design is rescaled to the new units

Setting Layout Resolution

Set the correct resolution (the smallest number allowed in layout) at the beginning of a design.

  1. Choose the menu command Options > Preferences.
  2. In the dialog box that appears, select the Layout Units tab.
  3. Enter the resolution.
  4. Click Apply. The resolution changes for the current design.

The smaller the number the more precise the data base, but because Layout uses a 32-bit integer data base, setting a very small resolution limits the largest user number that can be represented. This is usually not a problem for most designs until the resolution is greater than 0.0001.

The greater the resolution, the more difficult it is to ensure exact alignment of vertices in layout. Conversely, the greater the resolution, the smaller the gaps from round-off errors produced by non-orthogonal angles.

It is important to consider using a consistent resolution when creating related designs, or when using the packaged parts library. Information can be lost when going from a higher to a lower resolution. The packaged parts library was created using the default resolution setting (100).

Angles are stored in the data base as integers, but they have a hard-coded resolution of 1000 data base units per degree. All angles are stored in degrees between −180 and 180 degrees. Angles specified with more than three decimal places are rounded off (24.7895 is stored as 24.790).

Toggling the Coordinate Readout Display

To change coordinate readout display options, select View > Coordinate Readout.

The X,Y coordinate display, which appears in the status bar at the bottom of the Layout window, displays two types of coordinates: positional and differential.

The coordinate readout is on by default.

Positional displays the X,Y coordinates of the cursor position in relation to the total window. By default, the large + in the center of the drawing area is 0,0.

Differential displays the distance in X,Y the cursor has traveled since the last click. Set the starting point to 0,0 by clicking anywhere in the drawing area.

To toggle the display:

  1. Choose the menu command View.
  2. Click Coordinate Readout.

Saving a Layout Setup

After you have the layout environment set optimally for your design, you can save these settings to be used for other designs. A complete layout setup comprises two files:

Saving Layout Preferences

You can save the settings in the Preferences for Layout dialog box to either the default preferences file (layout.prf), or a new preferences file.

  1. In the Preferences for Layout dialog box, click Save.
  2. In the Save Preferences File dialog box, add the file name to the end of the path displayed in the Selection field.
    If you use the default preferences filename (layout.prf), those preferences are read in each time you create a design in the current project directory.

Saving Layer Information

You can save the settings in the Layer Editor dialog box to either the default layer file (layout.lay), or a new layer file.

  1. In the Layer Editor dialog box (Options > Layers), click Save.
  2. In the Save Layer File dialog box, add the layer file name to the end of the path displayed in the Selection field.
    If you use the default layer filename (layout.lay), the default layer set is read in each time you create a design in that project directory.

Using an Existing Layout Setup

You can re-use existing layout information for a design, rather than setting up the layout environment each time you begin a design. A complete layout setup comprises two files:

Reading in an Existing Preferences File

  1. In the Preferences for Layout dialog box, click Read.
  2. In the Read Preferences File dialog box, double click the *.pref file you want to read.

Reading in an Existing Layer File

  1. In the Layer Editor dialog box ( Options > Layers ), click Read.
  2. In the Read Layer File dialog box, double click the *.lay file you want to read.

Reading a File from a Different Project Directory

  1. In the Directories field, double click *_prj/...
  2. Choose the project directory you want to read.
  3. Double click the layer file.

Pick and Place Report

To generate a Pick and Place Report:

  1. Select File > Reports > Pick And Place to open the dialog.

    This dialog box allows you to edit the report name.

Viewing Pick and Place Report Configuration Options

To view the current pick and place report configuration options, do the following:

  1. Select File > Reports > Pick and Place.
  2. In the Pick And Place dialog box click the Show Options button.
  3. The Report Options dialog box appears. This dialog box allows you to view and print the current report configuration options.

Configuring the Pick and Place Report

The Pick and Place Report is configured using the file de_parts.ael. This file is read during startup.

Note
Prior to ADS 1.3, the de_parts.ael file contained an AEL script that generated a Parts List Report. The report was generated when Parts List was executed. The de_parts.ael file is now used only to configure the Pick and Place and Parts List reports.

If you have customized the Parts List report, you can retain this functionality by concatenating your custom de_parts.ael file to the system de_parts.ael file. You will be redefining the de_parts function.

You can customize the column data and the formatting of the report. You can add extra data columns in the report. The columns can be instance parameters, instance properties, or instance attributes.

The procedure de_parts_set_pick_and_place_options is called every time a Pick and Place Report is generated.

To modify the format of the Pick and Place Parts list, make a local copy of the system de_parts.ael file:

cp $HPEESOF_DIR/de/ael/de_parts.ael $HOME/hpeesof/de/ael

To make your changes current without having to reboot ADS, reload the de_parts.ael file by typing the following line in the Command Line dialog box:

load ("de_parts.ael");

DE_PARTS_SET_PICK_AND_PLACE_OPTIONS

Routine: Configure the pick and place report

Method: This procedure is called every time a Pick and Place Report is generated.

defun de_parts_set_pick_and_place_options ()
{
    de_parts_option_initialize ();
	/* Reset to system defaults */
						 /* Null out the exclusion and
						    inclusion lists */
	de_parts_option_set_hierarchical (TRUE); /* Hierarchical report */
	de_parts_option_set_center_placement (TRUE); /* X,Y location at center */
	de_parts_option_check_bom (FALSE);		 /* Do not check BOM flag */
/* Do not include simulation models */
	de_parts_option_add_exclusion_items (DePartsLumpedWithArtworkElements);
	de_parts_option_add_exclusion_items (DePartsMicrostripElements);
	de_parts_option_add_exclusion_items (DePartsPCBoardElements);
	de_parts_option_add_exclusion_items (DePartsStriplineElements);
	de_parts_option_add_exclusion_items (DePartsSuspSubElements);
	de_parts_option_add_exclusion_items (DePartsCoplanarElements);
	de_parts_option_add_exclusion_items (DePartsMultilayerElements);
	de_parts_option_add_exclusion_items (DePartsBlockTextFontsElements);
/* Add an additional column to display the PART_NUM instance attribute */
	de_parts_option_set_attribute_columns (list ("PART_NUM"));
	de_parts_option_set_delimeter (NULL);	/* Align columns */
	de_parts_option_include_header (TRUE);	/* Include header */
	de_parts_option_sort_by_component (TRUE);	/* Sort by component name */
}

Configuring the Parts List Report

The procedure de_parts_set_parts_list_options is called every time a Parts List Report is generated. 

//-------------------------------------------------------------------------
//                      DE_PARTS_SET_PARTS_LIST_OPTIONS
// Routine:     Configure the parts list report
// Methods:     This procedure is called every time a Parts List Report
//		is generated.
//-------------------------------------------------------------------------
defun de_parts_set_parts_list_options ()
{
    de_parts_option_initialize ();		 /* Reset to system defaults */
						 /* Null out the exclusion and
						    inclusion lists */
    de_parts_option_set_hierarchical (TRUE);     /* Hierarchical report */
    de_parts_option_set_center_placement (TRUE); /* X,Y location at center */
    de_parts_option_check_bom (FALSE);		 /* Do not check BOM flag */
    /* Do not include simulation models */
    de_parts_option_add_exclusion_items (DePartsLumpedWithArtworkElements);
    de_parts_option_add_exclusion_items (DePartsMicrostripElements);
    de_parts_option_add_exclusion_items (DePartsPCBoardElements);
    de_parts_option_add_exclusion_items (DePartsStriplineElements);
    de_parts_option_add_exclusion_items (DePartsSuspSubElements);
    de_parts_option_add_exclusion_items (DePartsCoplanarElements);
    de_parts_option_add_exclusion_items (DePartsMultilayerElements);
    de_parts_option_add_exclusion_items (DePartsBlockTextFontsElements);
    de_parts_option_set_delimeter (NULL);	/* Align columns */
    de_parts_option_include_header (TRUE);	/* Include header */
    de_parts_option_sort_by_component (TRUE);	/* Sort by component name */
}

Reformatting the Reports

You can omit and reorder the columns in a Parts List or Pick and Place Report using AEL. Contact technical support if you wish to get a copy of the report formatting AEL script.

Check BOM Flag

Command: de_parts_option_check_bom (TRUE|FALSE);

TRUE Only include instances with attribute INST_SPECIAL set as ITEM_BOM_ITEM

FALSE Do not test for ITEM_BOM_ITEM (default)

Exclusion List

Command: de_parts_option_add_exclusion_items (list ("MLIN"));

Items in the list will not appear in the parts list.

This list is useful if parts have not been consistently flagged as BOM items. For this case, you wish to include everything except items in the exclusion list.

To include everything, do not check the BOM flag.

For example:

de_parts_option_check_bom (FALSE);
de_parts_option_add_exclusion_items (DePartsLumpedWithArtworkElements);

Inclusion List

Command: de_parts_option_add_inclusion_items (list ("res_smt"));

Items in the list will appear in the parts list.

This list is useful if parts have not been consistently flagged as BOM items. For this case, specify to include only items flagged as BOM items, and add additional items in the inclusion list.

Inclusion items are treated as leaf-level parts and do not get flattened. For example, if an inclusion item is a hierarchical part, its sub-elements will not be included in the parts list.

For example:

de_parts_option_check_bom (TRUE);
de_parts_option_add_inclusion_items (list ("res_smt"));

Hierarchical Reporting

Command: de_parts_option_set_hierarchical (TRUE|FALSE);

TRUE Produce a parts list containing instances from all levels of the hierarchy. (default)

FALSE Produces a parts list containing instances from only the top level of hierarchy.

Component Placement X,Y Coordinates

Command: de_parts_option_set_center_placement (TRUE|FALSE);

TRUE Coordinates represent the center point of the instance bounding box. The bounding box does not include the annotation text. (default)

FALSE Coordinates represent the location of pin one.

Component Placement X,Y Offset coordinates

Command: de_parts_option_set_package_offset (packageAttributeName, packageName, xOffset, yOffset);

For example:

de_parts_option_set_package_offset ("Package", "P1", 15, 0);

For each instance which has a user attribute named "Package", with attribute value "P1", the placement coordinate will be the origin offset by xOffset, yOffset.

User Attribute Columns

Command: de_parts_option_set_attribute_columns (list ("INST_SPECIAL", "PART_NUM", "Price"));

Attributes in the list will appear as columns in the parts list. The attributes can be user properties, user parameters, or instance attributes. The following instance attributes can appear in the report:

INST_TYPE
INST_SPECIAL
INST_NAME
INST_DESIGN_NAME
INST_SYMBOL_NAME
INST_BBOX
INST_PROPERTY

Delimiter Character

Command: de_parts_option_set_delimeter (delimiter); where delimiter is used to separate column data (i.e. " ", ",") Default is NULL.

If a NULL delimiter is specified, column widths will be determined by the longest data field and all data will be left justified.

For example:

/* Separate columns with commas */
de_parts_option_set_delimeter (",");

For example:

/* Auto-format */
de_parts_option_set_delimeter (NULL);

Include Header

Command: de_parts_option_include_header (TRUE|FALSE); TRUE = Output header information (default)

FALSE = Output part data only

Sort by Component Name

Command: de_parts_option_sort_by_component (TRUE|FALSE);

TRUE = Sort the parts list by the component name (default)

FALSE = Parts are listed as they appear in the database

 

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