Importing and Exporting Schematic and Layout Designs

This chapter provides information on importing and exporting schematic and layout files as well as how to use the Advanced Design System Layer Editor. For information on importing Netlists, refer to Importing a Netlist File.

Note To prevent performance and memory consumption problems with large designs such as reticles or imported designs for use with Momentum, refer to Disabling Layout Connectivity Features.

Importing a Schematic

For available file formats that you can import from an ADS Schematic window, refer to Available Formats. For information on importing SPICE and Spectre netlist files, refer to the Netlist Translator for SPICE and Spectre.

The procedure for importing each format is generally the same, however the available options differ. For options relating to a particular file format, see the appropriate chapter.

To import a schematic design:

1. Open a project and choose File > Import. The Import dialog box appears.
2. Select the appropriate file format from the File Type drop-down list.
3. To define options for the imported file, click the More Options button. The Import Options dialog box appears.

   Note The program translators are controlled by translator options files. A system-wide options file exists for each translator. These files can be found in the $HPEESOF_DIR/config directory. The default system file is automatically read when you click More Options in the Import dialog box (unless a local options file already exists in the current project directory). When you make changes in the options dialog box and click OK, a local copy of the options file is written to the current project directory.

4. To specify the path and filename of the file you want to import, click Browse.
5. Double-click as needed to locate the directory containing the design. By default, all files are listed that have the file suffix appropriate for the chosen file format.
6. Select the design you want to import and click OK. You are returned to the Import dialog box and the selected filename appears in the field labeled Import File Name (Source).
7. Where applicable, type a new name for your imported design in the New Design Name (Destination) field.

   Note For certain file types, the translator uses the existing filename to determine the new design name.

8. Click OK to import the design and dismiss the Import dialog box.

Exporting a Schematic

For available file formats that you can export from an ADS Schematic window, refer to Available Formats.

The procedure for exporting IFF files is the same as the import, but the available options differ. For options relating to the IFF file format, see IFF Files.

To export a schematic design:

1. Open your design and choose File > Export. The Export dialog box appears.
2. Select IFF file format from the File Type drop-down list.
3. To set export options, click the More Options button. The Export Options dialog box appears.
4. Change options as needed and click OK.
5. To specify a path for the exported file, click Browse.
6. Double-click as needed to locate the directory for the exported design. By default, all files are listed that have the file suffix appropriate for the chosen file format.
7. Click OK.
8. Type a new filename in the Export dialog box, following the path, and click OK. The file is written to the specified directory.

Importing a Layout

For available file formats that you can import from an ADS Layout window, refer to Available Formats and Import/Export Options.

The procedure for importing each format is the same, but the available options differ. For options relating to a particular file format, refer to the associated chapter.

To import a layout file:

1. In the Advanced Design System layout window, choose File > Import to open the Import dialog box.
   
2. In the File Type field, click the arrow in the right-hand corner to display a drop-down list of available formats. Select the format you want to import.
3. Click the More Options button to define the options for your selected format.
   

   Note Each format has its own set of import options. Refer to the individual translator topic.

4. Click Define Layers to set the layer options. For information on the Layer Editor, see Defining Layers. Close the Layer Editor dialog box.
5. In the Import Options dialog box, click OK to save your settings and return to the Import dialog box.
6. In the Import File Name (Source) field enter the full path of the source file. Alternatively, click Browse to open the Import File Selection dialog box and locate the file you want. After locating the file, click OK to accept the selection and return to the Import dialog box. The appropriate suffix (.dsn) is appended to the filename automatically.
   
7. In the New Design Name (Destination) field, enter the full destination path and a name for the new file. Alternatively, you can click Browse to open the Design File Selection dialog box and locate the destination path. After locating the file, click OK to accept the selection and return to the Import dialog box. The appropriate suffix is appended to the filter automatically.
   

   Note New Design Name (Destination) cannot be specified for EGS Archive Format, GDSII Stream Format, IFF, or IGES files.

8. In the Layers File Name field, enter the full path and name of the layers file to be referenced during import. If the name you enter does not exist, a .lay file will be created using the information defined in the Layer Editor.

   Note If the import results in changes to the layers that you have defined, then those updates are written to the custom layers file. If the custom layers file is defined as non-writable, then a warning is generated.

   Alternatively, you can click Browse to open the Layers File Selection box and locate the path and file name. After locating the file, click OK to accept the selection and return to the Import dialog box. The appropriate suffix (.lay) is appended to the filename automatically.
   
   The specified layers file contains the layer definition from the file you are importing.

   Note Layers File Name cannot be specified for HPGL/2, IFF, or Mask files.

9. Click OK to accept the selections and start the import process. One or more files may be created.

Exporting a Layout

For available file formats that you can export from an ADS Layout window, refer to Available Formats.

The procedure for exporting each format is the same, but the available options differ. For options relating to a particular file format, see the appropriate chapter.

Note Gerber Viewer appears as an export file option. It is not a file format, but is placed on the export file menu so you can open the Gerber Viewer at any time. In addition, you can access the Viewer during a DXF or Gerber export (see Using the Gerber Viewer).

To export a layout file:

1. In the Advanced Design System layout window containing your design, choose File > Export. The Export dialog box appears.
   
2. In the File Type field, click the arrow in the right-hand corner to display a drop down list of available formats. Select the format you want to export.
3. Click the More Options button to define the options for your selected format.
   

   Note Each format has its own set of import options. Refer to the appropriate chapter in this book.

4. Click Define Layers to set the layer options. For information on the Layer Editor, see Defining Layers.

   Note ADS layer numbers are mapped to DXF layer names. You can modify layer mappings and DXF layer names by editing the DXF Layer Name column in the Advanced tab section of the Layer Editor.

5. In the Export Options dialog box, click OK to save your settings and return to the Export dialog box.
6. In the New File Name (Destination) field enter the full path of the destination file. Alternatively, click Browse to open the Export File Selection dialog box. After locating the destination directory, click OK to accept the selection and return to the Export dialog box. Enter a filename. The appropriate suffix is appended to the filename automatically.
   

   Note New File Name (Destination) cannot be specified for MGC/PCB files. MGC/PCB files are written to the same predetermined location each and every time. For more information on this file type, see MGC/PCB Files.

7. Click OK to accept the selections and start the export process. Additional dialog boxes display for the DXF, Gerber, IFF, and MGC/PCB formats. To complete translation of these formats, refer to the appropriate chapter in this book.

Defining Layers

Using the Advanced Design System Layer Editor (More Options > Define Layers) in the Import or Export dialog box, you can define design layers and add, delete, or rearrange layer priority. The contents of this dialog box change to reflect the layer assignments associated with the open design. For information on the defining layers using the ADS Layer Editor, refer to Setting Layout Options.