Mask Files

Created by Agilent EEsof EDA for use with its EDA tools, the mask format is a simple ASCII format that provides a flat geometric representation of a layout. Because of its simplicity, this format offers great flexibility when transferring designs between the Advanced Design System and other design environments.

The Gerber and DXF translators use the mask file format as an intermediate file when converting data to Gerber and DXF. The mask format is also used as an intermediate file when translating other formats such as HPGL/2. In addition, the simplicity of the mask file format makes it an appealing option for post-processing designs and extracting drill hole file information (you will need to create your own programs for these tasks).

Mask files can include multiple layers of data, but this data describes geometric forms exclusively. Simulation data, element parameters, substrate definitions, and hierarchy are not included.

Importing Mask Graphics Files

For a step-by-step tutorial, see Importing a Layout.

Import MASK Options

Scale X, Scale Y

These are the fields for inputting the scale factors for shapes in the direction of X and Y. The default settings are 1.0, 1.0.

Define Layers

This button invokes the Layer Editor. For Layer Editor options, see Defining Layers.

Mask To Layer

This field enables you to specify a list of mask files to be read and the layer numbers to be created within them. The information must be presented in pairs, as follows:
<layer_number> <file_name> <layer_number> <file_name>...
where all entries are separated by spaces.

Exporting Mask Graphics Files

For a step-by-step tutorial, see Exporting a Layout.

Export MASK Options

Units

These are the units that the mask file will be written in. You may select from the following options: same, mil, inch, um, mm, cm. The default is same. When same is selected, the design is written in the same units that are stored in the design file. For more information on choosing layout units, refer to Setting Layout Options > Preferences for Layout > Setting Units/Scale Factors in Customization and Configuration.

Scale X, Scale Y

These are the fields for inputting the scale factors for shapes in the direction of X and Y. The default settings are 1.0, 1.0.

Define Layers

Clicking the Define Layers button invokes the Layer Editor. For Layer Editor Options, see Defining Layers.

Layers Include, Layers Exclude

These buttons enable you to specify layers to either include or exclude.

• Include − exports information only from layers specified in the Layer Number(s) and Layer File Name(s) fields (see descriptions below).
• Exclude − exports all layers except those specified in the Layer Number(s) field (it is not necessary to fill in the Layer File Name(s) field).

Include is selected as the default. Unless you specify layer numbers to include in the Layer Number(s) field, all layers are automatically included.

Layer Number(s)

The layer numbers to include or exclude in the mask file output. Entries are separated by commas. For example:
1, 6, 20.

Layer File Name(s)

This option is used only when Layers Include is selected. The information must be presented in pairs, as follows:
<layer_number> <layer_name> <layer_number> <layer_name>...
where all are separated by spaces. For example:
1 msk1 3 msk3

Auto Merge

When Auto Merge is selected, all shapes for every mask layer that intersect or overlap are merged. This option is deselected as the default.

Arcs As Polygons

When Arcs As Polygons is selected, the design arcs are exported as line segments (or polygons). This option is deselected as the default.

Holes As Polygons

When Holes As Polygons is selected, holes are exported as a filled element, which is also how polygons are exported in the mask format. When Holes As Polygons is not selected, polygons with holes are translated as single-segment polygons, the false edge segment becoming part of the polygon. Some systems may not be able to tolerate this type of complex polygon. For these systems, make certain that Holes As Polygons is selected. This option is deselected as the default.

Holes As Cutlines

When Holes As Cutlines is selected, holes are converted into cutlines. This option is selected as the default.

Preserve Holes

When Preserve Holes is selected, holes are exported as an empty element. This option is not available for exporting mask graphics files.

Etch Factor

The etch factor applies a global over/undersize amount to each shape translated. This is meant to compensate for etch effect during processing. However, using this option can be problematic. Thus, we recommend that you retain the default setting of 0.

If you use Etch Factor, carefully verify the correctness of the compensation to minimize problems. Limitations include the following: When a figure has a side smaller than the etch factor, this function may fail. If two boundaries butt up against one another before compensation, because each boundary is handled independently, such boundaries will either overlap or show a gap when compensation is specified. When Etch Factor is applied, re-entrant polygons may be transformed into illegal polygons.

Miter Angle

The angle cutoff used with the etch factor. The miter angle controls acute angle edge over-extension. Any angle below the miter angle amount is mitered. The default is 90.0.