Things You Didn't Know About Virtuoso: Thumbnails

Boy, you must think we're a few sandwiches short of a picnic over here at Cadence.  

A couple of months ago we came out with this great new Virtuoso software release (IC 6.1.4).  So, despite my best efforts to get you to use the recently-opened files list or to create bookmarks, the first thing you did after starting virtuoso was open the Library Manager.  (Don't try to deny it, I know you did...). 

So there's the Library Manager with your libraries all neatly grouped and color-coordinated, and down in the lower right corner of the window, there's now a little black square.  You say to yourself, "Wow, that's the one new feature I was hoping for in this new release...a little black square in the corner of the Library Manager.  Thanks, Cadence!".  (Actually, you probably thought something not so suitable for a family-friendly blog such as this.) 

Well, before you run off and start tweeting all your friends about how Cadence has had another brain fart, read on a bit and let me tell you how to unlock the magic of that little black box.

Thumbnails, my friends.  Thumbnails are the wave of the future.  And thumbnails are what that little black box is for.  But first you've got to create them and that's why the box is empty right now.

So, to create thumbnails for the cellviews in your library, just RMB over a library name or a cell name or a schematic, symbol or layout view name and select "Update Thumbnails" (or select Edit->Update Thumbnails from the main menu). 

Now the little box will contain a small image of the cellview so you'll know it's the right one without having to open it.  These thumbnails will also appear when you use the File->Open... form to browse for a cellview.

So, now that we've begun exploring the wondrous diminuitive world of thumbnails, leave a comment to let us know where else you think thumbnails might be useful in the future...

Stacy Whiteman