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Steps for using pCells written in Skill

JSMIT

This question is about how to configure a skill file to show up as a pCell.

I am very new to designing pCells in virtuoso.  I have created a pCell with stretch commands, but the shapes I will ultimately need to create (relatively complex polygons for MEMS applications) would be a lot easier to set up in skill code.  I should be able to compile this pCell into skill code and use the code generated as a template.  My challenge right now, however, is what steps to take so I can take an existing skill pCell code and make it actually usable as a pCell.

For simplicity, let's assume I have a pCell with only 1 rectangle inside, and an X-axis stretch through it.  I then run pCell-Compile-ToSkillCode, and save the file as ~/TestCode (with the intend of modifying it in the future).  What steps do I need to take with this exported skill file to make it show up as a Cell in my library?  Will I have to repeat those steps every time I modify the skill code?

 Thanks for everyone's helping me with this!

  •  Hi JSMIT,

    the Skill-Code to a PCell is mainly a call of pcDefinePCell;
    it will contain this function-call with lib, cell and view as parameter,
    then PCell-parameters and the code that finally creates the contents
    of your PCell;

    i'd suggest to create graphically a simple PCell containing the elements you are
    planning to use, then compile it to skill and take this piece of code as starting
    point.

    After creating the Skill-Code to your PCell, just run it once (load "mynewpcell.il"),
    it will create the PCell in your library ready for further use;
    of course, after changing the code, you have to run the skill-code
    again, once, to get the changes into your library;

    Have a look at the manuals pcellref and especially skpcellref.

    Hope this helps
    kind regards

    Stefan

     

  • Stefan,

    thanks!  That worked nicely. I was able to load a simple cell as skill code, make modifications to the code and reload it.  I agree it's probably the best way to begin learning skill, as the code I'm generating that way is relevant & and easy to understand step by step - rather than reading through a 500 line example.Thanks again for helping me get on my feet with it.

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