Adding gds number to LSW display

hmmm....as an alternative to modifying the GUI with a new column of gds numbers, there is no way that for example a SKILL script could extract the layer name and gds number from the techfile, concatenate the two separated by say 3 dashes, and populate the LSW with this new layer name and unaltered purpose string...?  Create a new list of lpp's to populate the LSW with?

Does that sound possible?

You could use the "Abbreviation" column in the techPurposes and techLayers sections of the technology file. These are generally used to make a shorter name for displaying in the LSW, but you could add the number without affecting the real name. For example, the purpose drawing has an abbreviation of drw. You could have a datatype number like drw--0 and a layer number like metal1--15. You'll need to widen your LSW so you can see the full name.

leSetLSWBBox(bBox)

.cdsenv variable:
layout  lswLPIconPurposeLength  int     3

Derek

Thanks Derek,

I will try this out...

...This could become a much larger industry question if we are asking why CAD users need to use gds numbers. Us humans have to confirm that what layer name we are seeing in the CAD tool is associated with the expected db number that will be or has been machine read, and we have to communicate using layer names as well as db numbers.  The db format (numeric layer identifiers) is frequently used in conjunction with layer name in back-end production, reviews, design/mask changes, vendors, partner firms, etc.  The visual aid of the LSW would help greatly if it displayed both names and numbers, or had the option to turn it on/off.  As long as us humans have to communicate using both systems, I'm confused why it would seem a bother to have the LSW display both...especially if some similar ability has been invested in v6...?

Andrew,

you are right, I would probably prefer NOT to see the gds numbers all the time and the less is more approach to visual clutter is usually best, so ideally the gds numbers would be present when needed - turned on/off via scripting.  I was hoping there was a built in option to add the gds numbers as opposed to a custom SKILL approach.  Being a novice programmer, everything seems convoluted and a bother. But these accomplishments are very satisfying once reached, so I'm not deterred, I am rather encouraged that there is a potential solution! 

I will see if I can get a function to re-load the techfile with or without a gds concatenated layer abbreviation, and use it to toggle the visibility of the gds number in the LSW.

Thank you both very much.

Hi Andrew, 

I am trying to load the GDS numbers, in the LSW in IC618. It would be very helpful when making a release for tape-out and verifying job-deck. I dump the tech file with only layer and purpose definition and try to load it; doesn't work. Second,  I notice that the CAD no. (Mask ID) are different from the layers numbers defined in TechFile. I am actually interested in loading tsmc Mask ID in LSW.  Do we need to make a separate file with the layer and Mask number defined. Are we still have to follow what some users explained for modifying abbreviations in tech file etc. to get the number displayed in LSW.  Appreciate if you could explain the steps to a little in detail. Well, I am working on modifying LSW for the first time. Thanks.

The stream (GDS) layer numbers/datatype numbers are found from the libName.layermap file found within the technology library you're using - this is the same file that seeds the File->Export->Stream interface too. The stream layer/datatype numbers are not in the tech file (they were in CDB releases like IC5141, but in OpenAccess this is not part of the  OA technology database, but is a separate file)

You can enable them in the Layer Palette using the Right Mouse button menu as follows:

Andrew