The Output Format menu provides a selection of file formats to be used for written output. The choices are Xic (native), and the supported archive formats.
The Conversion Scale Factor provides an entry area where a scale factor to be applied during the operation can be entered. Values of 0.001 through 1000.0 are acceptable. This will apply to output initiated from this panel and script functions only.
The operation is actually initiated with the Write File button. The name of the output file will be prompted for on the prompt line. The Dismiss button retires the panel.
Cell files can also be written to disk using the Save and Save As commands in the File Menu. However, if scaling or the Strip For Export or Skip Invisible Layers features are needed, the file must be generated from this panel.
The following choices are available for converted output format.
Before the operation starts, the user is given the option of setting the directory which will receive the created files. If no directory is given, the files will be created in the current directory. While the prompt is in effect, a pop-up containing a tree listing of the directory hierarchy rooted in the current directory appears. The user can select a directory in the listing, or type the directory path on the prompt line. Pressing Esc will abort the operation.
After the operation is complete, the user is prompted for the name of a library file which will be written in the current directory. This file will have references to each of the new files created, with the top-level symbol listed first, and the others listed in alphabetical order. This library may be placed in the search path to gain access to the new files through the library mechanism, in which case the directory containing the files need not be in the search path. Pressing Esc will skip creating the library file.
When generating an archive file and an error occurs. the archive file will normally be deleted. However, if the variable KeepBadArchive is set (with the !set command) the output file will be given a ``.BAD'' extension and retained. This file should be considered corrupt, but may be useful for diagnostics.
The extension syntax used for cell name specification and labels, and whether the layer directives use indexing or names, are settable with the CIFoutStyle variable and/or the CIF style entry areas described above.
Xic will ensure that symbol names included in the GDSII file conform to the standard (upper and lower case, digits, `_', `$', `?' only, up to 32 long in GDSII Release 3).
All layers that are to be written to the GDSII file should have a GDSII output mapping specified. This can be added to the technology file with a text editor, or interactively with the Edit Parameters command. By default, a layer needed for output that does not have a mapping will terminate the operation. However, if the GDSII: skip layers without map button described above is set, or equivalently the variable NoGdsMapOk is set (with the !set command), then such layers will be ignored (producing no output).
All layers that are to be written to the OASIS file should have a GDSII output mapping specified. This can be added to the technology file with a text editor, or interactively with the Edit Parameters command. By default, a layer needed for output that does not have a mapping will terminate the operation. However, if the GDSII and OASIS: skip layers without map button described above is set, or equivalently the variable NoGdsMapOk is set (with the !set command), then such layers will be ignored (producing no output).