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Convert Menu -- General

Below are general variables relating to data input/output and format translation.

ChdFailOnUnresolved
Value: boolean.
If this variable is set, when doing an operation with a Cell Hierarchy Digest (CHD) that was created from a file containing unresolved references (cells that were referenced but not defined in the file), and the cells can't be referenced through libraries, the operation will fail. If not set, processing will continue, with the non-references either being ignored (e.g., when flattening), or converted to empty cells (when reading into the database), or propagated to output (when writing output), depending on the operation.

ChdCmpThreshold
Value: integer >= 0.
When using a Cell Hierarchy Digest (CHD), by default instance lists larger than 256 bytes are stored in compressed form in memory. This reduces memory use, but there is a small speed penalty.

This variable sets the size threshold for compression. If set to a value less than 100, no compression is done. Otherwise, instance lists larger than the set size (in bytes) will be compressed. Experimentation suggests that the largest blocks dominate the decompression overhead, so that the value of this variable has little effect, except when turning off compression entirely.

MultiMapOk
Value: boolean.
When set, multiple input/output GDSII layer/datatype mapping to Xic layers is enabled (as was always the case in Xic releases prior to 2.5.67-5). This allows objects in GDSII/OASIS files to be created on more than one Xic layer, and objects on Xic layers to be instantiated more than once in GDSII/OASIS output files (each with a different layer/datatype). When not set, each object is created or written once only, using the first mapping in the internal list that applies (first matching layer or StreamOut keyword found).

NoPopUpLog
Value: boolean.
When set, the File Browser loaded with the log file which appears if there were errors or warnings when reading an input file or writing output will not appear. This applies to the Open command and equivalent, and the file input/output operations in the Convert Menu. It is not recommended to set this in general, but the browser popping up does become annoying at times, so this variable can be set when the user knows what to expect in the file.

UnknownGdsLayerBase
Value: integer 0-65535.
When translating to GDSII or OASIS from a file format that does not have layer/datatype numbers, and no mapping can be resolved, new layer/datatype combinations are created. The new layer numbers are generated sequentially, starting with the value of UnknownGdsLayerBase, or 128 if this variable is not set. Each is given the datatype UnknownGdsDatatype.

UnknownGdsDatatype
Value: integer 0-65535.
This is the datatype assigned to new layers generated using the UnknownGdsLayerBase. if not set, a datatype 128 is used.

NoStrictCellnames
Value: boolean.
If the boolean variable NoStrictCellnames is set, there will be no checking of cell names for white space, and the legacy behavior (in releases prior to 3.0.5) of accepting white space in cell names will be enabled. Otherwise, white space is not allowed in cell names, and if such cells are found in an archive being read, aliasing will be employed to map white space characters to underscores.

NoFlattenStdVias
Value: boolean.
When set, and when flattening a physical cell hierarchy, standard via instances will be retained as such rather than being converted to geometry. This variable tracks the state of the Don't flatten standard vias, move to top check box in the Flatten Hierarchy panel, and the Don't flatten standard vias, keep as instances at top level check boxes in the Setup pages of the Import Control panel, Export Control panel, and the Format Conversion panel.

Presently, when the input data source is an archive file, this variable applies only when sub-masters are not contained in the source file, and are therefor created in Xic.

NoFlattenPCells
Value: boolean.
When set, and when flattening a physical cell hierarchy, parameterized cell (pcell) instances will be retained as such rather than being converted to geometry. This variable tracks the state of the Don't flatten param. cells, move to top check box in the Flatten Hierarchy panel, and the Don't flatten pcells, keep as instances at top level check boxes in the Setup pages of the Import Control panel, Export Control panel, and the Format Conversion panel.

Presently, when the input data source is an archive file, this variable applies only when sub-masters are <b>not</b> contained in the source file, and are therefor created in Xic.

NoFlattenLabels
Value: boolean.
When set, and when flattening a cell hierarchy (physical or electrical), labels found in subcells are ignored (not copied into the current cell). Labels found in the current cell are retained. This is intended to avoid creating conflicting net labels of wire nets from (subnet) labels in subcells. This variable tracks the state of the Ignore labels in subcells check box in the Flatten Hierarchy panel, and the Ignore labels in subcells check boxes in the Setup pages of the Import Control panel, Export Control panel, and the Format Conversion panel.

NoReadLabels
Value: boolean.
When this variable is set, text label elements will not be read from archive files in physical mode. This may improve efficiency if the user is concerned with physical layout data only. This variable tracks the setting of the Skip reading text labels from physical archives check box in the Setup page of the Import Control panel from the Convert Menu.

KeepBadArchive
Value: boolean.
When generating an archive file and an error occurs, the archive file will normally be deleted. However, if this variable is set, the output file will be given a ``.BAD'' extension and retained. This file should be considered corrupt, but may be useful for diagnostics.


next up previous contents index
Next: Convert Menu Up: Xic Variables Previous: Attribute Menu Commands   Contents   Index
Stephen R. Whiteley 2022-05-28