Re: design rules / flatten layout

At 03:43 AM 11/29/2005, you wrote:
>Thanks for this tool.
>I try version 8.03 of the Electric VLSI Design System (Linux x86).
>
>How about the bug "Technology editor cannot edit design rules."
>What can I do to add a new technology with design rules?

The technology editor can create a Java source file that embodies the 
technology.  After this file has been written out, the design rules 
can be added to the file so that, when built with Electric, the 
technology has this information.  However, you will have to read 
other technology files to learn how to do this.  I would NOT 
recommend reading "mocmos.java" because that file implements design 
rules in a very indirect way.

>It would be nice not only to use the output-files of assura or
>calibre but also read the input (technology) files?

Sorry, but that is not going to happen.  In order to process Assura 
or Calibre files, Electric must implement an entirely new DRC that 
does CSG (Constructive Solid Geometry) operations.  You are better 
off simply running these DRC systems independently.  Also, it is not 
possible to read these files and build technologies in Electric (I've tried).

>What do I have to do to flatten the layout, is it possible?

You can flatten layout by "extract"ing cell instances.  However, it 
is rarely needed, because all tools that want flat layout do the 
flattening themselves.

    -Steven Rubin