KLayout Plugin: Layer Shortcuts

• Boost your layout productivity with shortcuts
  • to quickly change layer visibility

This add-on can be installed through KLayout package manager, see installation instructions here

Usage

Tool activation and deactivation

• Activate or deactivate the Layer Shortcuts plugin by selecting Tools→Layer Shortcut Plugin in the main menu

Shortcuts

Shortcuts can be defined as action steps in the JSON configuration file.

This following table describes the shortcuts of our default IHP SG13G2 configuration.

Shortcut	Description (What happens)
0	Show default layers
,	Hide default layers
1	Focus on 1st metal and related vias
2	Focus on 2nd metal and related vias
3	Focus on 3rd metal and related vias
4	Focus on 4th metal and related vias
5	Focus on 5th metal and related vias
6	Focus on 6th metal and related vias
7	Focus on 7th metal and related vias
8	Focus on Gate Poly and related layers
9	Focus on Diffusion and related layers

Supported PDKs

Currently, we support the following PDKs:

• IHP SG13G2: https://github.com/iic-jku/klayout-layer-shortcuts/blob/main/pdks/ihp-sg13g2.json
• Skywater sky130: https://github.com/iic-jku/klayout-layer-shortcuts/blob/main/pdks/sky130.json
• Global Foundries gf180mcu: https://github.com/iic-jku/klayout-layer-shortcuts/blob/main/pdks/gf180mcu.json

You can add support for additional PDKs by writing a JSON configuration file:

• copy the existing JSON file and ensure the PDK name is volare/ceil compatible
• Noters about the JSON file format
  • NOTE: Layer names must be the same as in the KLayout layer properties XML file (e.g. ~/.volare/ihp-sg13g2/libs.tech/klayout/tech/sg13g2.lyp)
  • NOTE: The technology name must be the same as in the KLayout technology XML file (e.g. ~/.volare/ihp-sg13g2/libs.tech/klayout/tech/sg13g2.lyt)
  • NOTE: The layer group names must be unique but are completely custom
• create a pull request_

Installation using KLayout Package Manager

1. From the main menu, click Tools→Manage Packages to open the package manager
2. Locate the Layer Shortcuts, double-click it to select for installation, then click Apply
3. Review and close the package installation report
4. (If needed,) confirm macro execution