Understand GDS visualization
Understand how a saved GDS structure becomes displayed geometry and how to read its units and diagnostics.
The GDS view displays the geometry of a selected structure in Cloud 2.1.2.10 and Windows 2.1.2.3.
From a saved file to geometry
A GDS file contains named structures. The viewer reads the saved file, selects a structure and expands its referenced geometry into polygons and paths grouped by layer and datatype.
In Cloud, the file is stored in the Cloud project and the view is computed in your browser. On Windows, the viewer reads the saved file from the My PC project and computes the view on that computer.
From saved GDS to a view
Saved GDS file
Selected structure
Projected geometry
Read units and layer heights
Coordinates come from the GDS database unit. File details shows that unit in metres and the projected vertex count. All axes use the same scale.
In an ordinary GDS projection, layer heights use visualization defaults to separate the layers on screen. Treat those heights as display values. A physical stackup defines the process's layer thicknesses.
GDS coordinates and display heights
Default layer heights are display values.
Projection inputs
- 1. GDS database unit
- 2. Layers / datatypes
- 3. Visualization defaults
Displayed geometry
- 4. 3D
Connections
- 1. GDS database unit → 4. 3D: Coordinates
- 2. Layers / datatypes → 4. 3D: Polygons and paths
- 3. Visualization defaults → 4. 3D: Display heights
Read the view in context
File details identifies the saved input by its byte count, GDS header version and SHA-256. Reload file reads the saved file again. Layer visibility and camera position change the view; the saved GDS file stays unchanged.
Geometry diagnostics describes the geometry projection. Physical verification results describe the checks performed by the relevant verification run. Keep the original input and process context with those results when reviewing verification status.