KLayout Mask Layout Editor

KLayout is a free, open-source tool for viewing, editing, generating, and analyzing mask layouts for silicon design. KLayout can read GDSII, OASIS, CIF, LEF/DEF, DFX, GERBER, and other formats.

Download

• Download packaged versions of KLayout for Linux, Windows, and macOS
• Build KLayout from source hosted on GitHub

Features overview

For a detailed list of features, see KLayout Highlights

Big mask layout files can accurately be viewed in Viewer mode. It features overlay capability for multiple layers, rulers, image overlays, many style options, switchable layer views, bookmarks, hierarchical context views, a search function, browsing by instances or shapes, selective cell blankout and much more.

In Editor mode KLayout can create new layers and subcells, instantiate subcells in other cells, and draw polygons, boxes, wires and labels.

• Move, rotate, scale, and mirror selected objects.
• Manipulate polygons and layers using boolean operations.
• Search and replace shapes and instances.
• Use parameterized cells to create complex geometries with a few clicks.
• Copy/paste selected objects.

KLayout can use rich scripting features to generate layout from scratch using Ruby or Python. It can code parameterized cells for easy creation of complex layouts in the editor. KLayout has the ability to use the integrated script development IDE to edit and debug your code.

KLayout can be also used to analyze layouts with integrated XOR and diff tools to compare layouts. Develop and run design rule check (DRC) and layout vs. schematic (LVS) scripts using the integrated script development IDE. KLayout can trace nets with the integrated net tracing tool and code analysis scripts using the rich scripting API.

Documentation

The following KLayout manuals are available:

• Quick Start Manual
• Editor mode quickstart manual
• User Manual
• Main Documentation page