Skip to content

IMPORT.md

Latest commit

 

History

History
139 lines (94 loc) · 5.48 KB

IMPORT.md

File metadata and controls

139 lines (94 loc) · 5.48 KB
Raw

Import external views (File → Import)

LibMan can convert schematics and layouts from other EDA formats into CORE view files and register them in the current project.

Menu Description
File → Import... Open the import dialog
File → Export... Export selected CORE views to GDS, Xschem, or Qucs

Import requires a CORE-enabled build (CONFIG+=no_core disables this menu).

Dialog fields

Field Description
Source format GDS, Xschem, Qucs, or OAS
Target library Library from the open .projects file (same names as in Project Editor)
Single file / Folder Import one file or every matching file in a directory
Path Source file or folder (Browse...)
Log Per-file success or failure after Import (updates progressively)
Overwrite existing cell views Replace *.core files that already exist for the same cell/view

The target library defaults to the library currently selected in the main window.

What happens on import

For each source file:

  1. LibMan creates \<library-root>/\<cell>/\<cell>.\<view>.core (or copies a native .oas file when no converter is available).
  2. A CORE converter is run as an external process.
  3. The new view is registered in LibMan (LIBRARY_<lib>/<cell>/<view>).
  4. If a project file is open, File → Save runs automatically — a new define("library", "path"); line is appended to .projects.

Cell name is taken from the source file base name (OTA1336.sch → cell OTA1336).

Format Source extensions Converter Result view
GDS .gds, .gds2 gds_to_core --all-cells layout
Xschem .sch, .sym xschem_to_core schematic or symbol
Qucs .sch qucs_to_core schematic
OAS .oas, .oas.gz oas_to_core if present, else native copy layout or oas

GDS import uses --all-cells so multi-cell libraries are preserved in one .layout.core file per source GDS.

Converter tools (next to libman.exe)

LibMan does not embed converters in-process. On build, these tools from CommonDB are copied next to the executable:

  • gds_to_core, core_to_gds
  • xschem_to_core, core_to_xschem
  • qucs_to_core, core_to_qucs
  • oas_to_core (when CORE is built with ZLIB)

Search order (core/converter_paths.cpp):

  1. LIBMAN_CONVERTER_DIR environment variable (if set)
  2. Directory containing libman.exe
  3. tools/ and converters/ subdirectories next to the executable

Override example:

$env:LIBMAN_CONVERTER_DIR = "C:\path\to\converters"
.\build\libman.exe

Build integration

Build system Behaviour
CMake CORE_BUILD_EXAMPLES=ON in cmake/FetchCore.cmake; POST_BUILD copies converters to $<TARGET_FILE_DIR:libman>
qmake scripts/fetch_core.cmd / fetch_core_linux.sh build converter targets; core_converter_deploy.pri copies them after link

After changing CORE or fetch scripts, delete .deps/core-build/libman_core_built.stamp (qmake) or reconfigure CMake so converters are rebuilt.

Export (File → Export...)

Export CORE views from the current project to external formats:

Format Result extensions Converter
GDS .gds core_to_gds
Xschem .sch / .sym core_to_xschem
Qucs .sch core_to_qucs

Pick a destination folder and one or more *.core view files (or use the project tree selection). Converters are resolved the same way as import (LIBMAN_CONVERTER_DIR, directory next to libman.exe).

Project file format

Imported views appear like any other view in .projects:

define("my_lib", "my_lib/inv/inv.schematic.core");
define("my_lib", "my_lib/ota/ota.layout.core");

Use Project Editor (Ctrl+E) to review or edit entries. See also CORE integration for view naming (*.schematic.core, *.layout.core, …).

Typical workflow

  1. File → Open... — load mydesign.projects.
  2. File → Import... — choose format, target library, folder of .sch files.
  3. Check the log; failed rows stay in the log with a reason (converter missing, cell already exists, etc.).
  4. Open schematic views (double-click) — on Windows use Xschem + WSL.

Troubleshooting

Symptom What to check
Converter 'gds_to_core' was not found Rebuild with CORE; confirm gds_to_core.exe is next to libman.exe or set LIBMAN_CONVERTER_DIR
Cell view already exists Delete the existing cell folder or pick another library
Import menu disabled / error about no_core Rebuild without CONFIG+=no_core; CI stub builds omit Import
OAS imports as .oas not .layout.core oas_to_core was not built (ZLIB missing in CORE build); native OAS copy still works
Project file unchanged Open a .projects file first; otherwise use File → Save after import

More: Troubleshooting.

Related topics