DXF Layer Mapping

The Layer Mapping page of the Import Wizard allows you to map the DXF Layers to the Sonnet project levels on import. The settings on this page are also used to automatically create Technology Layers during the import.

When the Layer Mapping page is opened, the settings are populated either using default settings determined by reading the DXF file or by reading the settings in a template project. By default, if no other source of mapping is provided, the project editor assigns each "on" DXF layer to a unique Sonnet planar metal level.  If you are using a template project, the layers are mapped using the import/export mapping settings of the technology layers in the template file. No matter the source for the initial settings in the Layer Mapping page, you may edit all the settings and apply those changes before importing the DXF file.

The various fields are described below. The first column refers to the incoming DXF file. The last four columns are the choices to be used in the Sonnet project editor for the DXF layer identified in the first column.

Layer Name: The layer name as defined in your circuit layout program.

Map: Use this checkbox to select which layers in the DXF file you wish to map to the Sonnet project. If this checkbox is off, the DXF layer is not mapped to the Sonnet project and the  icon is displayed. If the checkbox is on, then the DXF layer in the first column is mapped to a Technology Layer, object type, level and material type specified in the last four columns and the icon is displayed. If you wish to map all the layers, select the checkbox at the top of the column under the rightward pointing arrow. Clearing this checkbox deselects all layers from mapping.

Tech Layer: Enter a name to identify the Technology Layer which is created in the resulting Sonnet project when your circuit is translated. If you do not wish to create a Technology Layer for the DXF layer, select "None" from the drop list. The DXF layer name is used as the default name for the Technology Layer but you may edit the entry and enter a custom name if you desire. The object type, level and material used by the Tech Layer are determined by the selections made in the Object Type, Level and Material columns. This column is disabled if you did not select the Make technology layers checkbox in the Import File page of the Import Wizard.

If you are using a template file with Technology Layers defined or importing to a project that contains Technology Layers, the Technology Layers fields are filled in by default, based on the properties of the Tech Layer. For any row which is set to a pre-existing Tech Layer, the Project Editor fields (Object type, Level, and Material) will be fixed to the values set by the corresponding Tech Layer, and may not be changed.

Object Type: This drop list allows you to select what type of object should be input to the Sonnet project. Select Metal for planar metal polygons, Brick for dielectric bricks or Via for via polygons from the drop list. If a Technology Layer is being created, this selection also determines the Technology Layer type: Metal, Brick or Via.

Level: This specifies the level in the Sonnet project where you wish to place the layer being input from the DXF file. If a Technology Layer is being created, it is assigned to this level. The top level is number 0. For via conversion, you input a range of levels. For example, a via which extends from level 2 upwards to level 0 would be 2-0. A via extending from level 3 to ground would be 3-GND. A via extending from level 3 up to the top cover would be 3-TOP. Note that the project editor creates enough metal levels in the destination project to accommodate any levels entered in this field. For example, if a via level of 2-6 is input, the project will have at least 8 levels (0-GND).

Material: Select the material type you wish to use for the objects being translated. The choices available depend on what type of object is selected in Object type: Metal, Via, or Brick and what materials are available in the template project, if one is being used. You may also edit this entry with a new material name, whose parameters you can later input in the project editor. If a Technology Layer is being created, this is the Material used for the Technology Layer.

: Click on this button to add another entry row. Additional rows allow you to map a single DXF layer to multiple Technology Layers, object types, levels, and/or materials.

: Click on this button to delete the presently selected row in the dialog box.

: Click on this button to load the settings from an existing layer file.

: Once the mapping is specified, you may wish to save the settings for subsequent imports of similar DXF files. Click on the Save button to save your settings in a file. It is recommended that you use a ''.lyr'' extension which is the default.

Note:  It is normally preferable to use a template file for your imports since more information may be included in a template file than in a layer file. The .lyr file is maintained for backward compatibility.

Next: Click on the Next button to continue the import DXF process. The DXF translator reads the layers from the DXF file and the Import Options page of the Import Wizard is opened.