A Tutorial for Virtuoso Layout Designs

written by Sean Rommel


The cadence software offers several online instruction manuals via the command openbook &. You must first modify your startup files as described below.

Setting up your Unix environment for running Cadence Software

Changes to the .cshrc file

Add the lines (be sure to type them exactly as you see them):

set path = ($path /usr/local/cadence/tools/bin \ /usr/local/cadence/tools/dfII/bin
/usr/local/cadence/tools/dfII/samples/tutorials/composer /usr/local/cadence/classes/EE650
. ) 

setenv CDS_LIC_FILE /usr/local/cadence/share/license/license.dat 
xhost +ren.ee.udel.edu 
xhost +stimpy.eecis.udel.edu 
xhost+gandalf.ee.udel.edu
xhost +frodo.ee.udel.edu 
xdisplay 
Once this is done, save and exit .cshrc. To run Virtuoso layoutPlus, you will have to either type "source .cshrc" at the Unix prompt or logout and log back in.


Setting up your Unix Cadence directory

At the Unix prompt type: cp -r /usr/local/cadence/classes/EE650 . This will copy all the necessary files to run Virtuoso for Eleg 650 (Circuit Design and Fabrication) or for research use to the directory EE650 in your account. To verify it is there, type cd EE650 If you receive an error, try copying the files a second time. Be patient, it may take up to 3 minutes for all of the files to copy. We are constantly trying to find an optimal collection of start up files. If you find that the above directory listing does not allow you to copy files, please send an email to Sean Rommel. Also please be aware that the statemet

cp -r
is a recursive copy. That is, it will replicate the entire directory structure of the path you are copying to your account. This is a very easy way to accidentally run up your disk quota, which our system adminstrators do not like. :)

Adjusting the screen colors to your preference

After playing around, I have found that some of the Virtuoso LayoutPlus text is difficult to read in the default colors of blue and black. The combination I have had the most success with is a white background with a black foreground. To change these, do the following: 1) Enter your .Xresources file. 2) Near the top of the file, there are parameters foreground and background. At each, enter the color desired. When you edit a line, be careful to make sure that you do not leave any spaces after the color parameters. The compiler will mistake "grey" for "grey    ", and several annoying warning messages will appear. If anyone finds a better combination let me know, and we can update this file.


Additional Help Files

  • Online Tutorial Openbook
  • Navigating Virtuoso Layout Plus
  • Creating and Modifying Shapes via Virtuoso
  • Updating Virtuoso Records
  • Printing your layout
  • Saving to GDSII or CIF format (translating)
  • Disclaimer

    Go back to the main Page


    Cadence is a trademark of Cadence Design Systems, Inc., 555 River Oaks Parkway, San Jose, CA 95134

    Last updated: 1/27/98
    Dave Erby
    erby@udel.edu