The KLayout 2.5D view is an invaluable, free, and accessible tool for semiconductor designers who need to understand the vertical aspect of their layout. By creating custom stackup scripts, engineers can quickly identify potential issues that are invisible in traditional 2D GDS viewers, making it a critical part of the modern KLayout EDA workflow.
Complex volumes with unique Z coordinates for every point.
I can help clarify how to set up the Layer Palette and Tech Files for your project. chip-tutorials/klayout-lvs.md at main - GitHub klayout 25d view
Step 2: Configuring the Layer Stack (The .lyp or Script Setup)
: Assign highly contrasting colors to your layers in the 2D layout view before exporting to 25D. This makes tracking vertical via connections highly visual. The KLayout 2
Chemical Mechanical Polishing (CMP) requires uniformity. In a 2D layout, it’s hard to gauge density variation. The 25D view, when colored by layer height, gives a pseudo-topographic map. Rapidly alternating tall and short metal regions (poor density) looks like a mountain range, prompting dummy fill insertion.
| Application | Benefit of 2.5D View | | :--- | :--- | | | Identifying why a specific metal spacing rule failed is easier when visualizing the vertical stacking order, especially in advanced nodes where inter-layer interactions matter. | | MEMS Design | For Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems, vertical dimensions (gaps, beams) are functional. The 2.5D view validates the structural integrity of moving parts. | | Photonics | In integrated photonics, waveguide height and sidewall angles are critical. KLayout’s view helps visualize the optical path cross-sections. | | Packaging | Verifying RDL (Redistribution Layer) routing and bump connections in 3D packaging structures. | I can help clarify how to set up
The baseline elevation where the layer begins relative to the substrate (
Silicon-on-Insulator (SOI) photonics require precise rib or strip waveguide dimensions. The 25D viewer helps verify partial etches, cladding layers, and grating couplers, confirming that the light-guiding regions are physically constructed as modeled. Troubleshooting Common 25D Rendering Issues