Design Intent Synchronization

Syncing updates design intent changes in the schematic and layout views, and ensures that design intents in both systems are fully synchronized.

To enable seamless syncing when working with design intents, the same up to date version of a cell must be open in both schematic and layout views. If working in Schematics XL, the corresponding layout view must also be open (read-only is acceptable) and vice versa if working in Layout XL.

Update Verification Before Syncing a Design Intent

Any design intent changes made on the schematic or layout views result in the changes being marked in the other system by a Sync icon appearing in the Navigator beside each of the amended design intents. These icons are temporary and draw attention to those design intents that have been updated and that require to be synced. The Sync button on the Design Intent toolbar is also enabled.

You can review individual design intent updates before syncing by visiting the Edit Design Intent Form for each design intent with a Sync icon and reviewing the Notes of the relevant section. If you are reviewing changes made in Layout XL, any updates are made to the lower section of the form. Changes made within Schematics XL are made to the upper and middle sections of the form.

After reviewing the updates for the design intents, you can sync the view.

In Schematics XL you can choose to sync an individual design intent. This lets you review multiple design intents by checking and syncing each design intent, one at a time.

Schematic and Layout View Synchronization

To sync a schematic or layout view, you must have the same cellview open in both Schematics XL and Layout XL.

Any design intent changes made on the schematic or layout views result in the changes being marked in the other system with a Sync icon appearing in the Navigator beside each of the amended design intents. These icons are temporary and draw attention to those design intents that have been updated and that require to be synced. The Sync button on the Design Intent toolbar is also enabled.

The Update Schematic Constraints option in the Constraint Manager assistant also syncs any design intent changes, but it primarily ensures that the constraints in the schematic are in sync with the layout, by pulling in all/selected constraints in the layout into the constraint view. It should therefore only be used if all design intents implemented using the constraint manager have their constraints included in the design intent template (physical constraint).

Alert for Synchronization Required in Schematic

It is possible to preview an alert for sync required on design intents without having the need of schematic and layout views to be opened together. This means that you can preview sync required on design intents with only schematic view opened. To preview the design intents that have a sync required alert on them, use the Check and Save button on the toolbar. With the use of Check and Save, the design intent that has a sync required gets an icon for pending sync in the navigator and on toolbar, as shown in the following figure.

Virtuoso Design Intent User Guide
Product Version IC23.1, November 2023