Creating a Modgen

A Modgen is a placeable object that combines multiple device instances, dummy instances, Modgens, figGroups, or mosaics. Modgens can be created from both, schematic and layout designs. There are several ways to create a Modgen:

Using the Constraint Manager Toolbar

Select the required devices from the schematic or layout design.
Choose Module Generator from the Constraint Manager toolbar.

A new Modgen constraint is created and the Modgen Editor is invoked.

Using the Place Menu

Select the instances, Modgens, figGroups, or mosaics from the schematic or layout design.
Select Place—Modgen—Create/Edit Modgen.

A new Modgen constraint is created. However, the Modgen Editor is not invoked. Use the Modgen on-canvas commands to edit the Modgen directly in the layout canvas.

Using Convert to Modgen

A mosaic is a compact array of instances that belong to the same mfactored instance, and therefore have the same master and connectivity. You can convert a mosaic in the layout design to a Modgen. To do this:

Select the mosaic to be converted into a Modgen.
Select Edit—Convert—To Modgen. Alternatively, right-click the mosaic in the canvas and choose Convert to Modgen from the shortcut menu.

A new Modgen constraint is created. However, the Modgen Editor is not invoked. Use the Modgen on-canvas commands to edit the Modgen directly in the layout canvas.

Using SKILL Functions

Use one of the following SKILL Functions:

ciConCreate: Creates the Modgen constraint.
gpeCreateSandbox: Creates a Modgen sandbox object that includes the specified instances.
mgCreateModgenAsLayout: Creates a Modgen from the list of selected instances and keeps the instance locations inside the Modgen, as close as possible to their original locations in the layout.
mgCreateModgenConstraintAsLayout: Creates a Modgen constraint that uses the current layout to drive the initial Modgen constraint and row/column assignments.

Virtuoso Module Generator User Guide
Product Version IC23.1, November 2023