Product Documentation
Virtuoso Studio Known Problems and Solutions
Product Version IC23.1, November 2023

Known Problems and Solutions in Virtuoso Module Generator

This document describes the known issues with Virtuoso® Module Generator and suggests the workarounds for these issues. Each issue is identified by a Cadence Change Request (CCR) number.

Unless otherwise stated, the issues described in this document were identified in IC23.1 or an earlier release. For a list of the issues that were fixed in this release, check the README file at downloads.cadence.com.

Related Topics

Module Generators (Modgens)

CCR 1430332: The Modgen toolbars are not displayed for designs with old local customer toolbar definitions (Virtuoso_XL.toolbars)

Description: Modgen toolbars are not displayed because of a backward compatibility issue with an old toolbar configuration (Virtuoso_XL.toolbars). This happens, for example, when a designer copies an old toolbar configuration file (from the standard shipped Virtuoso – a pre-IC6.1.6 version), modifies as per requirements, and uses it in the newer versions of Virtuoso.

Post IC6.1.6, the Toolbar Manager (CIW/Options/Toolbars or deCustomizeToolbars()) is used to customize the toolbar organization, appearance, and visibility in the different applications (such as Schematic, Layout XL, and Layout EXL). These customizations are saved in corresponding toolbar overlay files within the .cadence user directory.

When Virtuoso is launched, the first <AppName>.toolbars file (example-Virtuoso-XL.toolbars file) found is automatically loaded. In this case, the old toolbar configuration file is loaded. Consequently, the new toolbar configuration files (or the toolbar overlay files) fail to load.

Solution: Depending on the situation, choose one of the following solutions:

#    

Situation

Solution

1

Old toolbar customizations are not required.

Delete any existing (old) toolbar custom file from the .cadence directory.

2

Preserve old customizations.

Use the Toolbar Manager to edit the toolbar settings and to add the required customizations. A toolbar overlay file is created that surgically modifies the standard shipped Virtuoso toolbar, allows multiple levels of overlay, and allows the final toolbar setting to be always up-to-date.
It is possible to directly edit the existing toolbar overlay toolbar files (perform tasks such as copy, paste, or correct formats) as per the required customer customizations. However, it is important to maintain the format of the overlay files, avoid conflicts, and preserve transparency between overlays. As this method is prone to errors, Cadence does not recommend it.

Return to top
 ⠀
X