Aligning Objects with a Layer

The Align command supports top-level pins, shapes, instances, devices, rows, cluster boundaries, and groups. The command ignores area halos, layer halos, boundaries and blockages, if selected as part of a set of objects.

To align objects with a layer:

1. In the layout window, choose Edit – Advanced – Align.
   The Align form opens.
2. In the Reference section:
   1. Choose Align Direction as horizontal or vertical.
   2. Choose Object as the reference to align items to an object.
      You are prompted to select a reference object for the alignment.
   3. Select the type of object you want to align to. For example, Instance.
3. On the canvas, click the object you want to align other objects or layers to.
   The alignment pointer appears.
   
   
4. In the Align Using section:
   1. Choose the Layer radio button to specify that you want to align a layer to the reference object.
   2. Choose the layer you want to align with the reference object. For example, metal1 drawing layer.
   3. From the Use list, choose the edge of the object or layer you want to align. For example, Top Edge.
5. To evenly space the objects in the Align Direction, select the Apply Spacing check box and enter the value in user units by which you want to separate the objects. If you do not use the Apply Spacing, objects retain their original spacing. They are aligned, but not evenly spaced.
6. Select the Orthogonal Spacing check box to space the objects perpendicular to the Align Direction as well. This option is available only if Apply Spacing is selected.
7. Choose Between Objects or Pitches, depending upon the spacing you want. For example, you can choose Between Objects with a spacing of 5.0 user units.
8. Choose how you want the objects sorted, in the Sort Objects By cyclic field.
   You are prompted to select the objects to be aligned. You can select the objects by clicking on each object one at a time while holding down the Shift key, or you can select the objects by drawing a selection box around them.
9. Click Apply.
   The following figure shows an example where the reference object is an instance, the Align Direction is Horizontal, and the Use field is set to Top Edge. The Align Using is Layer metal1 dg, and the Use cyclic is set to Top Edge. The Apply Spacing is selected, with 5.0 user units Between Objects and objects are sorted by Order Selected.
   
   

Related Topics

Align Form

Object Alignment by Using the Align Command

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