Template Name

Shows the name of the currently selected template, or shows New if no template is selected.

MPP Template

Lets you select a template for a multipart path (MPP) or choose to create a new MPP.

Environment variable: mppTemplate

Name

Lets you assign a name for a new MPP in the current layout window. The name must be unique in the cellview. If you leave this field blank, the system assigns a unique name consisting of the prefix path, followed by a number. For example, for the first path in the cellview for which you do not specify a name, the system assigns the name path0, if unique; for the second, path1, and so on.

Technology Library cyclic field

Lets you choose any templates that are defined in the “effective” technology library. Once you have chosen a technology library only the multipart path templates in the chosen library are displayed.

Choppable

Indicates whether or not the master path can be chopped. This field is valid only for a path that has at least one subpart. When a master path is choppable, all its subparts must be choppable. When a master path is not choppable, each of its subparts can be choppable or not. The system ignores this field for single-part paths. The default is choppable.

Width

Specifies the width of the master path. It must be a positive integer or floating-point number. If you do not specify the width, the system uses the minWidth rule for the master path layer from the technology file. If the minWidth rule is not defined in the technology file, and

• This is the first time you have used this form in your current editing session and you do not specify a width, the system supplies a default and displays an warning saying that the default width is being used.
• You have used this form earlier in your current editing session, the previous value for this field is displayed and the system displays a warning.

End Type

Defines how the ends of the master path are created. The default value is flush. If you want to specify a beginning or ending extension, you must choose variable. Subparts inherit the end type of the master path.

• truncate: Creates ends that end at the first and last points of the path.
• extend: Creates ends that extend beyond the first and last points of the path by one half the path width.
• round: Creates octagonal-shaped ends that extend beyond the first and last points of the path by one half the path width.
• variable: Creates path ends that extend beyond or retract from first and last points of the path by the value you enter in the Begin Extension and End Extension fields.

Offset

Specifies the distance by which the master path is offset from the points you enter (the point list), in relation to the direction of the master path. The direction of the master path is determined by the order in which you enter the first and last point of each segment. The Offset value must be a signed integer or floating-point number; the default is 0.

A positive value defines the master path to the left of the point list; a negative value defines the master path to the right of the point list.

Begin Extension

Specifies the distance by which the starting edge of the master path extends beyond its first point. The value must be a zero or a positive integer or floating-point number; the default is 0. This field is ignored unless End Type is variable.

Justification

Defines the part of the master path (the centerline, left edge, or right edge) that is offset from the points you enter (the point list). Justification is relative to the direction of the master path. The direction of the master path is determined by the order in which you enter the first and last point of each segment. The default is center. Together, the Offset and Justification fields determine the location of the master path in relation to the point list.

• center: Specifies that the centerline of the master path is offset from the point list by the value you enter for the Offset field.
• left: Specifies that the left edge of the master path is offset from the point list by the value you enter for the Offset field.
• right: Specifies that the right edge of the master path is offset from the point list by the value you enter for the Offset field.

End Extension

Specifies the distance by which the ending edge of the master path extends beyond its last point. The value must be a zero or a positive integer or floating-point number; the default is 0. This field is ignored unless End Type is variable.

Connectivity

Determines whether to associate the master path with a net and whether to make it into a pin. The default is None. When you choose Net, the Create Multipart Path form expands to show the net connectivity fields. When you choose Pin, the form expands to show both the net and pin connectivity fields.

• None: Indicates that you do not want to define connectivity.
• Net: Indicates that you want to associate the master path with a specific net. When the Connectivity is set to Net, the Connectivity section adds to the form where you are required to specify the net name.
• Pin: Indicates that you want the master path to be a pin. When the Connectivity is set to Net, the Connectivity section adds to the form where you are required to specify the net name.

Load Template

Opens the Load Multipart Path Template form to let you enter the path and file name for an ASCII file containing one or more MPP template definitions. When you click OK, the system adds the templates in the file to the MPP templates currently in virtual memory and adds the template names to the list of template names in the MPP Template field on the Create Multipart Path form. If the filename you entered does not exist, the system displays a dialog box.

Save Template

Opens the Save Multipart Path Templates form to let you save any one template named in the Template List field or save all templates named in the Template List field either to an ASCII file in your local hierarchy, or, if you have write permission, to your technology library. In both cases, the system saves the template in the temporary technology file in virtual memory. When you save to an ASCII file, and a file with the same name already exists, the existing file will be overwritten.

Subpart

Opens the ROD Subpart form to let you define, change, or delete subparts for the associated master path. For more information, see ROD Subpart Form.

Connectivity Section

This section lets you select the following fields when the Connectivity field is set to Net.

Net Name

Specifies the net with which you want to associate the master path or subpart. This field is required. If the net does not exist, the system creates it, using the name you type in this field. MPP templates do not contain net names, so when want to associate the MPP with a net, display the form and enter a name.

When the Connectivity field is set to Pin, the net and pin connectivity fields are displayed in the Connectivity section. When you choose Pin, you must type a net name before you create the MPP in the layout cellview window; if you do not, the system beeps when you click to begin creating the MPP.

I/O Type

Assigns a property used by routers to identify the direction of the signal into or out of the terminal. The default is inputOutput. If the terminal specified in the Net Name field already exists, it must have the same direction type as defined in the I/O Type field. If the direction type is not the same, the system displays an error in the CIW and no MPP is created.

• input: Allows a signal to come in only.
• output: Allows a signal to go out only.
• inputOutput: Allows signals to go in and out simultaneously (bidirectional).
• switch: Allows a signal to go either in or out, but not both simultaneously.
• jumper: Allows a signal to pass through the net.

Access Direction

Defines the access directions for the pin. The default is Top, Bottom, Left, and Right. When you choose Any, the Top, Bottom, Left, and Right options remain on.

Display Terminal Name

Defines whether to create a text-display object using the net name and associate it with the pin you are creating. The default is to not create a text-display object.The system uses the values of four fields to calculate the position of the pin name: Reference Handle, Offset X, Offset Y, and the Justification field on the Pin Name Display form.

Display Terminal Name Option

Opens the Set Pin Label Text Style form to let you set values for how the pin name is shown, such as the font, height, layer, rotation, and justification.

Reference Handle

Specifies the name of the handle on the master path or subpart to which you want to align the pin name. In this context, a handle is a point associated with the object you are defining (the master path or a subpart), such as the starting point or ending point of the object, or a point on the bounding box of the object. The default is centerCenter.

Offset X

Specifies a signed floating-point number specifying the distance of the origin of the pin name along the X axis from the point specified by Reference Handle. The default is 0.

Offset Y

Specifies a signed floating-point number specifying the distance of the origin of the pin name along the Y axis from the point specified by Reference Handle. The default is 0.