Troubleshoot Pcell Stretching Issues

The following describe how you can handle issues related to Pcell stretch handles.

• Pcell Stretch Handles Are Not Visible
• Difficulty Selecting Pcell Stretch Handles

Pcell Stretch Handles Are Not Visible

If you cannot see handles on stretchable parametrized cells (Pcells), the Stretch Handles option in the Display Options form might be turned off or the stretch handle layer might not be visible.

You can check whether Pcell stretch handles are set to display using the Display Options form or using the graphic and layout editor environment variable displayStretchHandles. The default is to display stretch handles. You cannot stretch a handle unless it is displayed.

If the Stretch Handles option is turned on, and you still cannot see stretch handles on your Pcell, the layer containing them might not be visible.

Turning On Stretch Handle Display in the Display Options Form

To turn on Stretch Handles in the layout editor Display Options form:

1. In the layout window, choose Options – Display to open the Display Options form.
2. Turn on Stretch Handles and click OK.

Turning on Stretch Handle Display Using the CIW

To turn on displayStretchHandles environment variable:

1. Type the following in the CIW:
   

   window = hiGetCurrentWindow()

2. To display stretch handles, type the following in the CIW:
   

   window~>displayStretchHandles = t

Making the Stretch Handle Layer Visible

The default layer for stretch handles is y0 drawing. To make this layer visible:

1. In the Layers panel in the layout window, choose Edit Valid Layers.
2. In the Layers panel, click AV to make all layers visible. Alternatively, you can enable the visibility for y0 drawing.
3. Choose View – Redraw to redraw the window to see the results of your changes.

If you want to use a different layer for stretch handles, you can change the layer with the stretchHandlesLayer environment variable.

Difficulty Selecting Pcell Stretch Handles

If you have trouble selecting stretch handles, use area selection rather than point selection or try turning off the layout editor Gravity On option.

To turn off gravity:

1. In the layout window, choose Options – Editor.
   The Layout Editor Options form opens.
2. Deselect the Gravity On check box in the Gravity Controls section and click OK.
3. Try again to select a Pcell stretch handle.

Related Topics

Display Options Form

Layout Editor Options Form

Layers Panel

Troubleshoot Basic Editing Issues in Layout XL

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