Void Shape Generation

The following diagrams demonstrate the flow for generating voids:

Create Dynamic Shapes

Dynamic shapes are the shapes on purpose dynamic, for example (L01 dynamic). Unlike signal shapes, dynamic shapes retain their connectivity, irrespective of the lxStickyNet property.

Create Signal Shapes

Signal shapes are the shapes on purpose drawing, for example (L01 drawing). Signal shapes are routing shapes such as pins, paths, and vias.

Example: Dynamic shape on (L01 dynamic) on net A and signal shapes on (L01 drawing) on net B.

Generate Void Shapes

Choose Module – Void Dynamic Shapes to generate void shapes. Void shapes are shapes created by the void generator on a specific layer, for example (L01_VOID drawing) for a dynamic shape on (L01 dynamic). Void shapes are stored in the database.

For each dynamic shape on (layer dynamic), the void generator searches for overlapping signal shapes in (layer drawing). The generator creates void shapes on (<layer>_VOID drawing) for shapes on different nets. In other words, if the nets of the dynamic and signal shapes are different, the void generator effectively removes parts of metal around the signal shape. The conducting shapes, which are the metal shapes left after removing the void shapes from the dynamic shapes, are the effective metal shapes that will be manufactured.

The Module – Void Dynamic Shapes command is a batch command. Therefore, void shapes will be out-of-date after making any change to the shapes, such as moving or resizing them, and must be regenerated manually.

Virtuoso MultiTech Framework User Guide
Product Version IC23.1, November 2023