KLayout integration#
KLayout is a powerful open-source layout viewer and editor widely used in the semiconductor industry.
In the GDSFactory code-driven workflow, you define components, circuits, and reticles using Python or YAML. To enable rapid design iteration, GDSFactory includes a KLayout macro extension, which runs directly inside KLayout. This allows you to visualize your layouts instantly: when you call component.show() in Python, your GDS layout is automatically displayed in KLayout.
You can install the GDSFactory KLayout plugin to enable live GDS updates using component.show(), so you do not need to manually go through File → Open → Select GDS every time.
Installing the plugin adds the following features:
Live display of GDS layouts with
component.show().Port visualization.
PCell metadata inspection.
Built-in
generic_pdklayer map support.
