gds3xtrude takes the layers of youir layout and converts them into 3D volumes by extrusion. And can be used in two ways:
- as a standalone tool
- as a KLayout extension
gds3xtrude also uses the OpenSCAD 3D modeling tool.
The below instructions will focus on the KLayout integration.
Setup
Start klayout with the special klayout-gds3 command that includes the OpenSCAD and gds3xtrude environment:
$ klayout-gds3
- In the "Tools" menu of klayout, choose "Manage Packages"
- Choose "Install New Packages" tab
- Find gds3xtrude (it may be easiest to type "gds" into the search box at the top)
- Highlight gds3xtrude
- Click the checkmark icon above the list of packages
- Click the "Apply" button, which will also say "one package selected"
- A "ready for Installation" window pops up showing that gds3xtrude will be installed
- Click "OK"
- In the "Run Macros" pop up window, choose "Yes" to run these macros now
- Quit klayout
- Restart klayout with the klayout-gds3 command
Making Sure It Works
- After doing the setup above, open a sample gds file with klayout, or create a simple gds file
- "Tools" menu - "gds3xtrude" - "Run Script"
- The folder with the klayout gds3xtrude sample files may not be visible by default because the folder name begins with a dot: ".klayout" .
- In the File dialogue that opens, you can type in: .klayout (note the leading dot) and hit return... this will open the possibly hidden ".klayout" folder
- In that hidden ".klayout" folder, go into the subfolders: salt - gds3xtrude - example-scripts
- You will a sample named: freepdk45.layerstack
- Select that sample and click "Open"
- OpenSCAD now opens having extruded your gds file with gds3xtrude
Invoking
You will always start klayout with the special "klayout-gds3" command:
$ klayout-gds3