KLayout is a GDS and OASIS file viewer and editor. This is a mask layout viewer and editor for the chip design engineer.
This is free and open source software.
Features include:
- General:
- Fast and accurate: fast loading and drawing.
- Support of GDS and OASIS file formats with automatic uncompression of zlib compatible formats.
- Full support of properties.
- Full 64 bit support on Linux.
- Extensible and configurable to a large degree by custom Ruby or Python scripts.
- Integrated development environment for Ruby and Python scripts.
- Viewer:
- Overlay capabilities: multiple layouts can be loaded into one window.
- Very flexible layer configuration: many display options including choice of fill pattern and different frame and fill colors. Animation, transparency, dimming/highlighting …
- Layer grouping: the display properties of a group of layers can be changed at once.
- Advanced layer display attributes: layers can be named, they can carry additional transformations, select certain hierarchy levels or select shapes by their properties.
- Copy and paste of layers attributes to other panels.
- Drawing order: select the layer that is show on top.
- Descend into hierarchy: show a cell embedded into it’s context.
- Flexible rulers: unlimited count, flexible display styles. Multiple templates can be configured, rules can be edited (move, delete, copy & paste).
- Shape and instance browsers.
- Bookmarks, various zoom modes, mouse wheel support, screenshot function …
- Undo/redo on layer properties, for rulers …
- Save: save layout or parts (cells, layers) of it to a different format, with scaling or different database unit.
- Image overlay capabilities: image files (i.e. jpg, png, gif) can be loaded and placed at an arbitrary position in the layout.
- Marker browser: certain error report files can be loaded and a browser tool is provided.
- Global transformation to flip/rotate image.
- Editor:
- Smart drawing functions with many options: angle constraints, grid …
- True, in-place editing in subcells, variant building function.
- Unlimited undo/redo.
- Smart partial editing function to stretch shapes, move edges or vertices.
- Copy and paste of shapes and whole cells, even to other layouts.
- Many advanced editing functions: hierarchical operations, booleans, clip, corner rounding, sizing, alignment, layer operations …
- Support for external libraries dynamically bound to a layout.
- Parametrizable cells (PCells).
- A variety of useful utility functions: a XOR tool, a layout diff tool, a fill tool …
- A DRC feature with a basic set of verification and layer manipulation functions.
- A LVS feature.
- A powerful search and replace feature with a special query language.
- A technology package manager.
- An add-on package manager (“Salt”).
Website: www.klayout.de
Support:
Developer: Matthias Köfferlein
License: GNU General Public License v2.0

KLayout is written in C++. Learn C++ with our recommended free books and free tutorials.
Return to Electronic Design Automation
| Popular series | |
|---|---|
| The largest compilation of the best free and open source software in the universe. Each article is supplied with a legendary ratings chart helping you to make informed decisions. | |
| Hundreds of in-depth reviews offering our unbiased and expert opinion on software. We offer helpful and impartial information. | |
| The Big List of Active Linux Distros is a large compilation of actively developed Linux distributions. | |
| Replace proprietary software with open source alternatives: Google, Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, IBM, Autodesk, Oracle, Atlassian, Corel, Cisco, Intuit, SAS, Progress, Salesforce, and Citrix | |
| Awesome Free Linux Games Tools showcases a series of tools that making gaming on Linux a more pleasurable experience. This is a new series. | |
| Machine Learning explores practical applications of machine learning and deep learning from a Linux perspective. We've written reviews of more than 40 self-hosted apps. All are free and open source. | |
| New to Linux? Read our Linux for Starters series. We start right at the basics and teach you everything you need to know to get started with Linux. | |
| Alternatives to popular CLI tools showcases essential tools that are modern replacements for core Linux utilities. | |
| Essential Linux system tools focuses on small, indispensable utilities, useful for system administrators as well as regular users. | |
| Linux utilities to maximise your productivity. Small, indispensable tools, useful for anyone running a Linux machine. | |
| Surveys popular streaming services from a Linux perspective: Amazon Music Unlimited, Myuzi, Spotify, Deezer, Tidal. | |
| Saving Money with Linux looks at how you can reduce your energy bills running Linux. | |
| Home computers became commonplace in the 1980s. Emulate home computers including the Commodore 64, Amiga, Atari ST, ZX81, Amstrad CPC, and ZX Spectrum. | |
| Now and Then examines how promising open source software fared over the years. It can be a bumpy ride. | |
| Linux at Home looks at a range of home activities where Linux can play its part, making the most of our time at home, keeping active and engaged. | |
| Linux Candy reveals the lighter side of Linux. Have some fun and escape from the daily drudgery. | |
| Getting Started with Docker helps you master Docker, a set of platform as a service products that delivers software in packages called containers. | |
| Best Free Android Apps. We showcase free Android apps that are definitely worth downloading. There's a strict eligibility criteria for inclusion in this series. | |
| These best free books accelerate your learning of every programming language. Learn a new language today! | |
| These free tutorials offer the perfect tonic to our free programming books series. | |
| Linux Around The World showcases usergroups that are relevant to Linux enthusiasts. Great ways to meet up with fellow enthusiasts. | |
| Stars and Stripes is an occasional series looking at the impact of Linux in the USA. | |