Navigate to View > New 2.5D View . A separate window opens, initially showing your layout as a flat, extruded landscape. Use the mouse:
Spot misaligned vias, floating metal fills, or incorrect layer overlaps before submitting your mask for fabrication.
While many tools are moving toward full 3D extraction and visualization, the KLayout 2.5D approach offers a superior balance of speed and functionality for daily layout work.
Complex volumes with unique Z coordinates for every point. klayout 25d view
: Use the following functions in your script: z(layer, options) : Extrudes a specific DRC layer.
: Your version of KLayout must be compiled with OpenGL support to use this feature.
The is an advanced visualization feature that extrudes 2D layout polygons into a pseudo-3D space. Introduced in version 0.28, it allows designers to inspect vertical relationships in a process stack, such as via alignments and metal layer overlaps, without the complexity of a full 3D CAD environment. Core Concept: Why "2.5D"? Navigate to View > New 2
For a detailed list of all options, refer to the official documentation for the z function [4†L42-L44] and the official documentation for zz [4†L34-L38].
Let's look at a basic script. It takes two layers, layer 1/0 and layer 2/0, and extrudes them into a stack:
zz([options]) block : Groups multiple z statements to create complex 3D material geometries. While many tools are moving toward full 3D
, a popular open-source layout viewer and editor, provides a specialized feature known as the 2.5D View . This article explores what the KLayout 2.5D view is, its functionalities, and how to use it to debug and visualize your designs. What is the KLayout 2.5D View?
: Layout features are often micro- or nano-scale in the plane but incredibly thin in the
Think of it as looking at a tiered wedding cake from an angle: you still see each layer’s shape, but you also grasp their vertical sequence and overlap.
This guide will provide a deep dive into the 2.5D view, from its core definition and practical applications to the intricacies of creating and managing these visualizations. Whether you are debugging a complex wiring issue or presenting a design to a team, this feature will transform your analysis workflow.
