Fast and easy data conversion is a necessity with any CAD system that must interface with other processes at different stages of the engineering and design spectrum.
dw-2000™ provides conversion compatible with the formats below in its
Data Conversion Module.
* If you cannot locate a specific converter, please check with us to determine its availability.
GDSII
The GDSII format is a standard in hierarchical data exchange that is completely natural to
dw-2000's hierarchical database format. GDSII is a convenient archival format since Element information is never lost during conversion. For these and other reasons, GDSII conversion has long been standard in
dw-2000 database handling. Since most other CAD products accept GDSII formats, compatibility with
dw-2000 is therefore almost automatic. What's more, conversion to GDSII when creating masks offers reliability, as well as savings in cost and time. Too often, users fail in their attempts to generate masks through formats such as DXF, due to extra conversions or the non-natural conversion of certain Elements.
Stream Out Highlights- Stream-out Structures with specific names or wildcard matches
- Output streams with differing resolutions
- Remap Layers and Data Types
- Replace invalid characters in Structure names
- Convert all Structure names to uppercase
- Convert Boxes to Boundaries automatically
- Filter output for specific Layers (using Criteria)
- Output (merge) Structures in external Reference Libraries
- No text output option
- Remap text point sizes
- Error and activity logging
Stream In Highlights- Stream-in Structures with specific names or wildcard matches
- Remap Layers and Data Types
- Append data in existing Structures
- Replace invalid characters in Structure names
- Control overwriting based on matching names, data creation dates, or last modification dates
- Convert Boxes to Boundaries automatically
- Ignore properties and attributes
- Rebuild hierarchies
- Filter input for specific Layers only (using Criteria)
- Remap text point sizes
- Error and activity logging
MEBES
MEBES conversion is intended for those who wish to take data from a
dw-2000 library and convert it directly into EBEAM readable format (MEBES type of data). There are essentially two reasons for conversion: to avoid the expense of having a mask house perform the conversion, or to observe the intrinsic distortions that MEBES will have on the data.
In fact, the latter reason is of utmost consideration for those who require data so precise that even the natural MEBES distortions could create a component failure. These users can output to MEBES from
dw-2000, then read back the MEBES data into their library (using a MEBES In dialog) and superimpose it over the original data. They can then compare the differences and correct any problems they uncover before they can be transferred to a mask.
DXF
AutoCAD DXF is a commonly used format for mechanical and generic CAD layout, however, it is not the preferred format for mask manufacturing. Design Workshop Technologies offers Artwork Conversions ASM 3500W DXF to GDSII Bidirectional Translator. This allows designers of MMIC, photonic and MEMS to convert their designs and create ready for manufacturing masks using
dw-2000. Design Workshop Technologies will soon be releasing a fully integrated environment for ASM 3500W.
Cambridge SPD
The Cambridge SPD conversion module is intended for users who want to perform a direct conversion from a
dw-2000 library directly to Cambridge SPD format for further conversion to EBEAM or other equipment supporting these features.
As with MEBES conversion, the user can reconvert the data to
dw-2000 format and superimpose it over the original to pinpoint conversion-induced inaccuracies.
Cambridge Out Highlights- Manufacturing limit: 1 nanometer to 1 millimeter
- Clock statements insertion based on layer or data types
- Fracturing control selection from none to full trapezoidal
- Reference descent commenting
- Rectangle insetting for zero-width line scans
JEOL-01
The JEOL-01 conversion module is intended for users who want to perform a direct conversion from a
dw-2000 library to JEOL-01 format for further conversion to EBEAM or other equipment supporting these features. As with the MEBES conversion, the user can reconvert the data and superimpose it over the original to determine if the conversion produced any inaccuracies.
JEOL-01 Out Highlights- Manufacturing limit: 1 nanometer to 1 millimeter
- Shot rank modulation based on layer or data types
- Reference descent commenting
- Supports line outputs as zero width paths
- Error & activity logging
JEOL-51
The JEOL-51 conversion module is intended for users who wish to take data from a
dw-2000 library and convert it into machine-readable format for various classes of JEOL equipment. Any JEOL JBX-5D11/5FE with EOS 1-8 can be selected. Field sizes and sub-field sizes can be independently set for X and Y directions, allowing a wide variety of combinations and flexibility.
As with MEBES conversion,
dw-2000 contains a JEOL-51 reader that lets the user superimpose the converted data over the original data to examine conversion round-offs and discrepancies.
JEOL-51 Out Highlights- EOS selection (1-8)
- Independent X and Y field size and sub-field sizes
- Shot rank modulus by 16 or 64 on data types
- Byte reordering for older PDP-11 compatibility
- ID name insertions for post-processing compatibility (PREAD)
- Error and activity logging
GERBER
GERBER is a manufacturing format used mostly in the Printed Circuit Board industry. Access to this type of equipment is often desirable for low-cost/low-resolution films. Although this format is widespread in the industry, it is a far cry from the precision we are used to when dealing with GDSII and MEBES. Therefore, users should recognize that this format was originally intended for cutting fabric and not manufacturing precision photomasks. There are many versions of GERBER, from its early days to the most modern laser-imaging format. The
dw-2000 GERBER conversion module does a good job of converting paths and boundaries to GERBER lines and flashes. However, due to restrictions in GERBER, not every feature of
dw-2000 can be exported to GERBER. On the other hand, the GERBER input can accept a wide variety of format flavors.
GERBER In/Out Highlights- Aperture list from 24 to 244
- VAPE support
- Lines and Flashes
- Aperture sorting
- Wide range of formats from 2.6 to 4.3
- Absolute and incremental modes
- Error & activity logging
CIF INPUT
CIF or Caltech Interchange Format is used mostly in educational environments. The Data Conversion Module contains GPE programs that read CIF formatted data and directly convert it into a
dw-2000 library format. There is no CIF output converter at this time, since it is impossible to convert certain features of
dw-2000 elements to CIF.
GRAPHICS OUTPUT
Output to graphical environments is possible, on Macintosh and Windows, to interface with other applications for activities such as documentation, presentations, etc.
