View source for Creating a New Project

== Creating a project directory ==

You will need to create a separate directory where you will create your libraries:

 mkdir LayoutTutorial
 cd LayoutTutorial

In this directory, you need to setup some of the library files using either the bash script:
 /mada/software/techfiles/FreePDK45/ncsu_basekit/cdssetup/setup.sh
or the c-shell script:
 /mada/software/techfiles/FreePDK45/ncsu_basekit/cdssetup/setup.csh
depending on what shell you run (find it by running echo $SHELL).

This will copy several files into the current directory if they do not exist. It should only need to be run the first time. 

From this directory, run virtuoso: 
 virtuoso &

Note that the ampersand runs the command in the background so you can do other things in the shell. Do not close the shell or the program will also close.

== CIW ==

After you start virtuoso, the first window that pops up is the command interface window (CIW). It looks like this:


[[Image:1-ciw.jpg|center|500px]]

== Library Manager ==
Another window may pop up which is the Library Manager. If it doesn't show automatically, you can view it with Tools->Library Manager. The important libraries that will show up in the manager are:

* NCSU_DeviceLib_FreePDK - contains transistor models
* NCSU_TechLib_FreePDK - contains Pcells (parameterized cells) for transistors and vias 
* basic - contains power supplies

Note that the image does not show these.

[[Image:2-library_manager.jpg|center|500px]]

== Creating a Library ==

The first step is to create a new library with File->New->Library. Add a unique name for your library. It will contain all of your layout and schematics. We will also "attach" the library to a given technology library that is already set up. 

[[Image:3-new_library.jpg|center|300px]]

== Selecting the technology ==
A special window will pop up that prompts you to pick a technology library. We are going to use the NCSU_TechLib_tsmc02d technology which is a SCMOS 180nm process. It can be manufactured by several different vendors including TSMC. You can leave the path alone.

[[Image:4-choose_technology.jpg|center|200px]]

[[Image:5-attach_to_technology_lib.jpg|center|300px]]

Some people get a window that requires you to select "TSMC 0.18u CMOS018 (6M, HV FET, sblock)". This window looks like this:


[[Image:4-attach_to_technology_lib2.jpg|center|300px]]