What is GDS2 software?
GDS2, commonly known as GDSII, is the de facto binary file format used to store and exchange two-dimensional integrated circuit (IC) layout data.
In practice, GDS2 files encode the geometry, layers, hierarchy, and metadata that describe a semiconductor design’s physical layout. They flow through design, verification, manufacturing, and archival workflows, making GDS2 a foundational element of modern chip fabrication.
What GDS2 software does
GDS2 software refers to tools that read, write, view, edit, validate, and convert GDSII/GDS2 data. It is not a single program but a class of software used across design and fabrication pipelines.
Core capabilities
- Read and write GDSII/GDS2 files, preserving layers, datatypes, coordinates, and hierarchy.
- View large-scale layouts interactively, with zoom, pan, and layer filtering.
- Edit geometry: add, remove, or modify polygons, paths, and text labels within cells.
- Manage hierarchy and structure references to reuse geometry and keep file sizes practical.
- Perform design-rule checks (DRC) and layout-versus-schematic checks (LVS) to ensure manufacturability and correctness.
- Convert and export to alternative formats (e.g., OASIS, CIF) for downstream tools or archival needs.
These capabilities allow design teams to create, modify, verify, and share layout data across tools and facilities while preserving design intent and fabrication compatibility.
GDSII/GDS2 format explained
The GDSII format, sometimes called GDS2 in its revised iterations, is a compact, hierarchical, two-dimensional layout description for ICs. It originated in the 1970s and remains the dominant standard for physical-design data exchange, even as the industry explores alternatives for large designs.
Key concepts
- Cell and hierarchy: designs are broken into cells that can reference other cells, enabling reuse and scalable architectures.
- Layers and datatypes: geometry is classified into layers and datatypes, which correspond to fabrication steps or masks.
- Geometric elements: the core geometry is built from BOUNDARY polygons, PATHs, TEXT, and reference elements (SREF/AREF) for instancing and repetition.
- Coordinates and units: the file uses database units (dbu) and a user-specified unit (often micrometers or nanometers) to define exact positions and sizes.
- Geometry types and encoding: BOUNDARY, PATH, TEXT, and references are encoded in a compact binary stream, optimized for large layouts.
Understanding these concepts helps engineers navigate how data is structured, stored, and interpreted by fabrication tools and archival systems.
Why GDS2 remains central in 2025
Despite the emergence of alternative formats and compression schemes, GDSII/GDS2 endures as a universal lingua franca for IC layouts. Its longevity is driven by compatibility, tooling maturity, and proven reliability across global supply chains.
Adoption and interoperability
- Broad vendor support: Cadence, Synopsys, Mentor Graphics (Siemens EDA), and numerous other EDA tools seamlessly import/export GDSII/GDS2 files.
- Archival stability: decades of libraries and IP are stored in GDS2, with mature verification and restoration workflows.
- Interoperability with newer formats: many tools offer bidirectional conversion between GDSII/GDS2 and formats like OASIS/OASIS++, balancing size and fidelity.
- Industry continuity: mask houses and foundries commonly require GDSII/GDS2 as a fundamental input, ensuring ongoing relevance.
While compression- and feature-focused formats gain traction for very large designs, GDSII/GDS2 remains the backbone of the physical-design ecosystem, appreciated for its simplicity, reliability, and broad support.
GDS2 in practice: workflows and examples
In everyday workflows, GDSII/GDS2 files travel from place to place: designers create layouts in front-end tools, export to GDSII/GDS2 for tape-out, and mask shops use the data to fabricate photomasks. Verification and data-prep steps run in parallel to ensure correctness before manufacturing.
Common workflows
- Design capture and layout: engineers generate geometry, assign layers, and structure designs into reusable cells; the project is exported as a GDSII/GDS2 stream for downstream use.
- Verification and data prep: DRU/LVS checks, typography and label verification, and CAD cleanup occur to ensure manufacturability.
- Handoff to fabrication: verified GDSII/GDS2 files are sent to mask shops or foundries; any required format conversions are performed during transfer.
- Archival and revision control: design data and ancillary metadata are stored for traceability, with versioning to manage iterations.
In practice, teams often rely on specialized GDS2 viewers and editors to perform quick inspections, while larger teams use integrated workflows that tie GDS2 data to simulation, extraction, and manufacturing preparation tools.
Summary
GDS2 (GDSII) is the enduring binary file format that encodes two-dimensional IC layouts with a hierarchical structure, layers, and geometry. It underpins how designers communicate designs to fabrication facilities, enabling reliable archiving, cross-tool interoperability, and a mature ecosystem of viewers, editors, and verification tools. While newer formats offer advantages in specific contexts, GDS2 remains a critical, widely supported standard in the semiconductor industry, continually adapting through translations to formats like OASIS and beyond to meet evolving scale and performance needs.
What scan tool do GM dealerships use?
GM Tech 2
GM Tech 2: This is the GM factory scan tool used in all GM dealers since 1996. Model coverage includes all makes and models of GM vehicles including passenger cars, trucks and vans.
Does GM Tech 2 require a subscription?
Yes needs a subscription. One vehicle is 45 a year for programming.
What is a GM Tech 2 scanner?
The Tech2 is a scanning device which is able to let you deep dive into the internals of the various systems in your vehicle. While generic scanners can show and decode error codes, the Tech2 has the ability to get into the details of the error. Also the Tech2 is able to set brand/type specific settings.
What does GDS2 do?
GDS2 is designed for use by trained service personnel to diagnose and repair automotive electronic systems. Every attempt has been made to provide complete and accurate technical information based on factory service information available at the time of publication.
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