Klayout 25d View Jun 2026

input(layer_index, datatype) : Fetches shapes from the 2D layout.

In advanced nodes (7nm, 5nm), the metal stack is dense and complex. By assigning heights to Metal 1 through Metal 6, an engineer can instantly visualize the "bridge" structures and via alignments. It is excellent for checking if a guard ring structure is properly enclosing the desired vertical volume.

. If you don't see "2.5D View" in the Tools menu, your build might lack this support. The Setup Script klayout 25d view

Because semiconductor layers are often very thin relative to their width, the 2.5D view includes a on the right side of the window. Increasing this factor exaggerates the vertical dimensions, making it easier to see height variations that would otherwise appear flat. Advanced Visualization Features

(or 25D) is a compromise. It simulates depth by extruding 2D polygons vertically and allowing perspective or orthographic rotation, but typically restricts navigation to a limited range (e.g., tilting the view, but not going "under" the substrate). The model remains fundamentally 2D geometry with assigned layer heights and materials. input(layer_index, datatype) : Fetches shapes from the 2D

It is not a full 3D simulator – and that is perfectly fine. For tape-out checks, MEMS topology inspection, and even client presentations, the 2.5D perspective offers the best trade-off between speed, clarity, and physical insight. With a few minutes of layer height assignment, you can see your design the way it will exist on silicon: as a three-dimensional object, not just a geometric abstraction.

No external renderer needed – it’s real-time and lightweight. It is excellent for checking if a guard

These settings are fully interactive; the user can zoom into a specific via array, tilt the view to check alignment, and then switch back to standard top-down editing with a single click.