The VIEWER Feature Set

This feature set corresponds to the Xiv virtual product. This was once a stand-alone layout viewer product. Currently, the same functionality is provided via running Xic with the VIEWER feature set, which was formerly imposed during license authentication.

One can force running with the VIEWER feature set by setting the environment variable FORCE_XIV before starting the Xic program.

This feature set restricts the functionality to physical layout viewing. This provides a low-cost alternative for users that do not require the full functionality of Xic. We will continue to use ``Xiv'' to refer to Xic running with this feature set.

In order to streamline support and maintenance, the documentation tree, i.e., the manual, help database, and release notes, is common to all feature sets. This is a slight disadvantage to users of restricted feature sets, as the documentation contains descriptions of disabled features, which may lead to confusion. However, this greatly simplifies maintaining the documentation.

This section will list the differences and features that are unavailable in the Xiv virtual product.

1. Technology File
   Parts of the technology file that relate to features that are not available in Xiv are ignored, but will generate warning messages. In the example technology files, these features are enclosed in macro-tested blocks to avoid the warnings. The syntax is

   If FEATURESET == "FULL"
   ...
   EndIf

   The right side of the conditional can take these values:

   "FULL"
   All features enabled.

   "EDITOR"
   Layout editing feature set (XicII)

   "VIEWER"
   Layout viewing feature set (Xiv)

2. No Editing
   All cells are treated as read-only. The menus that relate to changing the layout (Edit and Modify) are absent.

3. No Design Rule Checking
   Xiv does not have DRC support, consequently the DRC Menu is absent.

4. No Electrical Mode
   Xiv is a physical layout viewing tool only. There is no schematic entry, and no SPICE capability. There is no Electrical or Physical button in the View Menu.

5. No Extraction
   Xiv has no extraction capability and no Extract Menu.

6. No User Menu
   Scripting is not available.

7. No Batch or Server Modes
   The background processing capability is not available in Xiv.

8. `!' Commands
   The `!' commands in Xiv are identical to those in Xic, however `!' commands in Xiv which relate to unavailable features will not be recognized.