MLA150 - Large Image GDS Generation - Revision history

John d: updated formatting/numbered list

2022-07-29T23:45:51Z

updated formatting/numbered list

John d at 19:27, 5 February 2021

2021-02-05T19:27:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:27, 5 February 2021
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	==== Procedure ====		==== Procedure ====

	'''[https://www.gimp.org/ GIMP]:''' (can also do in another image editor, such as Paint.exe)		'''1)''' In '''[https://www.gimp.org/ GIMP]:''' (can also do in another image editor, such as Paint.exe)

	open the Image (JPG, PNG, BMP etc.),		open the Image (JPG, PNG, BMP etc.),
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	Save as any JPG, PNG, BMP format		Save as any JPG, PNG, BMP format

	'''[https://inkscape.org/ Inkscape]:'''		'''2)''' In '''[https://inkscape.org/ Inkscape]:'''

	Open the Image file, default options		Open the Image file, default options
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	> UNCHECK "Robo" and "LWPOLYLINE" - important, or the lines won’t be connected as a single object.		> UNCHECK "Robo" and "LWPOLYLINE" - important, or the lines won’t be connected as a single object.

	'''[https://www.klayout.de/ Klayout]:'''		'''3)''' In '''[https://www.klayout.de/ Klayout]:'''

	Open the DXF in Klayout		Open the DXF in Klayout
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	Take note of which Cell & Layer should be printed		Take note of which Cell & Layer should be printed

	'''MLA:'''		'''4)''' On the '''MLA:'''

	[Convert Design] and Import the GDS,		[Convert Design] and Import the GDS,

John d: pasted method

2021-01-08T05:45:51Z

pasted method

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:45, 8 January 2021
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	Instructions on how to take a regular rasterized image (eg. JPG, BMP, PNG etc.) and convert it into a vectorized format compatible with the MLA150. This produces a much smaller file than a raw BMP image, because large-area polygons are created, as opposed to defining each pixel across a 150mm wafer (which hits the RAM limit on the computer).		Instructions on how to take a regular rasterized image (eg. JPG, BMP, PNG etc.) and convert it into a vectorized format compatible with the MLA150. This produces a much smaller file than a raw BMP image, because large-area polygons are created, as opposed to the BMP file defining each ~4µm pixel across a 150mm wafer (which hits the RAM limit on the computer).

	In this example, we convert the image into ~~simple~~ 1-bit black-and-white image using the free software [https://www.gimp.org GIMP], and then convert to a Vector format using the free software [https://inkscape.org InkScape]. Then we correct the scale and convert to GDS using the free software [https://www.klayout.de KLayout].		In this example, we convert the image into a 1-bit black-and-white image using the free software [https://www.gimp.org GIMP], and then convert to a Vector format using the free software [https://inkscape.org InkScape]. Then we correct the scale and convert to GDS using the free software [https://www.klayout.de KLayout]., which is then ready for exposure on the MLA.

	==== Procedure ====		==== Procedure ====

John d: pasted method

2021-01-08T05:43:49Z

pasted method

New page

Instructions on how to take a regular rasterized image (eg. JPG, BMP, PNG etc.) and convert it into a vectorized format compatible with the MLA150. This produces a much smaller file than a raw BMP image, because large-area polygons are created, as opposed to defining each pixel across a 150mm wafer (which hits the RAM limit on the computer).

In this example, we convert the image into simple 1-bit black-and-white image using the free software [https://www.gimp.org GIMP], and then convert to a Vector format using the free software [https://inkscape.org InkScape]. Then we correct the scale and convert to GDS using the free software [https://www.klayout.de KLayout].

==== Procedure ====
'''[https://www.gimp.org/ GIMP]:''' (can also do in another image editor, such as Paint.exe)

open the Image (JPG, PNG, BMP etc.),

Image > Mode > Indexed > 1-bit

Optional: Dither to handle grey values, haven't tried this.

Can edit by painting etc.

Save as any JPG, PNG, BMP format

'''[https://inkscape.org/ Inkscape]:'''

Open the Image file, default options

Click on the Image with the Arrow tool, to select it.

Path > Trace Bitmap (options affect curves/resolution)

- Use the “Update” button to show a Preview of the Path that will be created.

- Options: Trace BitMap > Single-Scan > AutoTrace (dropdown menu).

- [OK] to create the Path, then Close the “Trace Bitmap” window.

- Creates a new Path object that outlines the image

Use the Arrow select tool to select the Image

- bottom bar shows what object is selected

- Option/Alt-Click to select obscured objects

- Make sure PATH is Not selected

Delete the Image. File should have only the Path object in it.

File > Save a Copy… > DXF (Autocad R14)

> UNCHECK "Robo" and "LWPOLYLINE" - important, or the lines won’t be connected as a single object.

'''[https://www.klayout.de/ Klayout]:'''

Open the DXF in Klayout

Use Cell Instance to scale up to desired size:
* Create a new Cell
* Instance the original Cell into that.
* Edit Cell Instance properties to adjust scaling
Use Move tool to Center image at 0,0

Save as GDS
* Change file extension to ''lower case'' “gds” important, or MLA ''convert'' software won’t see the file.
Take note of which Cell & Layer should be printed

'''MLA:'''

[Convert Design] and Import the GDS,

Choose correct Cell from dropdown

Set correct Layer: set 1st line to correct layer & uncheck the others

[Viewer] to make sure scale is correct

Ready to expose the pattern as normal.