Glyph guides

Worked, step-by-step examples that take a real layout task end to end in Glyph.

Start here

Your first photomaskDraw, layer and export a complete GDSII mask from a blank document.~10 min

Trace a bitmap to GDSIITrace a PNG into polygons with four contour modes, then export it as GDSII.~8 min

Cells, instances and arraysDraw one cell, place it 17 times, and control how deep the view renders.~15 min

Measure and annotateRead distance, angle, gap and radius live, then pin them as permanent dimensions.~10 min

Design a real device

Thermo-optic phase shifterPlace a waveguide, heater and contact pads, then map each role to a real layer.~10 min

Waveguide ring resonatorPlace a parametric ring beside a bus waveguide and tune the coupling gap.~8 min

Microfluidic chip with Quake valvesCross a control channel over a flow channel to build a two-layer Quake valve.~15 min

MEMS comb-drive actuatorArray one comb finger, flatten it, and union it into a suspended actuator.~25 min

Verify and ship

Design-rule checks (DRC)Set width, spacing and area rules, run F7, and step through every violation.~10 min

Compare two GDS filesXOR two revisions, then step through every difference region with F2.~25 min

Wafer layout and alignment marksStep a die across a 150 mm wafer, then place and cross-check alignment marks.~25 min

Export to CIF, OASIS and DXFSend a design out as CIF, OASIS or DXF, and export a KLayout layer map with it.~14 min

Power tools

Boolean and layer operationsMerge, subtract and intersect by selection, by whole layer, or as a dark-field preview.~13 min

Palette, shortcuts, grid presetsFind any command with Ctrl+K, remap a key, and put a snap step on every number key.~10 min

Automate with recipesSave an ordered list of commands as JSON and re-run it on the next design.~15 min

Draw GDSII with ClaudeConnect an MCP client to a live tab and let it draw undo-tracked geometry.~10 min

Figures and recovery

Publication-quality figuresTurn a dark layout into a white-background SVG or PNG with scale bar and legend.~5 min

Recover unsaved workGet work back after a crash, and fix files that won't open or layers you can't see.~5 min