Export Formats
Get your designs into production with industry-standard file formats
From Design to Fabrication
FluxCore supports all major file formats used in photonic IC manufacturing. Export your designs directly to foundries or integrate with other EDA tools in your workflow.
GDS II
Industry standard
OASIS
Large designs
DXF/DWG
CAD exchange
JSON/YAML
Parameterized
GDS II Format
GDSII Stream FormatMost Common
GDS II (Graphic Data System) is the de facto standard for photomask and IC layout data. All major foundries accept GDS II files for fabrication.
Features
- Hierarchical cell structure
- Multiple layers support
- Polygons and paths
- Text labels and annotations
- Arrays and references
Export Options
- Database units (nm precision)
- Layer mapping configuration
- Flatten hierarchy option
- Include/exclude layers
- Datatype assignment
# Python SDK - GDS Export
circuit.export_gds(
filepath="my_design.gds",
options={
"unit": 1e-9, # 1 nm database unit
"precision": 1e-12, # Sub-nm precision
"flatten": False, # Preserve hierarchy
"layer_map": {
"waveguide": (1, 0), # Layer 1, Datatype 0
"metal": (2, 0),
"via": (3, 0),
"text": (100, 0)
},
"include_ports": True, # Export port markers
"max_points": 8191 # GDS polygon limit
}
)
# REST API
POST /v1/circuits/{id}/export
{
"format": "gds",
"options": {
"unit": 1e-9,
"flatten": false
}
}OASIS Format
Open Artwork System Interchange StandardLarge Designs
OASIS is the modern successor to GDS II, offering significantly better compression and support for larger, more complex designs. Recommended for designs with millions of polygons.
Advantages over GDS II
- 10-50x smaller file sizes
- No polygon point limit
- Better compression algorithms
- Modal data encoding
When to Use OASIS
- Designs > 100MB in GDS format
- Millions of polygons
- Large repetitive structures
- Foundry supports OASIS
# Python SDK - OASIS Export
circuit.export_oasis(
filepath="my_design.oas",
options={
"compression": "zlib", # or "none"
"validation": "strict", # Validate on export
"cell_naming": "preserve" # or "flatten"
}
)
# Compare file sizes
gds_size = circuit.estimate_export_size("gds")
oas_size = circuit.estimate_export_size("oasis")
print(f"GDS: {gds_size/1e6:.1f} MB")
print(f"OASIS: {oas_size/1e6:.1f} MB")
print(f"Compression ratio: {gds_size/oas_size:.1f}x")Additional Formats
DXF / DWG
AutoCAD-compatible formats for integration with mechanical CAD workflows and packaging design.
- 2D and 3D geometry export
- Layer preservation
- Block/cell support
JSON / YAML
Human-readable parameterized formats for version control, automation, and programmatic design generation.
- Git-friendly diffs
- Parameter preservation
- Schema validation
Lumerical Formats
Export directly to Lumerical simulation tools for advanced electromagnetic analysis.
- FDTD Solutions (.fsp)
- MODE Solutions (.lms)
- INTERCONNECT (.icp)
Image Formats
High-resolution image exports for documentation, presentations, and publications.
- PNG (up to 4K resolution)
- SVG (vector graphics)
- PDF (print-ready)
Layer Mapping Configuration
Configure layer mappings to match your foundry's PDK requirements.
# Layer mapping configuration (YAML)
layer_mapping:
# FluxCore Layer -> GDS Layer/Datatype
waveguide_core:
layer: 1
datatype: 0
purpose: "drawing"
waveguide_clad:
layer: 1
datatype: 1
purpose: "cladding"
metal_1:
layer: 10
datatype: 0
via_1_2:
layer: 20
datatype: 0
heater:
layer: 30
datatype: 0
text_labels:
layer: 100
datatype: 0
purpose: "label"
# Apply during export
circuit.export_gds("design.gds", layer_map="foundry_pdk.yaml")Foundry Compatibility
Always verify layer mappings with your foundry's PDK documentation. FluxCore includes pre-configured mappings for major foundries.
Direct Foundry Submission
FluxCore partners with leading photonic foundries for one-click tape-out submission. Skip the manual file transfer and submit directly from your design.
Next Steps
Manufacturing Workflow
- Design Rule Checking- Validate before export
- Foundry Integration- Direct submission
API Integration
- REST API- Automate exports
- Python SDK- Batch processing