z(input(2, 0), height: 300.nm)

To see a true representation, you must define the vertical stack. If you don't have a technology script, you can configure it manually in the 25D setup window: Select the GDS layer number (e.g., 10/0 for Metal1).

KLayout’s 25D View changes how engineers interact with layout masks. It turns flat geometric drawings into realistic, intuitive stackup previews. Integrating this tool into your verification workflow catches structural errors early, saves money on mask updates, and clarifies complex architectures. If you want to customize your setup further, let me know: What or process type are you using?

Let me know how you would like to proceed with configuring your ! Share public link

: You can enable this option in the viewer settings to only show the 3D extrusion of parts you have selected in the 2D layout. 5. Troubleshooting Script not showing in menu

In integrated circuit (IC) design and microfabrication, visualizing how a two-dimensional layout translates into a physical, three-dimensional device is a constant challenge. KLayout, the industry-standard open-source GDSII and OASIS file viewer and editor, bridges this gap powerfully with its feature.

KLayout’s 2.5D (often written “25D”) view is a visualization mode that augments planar GDS/OASIS layout layers with a height dimension—letting users inspect and present topography, stackups, and thickness-aware geometries without needing a full 3D CAD tool. It’s especially useful for photonics, MEMS, semiconductor process visualization, and PCB/packaging cross-sections where layer thicknesses or etch depths matter.

KLayout operates primarily as a GDSII, OASIS, and DXF file viewer. In standard operation, it renders layout data as flat, 2D polygons on distinct layers. However, modern semiconductor processes involve complex vertical topologies. The "2.5D View" (often referred to as the "3D View" or "Cross-Section View" within the software) bridges the gap between flat 2D plans and physical 3D realization.

Standard extrusion creates perfectly vertical walls. If your process involves sloped sidewalls (common in deep reactive-ion etching), check if your KLayout 2.5D plugin or macro supports sidewall angle configurations to simulate a more realistic physical cross-section. Conclusion

KLayout's is a powerful visualization tool that bridges the gap between traditional 2D top-down layout editing and full 3D modeling . It allows designers to see their integrated circuit (IC) or MEMS designs with simulated thickness and vertical stacking, making it much easier to spot layer alignment issues or structural inconsistencies. What is the 2.5D View?

Let's look at a basic script. It takes two layers, layer 1/0 and layer 2/0, and extrudes them into a stack:

This report provides a technical assessment of the "2.5D View" functionality within KLayout, a popular open-source layout viewer and editor for integrated circuit (IC) design. While KLayout is natively a 2D tool, it offers robust 2.5D visualization features that allow designers to inspect layer stacking, process cross-sections, and 3D geometry without requiring a full heavy-weight 3D process simulation. This functionality is critical for Design Rule Checking (DRC) debugging, MEMS design verification, and ensuring correct layer ordering in advanced node technologies.

The bottom coordinate of the layer relative to the substrate.

The KLayout 2.5D View is a highly effective, cost-efficient solution for physical design verification. It moves the designer beyond the abstraction of GDSII layers into a representation of physical reality.