Abstract: A conformal outline of a well which is to receive elements of a circuit is formed from one or more candidate rectangles which enclose input rectangles. The one or more candidate rectangles are determined based upon a cost of the candidate rectangles determined therefor based on the overlap of the candidate rectangles with one or more penalty or avoid rectangles. Each input rectangle represents an area where it is desired to place elements of the circuit and each penalty or avoid rectangle represent an area where it is desired to avoid placing elements of the circuit. To determine the candidate rectangle(s) having the most advantageous cost, a side and/or an edge of each candidate rectangle is positioned at or near plural locations where the sides and/or edges of the input rectangles reside and a cost is determined therefor. The candidate rectangle(s) having the most favorable cost are then utilized as solution rectangles for the conformal outline.