Abstract: An integrated circuit layout method directly extracts plural primitive objects from a user's existing layout to expedite a new layout for reuse and migration and to gain the benefits of full coverage and minimal cost of layout design. The integrated circuit layout method comprises the steps of capturing a set of design parameters from a user's existing layout; capturing a plurality of primitive objects from the user's existing layout; extracting at least one leaf device from the user's existing layout; defining at least one nested device based on the leaf device; setting compaction constraints for the nested device to form a basic layout; and performing a layout task based on the basic layout.

Abstract: A system and method for manipulating an integrated circuit layout allowing for reuse and migration. The method comprises steps of identifying objects in a geometric layout to generate a first symbolic layout, nesting a plurality of objects in the first symbolic layout to generate a first virtual device, and associating the first virtual device to generate a second symbolic layout. The method further comprises a step of modifying parameters and constraints of the first virtual device to generate a third virtual device, and a step of optimizing a second symbolic layout including the first virtual devices to generate a third symbolic layout based on the third virtual device. Consequently, the second symbolic layout can be reused. Further, the method comprises a step of updating parameters and constraints of the first virtual device based on new process rules to generate a fourth virtual device so that the second symbolic layout can be used to generate a third symbolic layout for migration.