Import external views (File → Import)

LibMan can convert schematics and layouts from other EDA formats into CORE view files and register them in the current project.

Menu	Description
File → Import...	Open the import dialog
File → Export...	Export selected CORE views to GDS, Xschem, or Qucs

Import requires a CORE-enabled build (CONFIG+=no_core disables this menu).

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Dialog fields

Field	Description
Source format	GDS, Xschem, Qucs, or OAS
Target library	Library from the open .projects file (same names as in Project Editor)
Single file / Folder	Import one file or every matching file in a directory
Path	Source file or folder (Browse...)
Log	Per-file success or failure after Import (updates progressively)
Overwrite existing cell views	Replace *.core files that already exist for the same cell/view

The target library defaults to the library currently selected in the main window.

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What happens on import

For each source file:

1. LibMan creates \<library-root>/\<cell>/\<cell>.\<view>.core (or copies a native .oas file when no converter is available).
2. A CORE converter is run as an external process.
3. The new view is registered in LibMan (LIBRARY_<lib>/<cell>/<view>).
4. If a project file is open, File → Save runs automatically — a new define("library", "path"); line is appended to .projects.

Cell name is taken from the source file base name (OTA1336.sch → cell OTA1336).

Format	Source extensions	Converter	Result view
GDS	.gds, .gds2	gds_to_core --all-cells	layout
Xschem	.sch, .sym	xschem_to_core	schematic or symbol
Qucs	.sch	qucs_to_core	schematic
OAS	.oas, .oas.gz	oas_to_core if present, else native copy	layout or oas

GDS import uses --all-cells so multi-cell libraries are preserved in one .layout.core file per source GDS.

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Converter tools (next to libman.exe)

LibMan does not embed converters in-process. On build, these tools from CommonDB are copied next to the executable:

• gds_to_core, core_to_gds
• xschem_to_core, core_to_xschem
• qucs_to_core, core_to_qucs
• oas_to_core (when CORE is built with ZLIB)

Search order (core/converter_paths.cpp):

1. LIBMAN_CONVERTER_DIR environment variable (if set)
2. Directory containing libman.exe
3. tools/ and converters/ subdirectories next to the executable

Override example:

$env:LIBMAN_CONVERTER_DIR = "C:\path\to\converters"
.\build\libman.exe

Build integration

Build system	Behaviour
CMake	CORE_BUILD_EXAMPLES=ON in cmake/FetchCore.cmake; POST_BUILD copies converters to $<TARGET_FILE_DIR:libman>
qmake	scripts/fetch_core.cmd / fetch_core_linux.sh build converter targets; core_converter_deploy.pri copies them after link

After changing CORE or fetch scripts, delete .deps/core-build/libman_core_built.stamp (qmake) or reconfigure CMake so converters are rebuilt.

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Export (File → Export...)

Export CORE views from the current project to external formats:

Format	Result extensions	Converter
GDS	.gds	core_to_gds
Xschem	.sch / .sym	core_to_xschem
Qucs	.sch	core_to_qucs

Pick a destination folder and one or more *.core view files (or use the project tree selection). Converters are resolved the same way as import (LIBMAN_CONVERTER_DIR, directory next to libman.exe).

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Project file format

Imported views appear like any other view in .projects:

define("my_lib", "my_lib/inv/inv.schematic.core");
define("my_lib", "my_lib/ota/ota.layout.core");

Use Project Editor (Ctrl+E) to review or edit entries. See also CORE integration for view naming (*.schematic.core, *.layout.core, …).

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Typical workflow

1. File → Open... — load mydesign.projects.
2. File → Import... — choose format, target library, folder of .sch files.
3. Check the log; failed rows stay in the log with a reason (converter missing, cell already exists, etc.).
4. Open schematic views (double-click) — on Windows use Xschem + WSL.

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Troubleshooting

Symptom	What to check
Converter 'gds_to_core' was not found	Rebuild with CORE; confirm gds_to_core.exe is next to libman.exe or set LIBMAN_CONVERTER_DIR
Cell view already exists	Delete the existing cell folder or pick another library
Import menu disabled / error about no_core	Rebuild without CONFIG+=no_core; CI stub builds omit Import
OAS imports as .oas not .layout.core	oas_to_core was not built (ZLIB missing in CORE build); native OAS copy still works
Project file unchanged	Open a .projects file first; otherwise use File → Save after import

More: Troubleshooting.

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Related topics

• CORE integration — fetch/build CommonDB, view types
• Project Editor — edit define() entries
• Xschem integration — open imported schematics on Windows
• Build guide — CMake and qmake