KLayout Plugin: Move Quickly Tool

• Boost your layout productivity with quick moves of layout elements, such as
  • cell instances
  • shapes (e.g. polygons, boxes, paths)

This add-on can be installed through KLayout package manager, see installation instructions here

After installation, this tool can be accessed through Toolbar→Move quickly

Usage

Pre-selection

• You can select instances and shapes (you want to move), before invoking the tool
  • The selection will be displayed in the dock setup panel

Tool activation and deactivation

• Click the Move Quickly tool or press M to enter the tool mode (if you've configured the key binding as explained here
• Press Esc at any time to abort the tool and activate the regular KLayout selection tool.

Example 1: Moving single object (mouse)

• Activate the tool
• If there is no selection, left-click an object to move it
• Otherwise, left-click again to move it
• Move the mouse to the destination
• Click to move the object

Example 2: Moving single object (keyboard)

• Activate the tool
• Left-click an object to select it
• Press Tab to enter the dock setup widget
• Provide either absolute positions or relativ deltas
• Press Enter to commit the move operation

Example 3: Extend selection

• Activate the tool
• Select an object
• Hold Shift and select additional object(s)
• Click to start moving
• Move the mouse to the desired destination
• Commit the move operation with a click or by pressing Enter

Example 4: Drag selection

• Activate the tool
• Select object(s) by dragging the mouse
• Hold Shift and select additional object(s)
• Click to start moving
• Move the mouse to the desired destination
• Commit the move operation with a click or by pressing Enter

Pro-Tip: assign key binding M to the tool

• In the main menu, open the Preferences/Settings in KLayout
• Navigate to Application→Customize Menu
• Search for 'Move'
• Assign the shortcut M to the path edit_menu.mode_menu.Move_quickly

Installation using KLayout Package Manager

1. From the main menu, click Tools→Manage Packages to open the package manager

2. Locate the MoveQuicklyToolPlugin, double-click it to select for installation, then click Apply

3. Review and close the package installation report

4. Confirm macro execution