Layer specifications are used in various places, for example in layer mapping files (Layer Mapping Tables). Layer specifications are used inside the database to give a layer a name or a number/datatype pair or both. Layer specifications are the text representation of LayerInfo objects.
Blanks within layer specifications are ignored and can be put between the different components of the specification.
A simple number for the specification will indicate a layer with this layer number and a datatype of zero:
17
will give layer 17, datatype 0.
A number followed by a slash and another number will indicate a layer number and datatype:
17/5
will give layer 17, datatype 5.
Layers can be named. Named layers are present in DXF, CIF or other formats which don't use the GDS layer/datatype number scheme. Just giving a name will indicate such a layer:
METAL1
will give a named layer called "METAL1".
If you want to use a name that is a number, use quotes:
"17"
will give a named layer called "17".
If you want to use a name that includes blanks, put it into quotes as well:
"METAL 1"
will give a named layer called "METAL 1" (however, such layer names are usually illegal).
Finally, a layer can have both a name and layer/datatype numbers. In this case, add the layer/datatype number to the name in round brackets:
METAL1 (17)
will give a layer named "METAL1" with layer 17 and datatype 0 and
METAL1 (17/5)
will give a layer named "METAL1" with layer 17 and datatype 5.
When used in a target context (e.g. for layer mapping), a layer specification can use wildcards and relative layer/datatype specifications. Using "*" instead of a layer or datatype number means to reuse the source layer or datatype number. Using "+x" or "-x" for layer or datatype number means to add or subtract "x" from the source layer or datatype number.