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Frequently Asked Questions

This page collects the questions we hear most from new and prospective users. For installation errors, missing packages, and runtime crashes, see Troubleshooting instead. For community help, see Community.

Getting Started

What is GDSFactory+, and how is it different from open-source GDSFactory?

GDSFactory is the open-source Python library for chip design. GDSFactory+ is a commercial extension that adds foundry PDKs, a graphical layout editor, a schematic editor, DRC/LVS verification, circuit simulation, and an AI agent — all integrated into VS Code. Your existing GDSFactory code keeps working; GDSFactory+ builds on top of it.

Who is GDSFactory+ for?

Anyone designing photonic, electronic, or RF chips who wants to move faster than is possible with a text-only Python workflow. Academic research groups use it to tape out on foundry PDKs. Commercial teams use it to accelerate schematic-driven layout, verification, and simulation. Defense and government labs use it on both cloud and air-gapped environments.

Can I use my existing GDSFactory Python code with GDSFactory+?

Yes. GDSFactory+ expands open-source GDSFactory. Any script or library that runs with the open-source version runs as-is. The extension adds a graphical interface and extra capabilities on top; it does not replace the Python layer.

What platforms are supported?

  • macOS (Apple Silicon only; Intel Macs are not supported)
  • Linux (glibc 2.28+, e.g. Ubuntu 18.04+, RHEL 8+)
  • Windows (via WSL2 is recommended for best performance)

See Local Installation for details.

Licensing and Access

How does licensing work?

GDSFactory+ uses an API-key-based license. Each user generates their own key in the customer portal and pastes it into the extension. The extension authenticates with a license server when it starts. No local license server daemon is required.

Is it node-locked or floating?

Licenses are per-user (tied to your portal account), not to a specific machine. You can use your API key on any supported machine. Seats are counted by the number of active user accounts in your organization, not by simultaneous connections.

Do you have academic pricing?

Yes. GDSFactory+ has dedicated academic pricing with two tiers: per-user and unlimited-users-within-the-institution. The institutional option is popular for research groups where students rotate in and out. Visit gdsfactory.com for current rates and to get in touch.

Is the AI Agent included in the Local plan, or only in Cloud?

The AI Agent is available on all plans, including Local.

Can I use GDSFactory+ offline?

The extension checks in with the license server on startup. A persistent internet connection is not required during design work, but you do need connectivity to activate and on each restart. If your environment is air-gapped, contact us about our GovCloud / Stormbreaker deployment option for defense and government users.

What happens when my trial expires?

Access to licensed PDKs and commercial features pauses. Your code and project files are unaffected. To continue, upgrade to a paid plan or contact us to extend the trial. Open-source GDSFactory continues to work regardless.

When does my subscription start? Is it 365 days from the PO, or from activation?

Subscriptions start from the date of activation, not from the PO date. If there is a gap between signing and activation, let us know and we can align the start date.

Can you do multi-year pricing or monthly billing?

Both annual and monthly billing are available. Multi-year pricing is available for larger teams. Visit gdsfactory.com to request a quote.

PDKs and Foundries

Which foundries does GDSFactory+ support?

43+ foundry PDKs across silicon photonics, silicon nitride, III-V, thin-film lithium niobate, and RF processes. See the full list on the PDKs page. Major foundries include GlobalFoundries AMF, Tower, Ligentec, HHI, AIM Photonics, IMEC, Cornerstone, QCi, CCraft, Luxtelligence, Smart Photonics, and more.

How do I get access to a specific foundry PDK?

Access is controlled by the foundry, not by GDSFactory. Depending on the PDK, you either download it from the foundry portal (e.g. GlobalFoundries eBizz, Tower eBizz), request it directly by email from the foundry, or receive it through a multi-project wafer broker. The PDKs page lists the distribution method for each foundry.

Once you have the PDK files, install them in your project via the GDSFactory+ extension panel or uv add <pdk-package>.

Can you add support for my foundry's PDK?

We build and maintain PDKs in collaboration with foundries. If your foundry is not yet in the list, get in touch via gdsfactory.com. The conversation typically involves an NDA with the foundry and a scoping call. Turnaround time depends on the foundry's cooperation and the complexity of the process.

Can I register a non-standard or internal PDK (e.g. a company-proprietary process)?

Yes. If you have GDS files and a layer map, the AI Agent can help you register a custom PDK. The general flow is: gather all your foundry cells into a single GDS file, define a layer mapping, then ask the agent something like "Register this GDS as a PDK with the following layer map." See the AI Agent page for an overview of what the agent can do.

How does GDSFactory handle foundry IP and NDAs?

PDKs that require an NDA are distributed directly by the foundry, not by GDSFactory. We do not re-distribute NDA-protected files. When you request access, the foundry grants it through their own portal or file-sharing process, and GDSFactory+ simply loads the files you already have access to.

Workflow and Features

How does schematic-driven layout work?

You draw a circuit schematic in the GDSFactory+ schematic editor, connecting components at the port level. The tool then automatically generates a physical layout from the schematic, routing waveguides between components according to your PDK's design rules. The result is a GDS file ready for DRC and tapeout. See the Quickstart for a walkthrough.

Can I round-trip between GDSFactory+ and Virtuoso (Cadence) or OptoCompiler?

GDSFactory+ can import GDS files generated by other tools and export GDS/SPICE for use in Virtuoso or other EDA environments. A full bidirectional "round-trip" with live netlists is not built in out of the box, but GDS import/export and SPICE netlist export provide the main integration points.

Does GDSFactory+ work with KLayout?

Yes. GDSFactory can read and write GDS files, which KLayout also reads. You can use KLayout alongside GDSFactory+ for visualization or manual DRC. DRC decks for many PDKs are also available in both Calibre and KLayout formats.

What simulation engines are available?

GDSFactory+ integrates with several electromagnetic and circuit simulation engines:

  • SAX for S-parameter circuit simulation
  • Tidy3D (cloud-based FDTD) for device-level simulation
  • FEMwell for finite-element mode solving
  • gsim for photonic circuit simulation

The available engines depend on your subscription and which packages are included in your PDK's project template. See the Resources page for simulation docs.

What can the AI Agent do?

The agent can help you design components, diagnose setup errors, translate SKILL/OptoCompiler code to GDSFactory Python, run DRC, register custom PDKs, and answer questions about your project. It has access to your project files and can run code in your environment. See the AI Agent page for a full overview.

Can I add users to my organization's workspace?

Yes. Organization administrators can invite users from the customer portal. Each invited user creates their own account and generates their own API key. If you need to add users beyond your current seat count, contact us to update your plan.

How do shared workspaces work in the Cloud plan?

Cloud workspaces are per-user by default. Sharing a workspace with a teammate requires the other person to be in your organization and have their own active seat. During a trial, workspace access is limited to the account holder.

Pricing and Purchasing

How do I get a quote?

Visit gdsfactory.com with the number of seats and your organization type (academic, commercial, government) and we will send a formal quote. Credit-card purchases are also available through the same site.

What payment methods do you accept?

Credit card (via Stripe) and purchase order / invoice. Most enterprise and government customers pay by PO. Academic customers often use institutional credit cards or procurement offices.

Can we get a formal quote for procurement purposes?

Yes. Send the number of users, your billing address, and any required vendor form through gdsfactory.com. We can also fill out vendor registration forms for procurement systems.

Support and Community

Where do I ask questions?

How quickly do you respond to support requests?

We aim to reply to support@ within one business day. PDK-related issues sometimes take longer because they involve coordinating with the foundry. Urgent issues flagged as such in the subject line get prioritized.

Do you offer training or onboarding sessions?

Yes. We offer onboarding calls and workshops for new teams. Visit gdsfactory.com to schedule one. We have also delivered workshops at conferences (OFC, CLEO, Photonics West) and can do remote or on-site sessions for larger groups.

Is there documentation I should read before my first onboarding call?

The Quickstart and Local Installation guides are the best starting points. If you have a specific foundry PDK in mind, skim the PDKs page to understand how PDK access works before we talk.